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Abstract

"8897">This is a serious issue for really large pubs. When the post is published, you’re already buried in the mix. That takes away from even publishing in a larger publication altogether. Your only hope is that Medium will recognize it and then distribute the posts to readers.</p><h1 id="cdb2">A Recent Example</h1><p id="e514">I recently wrote a post and submitted it to a publication. Nothing. Crickets. I’ve submitted to this publication probably 20 times and never heard back once. I’m sure some pubs get many submissions, but when I know an article is a good fit and it still never gets any response… well, screw that. I’m moving on.</p><p id="0ced">Okay, I submit this same article to another publication. A day later, they said, this is good, but we want to back it up with data (new rules). I replied and said I think that’s not needed and would only bog down the post.</p><p id="33cb">Then I sent the post to another publication who gave me the “we have to be selective in what we publish” response. I don’t really know what that means, do you? If it was an actually helpful response, I would have been happy for the feedback. But this kind of response is useless.</p><p id="1cb9">In all, I wasted at least 4 days in pitching a post that I knew was good and had absolutely nothing to show for it. I know, I sound a little cranky about it. I am. Why? <b>Because time spent pitching to the many publications on Medium has an opportunity cost. You’re wasting time and valuable mental energy doing it.</b></p><p id="68fc">But, at the same time, you absolutely need to publish your writing within publication to get any traction with your content. I wrote about this more in the following post.</p><div id="e689" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/solving-the-1-problem-on-medium-29b637e91eb0"> <div> <div> <h2>Solving The #1 Problem On Medium</h2> <div><h3>How do you get your work noticed on the platform?</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*nFqU7ckM-o2vw0bd)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="71ba">So what on Earth can we do?</p><p id="e9d0"><b>The answer is surprisingly simple. Publish more content with the publications that let you control the publishing.</b></p><p id="93dd">You might have to start a few new publications from scratch. Or even come together with a group of other writers you know here on Medium.</p><p id="2c54

Options

">But that’s much better than the alternative of doing what we’ve always done. The internet is a really big place. If you want to reach an audience, don’t assume there is just one way to do it.</p><p id="8952">The popular traditional publications on Medium might be a good fit for you. But I now realize that they are no longer a good fit for me. If you want to stand out, you’ve got to do something different.</p><p id="3b0f">Everyone on Medium is doing the exact same things. And even writing about the exact same things. That’s not a good thing. It’s becoming an echo chamber of sorts.</p><h1 id="ca3f">Enter Blue Ocean Strategy</h1><figure id="4d11"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/0*8S83ul53QJRXbP8E"><figcaption>Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@vimarethomas?utm_source=medium&utm_medium=referral">Thomas Vimare</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com?utm_source=medium&utm_medium=referral">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure><p id="85fe">Blue Ocean Strategy a term that comes from the authors of the book with the same name, Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne. The strategy is simple. To succeed, you must move to the blue ocean where no one else is.</p><p id="38c1">If you compete with everyone else in the same space, you’re only going to fight for scraps in the “red ocean.” It’s crowded and people compete on things like price and quantity (think Walmart).</p><p id="7132">A good example of Blue Ocean Strategy is Apple under Steve Jobs. He was never hesitant to go do something a bit wild or different that left most traditional computer makers scratching their heads. The Newton. The iPod. The iMac. The iPhone. The iPad.</p><p id="a41c">If you want real success, you need to think a lot bigger than just publishing in one place. I know so many writers are infatuated with the idea of making money on the platform. But there are many, many, other blue oceans out there that await you. If you focus on the popular publications today that are crowded, that’s a red ocean approach.</p><p id="2231">Will it make a long-term difference for you as a writer — dare I even say as a business — if you just keep doing what everyone else is doing? Most likely it won’t.</p><p id="56b2">Be brave and go do something completely different.</p><h2 id="41ba">Want to build your writing habit? Join my free 5-Day Write First Challenge here.</h2><p id="e327">Jim Woods is a writer who believes stories can change the world. He is the creator and founder of StoryCrafting. His work has been featured in Fast Company, Life Hacker, Goinswriter, The Write Practice, and other publications.</p></article></body>

Poetry | Rap | Wake-up Call

Don’t Stress (Explicit)

Poetry? Rap? Both?

All my life I’ve been lied to got beaten up and bullied in high school Seems like there’s no rest for the wicked when people start to despise you “Oh you’re a loser, buddy! Take a hint!” What, you want me giving in to your ignorance? Fuck that, just because you people got shit for brains Doesn’t mean I’m gonna sit down with you just to try to explain Why you’re the fucked up one in this; you’re the insane If you think I’d give in to fuckers swaying into my lane I don’t have time to meddle with this, I got a life to live And I’m sorry to hurt you, but you’re no fucking part of this You’re a little late to the party, so part with this: If you think I’d give a fuck about you, you can kiss My ass, oh now you’re getting it, but it’s getting late Time for you slow-thinking mouthbreathers to move on to debate about the drawbacks of hate — wait, seems complicated, eh What, you really want me for you to translate?

You think I don’t know what’s wrong with you, don’t you? But believe me, I do, you’re fucked up, and your childhood’s been fucked up too So you try and find someone to pick a fight with; you Just can’t get over the fact that your life sucks, bro But it’s okay, just pick another one to fight with Maybe it’ll help you deal with how shitty your life is Your personal crisis, the worst day of my life is Nothing compared to your fucked up self-entitlement I thought this whole shit would just stop once you’ve grown up But hold up, nothing’s changed, people still make me wanna throw up I’m disappointed, I thought grown-ups know better Nope, it’s even worse, now they got Merriam-Webster! I see it everywhere, people full of themselves, Not thinking about others, pulling the last shit from the shelves Hoarding like goblins, then they go on and complain About how all the others are a bunch of assholes, oh well!

And it’s hard to admit it, but that’s not everything to it Even here I come across some crazy-ass bullshit “Oh, he didn’t clap my story 50 times!?”, “What, this time she only gave me 25?!” Maybe it’s time to think about the how and the why Nothing’s ever good enough; want some cheese with that whine? It’s hurtful to slowly see the toxicity rise Friends becoming enemies, spreading gossip and lies no surprise, is it? we got used to instant gratification “I wrote some fancy shit, now where’s my compensation?” Try to take a deep breath, relax, maybe give it some rest It’s not a competition buddy, just don’t get too stressed We’re all in the same boat, we all do our best But it’s annoying to see people, all getting vexed. I also have my bills to pay, trying to make ends meet, Looking at my daughter; she relies on me So let’s just try to get by and eventually This endeavor will pay off someday for us all as a community

Kevin is an editor and writer for the ILLUMINATION publication. Follow him on Twitter and LinkedIn.