WRITER’S DILEMMA
You never know until you try.
When I first stumbled upon the article “Should I Publish an Article During the Weekend?” on Medium, it struck a chord with me.
As someone who has been navigating the waters of writing and publishing for quite some time, the question of timing has often perplexed me.
”Does it matter when I hit ‘publish’?” I wondered, staring at my draft on the screen.
My journey through the tech world, academia, and entrepreneurship had taught me many lessons, but the nuances of content publishing were a new frontier.
“Should I write on weekdays or weekends?” This question stayed with me as I remembered my first experience on Medium.
It was a leap into the unknown, driven by a desire to share my insights on IoT, smart cities, and the myriad experiences that shaped my career.
But timing?
That seemed like a trivial detail at first, yet the more I delved into it, the more I realized its potential impact.
I began reflecting on my routine. ”Weekdays are hectic,” I thought, considering the endless stream of meetings, emails, and the constant juggling act that defined my professional life.
On the other hand, weekends offered a semblance of calm – a time to unwind and reflect.
“Isn’t that when most people have time to read?” I pondered, but the article seemed to indicate otherwise.
The author mentioned the importance of understanding your audience.
”Who am I writing for?” I asked myself.
My readers were diverse – tech enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, academics, and students.
”What are they doing on weekends?” I pondered, realizing that their routines might be as varied as mine.
Some might catch up on industry trends, while others might seek inspiration or practical advice for the week ahead.
I analyzed the performance of my past articles, pulling up the analytics to look at the numbers.
Interestingly, I noticed that the articles I published on weekdays seemed to garner more immediate attention.
I speculated whether it was because people were in work mode, thinking about how my own reading habits shifted depending on the day.
I remembered a conversation I had with a fellow entrepreneur.
”Timing is everything,” he had said, referring to product launches and marketing campaigns.
”Could the same apply to articles?” I wondered, seeing a parallel.
In the corporate world, we meticulously planned the timing of announcements to maximize impact.
”Maybe I should adopt a similar strategy here,” I thought, feeling a new sense of purpose.
Reflecting on my time at CELCOM Axiata and later at FAVORIOT, I realized how crucial timing had been in different contexts.
Whether it was launching a new product or rolling out an update, we always considered the timing to ensure maximum reach and engagement.
”Why should publishing articles be any different?” I asked myself, drawing on these experiences.
The article suggested that weekdays, particularly mornings, were optimal for publishing.
”Mornings, huh?” I wondered, thinking about my morning routine. Mornings were a time of high energy and focus, ideal for absorbing new information.
”Could this be the sweet spot for my readers too?” I considered planning my next move.
But then, the weekends held a certain charm.
”What about the readers who prefer leisurely reading?” I wondered.
I often enjoyed diving into long reads on weekends, with a cup of coffee and no pressing deadlines.
”Surely, there are others like me,” I reasoned, contemplating a balanced approach.
I decided to experiment. ”Let’s test this theory,” I thought, planning to publish similar articles at different times and track the results.
This data-driven approach felt familiar, akin to the analytics we used at FAVORIOT to refine our IoT solutions.
”It’s all about learning and adapting,” I reminded myself, a principle that had guided me through various phases of my career.
In the following weeks, I meticulously tracked the performance of my articles.
”Interesting,” I noted, observing a pattern.
Weekday mornings indeed saw higher engagement, but there was a significant, albeit smaller, spike on weekends.
Maybe it’s more about consistency and quality than timing, I pondered, considering the bigger picture.
This experiment reminded me of the early days of FAVORIOT.
”Every decision was a hypothesis,” I recalled, from product features to market strategies.
We tested, learned, and iterated. The same applied to my writing journey.
”Keep experimenting,” I told myself, knowing each article was a step towards better understanding my audience.
Engagement was another crucial factor mentioned in the article.
”How do I keep readers hooked?” I asked, reflecting on my content.
It wasn’t just about the timing but also about creating value.
“What do my readers want to read?” I wondered as I delved into comments and feedback.
One piece of feedback stood out.
A reader appreciated the blend of technical insights and personal anecdotes in one of my articles.
”Stories resonate,” I realized, drawing from my experience as a public speaker.
Whenever I shared personal stories in my talks, the audience connected more deeply.
”Let’s bring more of that into my writing,” I decided, planning to weave in more personal narratives.
