Important Lessons I Learned in 6 Weeks Writing on Medium

Perspective from a Medium newbie with 20 years’ experience in the real world

I’ve been a freelance copywriter for twenty years writing copy for content creation companies, marketing companies, and other individual clients. I wrote three fiction novels and publish an online lifestyle magazine.

I thought publishing content on Medium would be an easy transition.

I was wrong.

My experience is a part of who I am as a writer and has helped me. However, I felt like I was starting over from the bottom floor and that it would be an eternity before I ever made it to the top of the ladder of success here on Medium.

That was a weird feeling. Trying to learn a new platform and figure out how to succeed. Yet, I am a driven person and knew that I would do the necessary work to carve a path for success on this platform.

I’ve written 71 articles in 6 weeks. I feel pretty good about that. Even though only one of those articles, “How I Got 235K Impressions on Twitter in One Month” got published in Better Marketing and curated in the topics: social media, marketing, and startups — I felt successful. I’ve gotten accepted as a writer in 22 publications. I have 210 followers and have made some good connections with other writers and editors.

Overall, I am happy with what I’ve achieved. I have a long way to go to accomplish goals that I’ve set for myself on Medium. However, I wanted to share some important lessons I’ve learned in my six weeks writing on this platform.

1. Write first, edit later

I am the type of person who likes making a plan and want to see it completed. That’s not always possible here on Medium. You can submit to publications and get rejected. It’s going to happen. I know.

I’ve recently submitted three articles to Better Marketing. One got published and curated, the other two were rejected. I understand the editor’s reasoning for the rejections. I sent those rejected articles to other smaller publications and they were accepted. I got accepted as a writer for The Writing Cooperative and sent two articles, but both were rejected — and then published elsewhere.

Focus on writing your story. Don’t focus on trying to fit it into the mold of what a specific publication would accept.

Once you’ve finished your article and effectively edited it, ascertain which publication you’ve been accepted to as a writer that would likely be receptive to your new article. Then add the draft to that publication and start work on your next article.

2. Read Medium articles daily

Reading each day can help you expand your knowledge and grow as an individual and as a writer. If you want to succeed as a writer on Medium, carve time out of your schedule to read at least 2–3 articles each day.

Articles on how writers have succeeded on Medium can help you identify how you can succeed. Follow publications which publish articles on topics you’re interested in and hope that you can get published in. This can help you get a good idea what these publications publish so you can ensure you’re submitting the right type of content that would appeal to them.

3. Comment and clap

When an article resonates with you, clap for it and comment. This is the way I have connected with other writers and gained followers. Most of the time that I’ve commented on an article, the writer has responded and followed me. Most of the time I follow back if they write articles that I think I will be interested in reading.

Commenting is a great way to be visible to other writers who may not have seen your articles otherwise. Just remember to be genuine when you comment. If you want to cultivate real connections with other writers and develop your following, be yourself and be sincere.

4. Join thriving publications

Of course, you need to be accepted to a publication as a writer or editor. You can’t simply join them without approval. However, when you get connected with a thriving publication, that is like an unexpected blessing.

I found this to be true when I got accepted to Illumination and Koinonia as a writer. As of May 6th, Illumination has 5,553 followers and 370+ writers. Koinonia has 1,000 followers. I have made genuine connections with writers on both publications.

One writer from Koinonia, Janis Cox @AuthorJanisCox agreed to my request for an interview at my magazine. I also got a subscriber from Medium for my online magazine. That may not seem like much, but it was exciting when I saw that notification because that was the main reason I started writing on this platform.

5. Start your own publication

Now, this option will likely reap results over the long haul. However, you could start to see immediate success when writers and editors work together like those from Illumination have done.

I started my own publication, Mustard Seed Sentinel as a way to gain exposure for my online magazine. I only have 10 followers and one writer. However, it’s a start and some of the 25 columnists for my online magazine are considering joining Medium to write for my publication here and to promote their own blogs and websites.

Starting your own publication on Medium can give you the opportunity to share your work that may not fit the mold of what other publications are looking for. However, only followers of you and your publication will be notified when new articles are published.

6. Write quality content

You need to find the balance between quality and quantity if you want to succeed on Medium. I believe that quality always trumps quantity. However, if your goal is to reach as many readers as possible and make money here, then you should consider writing at least three articles per day.

Some days, I’ve written three. Other days, I’ve only written one. There were a few days two weeks ago when I didn’t write at all when there was a death in our family.

Find the action plan that works with your schedule. Some articles will continue to make you money from reads a while after you published them — like my curated article from last month. However, if you aren’t consistently creating high-quality content, you won’t be able to reach new readers here.

7. Follow Medium guidelines

Find more information on what curators are looking for in this article from Medium Writers that features updated Medium Curation Guidelines. I’m a rule follower. I like rules because I need structure in my life. Maybe that’s not you and you may enjoy free-flowing creativity. That’s okay.

However, if your goal is to expand your audience, make money on Medium, and get curated then you should pay attention to those guidelines. Some important tips to remember include the following like writing a catchy title and subtitle that is not click bait.

Deliver value in your articles. Give readers a reason to keep reading because you’re telling them something that they don’t know already.

Write in a conversational tone with streamlined structure that includes spaces in between content by using subheadings, bullet lists, block quotes, use pull-out quotes for breaks in content, and add 1 or 2 photos in the body on the left margin setting for articles longer than 700 words.

The takeaway

I only heard about Medium six months ago and started in March 2020. I am excited to be part of this online community of writers providing relevant and educational content to their readers.

I hope the lessons I learned will be valuable to you.

· Write first and edit later

· Read Medium articles daily

· Comment and clap for articles

· Join publications

· Start your own publication

· Write quality content

· Follow Medium curation guidelines