What Curation On Medium Means And Why It Still Matters

Summary

Curation on Medium is a significant achievement that recognizes quality writing and expands an author's audience, with the potential to increase readership and earnings.

Abstract

Curation on Medium is a process where an article is selected for distribution to a broader audience, signifying that the piece has reached a certain standard of interest and quality. The author initially found the concept of curation elusive but soon realized its importance as a form of validation for writers on the platform. After experiencing the curation of six of his articles, the author reflects on the challenges faced, including moments of doubt and the temptation to quit. However, perseverance, self-belief, and the support of Dr. Mehmet Yildiz and the Illumination publication team played a crucial role in his success. The author emphasizes that curation is not just about potential financial rewards but also about the recognition and satisfaction that comes from one's work being acknowledged as valuable and worthy of a wider readership.

Opinions

Curation is seen as a mark of quality and interest, suggesting that the writing is of a level that deserves more readers.
The author acknowledges the role of self-belief and determination in overcoming the feeling of not being good enough, which is a common challenge for writers.
Dr. Mehmet Yildiz and the Illumination publications are credited with providing support and a platform that contributes to the success of writers, including the author.
The author believes that writing for a publication that is growing and improving can be more beneficial than aiming for already established ones.
Reciprocity, in terms of mutual support and belief between writers and editors, is highlighted as a key factor in achieving success.
The validation that comes from curation is considered priceless, more valuable than the monetary gains that may result from increased exposure.
The author encourages other writers to persist in their efforts, suggesting that a lack of commitment might indicate that a writing career may not be the right path.

It may be better than what you think it is!

Photograph by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels

I must admit the word 'curation' was something of a mystery to me when I first started here on Medium. However, whilst I wasn't sure exactly what it meant, I was certain that it was something of a holy grail just from the way people spoke of it.

To put this in simple terms Curation means that what you have written has been deemed interesting and worthy enough to be distributed to a much wider audience than you might get from the publication that you write for. Whether or not that results in greater reads and more money remains to be seen. It all depends on whether or not that wider audience respond by reading what you have written. But at the very least it means that your writing is of a certain level which warrants the attention of more readers.

In the last few days I have finally had about six articles curated. I could hardly believe it when I saw it. A few times last year I felt like giving up. It just seemed to me that whatever I wrote just wasn't good enough. And like lots of writers I do not write simply to be deemed not quite good enough. I would rather go out in the rain and grow potatoes. However, I had one little weapon in my armoury which kept me going.

The one thing which separates the failures from the successes is self belief and the determination to keep going no matter how tough it gets. I have been preaching this for quite some time now and it feels so good to at last be vindicated, to be able to say that it has all come good in the end.

Of course, I have to give credit where credit is due. First of all I have to thank Dr Mehmet Yildiz for also believing in me. I also have to thank him for working extremely hard to make his publications the great success that they have become.

I do believe that with 8,500 writers, lord knows how many editors and close to 100,000 readers the Illumination publications just have to be taken seriously. Those figures are certainly enough to make the owners of Medium sit up and take notice. And I have said on at least one occasion that if you want to write for a top publication, instead of banging your head on the doors of the already very successful publications, why not start by writing for one at the bottom which is clearly headed for the stars? If you are any good you can help that publication to become a roaring success, and then you too will be writing for a top pub. Simples. I personally put my faith in Dr Yildiz because he put his faith in me. That is called reciprocity in action.

I must also give thanks to my readers and followers, and last but by no means least, my fellow editors. They really are an amazing team, without whom I may well have given up a long time ago.

And finally I hear you ask, why does it still matter? Because even if it does not result in a few more pennies it is a validation that all my hard work was worth it in the end. And that my friends is worth a lot more than money, that is pure gold.

Like everybody else I set out here to make my mark. At last a got the trilogy of Top Writer status writing for a top pub, Editor of a top pub and Curated. Added to that is the money I have been earning. It may not be a fortune that has come in, but it certainly helps to pay my way through life.

So there you have it, self belief and determination goes a long, long way towards any great success story. Get on it, stick at it and never ever give up. If you are not prepared to do that then perhaps a writing career is not for you after all, that's for you to decide. Good luck one and all and thank you from the bottom of my heart.