From 0 to 600 Followers in 6 weeks
My Medium journey so far, and how you can do it too.
How it all started
I published my first article on the 18th of February 2023, with no idea how this was all going to play out.
By 31st March 2023, I had published nine articles and gained just over 600 followers.
This has taken me by surprise, for sure, but in the best of ways. I had started on Medium as a way to test the waters. To see if I could do it. Would anyone read my work? Would people like it? Does anyone want to hear what I have to say?
The answer appears to be yes!
This has been a huge validation of my writing journey and, now I have made a little bit of money for my writing, I feel I can justify calling myself a writer.
The thing is you can do this too. There are some key factors in getting off to a good start on Medium. Some do’s and some don’ts.
Do #1
Be yourself.
No one does you better than you. We all have our own unique stories to tell. Even if your friends and family may not engage with your stories, there is a community here who are interested in what you have to say. But, it must be said well and with authenticity.
If you are shy, please get over it, at least in this setting. If your articles are behind a paywall, it is unlikely that your cousin Jimmy will access them and broadcast them to your loved ones.
Own your writing.
Put your name on it.
Put your face on it.
Show everyone you are a real person and you mean business.
To see how I have done this, see my About Me Story.
Do #2
Be vulnerable.
The greatest engagement I have had has been where my writing has detailed my wins and my losses. My struggles and my worries, such as when I recently resigned from my job. See this story here.
In a world full of fakery and froth, I believe raw honesty is refreshing.
People can relate more.
I like authenticity, and I believe, that by writing with authenticity, readers can relate. They can see themselves in my story, either having already experienced similar or wanting to do the same thing, such as resigning from a job.
Do #3
Join a publication.
Fortunately, I joined Medium just before their Medium Pub Crawl 2024. If you have the chance to attend future events, then my advice would be, do it !
Before this, I was aware of publications but didn’t grasp their importance in establishing someone as a writer on Medium.
Even in this arena of readers and writers, you still have to market yourself. The best way for people to find you, as a new writer, is by applying to join a publication. The three I have joined and would recommend are
Publications will bring your writing to a larger audience and thus, a larger readership.
Friendly reminder:
Please, READ AND FOLLOW ALL SUBMISSION GUIDELINES!
Don’t waste people’s time by being lazy. Do the work. It will be worth it.
Don’t #1
Only marketing/selling
Personally, if your profile is a company listing, then I’m not interested.
If your profile is solely about your job, i.e. affiliate marketer, SEO specialist, etc, then I’m not interested.
If your profile picture is your company logo, then I’m not interested.
I understand that writers have products and skills to sell, but Medium is fundamentally a platform for writers.
Tell me about you. I want to know about your life and experiences, not just about how you make a buck.
I can only write from my perspective on this but, if I think this, then I would bet others do too.
Don’t #2
Regurgitate other writers’ work
I watched a YouTube short this morning and, quite frankly, I was appalled. Perhaps it is the purist in me, that I respect the author and their efforts to bring valuable content. The content doesn’t have to be serious or practical. It can be frivolous, fun, and pure entertainment. It should also belong to the author.
Of course, there are trends in writing, such as the current popularity of AI and ebooks, where multiple authors will write on the topic. This is fine, but taking someone else’s work, regurgitating it, and promoting it as your own work is not on.
What I can tell you for sure is this, after 50-plus years on this earth, the truth will find you out.
Don’t be a douche. Do your own work.
Don’t #3
Give 30-second prompts
A notification at the start of your story will turn someone off faster than body odour and garlic breath combined.
People on Medium know the algorithms (sort of ;D).
If I want to give 30 seconds of my time and read your story, then I will do so willingly. Not because you have told me to do it.
I don’t care a jot about what you have to say if you tell me to read for 30 seconds.
Write an engaging story and I will read it. As a writer (see, I can call myself that now :D), I want genuine interest in my work. I want to know that readers have stayed the course because what I wrote was good, or helpful, or entertaining.
Finally, friends, I wish you all the best of luck in this wonderful community. If you have any helpful tips for new writers, do’s or don’ts, please leave them in the chat.
I would greatly appreciate it if you have any feedback for me. Thank you.
