Summarize

The Power of Goal Setting: 1K followers in just 2 months

Celebrating Mastodon Integration, a Boosted Article, New Friends, and Writing contests

First, thank you to all who read, follow, leave comments, and share my stories. I am so grateful!

I approached writing on Medium by creating SMARTIES goals like I encourage my coaching clients to set. In case you are not familiar SMARTIE goals are Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic, Time-bound, Inclusive, and Equitable Goals:

1. Learn to navigate Medium. I immersed myself in the app to learn as much as I could by asking myself the following questions: What are the features? How can I best use them to amplify my stories? Where are other BIPOC writers?
2. Become a Medium Partner. I strategically followed writers I enjoy and joined the FollowForFollow challenge. I was able to get to 100 followers in one week!
3. Follow and write for publications with a diverse and active following. When I first joined Medium, I was seeking a place to write and to connect with others, particularly those who are writing on topics related to Racial Equity, Liberation, Justice, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Allyship. I have noticed many BIPOC publications have gone inactive, this is an area Medium should be more intentional about supporting and developing.
4. Write authentically. Without judgment of my writing, the topic, or sticking to a particular niche.
5. Be intentional about connecting with others. I try to read 2 stories a day, clap, highlight and leave comments. I reciprocate any engagement I receive from others and amplify BIPOC writers.

I’m happy to say I’ve achieved each of my goals in my first month on Medium.

After two months on Medium, I am starting to connect in a deeper, more meaningful way with so many in this community of storytellers and I thank YOU for your sharing of your stories, the encouraging comments, and the “Penspiration.”

For month two, I am celebrating Mastodon Integration, 35 published stories, going from 100 to 1K followers, joining 17 publications, and double-digit profits.

I focused more on slowing down, exploring my stories, and paying more attention to how my writing connects with my own healing and self-reflection.

As a result, my story Daily Rituals: A barometric system for my Depression resonated with many others. My story got boosted and brought me into the double digits in my earnings for a payout of $52 last month and it is steady earning this month.

I still have no idea how the Medium algorithm works- and it seems most of us do not. I would love to know when my stories are published — if the time of day matters or if it’s purely a topic of interest that guides readers to my stories and how I got my story boosted. I would love your thoughts on my story.

Thanks to a writing contest by Ravyne Hawke I have been working on a Spring themed essay in her publication Promptly Written. If you are a writer or just dipping your toe into Medium, you should consider this one too.

I appreciate the 1000 word count minimum which has unlocked a depth to my story that I would not have accessed otherwise. The contest has inspired another friend of mine to enter and begin publishing her work on Medium too! We have been sharing our stories and encouraging each other.

If you are just getting started here it can feel overwhelming. Here are a few tips I have learned along the way.

I love to follow Dr Mehmet Yildiz who has an amazing writing community through Illumination and his many other publications. Check out his 100-day challenge for more!

I took the bait and joined Mastodon – I’m looking for ways to continue to amplify my stores and connect with others. It’s pretty easy to join and share your stories there- what are your thoughts and experiences?

My month three Medium goals are:

1. Learn more about the writing process and styles of writing. I’ve never had formal instruction and Medium has so many writing tips.
2. Publish at least two stories per week. If I am not feeling creative, I seek out Writing Prompts or Challenges.
3. Create a sustainable practice of my craft that includes a viable income stream. I am up to paying for gas and dinner with my Medium profits, I want to be able to make my car payment next.

What are your goals for writing this month?

Where do you find your Penspiration?

What support do you need to meet your goals?

Happy reading and writing my Medium friends!

Please follow and comment — all genuine engagement will be reciprocated. ❤

Skye Howell (she/her) is an Organizational Consultant with Full Humanity, an Equity Advocate, Curriculum Designer, Keynote Speaker, and Storyteller. If you enjoyed this article and want to read more, please consider becoming a Medium member. Your membership fee directly supports Skye Howell (she/her) and other writers you read. You’ll also get full access to every story on Medium.