Other than the above two things, I also used the five tips below, which you can also follow:
1 — Engage with Readers: Respond to comments and messages.
Example:You publish a blog post about the latest trends in IoT security. A reader comments, asking for more details about blockchain’s role in IoT. You respond with a brief explanation and provide a link to another article you’ve written on blockchain technology in IoT. This interaction answers the reader’s query, showcases your expertise, and encourages continued engagement.
2 — Promote on Social Media: Share your work on various platforms.
Example:After writing an article on smart home automation using IoT, you share a video on Instagram demonstrating a smart home device in action. You tweet a statistic from your article about the growth of smart home devices, and on your LinkedIn, you post a link to the full article. This varied approach helps you connect with a diverse audience interested in IoT applications.
3 — Analyze Your Performance: Use analytics to understand your audience.
Example:By analyzing your blog analytics, your posts on IoT in agriculture are getting more engagement than others. Recognizing this interest, you focus more on this topic, creating content that aligns with your audience’s preferences.
4 — Personal Branding: Build a recognizable personal brand.
Example:You consistently write about IoT innovations in urban planning. You brand your blog and social media with urban-themed visuals and maintain a consistent, informative writing style. Gradually, your name becomes synonymous with IoT in urban development, establishing you as an authority in this niche.
5 — In-Depth Articles: Provide comprehensive information.
Example:Instead of a general overview of IoT, you write a detailed guide on “Implementing IoT Solutions in Manufacturing.” This guide covers everything from selecting sensors to integrating IoT data into existing manufacturing systems. Such comprehensive content solidifies your position as a knowledgeable source in the IoT community.
There are two reasons why I chose to upgrade to the Medium Partner Program (MPP) with a $50 annual subscription:
1 — Read the excellent articles written by many authors behind the paywall.
2 — To become a writer myself and ensure that the earnings from my articles can cover the annual subscription costs.
For the next four months, I have been continuously writing many articles that cover various topics, such as — IoT, Startup, Thought Leadership, and Writing.
Below is the outcome — a total of $130.23! If we divide by $50, it will cover almost 2.5 years of MPP subscription.
Below are five tips that I followed:
1 — Publish Regularly
Consistency Attracts Readers
Regular publishing is a cornerstone of successful blogging.
Maintaining a consistent posting schedule establishes a rhythm that your audience can depend on and adapt to.
This consistency helps build a loyal readership, as readers are more likely to return to your blog anticipating new content. Regular updates signal to search engines that your blog is active, potentially improving its ranking.
The key is to find a balance that works for you and your audience — daily, weekly, or bi-weekly posts — and stick to it.
This habitual engagement not only helps retain existing readers but also attracts new ones who appreciate the reliability of your content updates.
2 — Quality Content
Focus on Creating Valuable, Informative Posts
The importance of quality content cannot be overstated in the blogging world.
High-quality, informative posts are the bedrock of a successful blog. This involves well-written articles and content that is valuable and relevant to your audience.
Investing time and effort into researching and understanding what your readers are interested in and what problems they are trying to solve is essential.
You ensure that your content resonates with your audience by providing solutions, insights, or valuable information.
Quality content also increases the likelihood of your posts being shared, which can help attract a wider audience and establish your blog as a go-to resource in your niche.
3 — Engaging Headlines
Craft Titles That Draw Readers In
Headlines are the first point of contact between your content and potential readers, making them a critical element of your posts. An engaging, compelling headline can make the difference between a post that is widely read and one that is overlooked.
Good headlines should be clear, intriguing, and reflective of the content within the article.
They should spark curiosity or offer a clear benefit to the reader, encouraging them to click through and read the entire post.
Crafting the correct headline requires a balance between creativity and clarity, ensuring it is attention-grabbing and accurately represents the article’s content.
4 — Use Tags Wisely
Tags Increase Discoverability
Tags are a powerful tool for increasing the discoverability of your blog posts. When used wisely, they help categorize your content, making it easier for readers to find related posts and navigate your blog.
Tags also significantly improve your blog’s visibility on search engines, as they help index your content more effectively.
It’s essential to use relevant and specific tags that accurately describe the content of your post.
