Do Marketers really need to be in a Publication to be successful on Medium?

PUBLICATIONS ARE OVERRATED

I have stopped applying to publications

I am new to this platform. And like any other newbie, I have my own hopes and fears of where all this is going.

While researching across the web on how to go about this venture, to be a writer on Medium; many of the “successful” people advised me to be in a publication and that you should know people to be successful on Medium.

I tried their advice, but I felt out of line doing so.

It changes the Purpose of writing somehow.

Instead of writing for the audience, it instilled a sense of writing for the publication and of course the algorithm.

There is an underlying argument about being in a publication in foot forward to be visible on medium

Which is not true. I felt it very strongly and my belief was validated when I came across Alex Mathers.

He never posts in any publication, he writes in a very simplistic and minimalist manner.

His writing has influenced me along with Dan Koe and Seth Godin.

The key thing that is worth embodying from his writings is that he consistently writes two posts daily.

Allegory of Publications

I publish a couple of my articles in a Publication. They kind of took responsibility for getting an audience for my writing.

But to be frank the results were not astonishing.

In short, I could have done the same for my own writing as they did.

It is not rocket science to get eyeballs on your work when you know where to look.

Moreover, Publications often add and occasionally edit the text to fit their own goals.

I felt that the efforts of putting time and resources into writing were not reciprocated by the Publication in terms of rewards/results.

They were more on the receiving end. And couldn’t not add anything that I can’t do for my own writing.

Now, this experience may differ from person to person, but the underlying fact remains the same..

You write for a Publication to get a new audience, which potentially you can do yourself.

Moreover, you might stand alone as a brand while doing this.

I know things will take time, but it is worth the wait. And being in a publication is not a guarantee for success anyway.

You can build your presence on Medium by following this:

There are some points though that you need to follow to grow your audience on medium.

With or Without a Publication —

Be consistent

Once a day, once a week, once a month whatever.

Just make a commitment and stick to it.

Alex Mathers writes at least two posts a day, and mind you they are good.

They keep the reader wanting for more, and he delivers.

Stay Authentic

It is a common notion to waiver towards a format and formal language while being on the first step of a blogging empire.

But people are not on Medium or any blog for that matter to read Wikipedia.

They need to hear your voice, they want to see your perspective.

Chances are bright that they already know what they are reading, but they are here to know what one more person has to say about the same topic.

Haven’t we read at least Ten books on a topic we love? Won’t people read Ten different blogs on topics they like?

Keep it simple

We are living in a complex world, woven in political and cultural intricacies.

If anything, life and relations have become more complicated.

Give your audience an opportunity to find clarity in this chaos and a clear message they can act on.

You can effectively do this by putting all the points systematically on the table and letting the audience draw the conclusion.

In this way, you will not sound authoritarian and still be able to help the reader to get answers.

Share your work where it belongs

Ohh! I have tried to build at least 10 blogs to date.

Have done the same grind of writing and promoting many times.

Don’t even let me start on “SEO”.

Why not make our life more simple?

In my experience, you should go where the audience.

Medium has a beautiful community of readers, and it is huge.

If the blog you write on your personal website is read by the crickets, it is time to consider a platform like Medium to put your efforts into.

It is tested by time and hell lot of people.

Be patient

Unless you are into those viral videos and blogs which garner an audience that would buy none of your products, you have to be patient.

To gather people who appreciate the quality of life and deep reconciliation with the meaning of what it means to be a better human takes time.

Be patient.

If your work has decided to manifest using you as a medium, it will also find the audience it deserves.

Ship your work now!

It’s intimidating!

To read your own work and think whether it will be received by the audience you seek to reach.

But to be frank, it is not your job to figure out what everybody else thinks.

If you are providing value, there will be a person who is ready to receive it.

That is the nature of value, it lives on the reciprocation.

Hence, don’t overthink what your professor has said about writing, and how top bloggers write their posts.

Most importantly, don’t wait for a publication to validate your writing. Publish it right away.

Your writing emerges from your own experience.

It is unique to you, as you are!

Satyajett