A Journey to Becoming a Top Writer: Insights and Reflections
Written on
Writing
My Experience as a Top Writer in Three Topics Without Notable Gains
What More Is Required for Internal Views on Medium?
When I first became part of Medium, I believed that achieving the status of a top writer was crucial and a privilege reserved for those with large followings. I began to post daily and engage with fellow writers, hoping to attract a readership.
The only break I took from writing was due to a severe bout with Covid: Covid Virus Finally Infected Me Despite Intense Caution.
After sharing articles about YouTube and highlighting notable writers, I was recognized as a top writer in social media. This acknowledgment was incredibly gratifying, and I documented my experience in a story titled: Medium Recognized Me as a Top Writer in Social Media.
I later ventured into writing about gaming and launched a gaming publication. Within weeks, I was informed that I had earned a top writer badge in the gaming category.
Additionally, I recently received a badge for reading, which I appreciated, as I love to read and share my insights with others.
These beautifully designed badges are delightful to display on our profiles. Receiving notifications about them brings me joy. However, I haven't observed any significant improvement in my statistics. My articles still garner only a few views (not reads) from Medium members.
An Abundance of External Views Coupled with a Lack of Internal Views
Interestingly, many of my articles gained substantial visibility via Google and Android devices. Upon reviewing my statistics, I noted that one article received over five thousand views from Google, yet only earned 76 cents. Clearly, not many Medium members had the opportunity to read it.
Here are a few examples:
As a relatively new writer who joined Medium earlier this year, I have published numerous articles, yet none have exceeded 50 views. Despite gaining 1.2K followers, receiving only a handful of views is disheartening.
Medium reportedly has millions of readers, yet I find myself questioning their whereabouts.
Is this a common experience for new writers on Medium?
Perhaps my expectations were overly ambitious upon joining. I anticipated that our stories would attract thousands of views.
When I discussed this with a few mentors who have been on the platform longer, they confirmed that not many achieve thousands of views from internal readers.
So who actually receives views from Medium's audience?
Is Distribution Effective on Medium? Who Truly Benefits?
I've heard about curation, but none of my articles have been selected for further distribution. Therefore, I cannot comment on the success of distributed pieces. However, several online friends have mentioned that their distributed articles also fell short in terms of views.
Now that notifications for distribution seem to have disappeared, writers may feel less motivated as they aren't kept informed. Frankly, the top writer status no longer inspires me, as it fails to deliver any tangible benefits.
I often wonder if distribution occurs on Medium after we publish our articles. It appears that the Medium algorithm does not promote my stories to my followers, as they typically receive fewer than ten views daily. Most of those views come from a few loyal readers who find my links through my Slack channel.
I cherish writing and reading on Medium. Yet, if my work fails to reach an audience, the purpose of writing here seems diminished. Perhaps I should confine my thoughts to a personal diary.
Alternatively, I could compile my writings into an e-book, as suggested by Dr. Yildiz in the article Here’s How to Create A 30,000 Words E-book in a Month. I believe I've already penned 30,000 words on Medium. It's something to consider.
These reflections emerged after I reviewed my statistics this weekend. While it was thrilling to see some articles garner thousands of views, I was disappointed to discover that they received fewer than ten views from Medium members.
This isn't just a challenge for new writers; even many seasoned writers express disappointment regarding their statistics.
Recently, I came across an article by Dr. Mehmet Yildiz, which indicated that both new and experienced writers often face low engagement. If established writers are struggling, what hope do we have? As Jennifer Geer articulated in her piece: If Jessica Wildfire Feels Unappreciated by Medium, What Hope Do the Rest of Us Have?
As a newcomer, how do you feel about your statistics? Are you also experiencing a high volume of external views, or is it my content that attracts gaming readers from outside sources?
Challenges Faced by New Writers
New writers encounter numerous challenges, including the requirement of 100 followers to qualify for the Medium Partner Program.
Fortunately, I stumbled upon Dr. Yildiz's article when I first joined, which helped me quickly gain the necessary followers without undue stress. His strategies proved effective for me, although some new writers still struggle.
I share this insight with new writers in the hopes that it may assist them. Here is the link: Beginners: Increase Followers on Medium In Six Easy and Proven Steps.
