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WRITER’S STORIES

The core principles of engagement remain the same: deliver value, invoke curiosity, and foster interaction.

As someone deeply involved in the intersection of technology and communication, I’ve dedicated a significant portion of my career to understanding how digital platforms can enhance interaction and engagement.

My journey as an academic and now a CEO specializing in IoT has taught me the nuances of capturing and maintaining an audience’s attention.

Today, I want to share my insights tailored explicitly to writers on Medium, focusing on how you can get readers to not just click on your articles but stay engaged beyond the crucial 30-second mark.

Understanding the Medium Landscape

Medium is a platform rich with diverse content and an equally varied audience.

To capture the attention of these readers, it’s essential to understand the platform’s core mechanics.

Medium measures engagement through ‘reads,’ not just clicks, which means a reader has to stay on your page for a significant amount of time, usually over 30 seconds, for a visit to count as a read.

Achieving this isn’t just about improving your earnings; it’s about making a meaningful impact with your content.

Selecting a Topic

Choosing the right topic is your first critical decision.

It must resonate with a broad audience unless you target a specific niche.

As Mazlan Abbas, I often draw from my experiences in IoT and smart city innovations.

However, when I write, I aim to find a universal angle – perhaps focusing on how technology can improve everyday life, which appeals to a broader audience.

The goal is to find a topic that interests you and will spark curiosity among your readers.

Crafting the Headline

Your headline is your first impression.

Make it count.

It should be intriguing enough to draw readers in and reflective of the content they’re about to read.

Avoid clickbait.

Today’s readers are savvy and can feel betrayed by headlines that don’t deliver, leading them to bounce quickly off the page.

Engaging Introductions

The opening of your article should immediately engage the reader.

I like to start with a personal anecdote or an insightful observation that sets the tone for the discussion.

This approach humanizes the content and establishes a connection with the reader.

Here’s how I might begin an article on IoT:

“Last week, as I walked along the bustling streets of Kuala Lumpur, I was struck by the seamless interaction between diverse IoT applications and urban life. Integrating technology and daily activities is no longer futuristic – it’s our reality.”

Delivering Value Through Content

Once you’ve hooked your readers, the challenge is to keep them.

This is where the quality of your content plays a vital role.

It should be informative, well-researched, and, most importantly, offer a new perspective.

Even in fields as complex as telecommunications or IoT, the key is simplifying concepts without dumbing them down.

Ask yourself, “What new information or perspective am I offering?” This is what will keep your readers engaged.

Personal Opinions and Authentic Voice

People connect with people, not just words on a screen.

Sharing your personal opinions can make your articles more relatable.

However, remember to use facts and experiences to maintain credibility.

Encouraging dialogue by addressing potential counterpoints can also increase engagement, as readers may stick around to ponder their views or craft a response.

Interactive Conclusions

Ending your article with a question or a call to action can be effective.

It invites readers to reflect on the topic and engage directly by leaving comments.

This increases the time they spend on your article and builds a community around your work.

For example, after discussing the impact of IoT on urban living, I might conclude with, “How do you see IoT technology playing a role in your city? Are there areas in your daily life where it could be beneficial?”

Continual Learning and Adaptation

Lastly, engaging readers is an ongoing learning experience.

Use the analytics tools provided by Medium to see what works and what doesn’t.

Which articles have higher engagement?

What topics resonate most with your audience?

Based on this feedback, adapt and refine your strategies.

By following these strategies, you can significantly increase the time readers spend on your articles on Medium.

Remember, the goal is not just to get readers but to make an impact, to share knowledge, and to initiate conversations that matter.

As a technologist and an academic, I’ve learned that whether it’s through IoT or interactive articles, the core principles of engagement remain the same: deliver value, invoke curiosity, and foster interaction.

WRITER’S STORIES

Seven (7) tips that you can follow.

When I first joined Medium, I remember reading somewhere that only about 5% of writers make $100 or more monthly. This statistic stuck with me and became a personal milestone. “Can I be part of that 5%?” I often wondered.

After several months on the platform, my stories started gaining traction, but I hadn’t earned more than $65 in any given month. My initial goal was relatively modest — to earn around $100 per month.

Now that I’ve finally achieved this goal, I’m setting my sights higher, aiming for $200 next. It feels similar to my journey with followers; my goal started at 500, then 1000, 1500, and now 2000.

“This journey has taught me persistence pays off,” I reminded myself.

