Building an Audience: Strategies for Gaining Readers on Medium
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Chapter 1: The Importance of Audience Building
Creating a readership is essential for success on platforms like Medium. Visualizing your goals can often provide clarity, and several analogies can help illustrate this process.
Like a River
While Medium does publish our articles, it's the distribution that truly matters. Think of Medium as a vast river of potential income. Most of this flow is directed toward the corporation, top earners, and leading publications. Writers often try to tap into this river, akin to a farmer irrigating his crops, seeking to open a sluice gate without running afoul of regulations or the Medium guardians.
Establishing a foothold in this river often requires breaking the hold of established writers. The main current tends to favor those who are already well-known.
Turning on the Tap
Imagine turning on a faucet. The water flow symbolizes your earnings. If the output is just a trickle, it can be frustrating. Sometimes, a little extra effort—like lubricating a stuck valve—can help the flow increase significantly.
Corridors, Mirrors, and Webs
Many writers may feel that their pieces are hidden away in a neglected corner of Medium, akin to a dusty corridor in a grand mansion. Occasionally, an article may attract attention, bringing in a group of readers akin to tourists exploring a forgotten space. This spotlight can come from being referenced by others or, blessedly, receiving a boost from Medium's promotional features.
The key to gaining traction involves cultivating backlinks, which act like mirrors reflecting visitors to your work. Medium itself is a complex web of connections; the more backlinks you develop, the greater your potential audience.
To succeed on Medium, one must consistently publish high-quality articles. Building a reputation takes time, but it can lead to reciprocal links from other writers, enhancing visibility.
Reciprocal Reading: Building Connections
Establishing a loyal following is crucial. Aim for readers who will engage deeply with your work, and in return, support their writing as well. Ensuring shared interests among your readership can lead to more meaningful exchanges and enjoyable reading experiences.
Backlinks: Expanding Your Reach
In addition to reciprocal reading, building backlinks is another effective strategy. These can originate from references made by other authors on Medium or from external search engine results.
Other Strategies for Growth
Friends and Family
Having supportive friends and family can significantly aid in your journey. They can provide feedback and share your work within their networks.
Website
Creating your own website can serve as a portfolio, but it requires ongoing maintenance and may struggle to gain visibility amidst the vast internet landscape.
Substack
While Substack is often compared to Medium, it has its own unique challenges and opportunities. Success here often demands a more entrepreneurial spirit and a clear product to offer.
Agent/Publicist
Some writers opt to hire an agent or publicist to assist with marketing. This can be beneficial but should be approached with caution, weighing the return on investment.
Building an Audience: A Long-Term Commitment
Ultimately, growing an audience on Medium is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes time, dedication, and consistent effort. Building authentic relationships with readers and fellow writers, combined with regular publishing, can create momentum over time.
Perseverance is key; giving up guarantees failure. Engaging genuinely with others is one of the most effective strategies, and this engagement will be explored further in the next chapter.
This article is part of a comprehensive guide on the Medium platform, published with the author's permission.
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Social Media: Your Amplifier
In today's digital landscape, social media plays a vital role in audience building. Platforms like LinkedIn, X/Twitter, Reddit, TikTok, YouTube, Discord, Instagram, and Facebook are essential tools. However, be cautious—Medium may undervalue traffic from certain channels, particularly if they are known for low-quality engagement.