Effective steps to write engaging stories that Medium’s algorithm will pick and recommend for months

✍️Kamal O. Touhami

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You want to write an essay for Medium and hope that it will gain some traction or maybe even go viral, but you end up disappointed and frustrated with its poor performance. You’ve tried different writing techniques, but to no avail. Sometimes, we tend to complicate things that are supposed to be simple and easy. In this blog post, I am asking you to keep things simple. Let’s get back to the drawing board and start from level one: the basics.

Here’s how you can get started on that:

First things first, pick a topic that fires you up. Something you’re passionate about. Why? Because when you’re excited about what you’re writing, it’ll shine through in your words. It makes the whole writing process way more enjoyable, trust me.

Research your topic

But hold on; don’t just jump into writing yet. Do some digging first. Research your topic well. Get a good grip on it. The more you understand it, the better your article will be. People like to read stuff that’s informative and interesting.

Write your introduction with a strong hook.

What is a hook? A hook is like the opening act of a show—it's that attention-grabbing start to an essay that reels in your reader. There are a few tricks up your sleeve to make it happen: a question to make them think, a powerful quote to resonate, a mind-blowing statistic to surprise, or an engaging anecdote to draw them in. Think of it as the spark that ignites their interest and makes them eager to dive into your writing.

Now, when you start writing, make that introduction pop! You’ve got to grab your reader’s attention right from the get-go. Make them curious and want to dive into the rest of your article.

Organize your work

Oh, and organization is critical! Arrange your thoughts and ideas in a smooth and logical way. You don’t want your readers getting lost or scratching their heads, do you? Nope!

Use quotes and references.

Back up what you say with solid evidence, throw in expert quotes, sprinkle some statistics, use external links, or share personal stories. It adds weight to your piece and keeps readers hooked.

Write in a simple and friendly tone.

Here’s the thing: Write like you’re chatting with a friend. Keep it casual and friendly. Think about it: When you read my answers or posts on Quora, it’s like we’re conversing, right? That’s the vibe you want in your Medium article. It’s engaging and easy to follow.

Use Tags

Enhance your articles by including up to five tags to efficiently categorize your content. Tags play a crucial role in helping readers discover your work when searching for specific topics.

Please keep it simple and interesting

By the way, staying motivated is critical. You know how you want to keep going when you’re reading something because it’s interesting? Your readers feel the same way. So, take a cue from successful Medium writers, especially in self-help or psychology topics. Learn from them and apply what works for you.

Use visuals

Incorporate relevant visuals that add a voice to your writing. Sprinkle in eye-catching images, engaging videos, or cool infographics to break up your text. Do you know how a picture paints a thousand words? Well, it’s true! Visuals make your article look more appealing and help your readers stay hooked and understand your points better.

Proofread your stuff

Always, always proofread your work before hitting that publish button.

It’s like polishing a gem before showing it off. Why? Because typos and grammar blunders can be a real turn-off for readers.

Imagine chatting with a friend and giving them advice riddled with errors—not excellent, right? So, proofread like a hawk to ensure your article is smooth and error-free. Remember, your readers are like gold—treat them right! Popular grammar checkers are Grammarly and Quillbot.

Discovering Story Ideas

Writing is about finding exciting ideas to share with the world—ideas that connect, relate, and tell something special.

But where do you find these ideas?

For me, reading the work of top writers sparks new ideas. CheckCheck out what the top Medium writers write about; that could spark new ideas for you to write something unique for your audience. Reading other writers gives you fresh ideas for your writing and helps enhance your tone and style.

Now, here are a few more nifty tips that might come in handy:

Craft a killer headline: Consider it the flashy signboard that draws people in. Make it catchy and snappy—your headline should make readers stop and go, “Whoa, I’ve gotta check this out!”

Spread the word on social media: Don’t be shy! Share your article across your social platforms. Encourage others to share it, too—the more, the merrier!

Engage with other writers on Medium: Leave thoughtful comments on their articles. It’s not just friendly; it's also an intelligent way to get your work noticed and build connections with fellow wordsmiths.

Join communities: join groups that align with your interests. Find your tribe! Being part of relevant Medium groups helps you connect with like-minded readers who are into the same stuff you are.

Patience is vital: Rome wasn’t built in a day, right? Similarly, building a following on Medium takes time. Don’t get disheartened if you don’t see instant success. Keep churning out excellent content, share it with your audience, and watch your following grow steadily.

So, there you have it, dear pen pals! Follow these tips, add your personal touch, and watch your article shine! Good luck! You’ve got this!

Hi, my name is Kemal. Thank you, my dear friend, for reading this post. If you enjoyed it, which I know you did—admit it 😋(just kidding!), please consider clapping and commenting with your questions, answers, and experiences. Follow the page, and leave me a comment with your name and thoughts on this piece. Let us be chaps. 😇