How I Am Surviving On Medium

A Medium writer’s guide to success in unlocking Medium’s gold mine.

Naturally, Medium (aka my favorite digital haven for writers) has undergone changes, and challenges, and witnessed various trends over the years, but I believe I have uncovered certain secrets and developed certain strategies that have enabled me to weather the storms on the platform.

As usual, when I write stories like this I try not to bore you with long intros so let us get right into it. These are my strategies and the lessons I have learned over my three-year journey on Medium:

1. Decoding the numbers — from $10.28 to $106.92

Okay, so I am not making the really big bucks on Medium….yet. If I was, you would have all heard of me by now. However, relative monetary success is achievable on the platform, and my journey from a humble $10.28 to a satisfying $106.92 in a month is a testament to that.

My key ingredients at the time were also things you have probably all heard before, and they worked:

• consistently publishing;
• strategic use of short-form content for promotion of the long-form pieces;
• active participation in writer communities;
• reading widely;
• leaving meaningful comments; and
• keeping a close eye on the stats were all vital components of this success recipe.

Most importantly, you should note that every story can make a significant difference, and celebrating small victories contributes to the journey’s overall success.

2. The power of comments in a changing landscape

These days there seems to be a rash of banal or generic comments like, “interesting information on (insert topic)” and other seeming superficial remarks that leave you wondering if the commenter has actually read the story. These I believe happen when:

a. they didn’t read your story but really want/need you to think they did; and

b. the commenter has to force the comments out of obligation like, those “read, clap & comment on mine too!” type situations. Facebook Medium writer group members know what I am talking about (Yes, I find myself in these situations too).

The thing is, if you fall in either category, especially #1, then just know you are leaving a very vital resource for Medium writers untapped! As I have written before, leaving thoughtful comments is not just about engagement; it’s a strategic move to expand your reach.

Most times, when I leave genuine, insightful comments I not only attract the attention of fellow writers, but it also signals potential readers that my profile is worth exploring. The golden rule here is simple: make meaningful contributions, be it appreciation or constructive criticism. This not only enriches the Medium community but also cultivates a loyal audience for your work.

“Most times, when I leave genuine, insightful comments I not only attract the attention of fellow writers, but it also signals potential readers that my profile is worth exploring.”

I have also found that engaging in the comment section is a goldmine because it’s a source of inspiration. It continues to be a treasure trove of ideas for my future posts.

A final word of caution: comments should stem from genuine interest, not just as a tool for self-promotion. Authentic engagement reaps long-term rewards.

3. Focusing on a niche — (not necessarily niching down)

Consistency in content is a powerful tool on Medium. There was a time when my top-earning stories centered on a specific theme: infidelity. The intricate questions and debates around the topic provided seemingly endless material- exploring a niche allows you to deep dive and offer your readers varied perspectives and insights.

While you may think my stories about cheating may seem repetitive, the underlying theme is rich and multifaceted. And I have found that approaching it that way not only retained my current audience but also attracted new readers interested in the topic, and quite a few dissenters that were not shy of voicing their disagreements. You know who you are!

The key is to find a subject you’re passionate about and explore its nuances comprehensively. And this brings us to my next strategy.

4. Repetition isn’t a sin, it’s an art.

As once pointed out by Burk, Tim Denning’s success on Medium is a testament to the power of recycling content. Writers everywhere, even the greats, do this. Whether it is to provide fresh perspectives or to update information, revisiting topics is an effective strategy.

What I have found to be crucial here is to approach the subject from different angles. Whenever you introduce new insights and acknowledge the growth in your knowledge, it not only keeps your content fresh but also caters to both new and existing readers.

“I have also found that engaging in the comment section is a goldmine because it’s a source of inspiration. It continues to be a treasure trove of ideas for my future posts.”

5. Strategic tagging and publishing

Of course, choosing tags that accurately represent the content of your story is basic, and theoretically, it helps your story appear in relevant feeds and increases its discoverability, you can also use popular tags to tap into trending topics. Just be sure to balance this with the relevance of the tag to your content. You will find it attracts both a broader audience and readers who are genuinely interested in your niche.

And when it came to publishing, I usually submit my stories to publications. I do this out of the age-old wisdom that publications have a dedicated following, and being featured on them will expose my work to a larger and curated audience, and almost all of my well-received stories have been in publications.

Surprisingly, however, the only exception is my self-published highest earner! Apparently, there is still something to be said for self-publishing/promotion.

6. Engaging with my readers

I always try to respond promptly and as thoughtfully as I can to comments on my stories. Even when it seems the comments are not genuine, I will at the very least acknowledge them with a few claps. Engagement naturally shows appreciation for your readers and hopefully, will foster a sense of community around your work.

Again, I try to encourage my readers to share their thoughts and experiences by posing questions within my stories to prompt discussions and create a more interactive reading experience. However, know that not all readers will respond to this.

7. Diversifying content

Finally, and as a corollary to not niching down, I try to create content that spans multiple interests and this allows me to attract and interact with a diverse readership. For instance, my story on wealth creation got 867 views and 334 reads. And this was back when it took a lot more than 30 seconds to register a read!

Then there is my story, “The People Vs. Amber Heard” which was one of my earliest stories on entertainment news/current events, and I must have done something right because it got over 10k views and over 3k reads. Again, this was way before the 30 seconds equaled a read era.

So if you write exclusively about one topic, you might want to also consider branching out to other areas you are passionate or knowledgeable about to broaden your appeal.

I still firmly believe that Medium, with all the algorithm changes and evolving dynamics, remains a fertile ground for writers seeking success. As I have continued to persevere on the platform, these strategies have proven invaluable in keeping me afloat. So to speak. It might also help to take these lessons, apply them, and hopefully watch your Medium journey transform into a thriving success story.

Good luck fellow travelers and if you have a tweak, or even a radically different approach, leave a comment. 😄