Unlocking the Secrets to Writing Success on Medium
Written on
Chapter 1: A Data-Driven Reflection
As someone who thrives on data, I find that numbers often communicate insights that guide my writing journey. Today, I will delve into my top 30 stories on Medium based on lifetime earnings. While some of these pieces received boosts, it’s important to note that not all did. Let’s allow the figures to reveal their stories:
Screenshot by Author
My analysis includes key metrics such as EPR (earnings per read) and RR (read ratio). Here’s a breakdown of the highlights:
- Yellow: Boosted stories
- Green: Highest EPR ($0.30 and above)
- Blue: Highest RR (70% and above)
- Orange/Pink: Stories that excelled in both EPR and RR
Do you need frequent boosts to earn money? Absolutely not! My findings support the idea that profitability on Medium isn’t solely dependent on boosts, as evidenced by the lower EPR of my boosted stories.
Chapter 2: The Impact of Length on Earnings
Does the length of a story influence its success? Here are three key takeaways from my analysis:
- Short-Form Success: The highest read ratios are associated with shorter pieces. This trend suggests that brevity aids readability, much like the TikTok format in writing. Medium prioritizes read ratio in its earnings calculations, making this a crucial consideration.
- Finding the Sweet Spot: The stories that yield the highest earnings per read fall into a middle ground—not too short, yet not too long. These typically take about 3 to 4 minutes to read.
- Long-Form Dominance: The highest total earners are generally longer narratives, excluding boosted stories. This suggests that the time a reader spends on a piece correlates with its success in terms of views and earnings.
Next, let’s discuss the effectiveness of pinning stories on your profile.
This video analyzes over 2.7 million job postings to uncover insights that can guide your writing strategies.
Section 2.1: The Value of Pinned Stories
Pinning stories can significantly enhance readership. I have pinned stories like “About Me,” “Write for Us,” and one with a 93% read ratio. However, be cautious not to pin too many, as it may lead to excessive scrolling for new content.
Section 2.2: The Role of Tagging
Tagging plays an essential role in visibility. Many of my top stories are linked to my publication, CREATIVETECH Friends, where I tagged fellow writers and followers to increase engagement.
This tutorial provides a step-by-step guide to investing in the stock market, tailored for beginners in 2023.
Chapter 3: The Importance of Titles and Publications
Titles are crucial in attracting readers. After publishing over 160 stories, I’ve noticed that including the word “HOW” can be beneficial. However, I’ve shifted away from “how-to” formats, as they seem to be losing effectiveness.
Ultimately, the significance of publications cannot be overstated. A considerable number of my top earners are featured in my publication dedicated to Medium friends. It serves as a community for mutual growth, and I anticipate even greater success as it expands.
What else contributes to my success? My recent focus on enhancing my writing and distribution strategies has made a difference. Here are some additional factors to consider:
- Targeting the right audience
- Crafting compelling stories
- Promoting content on social media
I invite your thoughts! Do you analyze your top earners? Are boosted stories your most profitable? What are your best read ratio and earnings per read?
Thank you for reading!
Yana
? DOWNLOAD my FREE Writing Tools I use to make consistent money online.
Write For Us! — CREATIVETECH Friends
Content creators of all kinds, Friends of Medium, let’s grow together!
creativetech.consulting