This is What Helps Me Grow as a New Writer on Medium

Summary

A new writer on Medium shares their strategies for growth, emphasizing consistent engagement, self-reflection, and meaningful interactions over mere applause.

Abstract

The writer has developed a habit of regularly visiting Medium, maintaining a positive attitude despite slow growth in readership. They adopt an 'Observer Ego' stance to critically assess their work and consider improvements or better ways to understand their audience. The writer actively reads and engages with other Medium articles, particularly those in the "Daily Medium Digest," and prioritizes commenting on articles to foster connections with other writers. This engagement has led to increased followers and a significant rise in claps for their articles, demonstrating the effectiveness of their approach.

Opinions

The writer believes in persistence and self-improvement, not giving up even with minimal initial feedback.
They value the practice of pausing to reflect on their work and consider alternative approaches or audience needs.
Reading a variety of Medium articles, especially from the "Daily Medium Digest," is seen as beneficial for gaining insights and tips.
Engagement through comments is considered vital, as it creates a dialogue with other writers and readers, leading to mutual growth.
The writer emphasizes the importance of commenting over simply clapping for articles, as it represents a deeper level of engagement.
Responding to comments and highlights on their own articles is a key strategy the writer uses to build a community and increase their followers.
The writer is thrilled by the tangible results of their engagement strategy, such as an increase from 7 to 101 claps in 24 hours and a rise in followers from 32 to 90 in a month.

This is What Helps Me Grow as a New Writer on Medium

Photo by Ana Tavares on Unspash

First, I go to medium.com whenever I have a free moment.

In the past 6 weeks this has become a habit, and A GOOD HABIT.

I’m not giving up. Even when I see my numbers creep up slowly— 5 or 6 claps — I’m not giving up.

Secondly, I’m trying to take something I call an OBSERVER EGO stance, meaning instead of REACTING AND SAYING TO MYSELF “I’m no good at this!”

I’M PAUSING –AND, LIKE THE PAUSE BUTTON ON THE RADIO WHEN SOMEONE SAYS AN OBSCENE WORD —

That’s engagement!!

Commenting is critical and a voice out of the void.

My mind always associates with something new when I’m reading another person’s writing. It maybe the author turned me on to a vital tip about the medium platform or they show me a new perspective. I always benefit from reading another persons work.

Also, when people comment or highlight parts of my articles, I REPLY to them.

This is What Helps Me Grow as a New Writer on Medium

I PAUSE MY MIND and in those FEW SECONDS say to myself:

AND, THIRDLY, — THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT TAKEAWAY OF ALL — I ENGAGE WITH OTHER WRITERS ON MEDIUM.

Commenting seems vital to me.

That’s engagement!!

I have found: I COMMENT RATHER THAN CLAP.

Claps are great. Don’t get me wrong.

But I feel more engaged when I write to the author.

My last article went from 7 claps to 101 claps in 24 hours. And, of course, I was thrilled.