Overusing or misusing tags can be counterproductive, as it may lead to poor user experience and negatively impact your blog’s search engine ranking.
The key is to use a consistent and thoughtful approach to tagging that enhances the overall accessibility and organization of your content.
5 — Eye-Catching Images
Visuals Make Your Posts More Appealing
Incorporating eye-catching images into your blog posts significantly enhances their appeal and effectiveness.
Visual elements like photos, graphics, or infographics can break up large blocks of text, making your posts more readable and engaging.
They also provide an opportunity to visually represent or complement your written content, making it more understandable and memorable.
Additionally, images can make your content more shareable on social media, as posts with visuals attract more attention and engagement.
Choosing images that are relevant to your content and of high quality is essential.
Properly formatted and optimized images can also contribute positively to your blog’s SEO, further increasing the visibility of your posts.
Choosing the right plan to suit your needs is crucial if you are an IoT developer using the Favoriot IoT platform.
Today, we will compare two popular options: the Free Plan and the Beginner Plan.
Each plan has unique features and advantages, making it suitable for different users. Let’s dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which plan best fits your IoT projects.
Overview of Plans
Free Plan: Costing MYR 0, this plan is ideal for those just starting or experimenting with IoT.
Beginner Plan: Available at MYR 15 per month, MYR 100 per year, or MYR 240 for the Beginner Bundle, this plan is designed for users ready to take their IoT projects to the next level.
Comparison of Features
Number of Accounts: Both plans offer a single account.
Number of Devices Supported: The Free Plan supports one device, while the Beginner Plan offers support for an unlimited number of devices.
Number of APIs per Day: The Free Plan limits to 500 APIs per day, whereas the Beginner Plan expands this limit to 10,000.
Import Data: This feature is not available in the Free Plan but is included in the Beginner Plan.
Export Data: Again, only the Beginner Plan allows export data.
Dashboard: The Free Plan offers a single dashboard, while the Beginner Plan allows up to 20 dashboards.
Dashboard Sharing: Dashboard sharing is private for both plans. However, the Beginner Plan also allows public sharing.
Widgets: The Free Plan includes 2 widgets per dashboard, whereas the Beginner Plan offers 10 widgets per dashboard.
Widget Types: The Free Plan is limited to Graph widgets. The Beginner Plan includes a variety of widget types like Graph, Text, Clock, Button, Slider, Switch, and Map.
Notification Channel: Both plans offer email notifications. The Beginner Plan adds Telegram and SMS (as an add-on) to the mix.
3rd Party Integration: This feature is absent in the Free Plan but available in the Beginner Plan.
Control: Manual control through RPC (Remote Procedure Call) is only available in the Beginner Plan.
Analytics: Only the Beginner Plan offers analytics features.
Analytic Widgets and Categories: These advanced features are exclusive to the Beginner Plan.
End-customer Support: Neither plan offers end-customer support.
Data Retention: Both plans retain data for one year.
Support: Email support is available for both plans, with the Beginner Plan offering a “Best Effort” level.
Which Plan Should You Choose?
For Hobbyists and Beginners: The Free Plan is a great starting point if you’re getting your feet wet in IoT. It allows you to experiment with basic IoT concepts without any financial commitment.
For Serious IoT Enthusiasts and Small Businesses: If you are planning to manage multiple devices and require more advanced features like data export, analytics, and third-party integrations, the Beginner Plan is more suitable. It offers a broader range of functionalities catering to more complex IoT projects.
For Students and Educators: The Free Plan can be an excellent educational tool for learning the basics. However, the Beginner Plan is recommended for more in-depth study or projects requiring advanced features.
For IoT Developers and Innovators: The Beginner Plan, with its higher API limits, advanced widget options, and analytics, is the better choice for developers looking to build sophisticated IoT solutions.
Choosing between the Free and Beginner Plans depends mainly on your specific needs, the complexity of your IoT projects, and your level of expertise in the field.
While the Free Plan offers a good starting point for beginners and hobbyists, the Beginner Plan is undoubtedly more robust, catering to those who require advanced features and greater scalability.
Consider your project requirements and future growth prospects to make the best choice for your IoT journey.