I remembered a particular talk I gave at an international conference.
”It was the story of my transition from academia to entrepreneurship that captivated the audience,” I reflected.
Sharing the challenges, the uncertainties, and the triumphs made the message relatable and impactful.
”Authenticity is key,” I noted, committing to more honest and open writing.
The article also touched on the importance of headlines.
”Headlines are the first impression,” I thought, considering the countless articles I had skimmed through just because the headline didn’t grab me.
Crafting compelling headlines became a new focus. ”How do I make it irresistible?” I asked, experimenting with different styles.
I remembered the marketing campaigns we ran at FAVORIOT.
”A catchy tagline can make all the difference,” I recalled.
Applying this to my writing, I spent more time crafting headlines that piqued curiosity and promised value.
”It’s an art,” I realized, feeling a renewed sense of creativity.
As weeks turned into months, my understanding of Medium’s dynamics deepened.
”It’s a continuous learning process,” I acknowledged, embracing the journey.
I noticed that articles published with thoughtful timing, compelling headlines, and rich narratives consistently performed better.
”It’s about the whole package,” I concluded, seeing the interplay of various elements.
I also paid attention to the feedback loop.
”Engage with your readers,” the article had advised.
This resonated with me deeply.
Engaging with stakeholders has always been crucial in my professional life. I have also been very actively engaged on my social media channels.
”Why should it be any different here?” I wondered, responding to comments and messages with genuine interest.
One particular interaction stood out.
A young entrepreneur from another part of the world had reached out, inspired by my story.
”Your journey gave me the courage to start my venture,” he wrote.
This touched me profoundly.
”This is why I write,” I realized, to inspire and connect.
Reflecting on my career, I saw how each phase had its own set of challenges and learning curves.
From academia to the corporate world, and then to entrepreneurship, each transition required adaptation and growth.
”Writing is another chapter,” I told myself, an extension of my journey.
The article also mentioned the importance of self-promotion.
”Don’t be shy about sharing your work,” it advised.
This was something I had struggled with initially.
”Is it too self-promotional?” I often wondered.
But I realized that if I believed in the value of my content, sharing it was not just about promoting myself but about reaching those who could benefit from it.
I remembered the early days of FAVORIOT, pitching to investors and partners.
”You have to believe in your vision,” I reminded myself.
The same applied to my writing.
I began sharing my articles more confidently on social media, leveraging my network to amplify my reach.
”It’s about spreading knowledge,” I told myself, seeing the positive responses.
As I continued writing and publishing, I also focused on improving my craft.
”There’s always room for growth,” I reminded myself, seeking feedback from peers and readers.
I read extensively and analyzed successful articles to understand what made them work.
”Learning never stops,” I noted, a principle that had guided me throughout my career.
The article also emphasized the importance of resilience.
”Not every article will be a hit,” it cautioned.
This was a lesson I knew well from my entrepreneurial journey.
”Failures are stepping stones,” I reminded myself, recalling the numerous setbacks and rejections I had faced.
Each one had taught me something valuable, shaping the path forward.
I remember a particularly challenging project at MIMOS, where we faced numerous technical hurdles.
”Persistence paid off,” I reflected, seeing the parallels with my writing journey.
Some articles might not perform as expected, but each was an opportunity to learn and improve.
”Keep going,” I encouraged myself, embracing the process.
As I sat down to write each day, I felt a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
”This is part of my legacy,” I realized, a way to share my journey and insights with a broader audience.
Each article reflected my experiences, a blend of technical knowledge, and personal stories.
”It’s about making a difference,” I told myself, feeling renewed motivation.
Looking back, the article “Should I Publish an Article During the Weekend?” had been a catalyst for deeper reflection and growth.
After hours of contemplation, I leaned back in my chair and sighed.
“There’s no perfect answer, is there?” I concluded.
“Sometimes, you just have to go with your gut.” I decided to take the plunge.
“I’ll publish this weekend and see what happens,” I said with newfound determination.
“After all, life is about taking risks and learning from them.”
As I hit the publish button, I felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. “Here’s to hoping it resonates,” I thought.
Regardless of the outcome, I knew I was staying true to my voice and my passion for sharing knowledge.
“That’s what matters most, doesn’t it?” I smiled, confident in my decision.
Dr. Mazlan Abbas 