What I’ve Learned After 3 Months on Medium
And what I’ve still to learn
And what I’ve still to learn
I started writing on Medium three months ago. While I’m still new, posting regularly has taught me so much about content creation, connecting with readers, and building an audience.
Here are some of my biggest learnings so far on this journey:
Writing what you know pays off
I spent a lot of time at first trying to identify popular topics and writing about those. But the pieces I’ve seen the most success with are ones where I drew from personal experiences and areas of expertise. Readers seem to appreciate the authenticity this brings. My productivity articles get good traction since that’s what I know best!
Headlines make all the difference
I’ve tested out all kinds of headline formulations to see what works. Clickbait-y list posts do well, which isn’t surprising. But even for more substantive pieces, headlines that create curiosity and promise value perform better than dry, purely descriptive ones. Tools like CoSchedule’s headline analyser help improve them.
Optimise early for SEO
I wish I’d focused more on SEO (search engine optimisation) from the start! Things like keyword research, meta descriptions, image alt text, and internal linking are so important for discovery. I’ve had to go back and optimise older posts. Now I do keyword research for every piece before I start writing.
Engage with your niche
The best way to build a following is to engage with others in your niche. I leave genuine comments on articles in productivity and self-development. I also join Twitter chats and forums related to my topics. Not only have I connected with readers this way, I’ve discovered new people to follow and guest post opportunities!
Consistency Is critical
Posting consistently, even if it’s just once a week, has been huge. My views and followers noticeably jump when I publish regularly. Skipping weeks means losing momentum. Having an editorial calendar keeps me on track. And I make sure I have back-up drafts ready in case I can’t think of a new topic.
Ask readers for input
I’ve learned so much from asking readers what topics they want covered. Posting reader survey results or “best of” content based on their input has been popular. And I’ve gotten great suggestions for future articles! Now I actively collect reader requests instead of just writing on whatever interests me.
Use data to guide decisions
The Medium dashboard provides so much helpful data on views, reading time, followers gained etc. I analyse this every week to make decisions on what’s working. For example, I noticed my long form articles consistently outperform quick tips, so now I focus on those. Let data guide you!
Collaborate With Other Writers
I recently started doing “co-writer” pieces where I team up with other Medium authors in my space. We each bring our unique perspectives while expanding our networks. I’ve found collaborators through Twitter and Facebook writing groups. It’s been super fun and readers enjoy the blended view.
Patience Is essential
I’m naturally impatient and want immediate results. But organic growth on Medium takes time and consistency. After a few months, I’m finally seeing some momentum. But I remind myself Rome wasn’t built in a day, and resist comparing myself to writers who’ve been here for years. Slow and steady!
While I’m still learning every day, these insights have helped me tremendously in starting to build an audience on Medium. I’m excited to see what the next few months bring on this journey!