avatarTom Handy

Summary

The author shares insights on adapting to writing topics based on audience preferences and engagement data, emphasizing flexibility, catering to true fans, and maintaining honesty.

Abstract

The author discusses their experience with writing about money and finance, which they initially thought would be successful. However, they discovered that their articles about writing performed better in terms of views and engagement. The author advises writers to be flexible in their approach, adapt to their audience's preferences, and focus on topics that resonate with their true fans. They emphasize the importance of honesty and avoiding clickbait headlines, and provide tips for creating engaging headlines that accurately reflect the content of the articles.

Bullet points

  • The author initially thought writing about money would be successful but found that writing articles performed better.
  • Writers should be flexible and adapt to their audience's preferences.
  • Writers should cater to their true fans, who will support them through thick and thin.
  • Writers should avoid clickbait headlines and focus on creating engaging headlines that accurately reflect the content of their articles.
  • The author provides tips for creating click-worthy headlines.
  • The author advises writers to be honest and maintain their credibility.

What No One Tells You About Writing Will Make You Scream

3 steps to take when you get in these situations because it’s bound to happen

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

When I first started writing earlier this year, I thought writing about money would do very well. I love writing about money. Looking at my stats tell a different story.

Even though I’m a top writer in Bitcoin, Finance, and Money, these articles are not what pay the bills. The articles that do very well are my articles on writing which I was a top writer for a short period of time.

I was quite surprised and still am when checking my stats. My money articles get low view and read times while writing articles are about 70% every time. You do check your stats, right?

Medium

The numbers in green are my writing articles and the numbers in red are my money articles. Notice the vast difference in reading time from my fans.

Instead of fighting the algorithm and the stats, sometimes you need to figure it out and just go with it.

Numbers can mean a lot to you as a writer. Study and analyze them. Figure out what is working for you and not working for you.

What do your numbers say about your writing? Take time to analyze them and use that in your favor.

Here are three topics that will be covered if you run into a situation like this with your articles.

  • Flexibility is the name of the game
  • Give your fans what they want
  • Be open and honest, and don’t make up stuff

These tips will help you in the long run.

Flexibility is the name of the game

Be clear about your goal but be flexible about the process of achieving it.

Brian Tracy

As I learned in the Army, you need to be flexible. This is a trait you need to have. Life changes when you least suspect it and you need to be flexible.

Who really knew 2020 would be the year of the coronavirus? No one did.

This took government and businesses by surprise. It probably took you by surprise as well.

Where you flexible when the rules suddenly changed?

Did you try to fight it?

Fighting change will not work. You have to learn to adapt and be flexible.

Figure out what you need to do especially if there isn’t a blueprint for you to follow. There was little guidance initially and a lot of confusion.

  • Mask or no mask.
  • Eat in restaurants or not.

Sometimes you have to make the best decision yourself. Writing is the same way until you figure it out. As the industry changes, so do your fans. You need to be flexible when change happens.

With Medium, you may have seen some changes from a few of the writers who were given early access. As the bugs get worked out, you need to be flexible after the changes get to you.

Give your fans what they want

I know the fans are going to end up falling in love with me and how I play the game.

Terry Rozier

The same can be said as a writer. You may have an idea what topics you want to write about but your fans give you a different response. Your fans want you to write about this other topic that you occasionally mention.

If your fans want a different topic, then you need to give it to them. You may have to do a little more work or possibly research, but you can do it. You have to change your mindset. Don’t get set in your ways.

The editor of Vibe magazine Kevin Kelly wrote about 1000 true fans. Kevin said you don’t need a million true fans. He said a 1000 true fans will buy anything you sell. Kevin breaks it down and basically says what you need to do.

Your true fans will be with you through the good and the bad. They’ll tell you want they want.

  • Your true fans will pay your bills.
  • Your true fans will read all of your work.
  • Your true fans will tell you if they don’t like your topic.

You need to cater to your true fans. They are your best friends who read your writing.

As a writer, you need to write for your true fans.

Be open and honest

Being honest may not get you a lot of friends, but it’ll always get you the right ones.

John Lennon

I have seen some writers write some unbelievable stuff. Maybe you are a top writer or you have earned thousands from writing. You don’t have to show it but your writing needs to back that up. If you’re a writer who has the credibility to do that, then fine. But if you’re a brand new writer, don’t do that. Readers lose faith in you as a writer.

It’s all about the headline to get your reader’s attention these days. You have a few seconds to win or lose them.

If a clickbait title is the first thing to come to your mind, really think hard about that before using it. Take the time to think of a title that works without click-baiting.

There are millions of options. You can still be successful without going down that road.

You want to write click-worthy headlines and not clickbait headlines.

When you write click-worthy headlines, you’ll get the views and the fans. Your audience is very smart these days and they have seen the bogus claims people have used over the years. Give them some real information that they can use and digest. As you do that, you’ll get plenty of fans.

Have you had to adjust your writing topic since you started writing?

Tom Handy is a top Writing, Finance, Investment, and Bitcoin writer on Medium, and the father of two kids. He retired from the Army and sits on several non-profit boards. You can find him on Twitter @tomhandy1.

Writing
Writer
Self Improvement
Life
Motivation
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