You've probably heard of Medium. It's a platform for writers, and it's gaining in popularity every day. The great thing about Medium is that it's not just for journalists and bloggers. In fact, anyone can write for Medium and share their stories with the world.
If you're thinking of writing for Medium, or if you've already started but are having trouble getting your stories published, this guide is for you. We'll walk you through the basics of Medium writing, from drafting your first story to promoting it on social media. So let's get started!
What Is Medium and How Does It Work?
Medium is a blogging platform that lets you write articles and read stories from other writers. It's a great place to start if you're looking to share your thoughts and ideas with the world, and it's easy to get started.
Once you sign up for a free account, you can start writing articles and sharing them with other Medium users. You can also choose to lock your content behind a paywall so that only people who pay can read it.
If you're looking to make money from your writing, the Partner Program is a great way to do it. This is a program that pays writers for their work based on the amount of engagement they receive and the number of users they convert into Medium members. Check out the section on the Medium Partner Program below if you're looking to start earning money from your articles.
Why Write on Medium?
Medium is a platform where people come to read stories, and it's a great place to share your work with a large audience. But that's not the only reason to write on Medium.
Well, for starters, it can be a great way to build up your portfolio and get your name out there. If you're a freelance writer, having a strong presence on Medium can help you attract new clients and grow your business.
Think about it: when you write on Medium, you're putting your name out there as a writer. You're establishing yourself as an expert in your field. You're building a portfolio of work that you can share with potential employers. For budding writers, this is an excellent way to kickstart your writing career and hone your skills without needing to create your own website.
Furthermore, Medium can be a great way to connect with other writers and create a community around your work. By sharing your stories and insights on Medium, you can connect with like-minded people from all over the world who may also be starting out like you are.
Productivity and career goals aside, writing on Medium can help you get better at your craft. The more you write, the better you'll become at writing. So, whether you're looking to improve your writing skills or build an impressive portfolio, Medium is a great platform to consider.
Pros & Cons of Publishing on Medium
There are a few things you should consider before deciding whether or not to publish on Medium.
For starters, it's free to publish on Medium. You don't need to set up a website or pay for hosting. And because Medium is an established platform with a large audience, your work has the potential to reach a lot of people.
Another pro is that it is a great platform for networking and connecting with other writers whom you can learn from. You can also get exposure to a wider audience than you would if you published on your own blog. Medium's content tags help your published posts rank better on search engines.
The downside to publishing on Medium is that you don't have as much control over your work as you would if you were self-hosting. For example, you can't change the URL of your article once it's been published, or customize your profile to suit your personal brand. And because you don’t own your content, you risk having your work censored or removed from the platform if Medium decides to shut down or change its terms of service at any time. As a Medium writer myself, I keep a neat repository of my published (and unpublished) work to make sure that I don't lose anything if one day Medium decides to erase everything on their servers.
For any beginner writer, publishing on Medium can be a great way to get started. You can build your portfolio, connect with other writers, and get exposure to a wider audience. Just be sure to keep in mind the pros and cons before you make your decision.
Understanding the Medium Partner Program
As a Medium partner, you have the opportunity to earn money for your writing. Medium pays partners based on a combination of traffic and engagement, with the goal of rewarding great content.
To join the Medium Partner Program, you must have more than 100 followers and publish at least one article on Medium. Once you’re in, you’ll receive a share of the revenue generated by the readers who read and engage with your stories. As a partner, you also have access to exclusive features, such as the ability to set a paywall for your stories and access to detailed story analytics. It's almost like running your very own writing business!
However, it’s important to understand that making money on Medium is not easy. You won’t get paid for every article you write; only the ones that attract views will earn any money. So it helps to write about popular topics from a unique personal perspective — the more interesting and relatable your stories are, the more readers they will attract.
What Makes a Good Medium Article?
If you want to make money off your writing, it’s important to understand what makes a good article on Medium.
Most successful Medium articles are honest and personal. They often tell stories about their experience, and give readers valuable perspective on themes that connect us all. While writing for Medium, it’s essential to think about your readers’ needs. What information do they need to learn something new? How can you help them relate to your story? To keep readers engaged, it’s best to write stories that are 500 words and up. That way, you can showcase your writing skills while still providing helpful context and insight.
