Forget About Word Count and Focus On Good Writing

Summary

The article emphasizes the importance of focusing on the quality of writing rather than adhering to specific word counts or read times for success on Medium.

Abstract

The author of the article shares insights on the misconception that longer articles, particularly those around the 7-minute mark, are inherently more successful on Medium. Through personal experience and observation, the author argues that good writing is the true key to success, regardless of length. The article highlights that captivating content can be concise, as evidenced by the effectiveness of short poems and children's books. It suggests that writers should prioritize making every word count rather than aiming for a high word count, advocating for quality over quantity. The author also points out that readers appreciate concise, high-quality articles and that writing shorter pieces can be more beneficial for engagement and readership. The article concludes by encouraging writers to trust their judgment on the length of their work, emphasizing that the value of the content is what truly matters.

Opinions

The author believes that the quality of writing is more important for success on Medium than reaching a specific word count or read time.
The article suggests that there is no direct correlation between the length of an article and its quality or success.
It is highlighted that obsessing over word count can lead to 'word vomit' and detract from the writing's quality.
The author values the reader's experience, suggesting that readers prefer concise articles that are engaging and to the point.
The article promotes the idea that writers should focus on conveying their ideas effectively, even if it means writing less.
It is implied that the publication "a Few Words" exemplifies the success of high-quality, short-form content on Medium.
The author encourages writers to 'kill their darlings' for the sake of maintaining quality, even if it is emotionally challenging.
The article acknowledges the importance of read time for writers looking to make money on Medium but emphasizes that multiple shorter, engaging articles may be more effective than one longer piece.
The author asserts that writers have control over the length of their articles and should use that power wisely to provide value to their readers.

Should you strive to make every article reach the infamous 7 minute mark?

Before I even started publishing consistently on Medium, I was obsessed with reading articles that promised the key to success on this platform. In one of these articles, I learned that 7 minute long articles lead to more recommends. However, I’ve come to realize that good writing is what ultimately paves the path to success, not arbitrary numbers.

Is A Longer Article Necessary?

A higher word count isn’t the mark of a successful story. We rave over poems that are often less than 100 words. Our toddlers beg every night for their bedtime stories, but a children’s book can contain less than 500 words.

I used to try to make my articles at least 600 words, or about 3 minutes long. While 600 words isn’t much, I still found it tedious to keep a set word count in my mind. Then, I found a Few Words. Engaging articles on everything from writing to relationships were curated on the homepage, but the one thing they all had in common? Quality writing under 500 words. This publication has proved that length and first-class writing don’t correlate.

Quality and Quantity

While filling a blank page with black text can help get you in the flow of writing, the final result shouldn’t be word vomit. If you manage to make every word of that 3,000 word article captivating, then go for it. But, if the most valuable ideas you want to convey can be captured in less, then why add more?

Don’t burn yourself out over one article. You can either spend a week monotonously churning out 5,000 words, or you can write 5 high quality 1,000 word articles.

Your Readers Will Appreciate Your Sacrifice

“Kill your darlings, even when it breaks your egocentric little scribbler’s heart.” — Stephen King

I love Medium because the articles present the essence of self help books in a condensed form. Maybe it’s just my low attention span, but seeing a 20-minute article can put me off from the start. Unless it’s an extremely well-researched piece, how much is there really to say about why 5 am is the best (or worst, depending on your POV) time to wake up?

For those looking to make money on Medium, the read time matters. Wouldn’t you rather your audience reads 3 engrossing 5 minute articles from start to finish rather than skims half of 1 15 minute article?

You Have Control

Of course, it would be ironic if I told you to only focus on writing shorter articles in an article about forgetting about word count. After all, this isn’t college where the professor assigns a strict word limit to meet for each paper.

You have the power to judge how many words your work needs, but judge wisely. Squeeze value into every word, and your readers will thank you.

Forget About Word Count & Focus On Good Writing

Should you strive to make every article reach the infamous 7 minute mark?

This story is published in a Few Words, Medium’s publication that only accepts stories under 500 words.

If you have a few meaningful words to say and want to be a writer in our publication, visit here.