If you stay on Medium long enough and continue to write, you will eventually meet your goals.

This has certainly been my experience. Reflecting on my recent success, I realize I did a few things differently this past month that contributed significantly to my earnings surpassing $100.

I want to share these strategies with you in the hope that they will also help you increase your earnings.

1 — Increasing Article Output

One of the most significant changes I made was increasing the number of articles I wrote each week.

Previously, I wrote one or two articles per week, but I noticed a remarkable shift when I started writing four to five articles weekly.

Writing every day seemed too ambitious and unsustainable, but four to five weekly articles struck the right balance.

“There’s something transformative about writing more frequently on Medium,” I thought.

Some days, the words flow effortlessly; on others, it’s a struggle.

On days when inspiration strikes, I write as much as possible without worrying too much about editing.

I focus on getting the ideas out of my head and onto the page.

Later, when I’m not feeling as creative or have less time, I go back and edit these articles, refining and polishing them for publication.

This approach has increased my output and improved my consistency, keeping my readers engaged with regular content.

2 — Writing Longer, Engaging Content

Another pivotal change was making my articles longer.

I learned that the longer someone reads your story, the more you earn. However, writing longer content alone isn’t enough; it must be engaging.

If your article is lengthy but fails to hold the reader’s attention, they’ll likely leave before finishing, which won’t help your earnings or reader retention.

“Initially, I resisted writing longer articles because I personally prefer shorter reads,” I admitted.

However, observing successful Medium writers who often write lengthy articles inspired me to experiment with longer content.

The key is ensuring every part of your article is engaging and adds value to the reader.

3 — Growing Your Follower Base

Followers play a crucial role in your success on Medium. “When I started actively following other writers, many followed me back,” I noted, which helped increase my visibility on the platform.

Having a larger follower base doesn’t guarantee they will read all your stories, but it does put you on their radar.

“I’ve noticed that writers with a substantial following often have more credibility,” I reflected.

They’ve either been on Medium for a long time or have consistently produced quality content.

This credibility can attract more readers to your stories, increasing your chances of higher earnings.

4 — Repurposing Old Articles

After being on Medium for a while, you’ll notice that some of your older articles aren’t performing well.

Instead of deleting these underperforming stories, I considered repurposing them.

“Change the title, restructure the content, and tweak anything that could use improvement,” I reminded myself.

Sometimes, a simple title change can bring new life into an article.

“Recently, I learned how to embed links in my stories,” I said excitedly.

I revisited some of my older articles and added links to related content.

This strategy revived those articles and encouraged readers to explore more of my work, increasing overall engagement.

5 — Utilizing Popular Keywords

Writing frequently within a niche and using relevant keywords is another effective strategy.

For instance, I write a lot about IoT and entrepreneurship — these are my keywords, and they have a substantial following.

“Incorporate these keywords in your titles and headings within the articles,” I advised myself.

Keywords help your stories get found on Medium and through search engines like Google.

They tell search engines what your story is about, which is crucial for getting more views.

6 — Writing for Your Audience

Understanding and writing for your audience is paramount. “Consider who your readers are and what they are looking for,” I constantly reminded myself.

Are you teaching them something new or sharing a personal story?

Tailoring your content to meet your audience’s expectations and needs will help you connect with them better and keep them coming back for more.

7 — Writing Because You Love It

Today, I can confidently say that I have become a much better writer thanks to the practice and feedback I’ve received on this platform.

Writing frequently has improved my skills and solidified my identity as a writer.

“Reaching the $100 mark is a significant milestone,” I thought with satisfaction, but the love for writing will keep you going in the long run.

By focusing on your passion and continuously honing your craft, the financial rewards and recognition will follow.

My journey to earning $100 monthly on Medium has been one of persistence, strategic adjustments, and much learning.

By increasing my output, writing longer and more engaging articles, growing my follower base, repurposing old content, using popular keywords, and writing with my audience in mind, I’ve been able to achieve this milestone.

And above all, writing because I love it has made the journey worthwhile.

If you’re on a similar path, I hope these insights will help you reach and surpass your goals on Medium.

“This experience has reaffirmed my belief in perseverance and adaptability,” I concluded.

As I look forward to new goals and challenges, I remain committed to sharing my journey and insights with fellow writers and readers on Medium.

Together, we can continue to grow, learn, and succeed.

My Top Three (3) Stories in May 2024 — You Should Read This!

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