What 90% of Successful Medium Writers Do Differently

WRITER’S JOURNEY

3 Tips for New Authors

While reviewing some of the most successful articles on Medium the other day, I stumbled upon an intriguing piece titled “What 90% of the Successful Medium Writers Do Differently.”

It made me think about my journey and what has worked for me. I want to share my experiences and insights, especially for new authors.

When I first started writing, I didn’t know what to expect. The world of Medium was vast, and I was just another voice among millions. But over time, I found my footing.

Three essential tips can make a significant difference in your writing journey.

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1 — Find Your Niche and Stick to It

“Mazlan, you need to focus,” I often told myself.

In the early days, I wrote about everything under the sun—technology, personal development, business, you name it. But then something clicked. I realized that my true passion was IoT and smart cities. This was my niche.

Finding a niche doesn’t mean you can’t write about other topics, but having a primary focus helps establish your authority in a particular area. For me, it was IoT. I started to share my insights, experiences, and knowledge about IoT, and gradually, people began to notice.

“Stick to what you know best, Mazlan,” I reminded myself.

Consistency is key.

By consistently writing about IoT, I built a following of readers who were genuinely interested in the topic.

They knew what to expect from me, and that’s crucial in building a loyal audience.

2 — Engage with Your Readers

I still remember the first comment I received on my article. It was a simple question about a concept I had explained, and that interaction was a turning point for me.

“Engage with your readers, Mazlan,” I told myself. “They’re your community.”

Responding to comments, answering questions, and acknowledging criticisms helped me connect with my audience more deeply.

It showed them that I valued their opinions and was open to discussions.

Engagement goes beyond just replying to comments.

It’s about creating a dialogue.

I started asking questions at the end of my articles, encouraging readers to share their thoughts. This boosted engagement and gave me new perspectives and ideas for future articles.

“Every reader is a potential friend,” I reminded myself.

Building relationships with your readers fosters a sense of community.

It makes them feel valued and more likely to return to your future writings.

3 — Be Authentic and Vulnerable

Writing isn’t just about sharing information; it’s about sharing yourself. Some of my most successful articles were the ones where I was open about my struggles and failures.

“Be real, Mazlan. Share your story,” I often reminded myself.

I wrote about my challenges while building FAVORIOT, my mistakes, and the lessons I learned.

These personal stories resonated with readers because they were relatable. People appreciate authenticity. They want to know that the person behind the words is natural and human.

Vulnerability is a strength in writing.

It allows you to connect with your readers on an emotional level.

When I shared my journey, including the setbacks and triumphs, readers could see themselves in my stories, making my articles more impactful and memorable.

“Your experiences are your greatest asset,” I told myself.

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Reflecting on my journey, these three tips have been instrumental in my success on Medium.

They helped me grow as a writer and build a dedicated readership.

But more importantly, they reminded me why I started writing in the first place — to share my passion and connect with others.

Writing is a journey, and every writer’s path is unique.

But by finding your niche, engaging with your readers, and being authentic, you can create a meaningful and impactful presence on Medium.