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About Author:
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I joined Medium and have been writing articles since July 2016.
But I could have been more active and serious about writing on Medium. I was more involved in writing for my blogs — Mazlan Abbas, IoT World, and others.
Sometimes, I would come back to Medium and republish my blog articles on Medium, thinking people would be able to read them, too.
I was wrong! Only a handful of people are reading and following my republished articles.
I joined the Medium Partner Program (MPP) at the end of September 2023. Because I wanted to read the articles behind the paywall, I couldn’t resist the temptation of reading all the great and catchy headlines.
But I also made a target that I should be active and ensure that the money earned from my writing can pay for the subscription.
Below is the traffic stats from August to November 2023. You will notice that the traffic (views and reads) was very low before the end of September 2023. It was much quieter since July 2016.
Screenshot August 2023 Traffic Stats (Author)Screenshot September 2023 Traffic Stats (Author)Screenshot October 2023 Traffic Stats (Author)Screenshot November 2023 Traffic Stats (Author)Screenshot December 2023 Traffic Stats (Author)
The stats gave me a view of my performance and made me understand what works and what doesn’t.
Screenshot Earnings Stats (August — December 2023) (Author)
In August 2023, although I had one of the highest read ratios, I earned nothing, probably because of other factors such as low views and reads. I was not engaging with other writers. I’m only busy republishing my old content.
Reflecting on your experience before and after joining the Medium Partner Program, several valuable lessons can be drawn from your writing journey. Here are three key lessons:
Create Content That Resonates with Your Audience: Your experience highlights the importance of crafting articles that genuinely resonate with your audience. While republishing blog content on Medium seemed like a good idea, it didn’t yield the expected results regarding reader engagement. This suggests that understanding the preferences and interests of the Medium audience is crucial. Tailoring your content to meet these preferences, whether it’s through topic selection, writing style, or presentation, can significantly increase reader engagement and following.
Catchy Headlines Are Essential: Your observation about being drawn to articles with great and catchy headlines on Medium is a crucial lesson. A compelling headline is often the first point of contact with potential readers. It can make the difference between someone deciding to read your article or scrolling past it. Investing time crafting engaging, intriguing, or thought-provoking headlines can significantly increase the likelihood of attracting more readers.
Continuous Engagement with Other Writers is Key: One of the most important lessons from my journey is the value of engaging with other writers on the platform. Initially, I focused more on republishing existing content than actively engaging with the Medium community. However, engagement with other writers helps build a network and provides insights into what works well on the platform. This engagement can take many forms, such as commenting on other articles, participating in discussions, or collaborating with other writers. Such interactions increase my visibility and provide opportunities for learning and growth as a writer.
These lessons are valuable for writing on Medium, as well as for content creation and audience engagement in general.
They underscore the importance of understanding your audience, the power of first impressions through headlines, and the benefits of active participation in a writing community.
I am short of another milestone – to reach my 1,000 followers target!
A Look Back at Eight Years
As the clock ticks down to the New Year 2024, I find myself in an exciting yet slightly nerve-wracking position.
I’m just 23 followers short of reaching a significant milestone in my blogging journey: 1,000 followers.
Author’s Snapshot on Dec. 31, 2021
This goal, which once seemed like a distant dream, is now tantalizingly close.
Reflecting on the past eight years, my audience consistently hovered around 200 followers. Despite my efforts, breaking out of this range felt like an insurmountable task.
That was until a pivotal moment at the end of September 2023, which marked my entry into the Medium Partner Program.
A Turning Point with Medium
Joining Medium was like opening a door to a world brimming with insightful writing tips and a vibrant community of writers.
The platform gave me access to a wealth of knowledge, and I eagerly dived in.
I began implementing the tips and tricks I learned from other successful Medium writers, and the results were almost immediate.
My initial target was modest: gain at least 5 new followers each day.
However, to my surprise and delight, this number soon doubled to 10 followers daily. This growth, I believe, stemmed from my active engagement within the Medium community.
I spent considerable time reading articles by other writers, leaving thoughtful comments, and following others in similar niches.
This expanded my network and enriched my understanding of what resonates with readers.
The Final Push
As of today, I stand 23 followers short of my goal. It’s a mix of excitement and uncertainty.
Will I hit the 1,000 mark before the year ends? It’s hard to say, but one thing is sure: January 2024 looks promising.
The prospect of reaching this milestone fills me with a sense of achievement and anticipation.
The Value of the Medium Partner Program
I cannot overstate the value of joining the Medium Partner Program, particularly the paid subscription.
It has been instrumental in my growth as a writer.
The unlimited access to the collective wisdom of other Medium writers has been a game changer.
It’s not just about the numbers; it’s about the growth journey and the community that supports and inspires you along the way.
A Message of Gratitude and Hope
As I stand on the cusp of this milestone, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to my old and new followers.
Your support and engagement have been the driving force behind my journey.
My advice to those still contemplating whether to join platforms like Medium is simple: leap.
The benefits, both in terms of personal growth and audience engagement, are well worth it.
Happy New Year to all of you!
Here’s to reaching new heights, not just in follower count but in the quality of connections and content we create.
Whether I reach the 1,000 mark now or a bit later, the journey has been incredible, and for that, I am profoundly grateful.
[Update: 1/1/2024]
Surprise! Surprise!
When I woke up this morning and checked my profile… yes! It has reached 1K target!
Dr. Mazlan Abbas 