avatarJustiss Goode | F😄M

Summary

The article emphasizes the importance of applying helpful writing tips to improve as a Medium writer and enhance reader engagement.

Abstract

The article "Do You Take Advantage of Smart Tips To Become a Better Medium Writer?" urges writers to actively implement writing advice to see tangible improvements in their craft. It stresses that while there is an abundance of information available, the key to growth lies in the application of this advice. The author points out common pitfalls such as ignoring feedback, maintaining ineffective writing habits, and disregarding the reader's experience due to poor formatting choices. The piece encourages writers to be flexible, embrace change, and prioritize the reader's needs for a more successful and enjoyable writing experience on Medium.

Opinions

  • The author believes that many writers undervalue the importance of applying writing tips and suggests that 2023 should be a year of action and change.
  • Good writing advice is deemed ineffective if not followed, and the responsibility for improvement lies with the writer's willingness to adapt.
  • Writers are cautioned against creating a "wall of text" without proper formatting, as it can deter readers and negatively impact the writer's success.
  • The article suggests that writers who insist on maintaining counterproductive practices, despite feedback, are doing a disservice to both their readers and their potential earnings.
  • Individuality in writing is valued, but not at the expense of readability and user-friendly formatting.
  • Readers are more likely to engage with stories that are well-formatted and visually appealing, as opposed to those that are not easy on the eyes.
  • The author advocates for a balance between creativity and adherence to proven writing and formatting practices to achieve better outcomes on Medium.
  • Writers are encouraged to actively seek out and apply advice on productivity, follower engagement, and story quality to improve their standing on the platform.

HELPFUL WRITING ADVICE

Do You Take Advantage of Smart Tips To Become a Better Medium Writer?

Stop taking useful writing tips for granted!

Photo Provided by Author — via Canva.com

Are you serious about taking the necessary steps this year, to become a better Medium writer?

If you are, then I hope that you read this story with an open mind.

Although there’s nothing negative or offensive in the following paragraphs, I must admit, my comments are very pointed.

That’s because I want some of you struggling writers out there, to stop taking helpful writing tips for granted! 2023 is the year for action, and in most cases, that will mean change.

So let’s talk about how useful writing tips need to be applied much more in the future.

Good advice is only good when it’s followed

The internet is full of information coming at you from all directions so it’s no wonder we tend to feel overwhelmed by information overload.

Needless to say, sometimes this can make things hard, finding just the right information to rely on following.

It’s not that we have a a shortage of facts and reliable material, it’s just that there’s so much for us to wade through, and determine which advice will work.

Or should I say, which advice will work for US.

Sometimes we stumble upon information that a writer swears by, only to get lousy — if any — results.

But in all honesty, sometimes, the fault doesn’t lie in the information that we’re trying to apply.

The blame can sometimes come down to the way that we mistakenly applied the information — if we applied it at all.

No matter where it comes from, or how good it is; good advice is only good, if it’s followed.

I’m a longtime freelance writer, and someone who believes in doing things by trial and error. That is why I’ve come to appreciate a valuable lesson.

It doesn’t pay, to be the kind of reader who only reads good advice, but is not smart enough to take advantage, of it, by applying what they learn.

I can’t stress enough, to new members, and even older members on the platform, the advantages that come from being flexible.

You can’t expect to grow as a writer, if you’re set on a certain way of doing things, and yet that way is not proving to be effective.

You must be willing to do things differently, if it can lead to positive results.

Your way might mean the highway

There’s a well-known expression that says: “My way or the highway”. This is a reference that basically means, do things my way or leave.

Unfortunately, some writers are causing readers to hit the highway, thanks to the writer’s way of doing things.

For instance, time and time again, I see stories that are probably full of wonderful content and great information worth consuming.

BUT — There’s a problem.

The material is thrown together like one giant wall of text.

It’s left completely to the reader to decipher how to break down the writer’s thought process, so that the mountain of words is coherent.

This is the kind of injustice that some writers do to their stories, over and over again.

It’s one thing when writers are just inexperienced, and they don’t know or realize that this is a turn off for readers.

It’s another thing, when writers insist on continuing the practice, even after they’ve been nudged, tipped off, kindly advised, and told in no uncertain terms, that this is extremely off putting.

Yep. There are writers who continually CHOOSE to shrug off warnings about this practice, as if it’s no big deal, and they apparently expect readers to feel the same way.

Only most readers don’t.

Do you want to know what the majority of readers see, when they look at a story containing a wall of text, or several large blocks of words?

HARD WORK FOR THEM!

They see a story that will require effort on their part, just to get halfway through it.

This is a stark contrast to a story with lots of white space and one that offers a smooth, user-friendly reading experience.

The fact of the matter is, not all fonts, background colors, layouts, and other formatting styles are easy on the eyes.

  • Haven’t you ever found it difficult to stare at an all black (or dark color) page and finish a story?
  • Have you ever saw a story with a beautiful font that was so fancy, you could barely make out the words?
  • Have you ever been confused while reading a 3-minute or longer story, with only 4 or 5 sentences? VERY LONG sentences!

My dear writers, this is not okay, and many readers get more than just turned off. They turn away.

I hate to say it, but in some ways, it’s offensive, to think so little of your readers, that you don’t even appear to be making an effort.

There are countless stories from writers on Medium, containing good writing advice and tips on formatting.

New or existing writers who are falling short in their stats, have no justifiable complaints; not if they continue to ignore the good advice that’s available to help them improve.

Make no mistake, I’m all for individuality, and doing your own thing, but personally, I draw the line when I see that my thing is actually counterproductive to whatever I’m trying to achieve.

I love to write, I want people to enjoy what I write, and I want to make money with my stories.

That means doing what I think will work — not sticking to my guns about questionable formatting that could be driving my readers away.

The example I gave is only one of many different ways that writers could be causing themselves to lose readers and potential earnings.

Yes, it’s true, we Medium writers are well within our rights, to assert our individuality and our creativity on the pages of our stories.

But we also have to ultimately decide which is more important; having every single thing our way, or being considerate of what our readers need.

Final Thoughts

Obviously, if any writer feels strongly about exercising their right to do things exactly how they want to, then they should.

But recognize that the results may not be the outcome you expect, particularly if you failed to follow useful advice.

So don’t just read about how to become a better writer on Medium. Make it a point to try and implement the smart tips and suggestions that you discover.

This information should be applied by those writers who are serious about improving their:

  • Productivity
  • Follower and fan base
  • Quality of future stories

Does that sound like you? Then start reading, and look for areas that you can begin improving in. You can start with these stories:

Thanks for reading…

Writing Tips
Writings Advice
Write
New Writers
Writers On Medium
Recommended from ReadMedium
avatarTovah Rainsong
Lessons From A Teacup

A fantasy short story

3 min read
avatarJayden Levitt
I Earned $100,000 From Writing Using Simple Strategies Very Few Writers Are Willing To Share.

Warning: Reading this will give you profound ideas on how to improve your writing (even if you’re a novice).

16 min read
avatarFabio Cerpelloni
I Wrote a Tiny Book and Want You to Realise You Can Write One Too

What you need and don’t need to become a tiny author

4 min read
avatarRui Alves
Poet for Hire: Pay What You Like

The Ballad of the Wooden Writer

2 min read
avatarMalky McEwan
Useful Rules on the Use of Numbers in Writing

These aren’t mission-critical but they are handy to know

3 min read
avatarJohn Gorman
Stop Wasting Your Time

A Simple Framework for Making Better Decisions

13 min read