Contact Favoriot (info@favoriot.com) if you need further information. Favoriot also offers an on-premise IoT platform.
To write is to express, not to repress. To write is to inspire, not to suppress. To write is to share, not to withhold. To write is to adapt, not to remain rigid. To write is to innovate, not to conform. To write is to persist, not to give up. To write is to nurture resilience, not to weaken resolve. To write is to gain wisdom, not to lack insight. To write is to challenge norms, not to settle for the ordinary. To write is to progress ideas, not to regress into stagnation. To write is to welcome opportunities, not to shy away from them. To write is to achieve eventual success, not to succumb to defeat. To write is to evolve thoughts, not to remain static in mindset. To write is to explore new narratives, not to dwell in the same old stories. To write is to create, not to destroy creativity.
In response to the growing need for a robust and secure Internet of Things (IoT), FAVORIOT has strategically partnered with Kaspersky, a leader in cybersecurity.
This alliance has led to integrating the Kaspersky IoT Secure Gateway 1000 (KISG 1000) with FAVORIOT’s IoT solutions, significantly bolstering the security and reliability IoT systems based on joint offering .
As intermediaries between a diverse range of IoT devices and their network connections, IoT gateways are pivotal in managing the vast data flow and acting as critical shields against increasing cyber threats.
According to IoT Analytics analysis, by 2027, there will likely be more than 29 billion IoT connections. Thus, for the companies implementing IoT solutions, a cybersecurity question is vital.
IoT gateways perform a crucial dual role in the contemporary digital landscape. Firstly, they are essential channels for transmitting substantial data volumes generated by connected devices. Secondly, these gateways are designed to defend against cyber intrusions, a growing concern in today’s technology-driven world.
Also, the modern advanced IoT gateway, like KISG, performs various IoT-data processing functions (so called ‘edge computing’) in order to speed-up and optimize decision making, decrease network traffic and computing load in cloud.
The integration of Kaspersky’s KISG 1000 within FAVORIOT’s platform exemplifies their commitment to delivering premier secure IoT solutions, offering clients comprehensive protection of data and OT-networks ranging from personal to industrial applications.
The Kaspersky IoT Secure Gateway 1000 (KISG 1000)
Cyber Immunity and Reliable Connectivity
The Kaspersky IoT Secure Gateway 1000 stands out with its Cyber Immune capability, ensuring uninterrupted critical functionality even in hostile digital environments. Based on unique Cyber Immune microkernel KasperskyOS operating system, KISG can withstand even zero-day threats and advanced cyberattacks. Any malware or exploit trying to enter the device will be stopped by OS thanks to its strict execution domain isolation, multiple independent levels of security (MILS) and Flux Advanced Security Kernel architecture (FLASK).
As a reliable bridge between IoT devices and cloud platforms, KISG 1000 plays a crucial role in safeguarding infrastructure against cyberattacks and maintaining transparency in operations.
It securely collects and channels data to the cloud, utilizing the MQTT over TLS protocol for secure data transfer, epitomizing the marriage of functionality and security.
Equipped with advanced security functions like firewall and IDS/IPS with thousands of constantly updating network attack signatures, KISG 1000 is meticulously designed to combat complex cyber threats.
This advanced level of security is crucial in an era marked by the increasing sophistication and frequency of cyber-attacks.
FAVORIOT’s deployment of this fortified gateway ensures comprehensive protection, mitigating risks of unauthorized access and potential data breaches that could have extensive and severe implications.
FAVORIOT’s Commitment to Secure IoT Communications
Beyond Data Protection
FAVORIOT’s commitment to secure IoT communications transcends mere data protection. It is a fundamental aspect of ensuring the integrity and reliability of the entire IoT ecosystem.
Through continuously enhancing its security measures, aligned with the latest developments in cybersecurity, FAVORIOT remains ahead of emerging threats.
This proactive stance is essential in preserving the effectiveness and dependability of IoT systems in an interconnected digital world.
A Foundation of Reliability and Trust
Integrating Kaspersky’s expertise via the KISG 1000 transforms FAVORIOT’s IoT platform into more than just an IT solution.
