Starting on Medium? Here Are a Few Tips
Hoping to help you on your journey!
When I first started on Medium it was exciting and overwhelming at the same time. I didn’t realize how amazing the community would be and how it would feel to write in a space with so much knowledge, encouragement, and inspiration.
And boy, am I glad I’m here.
If you’re only reading your free 3 articles on Medium so far, consider joining so you can get the maximum benefit!
Here are 3 things to consider if you’re just starting out:
1. Publish and engage
Don’t underestimate the power of commenting, reading, and clapping for others. It’s perhaps as equally important as publishing your own articles and ideas. And it’s fun!
A writer I admire who puts so much effort into engagement also writes entertaining and informative pieces. Check out Jan Sebastian and her recommendation to comment and highlight:
2. Research publications
There are many publications on here that will accept your stories and distribute them to a wider audience. For starters, check out New Writers Welcome or About Me Stories. These are great places for new Medium writers to share their work. It’s certainly not required, but it could help if you aren’t reaching your target audience right away.
I was also accepted into Illumination and Coffee Times pretty early in my Medium journey. Though, I guess I’m still early since I’m wrapping up month 2 now! But, I’ve published many articles in both of these publications and generally get a good amount of claps and comments — which to me is meaningful because I appreciate the engagement.
3. Create a 30-day challenge
If you want to build community, participate in a 30-day challenge or create your own. This is a great way to practice consistency in your writing and grow interested readers. For example, I created a 30-day self-reflection journaling challenge, which now Jennifer Barrios Tettay and Deeianira are working on!
And pro-tip if you want to make money on Medium:
Once you hit 100 followers and if you decide to join the Medium Partner Program or are eligible (BTW — Medium — you need to figure out a way for more countries to be eligible!!!), then make sure to meter all your stories published before you joined the Medium Partner Program.
What do I mean by that?
If your story is not metered, then it is not earning you any money even after you join the MPP. So, go to the story, click edit, then the 3 dots at the top. Click Manage meter setting and make sure the box is checked that says Meter your story.
How do you know if it worked?
If there is a star next to the word read, then your story is metered and eligible to earn money.
Drop a comment below if this information was helpful and best of luck on your writing journey!
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