avatarNikhil Vemu

Summary

The article outlines the author's journey and tips for becoming a top writer on Medium.

Abstract

The author shares their unexpected achievement of becoming a top writer on Medium, emphasizing that it's more attainable than one might think. They provide insights into the strategies that contributed to their success, such as writing from the reader's perspective, using proper tags, employing moderate clickbait, writing longer articles on interesting topics, consistently sharpening one's skills, focusing on quality, not comparing oneself to others, contributing to smaller publications, maintaining an idea journal, optimizing for SEO, and adding alt-text to images. The author also discusses the benefits of achieving top writer status, including increased attention, credibility with editors, and personal motivation to continue writing.

Opinions

  • The author believes that writing with the reader's questions in mind can create a more engaging story.
  • They suggest that using Medium's approved tags and writing consistently in a niche can increase the chances of becoming a top writer.
  • Clickbait is seen as a necessary tool when used responsibly and when the content delivers on the promise of the headline.
  • Longer articles on captivating subjects are encouraged, as they can lead to higher reader engagement.
  • Regularly "sharpening the saw" or taking time to rejuvenate is considered essential for maintaining creativity and writing quality.
  • Quality is paramount, and the author advises rigorous editing and the use of simple language to ensure clarity and reader comprehension.
  • The author cautions against overloading an article with too much information, suggesting it's better to save some ideas for future pieces.
  • They advocate for patience and learning from other writers instead of falling into the trap of unproductive comparison.
  • Writing for smaller publications is valued for the exposure and grounded experience it provides.
  • Maintaining an idea journal is emphasized as a crucial habit for capturing fleeting inspiration.
  • SEO optimization and the use of alt-text for images are recommended for broader article reach and better search engine ranking.
  • The author opines that the top writer status is a motivating factor that can lead to increased self-esteem and recognition from peers and editors.

TOP WRITER

How I Unexpectedly Became a Top Writer on Medium!

I thought it’s difficult, but it isn’t.

Previously, I thought becoming a top writer is insanely difficult, and I couldn’t become one by just posting occasional stories and not being truly dedicated. That was only until I unexpectedly became one of them.

While I was attending my online classes this afternoon, I was caught by a mail by Medium. It’s saying congrats. Why? What did I do? The next moment, my joy know no bounds. I became a top writer in Art!

Let’s be frank. Medium is all about publishing a great story, boasting about its success in the next story. Like ‘Here’s How I Made Jackpots from My Previous story’ in the next post. Let me also be a Roman in Rome :) At least it would help aspiring people.

Here’s what I do regularly on Medium, and what it takes to become a top writer.

How to Become a Top Writer?

Photo by Julian Jagtenberg from Pexels

1. Write from the reader’s view:

Here are the stories that helped me reach the milestone.

When the title says ‘The World’s Dangerous Island’, the first question the reader asks you is “Where is it located” and then “What’s makes it dangerous?”, and you answer them in your story one by one, taking your reader deeper into your story.

When you write as if you’re the reader, you could easily hook and not let the real reader leave your story without completing it.

2. Put proper tags and stay consistent:

I see stories that are really great but are tagged to unfamiliar or unworthy tags. Medium considers only 73 tags to make eligible for the top writer list.

If you really want to use the unincluded popular tags (like Language, Motivation), you can use. But include one of two of the 73 tags, so there’s a chance for you to become a top writer.

You should be writing consistently in a particular tag to become a top writer in that niche. Consistent may define to two or three times a week.

3. Use clickbaits, but in a moderate level:

Clickbait isn’t a crime, for without them, how would you be expect a doomscroller to stop by your article and click on it? The only thing is — Are you delivering your promise? If yes, you get the full rights.

Most often, clickbait writers don’t keep up their promise. It feels like a dirty movie that got high hype by an amazing trailer. That’s why those stories are viewed seriously by publishers, and are only published if they meet expectations.

4. If it’s interesting, write it longer:

Higher reading time = Interesting topic + Longer article

Opportunities aren’t often. Never make a mistake of writing shorter articles on interesting topics. If it’s really interesting, and you feel people would read it no matter how long it is, then write it longer. But don’t drag. Then, you’d get a great reading time.

5. Sharpen the saw:

John, a woodcutter constantly envies Bill who works for the same company. John worked for the company for five years, but never got a raise. But Bill got raise just within two years. Despite working very hard, John wasn’t able to make output as much as Bill is making. Leaving his ego behind, John thought to himself, “Let me go to Bill and see what he’s doing. Maybe he knows something more than I do.” Upon asking, Bill replied, “After cutting a tree, I spend two minutes sharpening my axe. When was the last time you sharpened your axe?” John said, “Oh oh. Five years ago.” — An excerpt from ‘You Can Win’ by Shiv khera. Little modified by the author.