When crafting an article for Medium, it’s also important to consider the best way to present it. In addition to a compelling story, your content should be visually appealing. Try adding relevant images and videos to break up text and add meaningful context. Having an attention-grabbing headline is also key to higher click-throughs. Focus on creating headlines that evoke a sense of curiosity and get readers interested enough to want to read more!
When it comes to what topics are trending on Medium, consider focusing on stories related to the latest news in tech, business, or culture since those topics attract the most readers. And remember that the more stories you publish, the higher your chance of making money on Medium. Publishing frequently allows your readership base to grow quickly and means more potential earnings for you — largely based on how long people spend reading your stories. So don’t be afraid to experiment with new ideas and topics!
From crafting an effective headline to adding visuals, there are many steps you can take to make your writing stand out in the crowded world of content creation. With practice and patience, you can become a successful author on Medium.
I've further elaborated on some of the most important elements of a good Medium post below:
Crafting Powerful Headlines for Medium Posts
Headlines are an incredibly important element of any Medium post. Not only do they need to be engaging, but they also need to accurately represent the content within the article, as well as draw in potential readers. Crafting a strong headline requires finding the optimal balance between brevity and intrigue. Keep in mind that you want your headline to be as descriptive as possible, while also creating an effective call-to-action that entices readers to click.
To make sure your headlines are powerful, there are several things you can do. First, keep it short and sweet — try to keep it under 8 words if possible. Then, use powerful action verbs and be direct. Think about the emotion you want your reader to feel when they read your headline — what words can you use to evoke that emotion? Finally, make sure your headline is relevant. Nothing will turn off readers more than a headline that has nothing to do with the content of the post!
Writing Engaging Content on Medium
Writing content that engages and captivates readers is key to a successful writing career on Medium. From the get-go, make sure you’re writing content that’s interesting, unique, helpful and easy to digest. Medium readers are not only looking for a good read, but also for valuable insights. What are their pain points? What questions or topics would they like to see addressed? Doing research on their demographics and interests can help give you an edge in delivering the best content possible.
When it comes to the structure of your story, try grouping similar examples together so you can provide a full picture of the concept you’re writing about. Additionally, use transitions to help the reader move from one idea to the next — this will help keep your reader’s focus and make the story more cohesive. As a best practice, make sure your stories are actionable — offer insight that can help readers take meaningful steps they can take to improve their lives.
Visuals also play a pivotal role in making your article engaging and successful. Visuals can come in the form of images, videos, graphics, animations, or interactive content. Research has shown that articles with visual elements are more likely to be shared on social media. So make sure to include relevant visuals with each post to help break up long chunks of text, while also adding extra context to your article. This shows personality in your pieces and gives readers something more meaningful than just words on a screen.
In short: Content that’s well-researched and relatable will help you engage with people better on Medium and make your work stand out from the rest!
Tips on Writing Popular Articles on Medium
The most important advice writers should abide by when creating articles on Medium is to write with the readers in mind. Knowing your audience and their preferences will help you create content that resonates with their interests and needs. Additionally, it is important to ensure that the language you use to communicate your ideas is accessible and concise. A good way to do this is by breaking down complicated ideas and avoiding long sentences. Furthermore, explaining your ideas using visuals and diagrams can help to make them more relatable, making it easier for readers to comprehend.
It is also essential for writers to take the time to research and understand the topics they are writing about. A well-researched and informative article will hold the reader’s attention, and make them more likely to return and read more of your content. Additionally, it is important to read articles by other writers to understand industry standards and inspire your own writing. Give a unique perspective on the topic, and avoid generalizing or over-simplifying your ideas. Showing your readers that you are knowledgeable about the subject and are passion about sharing your ideas with them.
Finally, SEO (search engine optimization) is also a key element to consider when writing articles for Medium. SEO can help to increase the visibility of an article and get it to the right audience. Writing captivating titles and including relevant keywords, tags, and subheadings can all help to increase the article’s visibility. Furthermore, including a relevant excerpt and meta description can also help to get an article in front of more readers. All of these elements can increase the chances of an article getting noticed and gaining traction.
Conclusion
Medium is an ideal medium (pun intended) for anyone looking to start writing and having their work seen on a wider platform. By considering the audience you want to attract, honing in on good titles and captions, sticking to a consistent style, and keeping your articles concise, you can write successful pieces that will draw in more readers. And remember, practice and feedback can help you become even better at expressing yourself and connecting with those who share your interests.
Good luck!
