INFLUENCER’S STRUGGLE
The choice between TikTok or Medium — Which one?
This question kept nagging: why am I splitting my time between TikTok and Medium?
The platforms couldn’t be more different, yet both significantly shaped my voice online. This duality, balancing TikTok’s fast-paced allure with Medium’s more reflective, thoughtful environment, has been an exciting challenge.
It’s a constant juggle, but each brings out a different side of my creativity, and I’m starting to embrace both worlds in ways I hadn’t anticipated.
The Allure of TikTok: Fast-Paced and Instant Feedback
It all started when I ventured into TikTok as @iotman2030, exploring short, snappy videos about the Internet of Things (IoT). I didn’t expect much at first — after all, I’m not strictly part of the younger generation that dominates the platform.
But to my surprise, TikTok has been an exhilarating ride, rapidly growing to 6,729 followers. My videos get hundreds, sometimes thousands, of views in hours. It’s instant feedback, and something is thrilling about seeing the numbers climb in real time.
TikTok is a platform that thrives on speed and spectacle. Often, I can craft a video in under a minute. It’s about capturing attention quickly, keeping it visually engaging, and riding the wave of trends.
Every like and every view comes almost instantly, which can be addictive, to be honest. But there’s a catch — monetizing that success isn’t as straightforward as you’d expect. While TikTok offers a burst of engagement, it doesn’t always translate into financial rewards as easily as Medium does.
The Depth of Medium: Slower but More Meaningful
Despite TikTok’s fast success, something keeps pulling me back to Medium. On Medium, things are quieter. My audience is smaller — around 2,531 followers — and my articles rarely pull in big numbers.
At most, I’m seeing about ten reads a day. But here’s the thing: I’m okay with that. I’ve started to appreciate the slower, more thoughtful pace that Medium demands.
Writing on Medium feels like a slow burn. Sometimes, I’ll spend hours, even days, drafting and refining an article. It’s more than just putting words on a page — it’s about crafting something that resonates on a deeper level.
Medium readers are different.
They’re not there for quick entertainment; they want depth, insight, and value. These readers appreciate the time and effort that goes into creating a meaningful article, and in turn, they engage with me in a much more thoughtful way.
Different Audiences, Different Expectations
It’s fascinating to see how the audiences on TikTok and Medium are polar opposites. TikTok is fast, fun, and full of energy.
Most of my viewers are younger and drawn to the edutainment-style content I produce. They come for quick, digestible clips that deliver information playfully and engagingly. It’s a rush to see their reactions within minutes of posting.
Medium, however, attracts a more mature crowd. These readers are looking for depth — they enjoy sinking their teeth into well-researched articles.
My audience on Medium appreciates thoughtful pieces that go beyond surface-level insights, and they expect a higher level of engagement from me as a writer.
My discussions in the comments section often dive deeper into the topics, leading to rich, meaningful exchanges. Knowing I’m connecting with people on a more intellectual level gives me a different kind of satisfaction.
Why Not Both? Embracing the Balance
After reflecting on these differences, I asked myself: Why should I choose between TikTok and Medium? Why not embrace both?
It’s like catering to two different creative appetites—TikTok satisfies my need for instant engagement and creativity, while Medium allows me to connect on a deeper level. Each platform offers something unique, and together, they help me grow as a content creator.
By embracing both platforms, I’ve found a balance that works for me.
On TikTok, I get to experiment with fast-paced, visually engaging content, which fuels my creative energy. Meanwhile, Medium allows me to slow down, reflect, and dive deep into the topics I’m passionate about.
It’s not about choosing one over the other; it’s about leveraging the strengths to reach different audiences and explore different sides of my creativity.
Beyond TikTok and Medium
But my content creation journey doesn’t stop there.
I’ve also dipped my toes into other formats like podcasting and YouTube. Podcasting has been an exciting adventure, allowing me to explore long-form discussions that wouldn’t fit into a TikTok or Medium post.
I can dive into complex topics in a more relaxed, conversational format. In a way, YouTube combines the visual appeal of TikTok with the substance of Medium. It’s another experiment where I’m still figuring out what works best.
But that’s the beauty of content creation; it’s constantly evolving, and I get to try new things, see what sticks, and adjust along the way.
Lessons for Budding Medium Writers
For anyone thinking of jumping into Medium, I have a few takeaways from my experience so far:
- Know Your Audience: Medium readers aren’t looking for fluff. They crave well-thought-out, insightful content. Take your time to craft pieces that offer value.
- Engage with Your Readers: Medium thrives on interaction, and the conversations you start in the comments section can be as meaningful as the article.
- Be Patient: Building a following on Medium takes time. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, but if you stick with it, the personal and financial rewards are worth it.
- Create Meaningful Content: Unlike TikTok’s quick-hit content, Medium is about depth. Focus on creating articles that stand out and resonate with your audience.
- Diversify Your Platforms: Don’t limit yourself to one platform. Like I juggle TikTok, Medium, podcasting, and YouTube, explore different formats and reach out to varied audiences.
The Art of Juggling Platforms
Ultimately, I’ve seen my presence across TikTok, Medium, podcasting, and YouTube as a diversified portfolio.
Each channel brings something different to the table, allowing me to connect with various kinds of audiences uniquely.
As I continue this journey, I’m learning that content creation is not about chasing numbers but finding the right balance between speed, depth, and authenticity.
This journey is far from over, but I’m enjoying the ride, juggling different platforms, and discovering more about myself as a creator.
Different strokes for different folks, as they say, and I’m learning to embrace that fully.
Dr. Mazlan Abbas 