Unlocking the Secrets to Engaging Medium Posts
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Chapter 1: Understanding Reader Engagement
Are your articles failing to attract new readers? Is it a flaw in your writing, or could it be that the algorithm is working against you?
As a Medium writer for the past two and a half months—during which I took a month-long break from my account—I understand the frustration of seeing little to no engagement on your articles. It can be incredibly disheartening!
From my experience, the duration of time you've spent on Medium significantly impacts your visibility. A two-month presence on the platform can yield very different results compared to being active for a year.
I've observed numerous accounts boasting thousands of followers that struggle to gain traction, while others with just one or two thousand followers receive hundreds, if not thousands, of claps on each post.
For this article, I've conducted some research on what content tends to garner more claps and higher read ratios on Medium. If you want to grow alongside a community of talented new writers, check out my latest publication: The Reader's Perception Of A Topic.
Section 1.1: The Popularity Dilemma
Imagine you’re writing about making money online, a topic that undeniably attracts a lot of interest. Yet, many articles in this niche fail to achieve visibility, even with appealing titles, subtitles, and images. Why is that?
The answer lies in the prevalence of scams and the overwhelming number of low-quality articles flooding this space. Generally, pieces about generating income online tend to perform well only if they’re written by credible authors or reputable publications specializing in this subject.
I can relate to this firsthand.
Subsection 1.1.1: Experimenting with Topics
I’ve explored various topics, but writing-related content has proven to be the most rewarding. This includes tips on improving writing skills and identifying the best publications to submit to.
I plan to concentrate more on this niche moving forward. Changing your focus won’t impact your standing on Medium as long as you haven’t established a loyal readership. If you’re considering a shift, it’s likely that you haven’t found much success yet.
Section 1.2: The Importance of Presentation
Avoid posting overly complex articles with dense blocks of text and no visual elements. These types of posts are often tedious to read, and they usually don’t tell compelling stories.
When I encounter such posts, I quickly navigate back to the main page. I know I’m not alone in this sentiment!
Chapter 2: Effective Formatting Strategies
How should you structure your articles? I suggest following the format used in this post: concise paragraphs that are informative, relatable, and approachable (steer clear of overly formal language).
Through my experience, I’ve found that including too many images can detract from reader engagement, though the reason for this remains unclear. Additionally, I used to incorporate emojis in my older posts, which ultimately pushed away many readers.
Remember: Readers want to finish your posts feeling satisfied!
Creating a Connection with Your Audience
This point cannot be emphasized enough! Establishing a rapport with your readers is crucial. Use language that resonates with them and fosters a constructive relationship. A friendly tone will make readers feel valued and encourage them to follow your Medium journey.
Even if you disagree with something, avoid using hate speech or aggressive language. Instead, take a step back or seek alternative solutions.
I often acknowledge my supporters at the end of my articles, which has allowed me to forge partnerships—like the one I have with Tobi Aikulola to expand The Writing Times publication!
I assure you, this strategy is effective, but be careful not to come off as desperate or overbearing.
So, venture forth! Write and engage with your readers! The Medium community is fantastic.
Claps are always appreciated! If you’re interested in receiving more of my content, feel free to follow me here: Doom. Let’s stay connected!
More From Me, Selected For You:
Shoutout To These Amazing Supporters:
Tobi Aikulola | Eram Siddiqui | Anket Sharma | Mario López-Goicoechea | Queenie Davies | Jorden House-Hay | Tim Stone | S.a.n.a.h | Lawson Wallace | Jamie P. | Mario Rodriguez | Brett Young
Thank you all! ❤️