The Surprising Journey of a Medium Story: Lessons Learned
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Chapter 1: The Unexpected Success
An incredible event took place recently.
On April 6, 2024, I launched a piece titled "Have Obsidian Just Changed the Game?"
To be honest, I put in a bit more effort than I usually do (though not significantly more). I added some screenshots and crafted what I thought was a straightforward explanation of Obsidian's infinite canvas tool and my personal experience with it.
The final article totaled 752 words, making it a four-minute read. After selecting an appropriate image from FreePik and implementing the standard SEO and engagement adjustments, I published my 47th story on Medium.
Just a few days later, things took a wild turn.
Before diving into the details of what transpired, it's worth noting that I began writing on Medium in early October 2023, typically posting a couple of times each week. As for my monthly analytics, I hadn’t been particularly attentive. My highest achievement had been a few hundred reads and roughly $10 in earnings.
Now, here’s the shocking part:
Two days post-publication of "Have Obsidian Just Changed the Game?", the piece garnered 250 reads, peaking at 1,000 on the 12th. By the end of April, the total soared to 8,200 views, netting me $218.55—more than double my previous best monthly earnings on Medium, all from a single article.
While the excitement calmed down thereafter, as of May 28th, the story had amassed 17,000 views and 10,100 reads, continuing to bring in revenue.
So, is that it for me? Have I cracked the code? By this time next year, I could be rolling in thousands from Medium. I might just become a writing sensation. What bliss!
All I need to do is replicate this success, follow the same blueprint.
Section 1.1: The Dilemma
Herein lies the challenge:
I have no clue why that particular story took off.
If you’re reading this and think you understand why, please enlighten me. I’d be willing to share some of the rewards.
But realistically, that’s unlikely to happen unless a Medium insider decides to reach out.
Sure, I see plenty of individuals claiming to have the secret to success. My Medium feed is cluttered with tales like,
"How I Instantly Made $1,000 on Medium While Sipping Piña Coladas on the Beach."
But I find that hard to believe.
I’m aware I’m not the only one grappling with this uncertainty.
None of us truly comprehends how the algorithm operates, why some articles succeed while others fail.
And you know what? I’m okay with that. If we had all the answers, the platform would lose its charm. Where’s the excitement in a formula?
Subsection 1.1.1: The Future Ahead
Perhaps I’ll never write another article that performs as well as "Have Obsidian Just Changed the Game?"
Or maybe this one will surpass it.
Ultimately, it doesn’t matter. I’ll continue to write, publish, and keep my fingers crossed.
Chapter 2: Exploring the Insights
In the video titled Small Medium Large (HD): Foamy The Squirrel - YouTube, we take a humorous look at the challenges and triumphs of writing, echoing my own journey with the algorithm.
The second video, Foamy's Rant II: Foamy The Squirrel - YouTube, dives deeper into the frustrations of navigating success in the writing world, resonating with the unpredictability I’ve experienced.