Summary

The ideal publishing frequency on Medium is a balance between regular posting and content quality, with successful writers often publishing daily to increase exposure and engagement.

Abstract

The article discusses the importance of publishing frequency on Medium, emphasizing that regular posting is key to gaining better exposure. It references studies from HubSpot and opinions from content marketing experts like Barry Feldman and Heidi Cohen, suggesting that while frequent publishing can lead to better customer acquisition and ROI, the quality of content should not be compromised. Successful Medium writers such as Tom Kuegler, Nicolas Cole, and Shaunta Grimes advocate for consistent daily publishing, with Cole and Grimes achieving significant recognition and earnings through their frequent posts. The article concludes that while more frequent publishing is generally beneficial, writers should focus on producing excellent content and find a sustainable pace to avoid burnout.

Opinions

Andy from Orbit Media suggests that publishing frequency should align with sales cycles and buying intervals, particularly for business blogs.
HubSpot's study indicates that frequent publishing, even multiple times a day, correlates with higher customer acquisition and ROI.
Barry Feldman advises that the frequency of blog posts should be balanced with the quality of content, prioritizing marketing objectives over mere consistency.
Heidi Cohen recommends committing to a regular publishing schedule to build audience expectations and maintain engagement.
The author of the article values consistent publishing but cautions against sacrificing content quality for quantity.
Tom Kuegler attributes his Medium success to posting new stories five times per week, leading to a significant following and monthly page views.
Nicolas Cole, recognized by Forbes, emphasizes daily content publishing as a key to his success and widespread publication presence.
Shaunta Grimes shares that more frequent publishing on Medium has resulted in increased earnings and exposure, with a goal of earning $10,000 a month from the platform.
The article's author personally publishes at least one article a day on Medium, focusing on quality over quantity, and suggests that others find a comfortable and consistent publishing rhythm to avoid burnout.

Medium Tips

What’s the Ideal Publishing Frequency on Medium?

Looking at the studies, data, and popular writers on Medium

Publish regularly for best exposure, the data says.

I’ve tried a few publishing models and different platforms. And now, I’m comfortable with posting at least once a day on Medium. But my mind often wanders into the land of what-ifs. What if I published more often? What if I posted less? Can you post good content daily? What if I share something 4x times a day? What if…

The above questions are challenging to answer, maybe even impossible. I won’t go into the weeds of writing well. If you wish to communicate your message, we have to understand you first. But how often should you communicate your message is a million-dollar question.

I’ve tried to figure out what works best by following columns, Medium writers, and online and print publications.

The Word on the Street: Online Studies

“It depends,” Andy at Orbit Media says. You should adjust your frequency to your sales cycles and buying intervals. If you’re strictly a business blog, then you should consider these two terms. Buyers consider certain products longer. Most people won’t buy a car on a whim. Take time to build a relationship with your potential costumers. And don’t be pushy. If you’re selling cars, then blogging weekly is fine.

HubSpot’s study might hint at something else. Generally, publishing often has seen better customer acquisition. Frequent publishing increases ROI (return on investment). And multiple times a day is 40% better than publishing monthly.

If you’re a writer trying to get more eyes on your work, then publishing often is better than publishing every other week. But brands that are trying to maintain their awareness and position won’t have a problem with posting a few times a week, according to HubSpot.

Other content marketing experts shared their opinions too. Barry Feldman thinks you shouldn’t post just anything for the sake of consistency. He advises his clients to publish only excellent content.

“There are no denying HubSpot’s advice and data, but the formula falls apart if each and every post doesn’t rock. The answer I like to give clients is to blog as often as you can post really great content that supports your marketing objectives.” — Barry Feldman

Heidi Cohen thinks you should commit to publishing regularly. The audience will expect fresh content from you.

“Think like a traditional publisher. Publish content on a consistent basis, so your audience comes to expect and anticipate your information. Make it the same day and time every week or month. If you wait too long between posts, your audience will forget you.” — Heidi Cohen

I’m a fan of consistent publishing. You never know when the next opportunity will present itself. But I also advise not to put just anything out there. If you’re just starting out in the world of blogging, it might be hard to come up with valuable content every day. That’s fine. Aim at writing evergreen content that you can often update to reflect the current times. Over time, you’ll pick up the pace and start rolling out the great stuff.

Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash

Medium Writers

Medium writers have shared their two cents on constant publishing. The advice is most relevant to Medium, and it reflects on making money from purely sharing content. I’ve absorbed hundreds of such posts over the years.

The names that stood out are Tom Kuegler, Shaunta Grimes, and Nicolas Cole.

“I didn’t think much of Medium, but I decided to post new stories there five times per week. Since I started blogging there in October of 2016, I’ve garnered 30,000 followers, 100,000 monthly page views, and even got to star in a viral Facebook video made by NowThis.” — Tom Kuegler

Nicolas Cole is a blogging heavy-weight champion. He treats writing like a sport, and he’s publishing content every day. He attributes his success to consistency. Forbes named him as one of the most influential marketers to watch out for in 2017. You can find his work in almost any online publication, including TIME, Forbes, Fortune, The Huffington Post, Business Insider, Entrepreneur, Observer, Slate, etc. He is posting on Medium every day.

Shaunta Grimes is full of invaluable lessons about writing and posting. She is a novelist, blogger, and writing teacher. She’s been posting periodically on Medium over the years. Sometimes she’d publish 4x times a day for weeks, and other times she wouldn’t be here for 15 days straight. She reported better earnings and greater exposure every time she published more often. Shaunta Grimes was on track to earn $10,000 a month from Medium last year.

Medium is full of skilled writers and unbelievable content. They create evergreen content that can be updated and republished. This strategy may help you to continually have something important to share.

The Takeaway

How often should you blog? The million-dollar question has a vague answer. The more you publish, the better exposure you’ll get. If you’re trying to get your content out there, then publishing multiple times a day might be the best.

I’m settled at publishing at least one article a day on Medium. I write a lot more, though. I write at least 3000 words each day, but I only publish what I find excellent and relevant for that day. Sometimes I blog like a photographer. I take a burst of photos and share only the best ones. This approach works for me, but everyone is different, and every one has its own pace and style.

I’d recommend that you find what works best for you. You might burn out if you put too much on your shoulders. And if you’re not a professional writer, and you don’t plan on making a full-time income from blogging, then what’s the rush? You shouldn’t burn out over your hobbies, passion project, or a side hustle. And forcing yourself to write and publish multiple times a day might be just the straw to broke camels back. Aim at publishing consistently and comfortably.