Don't Seek Advice From Established Writers

It's crucial to pay attention to those who are just one or two steps ahead of you in the writing journey. They have a clearer understanding of the challenges you're facing right now. In contrast, those who are far ahead may have lost touch with the current realities of the platform. Attracting attention and engagement is becoming increasingly difficult.

Many articles written by well-known figures offer little more than basic advice wrapped in polished language. When you're already popular, even mediocre advice can appear extraordinary.

Most writers we admire have found their success outside of Medium. For them, this platform is merely an extension of their existing success, where they leverage their established reputation and skills. This disconnect is why many of them might not be able to provide the guidance you need to improve.

The Path to Improvement: Experimentation

To enhance your writing skills, the most effective approach is through trial and error. While absorbing advice from various sources can be beneficial, it's important to recognize that not all recommendations will be helpful.

In fact, conflicting advice from different experts can lead to confusion and stagnation. The best strategy is to write as much as possible and learn from the outcomes of your efforts.

Analyze your results and continuously improve your approach. Don't make the mistake I did by solely depending on guidance from others. Initially, I was so focused on gathering tips from fellow writers that I didn’t engage in the writing process myself. If someone had asked me for advice two years ago, I would have had to look up information rather than sharing my own insights.

Balancing Quantity and Quality

Writing more frequently increases your visibility and chances of gaining attention. However, what happens if your articles don’t resonate with readers? If your writing isn’t well-received, you risk not gaining followers and potentially facing a backlash from the algorithm.

On the flip side, if your work is high quality but lacks quantity, you may also struggle to establish your presence. The key is to find a balance.

Allocate your time wisely between researching and writing, making the most of your available hours. Remember that improvement comes from trying different approaches and learning from your experiences.

Have confidence in your abilities. If you think that being featured in publications will guarantee your success early on, you might be mistaken.

The Role of Publications

I've had pieces published in a high-profile publication with over 250K followers, and despite being selected for curation, the results were disappointing—fewer than 300 views and minimal earnings. While publications can be beneficial, they often don’t help beginners if the algorithm isn’t working in their favor.

Medium prioritizes content that is popular and relevant, regardless of its quality.

The Importance of Popularity

I've come across poorly written articles that garnered thousands of claps, while insightful pieces barely received any attention. It’s clear that this platform values popularity more than the quality of writing.

Growing your audience should be a priority. While delivering a meaningful message is important, it’s equally vital to build your reputation as an engaging writer.

Strive to produce a high volume of quality content. Take your writing seriously, as it can lead to outstanding outcomes. My own experiences reflect a slow and unremarkable trajectory due to my lack of consistent effort and engagement with Medium’s trends.

While many articles outline what you should do, I hope this piece has provided you with a clearer understanding of what to avoid if you aspire to reach new heights in your writing journey.