Key Highlights from the Pub Crawl Keynote

I was eagerly waiting for the transcript of the pub crawl event, and now that it's available, it's much easier to absorb than watching the video. The comments section is always a treasure trove of insights.

• I learned that I am among the 9,000 editors contributing to Medium, which is quite exciting.
• Here’s a brief overview of what Tony Stubblebine, the driving force behind Medium, envisions:
  • Publications are essential (my previously self-published stories received boosts, albeit before the full launch of the boost nomination program).
  • Authentic narratives from experts provide genuine value to readers (I can share my expertise on Endometrial cancer from a patient’s perspective, as well as my knowledge of Singapore’s travel, food, and culture after living here for over 53 years).
  • Publications should focus on specific niches to curate high-quality content for readers (this is why I’ve refined the submission and style guidelines for my publication, Tourist in My Own Country).
  • Avoiding clickbait and low-quality content is crucial, as I am genuinely tired of generic stories and comments that sound automated. It’s the dishonesty that frustrates me the most.
  • Not every piece requires boosting; there is still space for authentic expression (thankfully, because I enjoy the witty, quirky, and often poignant posts).
  • Medium is on track for profitability and is nearing a million subscribers (this is fantastic news! Despite my occasional complaints, I have yet to find a better platform, and the writing community here is exceptional. You all have significantly improved my mental well-being, showcasing how social media can foster positivity).

Getting a Boost

I genuinely hope that a boost nominator recognizes the potential in the stories from our publication for boosting.

Fellow writers, please inform me if you receive a boost, as I have yet to apply for the role of boost nominator. I suppose I could gauge this through the number of views and reads.

Even if I applied and were accepted, I would feel tremendous pressure to remain unbiased, fair, and avoid favoritism, which seems challenging.

Interestingly, boost nominators are allowed to nominate their own pieces, limited to two per month. This feels somewhat off to me, but it might be part of the incentive, in addition to the $45 paid for each accepted story, for the time invested in this role.

There is a system in place, however: nominators must maintain a quota of approved stories to retain their nomination privileges. Falling below this threshold can result in losing the right to nominate.

For the writers of Tourist in My Own Country, I would love to promote your boosted stories as a benchmark for what we can aspire to achieve. It would be beneficial for everyone to understand what the boost team is looking for.

Conversely, even if you haven’t been boosted but have garnered a significant readership for your story, I would be equally excited. Staying true to your voice while delivering value is what matters most. Readers can often recognize and appreciate that.

Medium frequently seeks expertise; what areas do you excel in? I'm genuinely curious.

Description: Tony Stubblebine delivers a keynote at Medium Day, discussing the importance of publications and storytelling.