It represents a bedrock of reliability and trust, assuring clients that their systems are protected by some of the most advanced security measures. This partnership amplifies FAVORIOT’s security capabilities and cements its leadership role in delivering safe, efficient, and secure IoT solutions for the digital age.
Example of Secured IoT Communications Application Scenarios
Numerous IoT applications can leverage the Kaspersky IoT Secure Gateway with deployment on the highest level of security.
These applications span various sectors, including Smart Cities, Healthcare, Banking, and Safety, Command and Control environments. Each sector can use the security features of KISG (KISG)to suit its specific needs, ensuring optimal protection and functionality.
I realized I needed to add up the “loss” from the withholding tax of 30%.
Thus, I need to multiply $50 x 1.3 = $65
But how much have I already earned?
I have six more days to reach the goal.
Am I able to reach it?
Yes, if I can get at least $1.00 per day for the next 5–6 days.
Unfortunately, the earnings have dropped lower than a dollar for the last few days.
As much as I have spent several hours reading and engaging with others, the numbers have dropped.
I need to return to the drawing board and understand what’s happening.
I probably have a few things that contribute to this lower readership or earnings:
Fewer articles behind the paywall. For some strategic reasons, I have published several articles for free (non-paywall). Most of this is for my general tech audience and marketing materials.
Fewer articles were published about “money-making” topics, which are very popular among readers.
Five Tips That I Will Try for My Upcoming Writings (You can try these too!):
Listicles and Guides: These structured, easy-to-digest formats often go viral. They break down information into bite-sized, numbered, or bulleted points, making them highly shareable on social media. For example, a travel blog might create a listicle like “10 Must-Visit Destinations in Europe,” which outlines top travel spots, offering quick insights and engaging visuals for each location.
Storytelling: Incorporating narratives in your content can deeply engage your audience by connecting emotionally. For instance, if you’re writing for a fitness website, you could share a personal journey of someone who overcame challenges to achieve their health goals. This not only inspires readers but also makes the content relatable.
Regular Features: Establishing a series of recurring columns can build a dedicated following. Readers return for the familiar format and content. A cooking blog, for instance, might have a weekly feature like “Sunday Supper Specials,” where a new recipe is shared every Sunday, encouraging readers to anticipate and return for these posts.
Email Newsletters: Keep your audience engaged and informed by sending regular newsletters. This could include updates, latest posts, or exclusive content. For example, a tech review site could send a monthly newsletter featuring a roundup of the newest gadget reviews, tech news, and a sneak peek at upcoming content.
Guest Blogging: Writing posts for other blogs can expose you to a new audience. Choose blogs that align with your niche to attract readers who are likely interested in your content. For instance, if you run a photography blog, guest posting on a popular travel blog about “Top Photography Tips for Travelers” can attract travelers interested in photography to your site.
Interactive Content: Engaging your audience with interactive elements like polls, quizzes, or infographics can increase your site’s engagement and time. For example, an educational website might include a quiz at the end of an article about history, testing readers on what they’ve learned. This makes the learning experience fun and encourages readers to interact with the content.
Thanks for reading this, my friends!
Any new suggestions? It will help me to achieve my goal this month!
UPDATE (January 31, 2024)
Voila! Yay! I achieved my target! Just an extra $0.65 above my target! I felt delighted!
To succeed is to learn from failure, not to be defeated by it. To succeed is to grow through challenges, not to be hindered by them. To succeed is to discover through trials, not to be limited by ignorance. To succeed is to adapt in the face of obstacles, not to be deterred by them. To succeed is to innovate beyond norms, not to be confined by conformity. To succeed is to persevere through setbacks, not to be discouraged by them. To succeed is to build resilience in adversity, not to be weakened by it. To succeed is to gain experience from every stumble, not to be deprived of it. To succeed is to challenge oneself continuously, not to settle for mediocrity. To succeed is to progress with each failure, not to regress. To succeed is to embrace opportunities in difficulties, not to be intimidated by them. To succeed is to see eventual victory in every defeat, not to be overwhelmed by it. To succeed is to evolve constantly, not to remain unchanged. To succeed is to find new paths in dead ends, not to be trapped by the old ones. To succeed is to create amidst destruction, not to be engulfed by it.
