Medium
The Dark Side of Medium: 5 Pitfalls I Wish I Had Known Before Writing on the Platform
Avoid these common mistakes to make the most of your Medium experience and grow your audience
Medium is a popular platform for writers, bloggers, and content creators of all kinds.
It offers a unique opportunity to share your ideas with a wide audience and connect with other like-minded individuals. However, as with any platform, there are pitfalls to be aware of.
In this story, I’ll share five of the most common mistakes I made when I first started writing on Medium, and how you can avoid them to make the most of your Medium experience.
1. Not understanding the Medium algorithm
One of the biggest challenges of writing on Medium is understanding how the platform’s algorithm works.
Medium uses a complex algorithm to determine which articles to promote and feature on its homepage and in its email newsletters. If you want to maximize your chances of getting your work in front of a large audience, you need to understand how the algorithm works.
The Medium algorithm considers factors such as engagement, claps, comments, and reading time to determine which articles to promote. To increase your chances of success, it’s important to write high-quality, engaging content that resonates with your target audience.
You should also be active on the platform, engaging with other writers and readers, and promoting your work on social media.
2. Focusing too much on Medium metrics
While it’s important to understand the Medium algorithm and try to optimize your content for success, it’s also important not to get too caught up in the metrics.
Medium metrics such as claps and views can be addictive, but they don’t necessarily reflect the quality or impact of your writing.
Instead of focusing solely on Medium metrics, focus on writing high-quality content that resonates with your audience. Build a community around your writing, engage with your readers, and promote your work on social media.
By doing so, you’ll build a loyal following that values your work regardless of the metrics.
3. Neglecting to promote your work outside of Medium
While Medium can be a great platform for building an audience, it’s important not to neglect promoting your work outside of the platform.
Social media is a powerful tool for driving traffic to your Medium articles and building your brand.
Promote your Medium articles on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Share your work with your email list and engage with your readers on social media.
By promoting your work outside of Medium, you’ll be able to reach a larger audience and build your brand.
4. Not taking advantage of the Medium Partner Program
The Medium Partner Program is a program that allows writers to earn money for their writing.
When readers become Medium members, they can read unlimited articles on the platform and a portion of their membership fee goes to the writers whose work they read.
If you’re not taking advantage of the Medium Partner Program, you’re missing out on a great opportunity to earn money for your writing. To qualify for the program, you need to apply and meet certain eligibility requirements.
Once you’re accepted, you can start earning money for your writing.
5. Writing for the wrong reasons
Finally, one of the biggest pitfalls of writing on Medium is writing for the wrong reasons. If you’re only writing to get claps, views, or money, you’re likely to be disappointed.
Writing is a creative process that requires passion, dedication, and hard work.
Write because you have something to say, because you want to make a difference, because you enjoy the process of writing. Write to solve a problem you’ve worked through that others may benefit from knowing.
When you write from a place of passion and authenticity, the rest will follow.
In conclusion, writing on Medium can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience, but it’s important to be aware of the pitfalls.
By understanding the journey you’re getting yourself into, you can take proactive steps to success from day 1!
