Using Medium Strategically — Newbie Questions and Thoughts

What is the endgame?

Please bear with me. I have only been writing on Medium for a little over a month.

As I read various writers, I develop questions about possible long-term strategies, wondering how I might incorporate their ideas into my plans.

Any help would be welcome.

Please do not take offense. I am not trying to judge, just trying to understand.

I see writers using Medium differently.

Medium as a practice ground

When I first started writing on Medium, this is where I was. I had never written for an online outlet before.

I had to learn the technical basics.

• How the Medium editor worked.
• How to find publications.
• How to get accepted.
• How to submit.
• Requirements for photos.
• Where to find photos.

More importantly, I needed to discover the writer in me. I needed to find my voice.

What was my style?

Where am I comfortable?

So, I get using Medium as a practice ground.

Quite frankly, the thought of strategy at this stage seems premature.

Some Medium writers' expertise is with a list technique.

I understand that numbers in titles drive more reads.

I understand that lists help in the short term.

However, I have questions about the technique from a long-term strategic point of view.

• Is the long-term goal to continue to write list-driven articles, relying on Medium readers to create enough volume to generate substantial income?
• This tactic might work.
• I am sure some Medium writers are doing just fine with this approach. While I don’t know the percentage of list content providers on Medium who are solvent, my guess is not many.

So if the long-term strategy is not to write lists on Medium ad infinitum, what do you see as the next play?

• There might be content copywriter opportunities for publications that also use the list technique. In which case you have a body of work to help you secure such a position,
• There might be copywriting opportunities in marketing products where the list approach would be valuable.

As I see it, the downside to creating lists is how do you leverage your followers?

• Unless you are extremely clever, it is hard to stand out as a list provider.
• If you transition to product sales, I see little chance of followers.
• I do not see a book of lists in the works, but what do I know? Maybe there is space for such a book? I probably would not buy it, but that is just me.

What am I missing? How do you leverage your followers? What do you have to offer that they will follow?

Some Medium writers are what I call eclectic writers.

These are my friends who write about a variety of topics.

Eclectic writers write about whatever crosses their paths. They write for fun.

I love them, and I love to read their work.

Again, I question, “What is the long-term play?”

• You absolutely can keep on having fun. I will keep on reading. You probably have a reasonable chance of making money as you gain more followers.
• If Medium is the end game, you are on the right path.

If you see Medium as a stepping stone, what do you see as the next step?

Freelancing might work. You have created a body of work and developed loyal followers. Both would be of interest to a publisher, and there are plenty of general-interest publications that might be interested in your work.

A book is another possibility.

• If you decide to go the book route, one challenge for the eclectic writer would be how to weave the work into a cohesive package. You have written on a number of diverse topics.
• Of course, you can write a whole book on one of your selected topics or on a brand new topic. Both are within your reach. Both would require a change in how you approach your work. There is a big difference between writing 1000 words and 70,000 words.
• The second challenge would be how to leverage your readers. Assuming that you are communicating with your readers, via comments and developing relationships, leveraging sounds plausible. They like you.
• There are not enough Medium readers, however, to make the project the success it could be. You will have to access more potential readers via social media or through a publishing house.

Some Medium writers are niche writers.

The only difference between eclectic writers and niche writers is the scope of topics.

When it comes to life after Medium, Niche writers face the same questions as eclectic writers.

• Should I freelance?
• Should I write a book?

Having a niche would be a big help here. You have written and researched extensively around a particular topic. You have found and understand like-minded readers.

Of course, you can decide to write something completely different, but why would you — given the focused efforts you have already taken.

Both traditional and self-published books have concerns of which to be aware.

Traditional publishing

If you go the traditional publishing route, you are still an unknown in the eyes of the publisher, and many writers are pitching. Every day an editor is approached numerous times.

The optimist would say, “Yes, but I am different. Surely, they will see how good I am.”

The realist would recognize that this may be a long and painful cycle of submitting — waiting — rejection — submitting.

You can always self-publish

Self-publishing has advantages in both product development and leveraging your base. It sounds attractive.

My experience with helping a friend self-publish has taught me that marketing a self-published book is very time-consuming.

• To do it right, one has to engage multiple social media platforms.
• You have to promote constantly.
• Both take you away from your love of writing.

Let’s say whatever it takes, a book or ebook is the end game.

The question becomes

What can we do now to help the book be successful?

My point of view is that there are two areas on which to concentrate.

The body of work

Each article is going to define you as a writer.

• Now is the time to determine who you are.
• What is the position you want to hold in the reader’s mind? Are you the thoughtful one, the empathetic one, the funny one, the one who writes from the heart, the one who makes lists?
• Each article should enhance that position with your reader.
• If the article does not strengthen your position, it will dilute it.
• Weak articles hurt you. Rewrite until it is correct. Toss them if need be. Only publish the best.
• Once you have developed the position that you like, stick with it. If you change, you break expectations. It would be like picking up a Steven King novel and reading a technical treatise on art. Huh?

Building your base

Your base is going to be your biggest asset when you start marketing your new book. I am not talking about followers here. I am talking about readers.

• Readers will give you early feedback prior to launch.
• Readers may provide early sales as you ramp up
• They will be able to add comments to help promote the book.
• They will be happy to share with their social media friends.

(Just a word of caution Follow for following does not develop readers There is no loyalty. F4F develops clutter — noise that will eventually have to be cleaned out)

• We need to connect with our readers on an emotional level. Non-emotional-based content only goes so far. I have read many textbooks in my life, but not one made an emotional impact. I cannot tell you the author of a single one. The same holds for lists.
• Building your base takes time. You must read others and offer comments showing you understand and care. Clapping and underlining are nice, but comments build relationships.

So given all of this, what is my long-term strategy?

Content strategy

I originally started on Medium so that I could create a body of work that might help me land a writing job or enhance freelance opportunities. I choose to write, for the most part, about the topics that I feel are the riches of life — joy- inner peace. Occasionally, I write from my experiences as an entrepreneur with the hopes of helping the reader with the next step.

I still see my body of work in that light. I hope to write each post as a showcase piece. Longer pieces will serve as a body of work if I choose to go that way. they would serve well as chapters of an ebook if I choose to go that way.

Lately, I have begun exploring writing short-form.

• I see a potential there for a collection of short-form articles in an ebook format.
• Short-form fits nicely into the “a page a day” format that I find attractive. (Writing short-form every day is a pretty time-efficient way to build content over time.)

Reader base strategy

I will continue making friends and growing relationships with people who touch my soul. That is a joy.

Am I building the base for the sole purpose of marketing? Absolutely not.

I care for these Medium friends of mine. If they never bought one thing, I would still care for them just the same.

Short-form is my key to Twitter, Facebook, and maybe Pinterest. I am not good with any of those platforms, but I see the potential. I know I have a way to go.

But that is OK. I get to write and meet friends in the meantime.

I am very interested in your thoughts, your strategy, and any upgrades you might have to offer. Let’s start a dialogue.

How can I support you?

D