Are you busy building IoT hardware but don’t have the time and resources to create an end-to-end solution in a short time frame for your customers?
Are you specializing in Data visualization and seeking an IoT project but need more tools or platforms to collect IoT data?
Deploying a robust IoT project, however, is an intricate task.
It involves blending diverse elements such as IoT devices, connectivity solutions, platforms, data processing, analytics, visualization, and user applications.
Companies specializing in IoT hardware often face significant hurdles when venturing into IoT platform development.
This challenge is amplified by the vast difference in the skill sets required for hardware versus software development, including the nuances of IoT platforms.
Crafting firmware is a world apart from managing sensor data and developing user-friendly dashboards.
This is precisely where Favoriot makes a grand entry, offering a streamlined on-premise IoT platform that effortlessly integrates with a company’s hardware solutions, thus delivering a holistic end-to-end IoT package to clients.
This strategy simplifies the entire IoT setup process and cuts down on the resources and capital needed to create a standalone IoT platform.
Challenges of In-House IoT Platform Development
The temptation to develop a bespoke IoT platform is strong among many organizations.
Yet, this path is often riddled with unforeseen reliability, scalability, and device management hurdles.
The endeavor to construct a secure, scalable, and efficient system for handling diverse device data is commonly underestimated.
This miscalculation leads to prolonged development phases and frequently results in a platform that needs to meet all predefined goals.
The High Cost of Delays and Inefficiency
In the dynamic IoT sector, time is a critical factor.
Delays in bringing products to market can lead to lost opportunities and weakened customer trust.
The ongoing necessity to customize the platform for new device integrations further slows development, leaving the final product ineffectual and obsolete.
Financial Considerations in Custom IoT Development
The cost of developing and maintaining a custom IoT platform often goes beyond initial estimates.
The investment required for design, testing, and ongoing upkeep typically exceeds budget forecasts.
Regular updates and security improvements further inflate the cost, rendering custom development a less viable option for numerous businesses.
The Benefits of Choosing Favoriot for IoT Projects
Favoriot offers a pre-built, comprehensive IoT platform that sidesteps the need for expensive and time-consuming in-house development.
Top Five Advantages of Favoriot’s IoT Platform:
Speedy Deployment:Favoriot accelerates the IoT deployment process, significantly shortening the time from concept to market realization.
Effortless Scalability: Designed for growth, Favoriot’s platform easily adapts to the addition of new devices, ensuring your project scales seamlessly.
Cost-Effectiveness: Favoriot is an economical alternative to in-house platform development, offering predictable costs and financial efficiency. (Note: Perpetual License on-premise with unlimited APIs is available)
Assured Security and Reliability: Favoriot ensures a safe and stable IoT environment with advanced security and reliability features.
Consistent Support and Updates: Ongoing technical support and regular updates from Favoriot mean your platform remains cutting-edge.
Conclusion: Favoriot — Simplifying Your IoT Ambitions
In the intricate and competitive world of IoT, choosing the appropriate platform is vital.
Favoriot offers a solution that is inclusive and scalable and guarantees a swift and effective IoT project deployment.
Selecting Favoriot saves significant time and resources, positioning your IoT projects for success in a challenging market.
With Favoriot, you’re not merely picking a platform but embarking on a journey towards assured IoT achievement.
Contact Favoriot (info@favoriot.com) to schedule an appointment.
The great thing about Medium Insights is knowing what works and what doesn’t.
I am guilty of reviewing the stats regularly because I should have spent more time on writing better.
Since Medium doesn’t have detailed insights like other commercial tools, we have to do with whatever is given.
However, that was the early days.
Now I know what works and what doesn’t.
If I look back at the top 5 highest earners, I can see similar trends and topics, which made me think twice about what kind of articles I should post in the future.
In this article, I reflect on the shortcomings in my writing journey over the past year. Despite having written over 100 articles, I needed more engagement, with most of my articles receiving minimal views and no significant increase in followers.
