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Abstract

ort this piece. A fitting conclusion I think.</p><h1 id="e6dc">Virtual Game-Changers</h1><p id="ac1d">Now back to you, aspiring writers. Those who I hope will gain from this experiment. While I feel it’s my duty to acknowledge the publishers mentioned above, I intend to do so transparently, for your benefit.</p><p id="32df">The following discussion is ranked in accordance with the time of curation.</p><figure id="b8b5"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/0*p2CIpXhbSO70806E.png"><figcaption></figcaption></figure><h2 id="43d7">№1 ~ Illumination</h2><p id="63c4"><a href="undefined">Dr Mehmet</a> established this ‘new entrant’ just a few weeks ago. In a very short space of time, he has attracted 3k followers, into what’s shaping up to be a truly diverse melting-pot. An eclectic community.</p><figure id="a21e"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*W4DQTgMarA5MWgQ-JAcf6A.png"><figcaption>43rd article on Illumination at midnight on April 18th, 2020</figcaption></figure><p id="0bbf"><b>Insight</b> — At 11:59 pm on April 18th, 2020, the date of this experiment, my article ranked 43rd, not distributed but not declined either.</p><figure id="520c"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*XkPOhlBrZwHN6COh6pBirw.png"><figcaption>Writers data from Illumination article</figcaption></figure><p id="8558"><b>Observation</b> — As you can see it’s awaiting to be evaluated. That said, I’m hopeful as two recent pieces made the grade in April.</p><figure id="3f9f"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*-7a6ox7wE9jYBakTIoHB6g.png"><figcaption>Authors’ data from 2 Illumination articles last week</figcaption></figure><h2 id="377e">Anomaly</h2><p id="cc29">A few days ago I was surprised that one of my articles curated by Illumination on April 10th was distributed 7 days later on April 17th.</p><figure id="ae9c"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*MOaq_nNK0U8fCpnOVM7IRA.png"><figcaption>Email confirmation - Illumination article</figcaption></figure><div id="e175" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/the-challenge-of-the-hubris-leader-d6cd43f914ca"> <div> <div> <h2>The Challenge of the Hubris Leader</h2> <div><h3>A leadership warning conveyed through a single word</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*Vop1patDvCJgSwimqTKdrg.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><h2 id="6399">Illumination Culture</h2><p id="d3d5">The new kid on the block, Illumination breaks all the rules. It’s full of brats. How wonderful. There are no boundaries in this frat/sorority-house of creativity. Chaos and ambiguity is its charm.</p><p id="024f">I couldn’t even repeat what goes on behind closed doors (even though doors are always open). Leaders stories shared by <a href="undefined">Julia</a> and <a href="undefined">Sherry</a> spring to mind, enlightening ladies who could knock your socks off … literally … quite so, by their words. In fact, <a href="undefined">Julia</a> wrote about her <a href="https://readmedium.com/the-sock-is-out-for-now-briefly-4330cfa28bcf">socks</a> lately.</p><figure id="c1a6"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/0*lAfrq-04Ow8QrwYS.png"><figcaption></figcaption></figure><h2 id="954f">№2 ~ Age of Awareness</h2><p id="d0fe"><a href="undefined">Stephen</a> set up AoA in 2019, dedicated to “unite innovative educators with the goal of education reform.”</p><figure id="21a9"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*sNrXZyO6Xjd7f0lZfdjXpg.png"><figcaption>10th article on Age of Awareness at 11:59 pm on April 18th, 2020</figcaption></figure><p id="ccea"><b>Insight</b> — At 11:59 pm on April 18th, 2020, the date of this experiment, my article was 10th on the list of articles in this publication.</p><figure id="b54c"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*U6y38CDEmZIOb9dtTEtatg.png"><figcaption>Writers data from AoA article</figcaption></figure><p id="7fb7"><b>Observation</b> — As you can see from the images below it took 1 hour and 18 minutes from curation to distribution, most likely automated.</p><figure id="6a90"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*n91ybssZ2Dq_7j0J0gymwA.png"><figcaption>Authors email confirming curation — AoA article</figcaption></figure><figure id="7674"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*4-atSha99XlFKEqXahK8LQ.png"><figcaption>Authors email confirming distribution — AoA article</figcaption></figure><h2 id="ae2d">Anomaly</h2><p id="6d97">A few days ago I was really surprised when an old article curated by AoA on February 10th was only distributed on April 17th, over 2 months later.</p><p id="a2df">My guess is that this was most likely approved by human eyes.</p><figure id="e18d"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*KIpishU9jZrIk0ShmJ7vXg.png"><figcaption>Authors email confirming curation of an old — AoA article</figcaption></figure><div id="fb98" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/how-to-design-a-digital-product-for-sustainability-8e7066199857"> <div> <div> <h2>How to Design a Digital Product for Sustainability</h2> <div><h3>Water Conservation Influenced Our Design Journey</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*HGMPqb8vE_OgJpqkjaKeTg.jpeg)"></div> </div>

