How to Find the Right Publication on Medium

Tired of Randomly Choosing Publications? A Strategy for Success on Medium

Wayne Shi
New Writers Welcome
4 min readApr 1, 2024

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created by DALLE-3

Are you often confused about which publication is the most suitable to publish your articles on Medium to reach a wider audience? 😕😕

I’m sure this is a problem that plagues almost all writers. Am I right?

Like everyone else, I have the same concerns.

  • Some people choose publications they are familiar with, regardless of whether the content is a good fit.
  • Others select publications simply based on a large following, thinking this guarantees higher exposure. To some extent, this is correct, but it is not always the case (I will explain this later).

I am also a newcomer and am constantly exploring how to efficiently find the right publication on Medium recently, rather than randomly choosing one, which is also workable.

Recently, I started considering this issue more carefully and I want to share my thoughts.

I hope everyone can share their experiences to help all Medium writers quickly and efficiently find the most suitable publication each time they publish an article.

First, I think we need to define our niche

  • Confirm the article’s main topic: Of course, each article can have multiple topics, such as self-improvement, technology, or writing skills.
  • Understand your audience: Who are you writing for? What problems can your articles help them solve? What will resonate with them emotionally?

Understanding what your audience wants is essential because you are writing for them, not yourself.

Only articles others find valuable can truly be considered meaningful.

Second: Use Research Tools

  • Medium search: Search for keywords related to your article on Medium. See which publications frequently appear in the top results.
screenshot by Author
  • External resources: 1. Use Google to search for “[your niche] tag for Medium publications” to find lists and recommendations. 2. Or use third-party analysis website against Medium to find the active publications based on provided tags.
screenshot by Author
third-party analysis website against Medium (screenshot by Author)

Third: Evaluation

Now you should have some options. Start evaluating these publications. Consider:

1. Audience:

How many followers do they have?

Is the readership niche or mainstream?

Larger publications offer potential for broader exposure, but may be more competitive for newcomers.

Smaller publications may provide a more targeted audience, allowing you to connect more easily.

2. Alignment:

Check if these publications align with the topics and writing style of your article. Be aware that some publications’ descriptions may be attractive, but may not accurately reflect their content focus.

Prioritize ensuring that the publication’s existing readership aligns with the intended audience for your article.

Aligning with your niche will increase the likelihood that they will be genuinely interested in what you have to say.

3. Submission Guidelines:

Carefully review each publication’s guidelines for submission, formatting, and word count. As you track multiple publications, pay close attention to their individual rules.

4. Activity:

Does the publication regularly publish new content?

This is a good sign of an actively engaged community. If a publication has low activity and you’re eager to publish, you might consider another option.

Fourth: Submission

  • Submission process: Become a writer for the publication and adhere to their specific submission rules. (Do they accept drafts or only published works?)
  • Patience: Publications may take time to respond. Check your email and notifications frequently, as revisions may be requested.

Tips:

  • Maintain Records: Track the relationship between keywords and publications for future reference.
  • Target Smaller Publications: If you are new, smaller publications may be more receptive; their editors often work diligently to grow their audience.
  • Build Relationships: Engage with editors and writers in your niche before submitting.
  • Multiple Submissions: Pitching your article to several publications (unless their guidelines prohibit it) is acceptable.

Conclusion

It sounds simple, but it may not be that easy to do in practice.

At times, you might select a less suitable publication, and we can observe the data through stats. If you feel it’s wrong, you can try a different approach when choosing the next time.

Be patient and persistent! Finding the right publication requires some research and effort, but it plays an important role in getting your work in front of the right audience.

Ultimately, please make sure your article has value and can help people.

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Wayne Shi
New Writers Welcome

[⭐️Editor of Follower Booster Hub⭐️] tech guy as a senior cloud systems engineer. I also enjoy sharing what I have learned and experienced with others.