Start writing a new article only when you really feel like. You’re not being forced to write, and you need not give an explanation to anybody for not writing. To write quality articles, firstly your mind needs to be at peace. So, give first priority to rejuvenation and refreshment, and next to Medium.

A work is as interesting as its author’s life is.

To write well, you need to read well. Read great success stories and tips of top writers. Get inspired. Apply them in your next post. You’ll find the quality difference.

“Without peace, we cannot be creative.” — Kamlesh Patel

6. Quality matters:

Scribble a dirty draft, and scrutinise it to your best. Unless you feel it’s the best version of your story, don’t publish it. Edit. Edit. Edit. It takes time, but it’s worth it.

Here are three ways to create a quality articles:

  1. Cut off extra fat: If you feel two sentences explain the same thing, and make no difference, remove the other one. Every sentence in your article should take the reader further into it, but not make him linger at the same point. Moreover, don’t explain your topic too much. Readers are intelligent enough to understand.
  2. Use simple words: “One day I will find the right words, and they will be simple.” ― Jack Kerouac, The Dharma Bums The most inspiring quotes and speeches contain the simplest words. Your article isn’t written to teach your reader vocabulary, but to inspire or convey interesting information. Simple words are simpler to understand and would be appreciated by every reader.
  3. Don’t put all your knowledge into one article: I used to make this mistake in my first articles. Too much information in one piece might be a pride for you, but would be boring for the reader. Store your ideas for your next articles, instead of wasting them now.

7. Don’t compare. Wait for your turn:

In the early stages, writing on Medium is fun. Slowly, it becomes competent. Comparison comes into picture. We get hooked to stats, and it ceases our creativity. It actually does more bad then good. But, how could you use it to your benefit?

Just feel you’re great, and other writers greater. Read their posts, and know their writing style. Note down the points that engaged you. Apply it in your next posts. And then it’s your turn in becoming a top writer!

8. Write for smaller publications occasionally:

Smaller pubs have loyal audience, they publish faster, they promote you more, and you’d have your piece on their front page longer. Your post would be viewed by many new people who haven’t known you before.

Most importantly, it would keep you down to earth.

9. Maintain an idea journal:

This is extremely important. I maintain an idea journal to jot down every little article idea that pops up in my mind. I repent not having this in my early days of Medium. Ideas are like occasional jewels your mind gives you. Don’t let them slip.

Once you forget an idea, there’s a 90% chance you can’t remember it again.

More quick tactics:

10. SEO settings are important:

Most often, we just write a story and hit publish. SEO settings aren’t bothered about. But it’s very crucial for your post in spreading it wider. Your post might be clickable by Medium audience, but it may not be appealing to people who Googled for it.

Note: It’s recommended you set your SEO settings before publishing the post. If you do it after publishing, it takes time for Google to alter your snippet.

For Example: The title of this story is ‘How I Unexpectedly Became a Top Writer on Medium!’. But how does it appear on Google? ‘How to Become a Top Writer on Medium | by Nikhil Vemu | Medium’. I set it that way because that’s what majority of Googlers search for.

11. Add alt-text for your pictures

This is actually for a different purpose, but it also largely facilitates your SEO optimisation, as the search engine could use your alt-text in better ranking your article.

Reference to Photo by Remy_Loz on Unsplash

Why does a top writer status matter?

1. You gain attention:

People who land up in your profile, when they see your tag, they don’t leave without reading at least one of your posts. Also, there are more chances they’ll follow you.

Your responses, claps, private notes are more valued.

2. Editors think twice before rejecting you:

You have lesser rejections by publications because editors don’t want to lose the works of a top writer.

3. You get motivated to write more:

What does gratify you more than a little compliment or a reward for your hard work? With a top writer status, you feel recognised for all the work you’ve been putting in, and you’ll find it less difficult and more enthusiastic in writing your next masterpieces.

Final thoughts:

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

I’m really thankful to Medium for recognising me as a top writer. When I shared this news to my friends and acquaintances in WhatsApp and LinkedIn, their opinion on me, as a writer, totally changed. My self-esteem quadrupled.

Moreover, becoming a Top writer isn’t as difficult as I thought it was. Just writing quality pieces frequently, and improving yourselves constantly gives you that. I would say a top writer status is like a carrot before an already moving donkey, to make it move faster.

As always, it isn’t evitable: One needs to improve himself constantly. Again, it’s easy to become a top writer. You can do it too. And it’s upto you how you retain it.

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