Options

        </div>
      </a>
    </div><figure id="5be8"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*0oGpoeg198vAZA_0v0M3WQ.png"><figcaption>Authors data on AoA article</figcaption></figure><h2 id="dba7">AoA Culture</h2><p id="0c75">As far as I’m aware, AoA is almost a year old with just north of 25k followers to date. Writers bring a wonderfully mixed flavor on the very important topic of education.</p><p id="2f8c">On a personal level, having spent over a decade in third-level education I very much value publications like AoA and others in this field.</p><figure id="352d"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/0*lAfrq-04Ow8QrwYS.png"><figcaption></figcaption></figure><h2 id="5927">№3 ~ The Startup</h2><p id="6e6e"><a href="undefined">Ali</a> has created this behemoth of a publication a few years ago. A go-to place for Entrepreneurs and Startups. As of today, his creation has a whopping 618k followers — an incredible audience reach.</p><figure id="783b"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*5Xxw9u7vPAE9TlmUemrvBA.png"><figcaption>1st article on The Startup at 11:59 pm on April 18th, 2020</figcaption></figure><p id="23a9"><b>Insight</b> — At 11:59 pm on April 18th, 2020, the date of this experiment, my article was 1st on the list. This is highly unusual, holding top spot typically lasts about an hour at most from past experience— <a href="undefined">Ali</a> was probably taking some downtime yesterday.</p><figure id="e5cb"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*zF09DqIUkHsOp4mVeLD4SA.png"><figcaption>Writers data from The Startup article</figcaption></figure><p id="b9ac"><b>Observation </b>—<b> </b>I didn't get a confirmation email from The Startup, again unusual as I always do, but I did get distribution confirmation, as shown below. That said it was just over an hour from curation to distribution, again most likely automated.</p><figure id="e528"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*619EnRaA-P0zFOeC6en9OA.png"><figcaption>Authors email confirming distribution — The Startup article</figcaption></figure><h2 id="6a27">The Startup Culture</h2><p id="2b1a">Like any Startup, this publication is fast-moving with lots of activity. Writers bring an eclectic mix of all things relevant in this field, which is vast, ranging from funding, marketing, digital, data and even writing, to mention a few.</p><p id="78f5">I work with a lot of Startups and Entrepreneurs so I really enjoy publications like The Startup and indeed <a href="undefined">Niklas</a>’ Better Marketing, both of which I find hugely beneficial for me and my clients.</p><h2 id="3568">Bonus</h2><p id="1f4e">Actually, since I started writing this piece a second article was accepted by The Startup and distributed, all within 24 hours.</p><figure id="e924"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*Z7DlYRYehfl5ZJb5CBKdYg.png"><figcaption>Authors email confirming second distribution in The Startup</figcaption></figure><p id="7d68">So my 24-hour experiment now looks like this:</p><ul><li>4 Articles (4th piece is shown below)</li><li>4 curated, and</li><li>3 distributed — Business, Leadership, and Startups</li></ul><div id="4b26" class="link-block">
      <a href="https://readmedium.com/bootstrapping-your-business-is-the-most-important-thing-you-can-do-right-now-c9e9aad3fa11">
        <div>
          <div>
            <h2>Bootstrapping Your Business Is the Most Important Thing You Can Do Right Now</h2>
            <div><h3>Startup decisions that you make today can dictate your destiny</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
          </div>
          <div>
            <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*eSqogB8PZzfU1fPrxih54w.jpeg)"></div>
          </div>
        </div>
      </a>
    </div><h1 id="84af">Final Thoughts</h1><p id="dad8">Hopefully, you're reading this piece in <a href="https://medium.com/publishous">Publishous</a> as I plan to submit to <a href="undefined">Nicole</a> shortly. Either way, I’d like to leave you with some takeaways.</p><p id="605e">Before I do, allow me to share a screengrab of my latest experiment data to see what’s possible:</p><figure id="738d"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*Ca2T-XFWyfFx7UTGAN2Jgg.png"><figcaption>Authors’ data from 4 articles experiment approx. 24 hours later</figcaption></figure><h2 id="518c">Takeaways</h2><p id="6687">Now for the takeaways, three insights for up and coming writers:</p><p id="31c2"><b>Tip №1</b> ~ Quality is important, I’ve no doubt about that.</p><p id="52bb"><b>Tip №2</b> ~ Spead your work across multiple publishers to improve your chances. Other benefits include:</p><ul><li>Multiple publishers bring diversity to your writing, even if your writing focuses on a particular field, variety forces you to expand your thinking and add new dimensions to your writing.</li><li>Every publication brings new eyes to your writing, enhancing your audience exposure.</li></ul><p id="ca52"><b>Tip №3</b> ~ Always be experimenting with your writing, who knows what you might discover.</p><p id="97a5">That’s it from me folks, after five articles this weekend I think it’s time for some Netflix!</p><figure id="1230"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*G_V8zgsfcX8Fvo4uVUjQkg.jpeg"><figcaption>Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/StockSnap-894430/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=2618562">StockSnap</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=2618562">Pixabay</a></figcaption></figure></article></body>