To address this, I identified and shared ten critical mistakes that I aim to avoid: 1) Writing without emotional depth; 2) Focusing on knowledge rather than problem-solving; 3) Failing to connect with my audience; 4) Neglecting effective headlines and SEO; 5) Using overly complex sentences; 6) Superficial engagement with fellow writers; 7) Unstrategically republishing old content; 8) Not keeping up with trending topics; 9) Lack of practical “How-To” guides; and 10) Inconsistently sharing my personal writing experiences.
I offer these insights to guide my fellow writers to improve their craft and reader engagement in the coming year.
In my article “Tripling My Medium December Earnings: When I Implement These Amazing Things,” I share my experience of significantly increasing my earnings on Medium in December.
After a disappointing November with relentless daily publishing but little success, I realized I needed a new approach.
Firstly, I aggressively expanded my network by connecting with active Medium writers, creating a dynamic and reciprocal network.
Secondly, I deepened my engagement by initiating meaningful conversations instead of just leaving comments, building a community where every voice matters.
I also appreciated comments by clapping, a simple yet impactful gesture. Beyond these strategies, I continuously improved my writing, experimented with styles, and crafted catchy headlines to draw in readers.
The result was a dramatic increase in followers, views, and earnings. I emphasize that success on Medium is about connecting with your audience, engaging with peers, and evolving as a writer.
My journey underscores the importance of authenticity, consistency, continuous learning, valuing interactions, and enjoying the writing process. This experience wasn’t just about earning more; it was about personal growth, community building, and enjoying the journey as a writer on Medium.
In this article, I share my struggles with writing on Medium, where initially, my posts received no views, comments, or claps.
Despite posting daily and focusing on topics related to my entrepreneurship journey, I needed more audience engagement. This led to frustration and thoughts of giving up.
However, before quitting, I took a break to analyze what others were doing successfully.
Upon my return, I implemented several changes: writing with emotion to resonate with like-minded entrepreneurs, exploring different niches besides entrepreneurship, creating better headlines, writing shorter articles that are easier to digest, engaging more with readers, and ensuring my articles were longer than 3 minutes for monetization purposes.
These changes resulted in a significant increase in views, follower count, and engagement. This experience taught me the importance of persistence and adapting strategies in writing, leading me to continue my journey on Medium with renewed determination and hope.
I discuss my realization that using AI, specifically ChatGPT, to expand my points into articles might be why my work on Medium wasn’t getting the boost I desired.
Despite receiving some views, reads, and claps, my articles never made it to the “For You” tab like many others. After researching, I stumbled upon an article titled “Medium Says Writers Can Use AI — Under One Condition,” which made me reconsider my approach.
Facing the challenge of not being a native English speaker, I decided to write more naturally, as if chatting with friends on WhatsApp or social media.
I turned to Grammarly for grammar checks and tone adjustments, opted for short, straightforward sentences, and embraced one-sentence paragraphs.
This article marks my first attempt at writing without AI assistance, and I’m eager to see how it performs. If successful, I plan to continue this new approach to writing.
In this article, I share my journey with the Medium Partner Program (MPP), where I went from just covering the $5.00 monthly fee to earning profits that exceeded my expectations.
My success on Medium wasn’t just about writing; it involved building a community.
I engaged with my followers and other writers through meaningful interactions, claps, and comments. Claps on Medium became a way to show appreciation and increase my visibility. I used highlights to mark impactful phrases in others’ articles, fostering connections.
Thoughtful comments and replies were vital in engaging with readers and authors alike. I also focused on creating exciting and insightful content, keeping readers engaged.
This strategy paid off in December when my earnings covered eight months of MPP fees.
My takeaways for other Medium writers are to build a genuine community, clap purposefully, use highlights effectively, engage meaningfully in comments, and create content that values the reader’s time.
My commitment to these strategies continues as I progress on Medium, finding joy in writing and satisfaction in building a community.
For those new or facing challenges on Medium, remember that success comes from consistent engagement, valuable content, and genuine connections.
Most top-earner articles will keep getting traction even after one month.
Lessons Learned
Articles related to writing on Medium are top earners.
Catchy headlines
Short sentences articles
Eye-catching photos
Keep writing and engaging, and your efforts could soon see significant rewards.
Dr. Mazlan Abbas 