I just reached my next milestone: 600 followers. (thank you, big time)
But it wasn't always like that. On the contrary, after having flunked twice on Medium, I know how NOT to do things here.
If you're struggling to gain momentum on Medium, look out for these 5 stupid reasons.
Because if you avoid them, nothing can hold you back.
#1: You only talk about yourself
Dear Medium diary,
Today, Anne pulled my hair. This was pretty mean.
Nobody cares. Yes, Medium is great for telling stories, but it shouldn't be treated as a personal diary.
If you want something like that, then journal. Write down what comes to your mind, but don't take it to Medium.
Which doesn't mean you can't and shouldn't include yourself in your stories. It means you should provide value to your readers in the first place.
If you're writing about stupid mistakes you did in your life that make you a better human being, include your stories about:
- almost breaking your nose by overestimating how much you can bench
- kicking a goal post to double-fracture your foot
- playing with the feels of your ex
Don't be Narcissis, being in love with his own reflection. Only to fall into a lake and drown. Nope, bad idea.
Include yourself in your stories, but don't make it a diary.
#2: You don't format for the internet
Formatting is underrated.
Remember: whatever you write always competes with 4k porn, funny cat and prank videos, and Mr. Beast (yeah, nobody said life's fair.)
Meaning you need to cater to a very short attention span.
Only a chosen few take their time to read content on the internet like they would read a book. Most people skim. You probably skimmed this whole thing, didn't you? Oh yes, you did.
That's why you should
- write short paragraphs.
- use the backspace button on your keyboard to delete unnecessary words.
- keep your structure simple and easy to follow.
Try to break things up more. Never use more than 5 sentences in one paragraph if possible, and vary the length of your sentences.
When I first started writing online, everything looked the same. Just like it would when you go with the least favorite pot of your mom to your local hairdresser and ask him to cut your hair.
Don't do that.
Make it enjoyable by varying more.
#3: You write like a professor talks
In the labyrinthine corridors of my psyche, an ineffable amalgamation of intellectual acumen and existential refinement imbues me with an ineffable sense of superiority, transcending the pedestrian realm of mundane existence and elevating me to the pinnacle of cognitive eminence, wherein I exult in the exhilarating expanse of my intellectual dominion, gazing down upon the jejune masses with a saturnine smirk of cerebral sovereignty.
Shut the fuck up. Everybody hated uni; don't make them suffer again.
Back in uni, I had several lecturers who tried to set them apart by talking like that. The problem? Nobody listened.
I agree; this was more of our students' problem back then because we flunked the exams. But now, it could be yours as a writer.
Because people don't care.
People don't relate to the smartest but to the most easy-going person in the room. Be this easy-going person.
Tim Ferriss said he aims to write like he's two wines deep in a conversation with a good friend.
That's what we should aim for, too.
#4: You don't engage with others
Reminder: Medium isn't a one-way street.
It's great you can and want to write. But it's worth nothing if you don't connect with other people.
I've seen many people (including the two former versions of myself) who treat Medium like their audience owes them something. They don't.
YOU owe your audience good content. Everything else is a bonus.
Again, don't feel superior because you're not.
In the past, I thought I could skip the engagement, publish my articles, and step on gold.
Instead, I stepped on a landmine filled with frags of self-doubt, no growth, and frustration.
Don't do the same.
Read what other writers write and share some love.
#5: You treat writing like most people exercise
You do it once in a while.
Trust me: you can't grow anything if you don't get in the reps.
You grow friendships by showing up regularly.
You grow muscles by exercising regularly.
You grow your audience by writing once and expecting it to go viral.
Find the mistake.
It's so simple, it's ridiculous: you need to write to be a writer.
Not once, not twice, but over and over again.
Because only writing enables you to become better AND build trust with your readers because you show up regularly.
Use that to your own advantage.
Never skip writing day.
In the end, attracting more readers is only a matter of time if you:
- avoid talking about yourself only
- format for the internet
- write like you're two wines deep in a conversation with a friend
- share some love
- show up regularly
Thank you for reading!
Like, comment, leave a message, and if you want to read more:
The Happiest People In The World Have Realized These 3 Simple Truths
Why Quitting Social Media Is One of the Best Decisions I Ever Made