Writing | Relationships | Gaia Project
Pay It Forward and Grow Your Readership, More Image Tips
Join the Conversation
I’m writing a series of feature articles to discuss and illustrate the innovative ways we are collaborating on Medium. Collaboration builds community, which increases readership.
To keep it interesting, I’ll shine a light on solutions to some of your difficulties and answer any questions that come to me each day.
I’ll also share one of the many ways I have discovered to connect with fellow writers and readers.
Well hello there.
In case we’ve never met, I’m Tree Langdon, an editor here at Illumination. I’m continuously inspired by the talented writers I’ve met here. I’d really like to get to know you too.
Writers Can Make Meaningful Change!
There are some trail-blazing, collaborative projects being developed at Illumination.
There’s a new way for us to share information and collaborate. Here’s the story:
The Gaia Project is up and running.
I’ve read several posts by Desiree Driesenaar, in support of the Gaia Project. It’s near and dear to her heart as you can tell if you read her post.
I loved this article because she lists some concrete actions we can take to support the planet.
Here are a few suggestions from her article. My challenge to you is to take action on one of them and write an article about it.
- Learn
- Simplify
- Buy Local
- Compost, plant a garden, recycle
- Connect with nature
You will benefit from meeting a diverse group of like-minded individuals, and you’ll be building your network.
I believe the Gaia Project has the potential to become a powerful way to initiate action that will move us toward a better planet.
If this interests you, I invite you to participate.
I’m Wondering How to Get My Articles Curated.
In a nutshell, write quality articles and pay attention to tags, kickers, format, and Medium curation rules.
These stories were successfully curated and distributed to topics in Medium. It’s an excellent resource to study if you are interested in being curated.
Here’s my take on curation from when I was a new writer.
Our team of editors and writers are ready and willing to assist you with any questions or problems you may be experiencing.
Just ask.
The key to a meaningful conversation includes both speaking and listening.
A meaningful conversation between writers includes reading, responding, sharing and appreciation.
Keep on reading to see how you can have that conversation, but first let’s explore your questions.
Answers to your Burning How to Questions
Do you have a burning ‘how to’ question?
This is your opportunity. Add your question as a comment and I’ll be happy to answer it.
Do you have a terrific tip for our writers? Add it in the comments!
Let’s share our experiences and learn from each other.
Here’s a simple Tip I learned as a Newbie.
How do I put the image credit right below the image?
I keep trying to paste it on the image and the text remains part of the body of the story.
This one stumped me for a while. Then I asked a fellow writer and they helped me out. Here’s how.
- If you click on the image, a line appears below it and you can cut and paste the image credits there. Neat, right?
Voila!
Writers Connect to Build Engagement!
As a lifelong learner, I gather new ideas by observing how other writers engage with their readers. In this section of my bulletin I will share what I have learned.
Here’s a recent tip.
Increasing Your Audience using Accessibility Tools.
This is a tip that not many people use. It involves accessibility for visually challenged readers.
Alt text is one of the basics of accessibility on the internet.
You can put a description of your image in the document so that the visually impaired reader is able to imagine what it looks like.
Think of it. You are tapping into a group of readers that are under served by most writers. It’s a kind and generous thing to do as well.
Here’s how:
Select and upload your image. Here’s one I chose from Unsplash.
Hold down the Ctrl key and click on the image. A bar comes up at the top of the image — select Alt Text.
This is the screen that opens.
When the Alternative Text screen appears, type a description of the image and press Save.
Voila!
Now your image is available to readers that are visually impaired.
More here:
If you test this idea for yourself, tag me, Tree Langdon ♾️ and let me know how it worked for you.
Let’s Talk About Slack
We collaborate with published authors, bloggers, and other service providers to extend our network.
Here are some tips to get up and running with Slack.
We’re here to support you and want you to be successful.
All we ask in return, is that you do the same.
Today’s Challenge- Join the Conversation:
Join The Gaia Project by writing about the ACTION you took to support Gaia in your community.
It can be as simple as deciding to walk instead of drive, or you could take action by growing some beans on your balcony.
(That has the makings of a great title by the way, ‘Beans on the Balcony’.)
Your article should mention GAIA as part of the title. Please tag me @treelangdon @drjohnrose and @desireedriesenaar, as well as any other writers you know, would be interested.
I’ll be following along, and who knows, your article might be featured in an upcoming bulletin.
It’s a win win — you support the project, and we support you as a writer.
If you want to catch up on previous bulletins, have a look here:
Greetings to a few of our newer writers and some who have been here for a bit longer. I hope you found something interesting in this article. Jump in and start a conversation.
It’s the best way to connect and connection is how you increase engagement.
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Collaboration is a two way street. Join the conversation and be a part of this meaningful change.