While top writer badges can hold value for new writers in certain topics, the gaming and social media categories haven't attracted new readers for me. I created a video inspired by Dr. Yildiz's concepts, hoping that new writers can gain insights from it.
I enjoy posting a story each day and plan to continue this month. I invite you to join this writing challenge; I would love to read your contributions.
Are You Joining Jenn’s Writing Challenge for This Month?
This is an invitation to participate in a daily writing challenge initiated by top writer Jenn Leach.
Recently, I recorded and shared a video outlining my progress in writing and gaming publications. If you're interested, feel free to watch the brief video.
If you lack access to YouTube, you can read the transcript in the accompanying story.
I also posted another video about my new gaming publication on Medium. I believe it may be useful if you are interested in gaming.
My aim is to encourage gamers to join my publication as writers or readers. Please check out the video on Illumination’s YouTube Channel.
I look forward to collaborating with gamers and YouTubers on Medium.
Sample Gaming Stories in My Collection
I hope you find some appealing stories in this compilation.
> Spider-Man: Miles Morales Release Date And Additional Details Revealed
> The Meta Quest Pro, a VR Headset from the Future
> Free Items and Double XP Are Coming to Overwatch 2 This Month
> An Interesting Pizza Related Stunt Teases Some News Regarding Crash Bandicoot
> Somehow DOOM Has Been Made Playable on the Notepad App
> You Can Finally Get a Steam Deck Without Reservation.
> Overwatch 2 Is Finally Live, But There Are A Few Issues.
> EA Is Teasing Us for a Reveal for the Next Need for Speed Game
> The PlayStation 5 Was Apparently Jailbroken
> Check Out This Cool Easter Egg in Modern Warfare 2
> Check Out This Interesting Addon for the Xbox Series S
> Yet Another Handheld Gaming Device On The Way
> PlayStation Announces Their Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 PS5 Bundle.
> Mobile Games Will Soon Be Playable on PC
> Get Yourself a Free Game with the New Xbox Elite Controller
> Here’s Some New Information Regarding Overwatch 2 Passive Abilities.
> Logitech’s New Handheld Cloud Gaming Device Officially Announced
> EA Motive Announces New Iron Man Game
> The RTX 40 Series Have Officially Been Revealed
> Lil Nas X Is Apparently the President of League of Legends
> Another Potential Grand Theft Auto 6 Leak
> Spec Ops Returns in Modern Warfare II
> A New Raid Game Mode Will In Modern Warfare II
> Details About Overwatch 2’s Battle Pass Has Been Revealed
> The Newest Overwatch 2 Map Has Been Revealed
> Bunch of N64 Games Are Coming To The Nintendo Switch
> Finally, Another Legend of Zelda Game
> Avatar: The Reckoning, the MMORPG-Shooter Set on The Planet of Pandora
> Four New Games Featured on the Assassin’s Creed Roadmap
> Untitled Captain America and Black Panther Game Teaser Revealed
> An Insane Minecraft Redstone Creation
> Overwatch Streamer Hits the Highest Rank with a Huge Disadvantage
Recent Stories on Other Topics
> Covid Virus Finally Infected Me Despite Intense Cautions.
> Why Elon Musk Sold His Bitcoin Shares Out of Blue
> Why Everyone Unfollowed Me Today
> The Follower Bug Manifests in Different Shapes and Forms
If you've encountered similar experiences, I would love to hear about them.
I enjoy collaborating with other writers and introducing them on YouTube. You can check this link to my collection: Meet Top Writers on YouTube. It features introducing prolific writers from Illumination Integrated Publications in YouTube videos.
Publications I Own and Manage
> Invitation: Join ILLUMINATION Gaming Publication as a Writer
> Invitation to Write for ILLUMINATION on YouTube Publication
Connection with Writers and Readers on Medium
I create articles in my areas of expertise, covering gaming, film-making, media, and design. You can subscribe to my account to receive notifications when I publish on Medium.
I also support Illumination Integrated Publications as a volunteer editor and engage in collaborative activities in the Slack Workspace.
If you're new to Medium, feel free to join through my referral link.