A WRITING AFFAIR

Insights From An Accidental Writing Experiment

An affair involving three articles, three topics, and three publications

Yesterday I decided to try something unique. A random test that I stumbled upon. I’d no idea if it would work as variables were beyond my control.

It was ambitious. Maybe a little too ambitious you could say, but why not I thought. If I don't try I’ll never know. So I went for it. Feet first.

Do you want to know what my experiment was about?

Okay. Here’s what I did:

I wrote three articles
Of similar quality
On a similar/related topic — Business and Leadership
I submitted to three different publications, the same day at the same time

The objective or hope rather was twofold:

That all three get curated, and
All three get distributed

The articles

Below are three articles and corresponding publications that I speak of:

Defining Moments of Conflict in The Workplace submitted to Illumination thanks to Dr Mehmet.
The Leadership Attributes Associated with Successful Leaders submitted to Age of Awareness thanks to Stephen.
How to Reinvent Your Business Before it Collapses submitted to The Startup thanks to Ali.

Do you want to know what happened?

If so, read on.

The Result

As I said, my goal was ambitious, very ambitious. It was nerve-wracking, not for the faint-hearted I assure you.

That said, initial results were encouraging:

All three articles were curated
Two were distributed

Yes, my experiment, unbeknownst to anybody produced:

3 Articles
3 curations, and
2 distributions

Then, suddenly, a Meatloaf song played on the Radio…

I want you, I need you But-there ain’t no way I’m ever gonna love you Now don’t be sad ’Cause two out of three ain’t bad

Okay, okay, I thought I’d add some humor. I don't even have a radio.

Now shut-up Meatloaf, drum-roll, please …

Voila

Without further adieu, here are the stats:

Authors' data from 3 articles experiment approx. 24 hours later

Now, let me explain something. I didn't write three articles with this purpose in mind.

Not at all.

An experiment was the furthest from my thoughts. Things just unfolded that way, it just fell into place.

I gave the three pieces I wrote the same research and attention, like all my articles. It just so happens that all three were 95% complete around the same time, on Saturday, April 18th, 2020, which triggered this idea.

Next Step

Are you thinking what I’m thinking? I thought as much. Allow me to share this wonderful news with our fellow readers so.

The vote is in folks — This experiment would not be complete unless this very article reflected the vary same aspirations of the three pieces it speaks of.

So with that in mind, I think Publishous is a perfect fit — if Nicole accepts this cheeky submission of course.

For the record, with respect to full disclosure, Nicole supported one of my previous articles. One of the few I wrote relevant for the Publishous audience I must admit.

That said (I’m going to unashamedly name drop here), one of my favorite writers, Sinem, inspired me to write the very piece that Nicole approved below. I believe that this article is a complimentary extension (I may be clutching at straws here, George, lend support here man before I sink).

How my Article Earned $500 in a Month

An analysis of writing my first viral article

medium.com

Hopefully my strategic name-dropping, I mean kind invitation, will encourage the aforementioned ladies to support this piece. A fitting conclusion I think.

Virtual Game-Changers

Now back to you, aspiring writers. Those who I hope will gain from this experiment. While I feel it’s my duty to acknowledge the publishers mentioned above, I intend to do so transparently, for your benefit.

The following discussion is ranked in accordance with the time of curation.

№1 ~ Illumination

Dr Mehmet established this ‘new entrant’ just a few weeks ago. In a very short space of time, he has attracted 3k followers, into what’s shaping up to be a truly diverse melting-pot. An eclectic community.

