11 Little-Known Strategies for Rapidly Gaining Followers on Medium

Unlocking the path to rapid growth: How these 11 strategies can transform your medium journey

Usman Aslam
ILLUMINATION’S MIRROR
4 min readSep 29, 2023

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Photo by Creativa Images on Shutterstock

Medium, the online publishing platform, has become a hub for writers looking to share their thoughts and expertise with a wider audience.

For many, gaining followers on Medium can be a challenging task, but it’s not impossible.

In my first month on Medium, I managed to accumulate hundreds of followers, all while maintaining a full-time 9–5 job.

In this guide, I’ll share my strategies and insights on how I achieved this feat, offering tips that can help you grow your Medium audience too.

Photo by EleniVasiliou on Shutterstock

1. Consistent Writing

The cornerstone of my Medium success was my commitment to consistent writing. During my first month, I published a staggering 60 articles, averaging about 2 articles per day.

Now, you might wonder how I managed this alongside a demanding full-time job. Keep reading; I’ll unveil my techniques for maintaining this prolific output.

2. The Power of a Good Title

Inspiration can strike at any time, and I capitalized on it by drawing inspiration from articles I read. For instance, after reading an article on ChatGPT, I decided to craft one for beginners.

This approach of generating article ideas from my reading proved immensely beneficial in keeping the creative juices flowing.

3. Scouting for Topics

As I delved into articles on Medium, I consciously scouted for potential topics. Whenever I found one, I’d quickly jot it down in the notes app on my iPhone, including a brief description of what the article would entail.

This practice ensured I didn’t forget my ideas when I sat down to write.

4. Engaging with Fellow Writers

One of the most effective strategies I adopted was engaging with fellow writers. I’d skim through at least 20 articles daily, leaving thoughtful comments.

My secret formula for comments not only appreciated the writer’s work but also hinted at possible collaborations. This technique helped me gain substantial traction on Medium.

5. Quantity AND Quality

Some argue for quality over quantity, but I firmly believe they go hand in hand. While quality should be your long-term goal, starting with quantity is a more practical approach.

It’s essential to get your name out there before readers start noticing your quality work.

6. Visual Appeal

Visuals can significantly enhance the appeal of your articles. Invest in high-quality, relevant images.

I personally use a Shutterstock subscription to source visuals that make my articles visually engaging.

7. Support from Friends and Family

Don’t hesitate to enlist the help of your friends and family. Ask them to follow you, read your articles, and give them claps.

Their support can boost your visibility and credibility, especially when you’re building your initial audience.

8. Harnessing ChatGPT

ChatGPT is a valuable tool for writers. I often dump my thoughts into a Microsoft Word document and then use ChatGPT to craft a full article.

You’d be surprised at how well ChatGPT can analyze your notes and generate an article with proper formatting. Of course, some refining is usually needed, but it’s a fantastic starting point.

9. Self-Promotion on Social Media

Medium won’t promote your articles automatically; you need to put in some effort. Promote your articles on social media platforms like LinkedIn.

Even if you don’t have many followers, joining relevant groups can help you reach a broader audience.

10. Leverage Publications

Publishing in relevant Medium publications can give your articles a significant boost.

For instance, if you write about technology, publish in technology-related publications. This strategy helps you tap into existing reader communities.

11. Maximizing Content Efficiency

An insightful strategy I discovered early on was the ability to derive multiple articles from a single idea, sometimes even three.

This approach allowed me to maintain a substantial backlog of completed articles ready for publication at any time. As my portfolio grew, I also embraced the practice of scheduling posts, especially when my work or travel commitments demanded it.

This scheduling feature proved invaluable in maintaining a consistent posting schedule, even during the busiest of times.

Conclusion

Building a substantial following on Medium is an achievable goal, even within your first month.

Consistent writing, effective engagement, self-promotion, and leveraging tools like ChatGPT are key elements of success.

Remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint, and over time, your followers will grow as you continue to produce quality content and engage with the Medium community. So, get writing and watch your Medium presence flourish.

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Usman Aslam
Usman Aslam

Written by Usman Aslam

Ex-Amazonian, Sr. Solutions Architect at AWS, 12x AWS Certified. ❤️ Tech, Cloud, Programming, Data Science, AI/ML, Software Development, and DevOps. Join me 🤝

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