How Many Are Killing it On Medium
Understanding the charm of Narrative Essays
There is no wisdom in doing the same thing over and over again. Isn't that what is referred to as insanity? If I ain't learning anything or getting something new from how I've been doing a particular thing, then what's the point?
I've never been actively involved in writing, [even though I love it]. Never have I sat down to write like a traditional writer. I have only indulged in writing snippets of thoughts and ideas on my Google Keep. Besides that, no real substance in the act of writing.
But being on Medium for nearly two months now has taught me that change is needed if I must get the best this platform can offer. Thus my desire to find out what works for others was born. I wanted to know what differentiated the top best from the mediocre and average. What I found out I believe is worth sharing for the many writers like me who really want to succeed on this platform.
After I go through everything, I will leave links to five articles that recapitulate these ideas perfectly.
Across the board, among the topmost engaged articles on Medium is the style of writing they all have in common. Even new writer who seem to exhibit this style of writing tend to hit the ground running. Even though they credit the success of such articles to good headlines and good formats. But the truth is Medium shines brighter with the Narrative Essay style of writing.
I spent over an hour scrolling through Zulie Rane Medium page. There was only one feeling been evoked within me, and that was to read every single article. Yes, I agree that she is phenomenally gifted in titling her articles seductively, but over 90% of her work is about her narrating some experience. And that is what sucks the readers, not only into the article but into the writer’s life as well.
So what is Narrative Essay writing and how can you implement this into your Medium career?
A narrative essay writing is writing done to narrate a story — an experience, done with the intention of getting a moral lesson across to the reader. It gives the author an opportunity to get personal with the readers.
The purpose of your narration isn't merely to speak about the experience per se but to let the audience feel that when they find themselves in a similar situation, they can somehow find a way out.
The reason being, a narrative essay is experience-based, it usually involves anecdote to instruct, direct, and guard. But in most cases, it gives hope and faith to your readers. A good tool for creating bridges and connections with others.
In Zulie Rane’s article titled 4 Traits of Extremely Insecure Girlfriends, Zulie narrated her experience of insecurity in her relationship. Below is an excerpt of how she started the article. Read through and note your first impression.
It was my first year of college. There I was, eighteen years old, half-drunk, and angrily launching an empty beer can at my boyfriend’s head, all in the name of being a cool girlfriend.
Before I dated anyone, I was confident I’d be great at it. I would be fun, relaxed, awesome. I’d be a cool girlfriend. I just knew it.
Of course, when I actually started going out with a real boy and not just the Harry Styles of my imagination, I realized, like many other new girlfriends and boyfriends, I sucked at it.
My first impression was “whoa, I gotta finish this”. I’m sure yours was too. The traction power of this article is that it narrates a story [of the reader], in a very captivating manner. [Praise, of course to Zulie’s gift of brilliant writing].
Why? Because I was an unbelievably, stupidly, incredibly insecure girlfriend.
If I could go back, I’d tell myself all the things I was doing were pointless, exhausting, and worst of all: counterproductive. Being an insecure girlfriend meant I was hiding the best part of myself away from my boyfriend.
These four traits were toxic. They made me a bad person and a terrible girlfriend, and all it showed was how insecure I was in myself and my relationship. And it led me to throw an empty beer can at my boyfriend’s head.
If you’re acting like this, it’s possible you’re an insecure girlfriend.
Going on Zulie sought to list out the traits of insecure girlfriends as the title promised. But if you are anything like me, you are wondering how that story ends. You read on hoping she finishes it and expounds on what led to that scene — which she did in the end. You can click below to see how.
So what is the goal and why is this very helpful on the Medium platform?
If you've been staying up to date lately, you'll know Medium has changed their payment algorithm. Medium no longer uses the number of claps for payment, rather they've moved to views and read-time.
How best then is it to accumulate these new metrics to grow your Medium account? It is to get good at Narrative essay writing.
The truth is Medium users are split in two:
- Those who stay subscribed to read articles and stay entertained
- And those who stay subscribed to write and earn money.
Readers who stay subscribed to read articles and stay entertained are constantly on the search for good reading experience online. To read about peoples experiences and how they can learn from it because for them it is entertaining and educating as well.
When you can master this form of writing, and get people connecting with those stories you share, you will amass more read time and those who felt connected to your stories will eventually follow you — true readers, not just fellow writers looking for a follow back.
It is through this style of writing that you are able to create a loyal list of followers, people who look forward to clicking on your notification the moment you publish an article.
I am beginning to see Medium as the best social media platform there is. Better than Facebook and the likes. A platform where you can amass followers whose sole purpose is to read your work and pay you for it. But to get them invested in you, you must connect with them not only on data and facts but on an emotional level. Making them feel this writer is human and she gets me.
Like I promised here are my five fascinating Medium articles that recapitulate this idea.
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