Chapter 1: Introduction to My Medium Journey

As a novice writer on Medium, I was taken aback by the results I experienced and the way the platform's algorithm functions. Here, I share my insights into what I observed.

The dynamics of virality hinge on a combination of engaging content and algorithmic support.

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Two days ago, I published an article that unexpectedly gained traction:

My December Earnings as a New Writer (Surprising!) | Part 1

I was not anticipating this outcome when I embarked on my writing journey…

On the first day, I earned $10.46. Initially, I thought that was all I would make. Honestly, for a new writer like me, $10.46 felt like a significant achievement. I had my doubts about ever earning anything on Medium, but look at this:

I want to share my strategies so you can achieve similar or even better results with your posts.

Key Factors Contributing to My Success

#### Consistency

Since rejoining Medium in November, I have committed to writing and publishing daily for nearly two months. Initially, my results were modest; the most views I received on a single article was just five. Nevertheless, I continued to write and publish because I genuinely enjoy the process!

Maintaining a consistent writing routine, combined with the following factors, can significantly boost your chances of success.

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#### Quality

Balancing consistency with a focus on improving writing quality made a substantial difference. I experimented with various formats, producing everything from lengthy articles (10 to 15-minute reads) to concise 150-word pieces. I explored diverse topics, including philosophy, self-improvement, AI, and, most recently, writing about writing on Medium.

The key is delivering content with personality and informative insights. Readers seek to be entertained, inspired, or informed; we should strive to present our work in a way that fosters connection rather than just preaching or venting.

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#### Titles & Subtitles

Crafting engaging titles and subtitles has been a challenge for me. Despite writing consistently in various formats (journals, scripts for my YouTube channel, notes for counseling, marketing materials, etc.) for over a year and a half, I still find titles to be difficult.

If titles and subtitles fail to capture attention, readers are unlikely to click on our articles. I once heard that the purpose of an envelope is to entice the recipient to open it; the same holds true for titles and subtitles—they should spark interest in the content within.

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#### Engagement

I view Medium primarily as a social platform. Therefore, engaging with other writers is crucial. The Medium community thrives when we not only publish but also read and interact with others.

Every interaction, whether through claps or comments, encourages fellow writers to continue producing quality content. Commenting is one of the best ways to get noticed; it increases the likelihood of your work being recognized. If you want to receive, you must first give!

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Day 2 Earnings Snapshot

With all these insights in mind, here’s a screenshot of my earnings from Day 2 for the article My December Earnings as a New Writer (Surprising!) | Part 1:

In fact, my earnings improved even further after writing the initial article, prompting me to create a Part 2 to showcase my substantial growth. In December 2023, I experienced a total increase of 4547.37%, and it continues to rise!

Although my article is currently favored by the algorithm, I can’t help but wonder how long this momentum will last. Regardless, I remain committed to writing and publishing daily!