43rd article on Illumination at midnight on April 18th, 2020

Insight — At 11:59 pm on April 18th, 2020, the date of this experiment, my article ranked 43rd, not distributed but not declined either.

Observation — As you can see it’s awaiting to be evaluated. That said, I’m hopeful as two recent pieces made the grade in April.

Authors’ data from 2 Illumination articles last week

Anomaly

A few days ago I was surprised that one of my articles curated by Illumination on April 10th was distributed 7 days later on April 17th.

Email confirmation - Illumination article

The Challenge of the Hubris Leader

A leadership warning conveyed through a single word

medium.com

Illumination Culture

The new kid on the block, Illumination breaks all the rules. It’s full of brats. How wonderful. There are no boundaries in this frat/sorority-house of creativity. Chaos and ambiguity is its charm.

I couldn’t even repeat what goes on behind closed doors (even though doors are always open). Leaders stories shared by Julia and Sherry spring to mind, enlightening ladies who could knock your socks off … literally … quite so, by their words. In fact, Julia wrote about her socks lately.

№2 ~ Age of Awareness

Stephen set up AoA in 2019, dedicated to “unite innovative educators with the goal of education reform.”

10th article on Age of Awareness at 11:59 pm on April 18th, 2020

Insight — At 11:59 pm on April 18th, 2020, the date of this experiment, my article was 10th on the list of articles in this publication.

Observation — As you can see from the images below it took 1 hour and 18 minutes from curation to distribution, most likely automated.

Authors email confirming curation — AoA article

Authors email confirming distribution — AoA article

Anomaly

A few days ago I was really surprised when an old article curated by AoA on February 10th was only distributed on April 17th, over 2 months later.

My guess is that this was most likely approved by human eyes.

Authors email confirming curation of an old — AoA article

How to Design a Digital Product for Sustainability

Water Conservation Influenced Our Design Journey

medium.com

AoA Culture

As far as I’m aware, AoA is almost a year old with just north of 25k followers to date. Writers bring a wonderfully mixed flavor on the very important topic of education.

On a personal level, having spent over a decade in third-level education I very much value publications like AoA and others in this field.

№3 ~ The Startup

Ali has created this behemoth of a publication a few years ago. A go-to place for Entrepreneurs and Startups. As of today, his creation has a whopping 618k followers — an incredible audience reach.

1st article on The Startup at 11:59 pm on April 18th, 2020

Insight — At 11:59 pm on April 18th, 2020, the date of this experiment, my article was 1st on the list. This is highly unusual, holding top spot typically lasts about an hour at most from past experience— Ali was probably taking some downtime yesterday.

Observation — I didn't get a confirmation email from The Startup, again unusual as I always do, but I did get distribution confirmation, as shown below. That said it was just over an hour from curation to distribution, again most likely automated.

Authors email confirming distribution — The Startup article

The Startup Culture

Like any Startup, this publication is fast-moving with lots of activity. Writers bring an eclectic mix of all things relevant in this field, which is vast, ranging from funding, marketing, digital, data and even writing, to mention a few.

I work with a lot of Startups and Entrepreneurs so I really enjoy publications like The Startup and indeed Niklas’ Better Marketing, both of which I find hugely beneficial for me and my clients.

Bonus

Actually, since I started writing this piece a second article was accepted by The Startup and distributed, all within 24 hours.

Authors email confirming second distribution in The Startup

So my 24-hour experiment now looks like this:

4 Articles (4th piece is shown below)
4 curated, and
3 distributed — Business, Leadership, and Startups

Bootstrapping Your Business Is the Most Important Thing You Can Do Right Now

Startup decisions that you make today can dictate your destiny

medium.com

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, you're reading this piece in Publishous as I plan to submit to Nicole shortly. Either way, I’d like to leave you with some takeaways.

Before I do, allow me to share a screengrab of my latest experiment data to see what’s possible:

Authors’ data from 4 articles experiment approx. 24 hours later

Takeaways

Now for the takeaways, three insights for up and coming writers:

Tip №1 ~ Quality is important, I’ve no doubt about that.

Tip №2 ~ Spead your work across multiple publishers to improve your chances. Other benefits include:

Multiple publishers bring diversity to your writing, even if your writing focuses on a particular field, variety forces you to expand your thinking and add new dimensions to your writing.
Every publication brings new eyes to your writing, enhancing your audience exposure.

Tip №3 ~ Always be experimenting with your writing, who knows what you might discover.

That’s it from me folks, after five articles this weekend I think it’s time for some Netflix!