Month Four On Medium: Good Stats and Bad Stats
One story is on a high tide, and one is in a puddle stranded on the beach.
I am lucky and blessed! The Medium community has embraced my words, and I am humbled by the 600 followers and 26 subscribers who have joined me on this journey.
What makes for a wildly successful story on Medium.com?
As I celebrate my fourth month on Medium, I evaluated my overall experience in the context of this question.
I am reflecting on the highs and lows of my storytelling experience, examining the contrasting receptions of my most popular and least successful stories.
In late October 2023, Medium bestowed upon me the honor of featuring my story, “Love In Cosmic Times Feels Real,” providing it with a highly desired boost presented to Medium members through the platform’s e-mails and feeds.
Over 640 pairs of eyes have crossed this narrative, with 45% lingering for over 30 seconds — a gratifying 290 souls. Among them, approximately 40 kindred spirits shared their thoughts through comments, transforming my solitary endeavor into a communal experience.
“Love In Cosmic Times Feels Real” weaves the tale of a woman in search of love, believing she has found it, only to be met with abandonment. The universal theme of love’s complexities seemed to resonate, transcending personal experiences and inviting readers to pause and ponder their journeys. This story may have become a shared space for reflection, a testament to the power of storytelling to connect us in the vast digital realm.
In stark contrast, “My Best Friend Forever, Delicious Flaky Pastry, And Tea,” published at the dawn of November, is my least viewed story among the 60 posted so far.
With only 15 views, six reads, and three comments, this post remains a quiet corner of my Medium portfolio. This story unfolds the meeting of two girlfriends over tea, where one unveils the emotional wreckage of her marriage and subsequent salacious dreams, only to be confronted by the object of her nocturnal fantasies as the story ends.
I question the stark difference in reception between these two tales. Does the appeal of universal fantasy overshadow the quieter narrative of women supporting women? My mind drifts to the Nigerian dramas my husband loves, where women often cut each other down rather than lift each other. Could this be a reflection of societal preferences?
Or, maybe the comments hold the key: Adrian CDTPPW has no love for the protagonist (she is not easy to love, I admit), Nick Struutinsky loved the image (that’s all), and Senetta Diane, my ardent fan, kindly said the story rings true. Perhaps an unlovable lead and a too-true story would never go viral?
Yet, in this exploration of contrasts, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the viewers and readers who have paused on these two and all my stories.
Your support and the gift of your time fuel my passion for crafting contemporary fiction on this platform. THANK YOU 🦩
As I keep writing my stories, I can't help but think about how Medium carries them to a massive audience of members and beyond. It's incredible how storytelling connects and brings us together in this vast sea of creativity.
© Scarlet Ibis James, 2023: All Rights Reserved.
Bonus Content — My Most Successful Story Without A Boost:
The Soundtrack Suggested for This Article:
Into the mouth of control Take me down where the river strays Where it flows outside the lines Where it’s picked apart and thrown away …it’s always some occcasional rain
I hope you always experience joy or something to consider when you read.
