What’s the Secret to Being Successful on Medium?
Someone mistakenly asked me this. But I’ll answer because I finally figured it out.
It only took me one year, nine months, and 15 days (yes, I prefer AP style, even if I didn’t just use it properly. I am really kind of a nerd, even though I cuss sometimes) to find success on Medium. It happened this morning when Medium sweetheart-artist-comedian-skeleton Roy decided to follow me.
I had been fan-crushing on Roy and following him for a while. He’s one of the funniest, most cleverest, most artsiest creators I’ve seen around. Just yesterday, something he wrote in a photo caption came to mind, and I lol’d. And then this morning, it happened. He finally threw me a bone. Success.
So, now I feel qualified to answer a question that was posed to me just days before I became qualified.
When the human asked me this question, through messenger on the computer, I still looked around to make sure they weren’t talking to someone else. Like, me? Are you asking me this question?
Anyone can see what I mean if you look at my profile. I seem to be one of the more unpopular of the lot. I already told you how long I’ve been around. Yet you can see how slowly I’m climbing the ladder to fame.
Ahh, but success is relative, you say? I couldn’t agree with you more, my friend. That’s why I’ve decided I’ve figured out the secret to success on Medium, based on one person following me. And why I’m dubbing myself worthy of answering such a beast of a question.
What is the secret to success on Medium?
1. Keep showing up and supporting people you admire.
I know how that person feels. The one who asked the question. Maybe we all do. “How to attain success on Medium” has probably officially become one of the great mysteries of the universe by now.
We witness two people with equal writing ability, and we watch one person soar to fame, and the other ride on the back of a tortoise. Or worse, we see clearly that this one person over here is far superior, creatively, than another person over there — yet, that person over there seems to constantly be chased by paparazzi while the person over here keeps taking selfies.
Whatever. Sometimes I don’t make sense and my metaphors are weird. Were those even metaphors? Who cares. You know what I’m trying to say. It’s all a bit mysterious.
Even in my own experience, none of it has made any sense. One day a super famous billionaire dude (he’s probably a billionaire by now, ok Niklas?) retweets my story and I get like 5K views. GASP! The next day, only the crickets like my story.
I can get curated five times in one month and still only make $33. I can NOT get curated at all in a month and make more money than I made the month I was curated. I can write TOTAL CRAP for an entire month, three times a day, and make $140, and the next month, I can write quality pieces and make $27.
I gave up trying to understand those mysteries long ago. I gave up trying to figure Medium out, and returned to the only sane place I could think of: gratitude.
The way I see it, this is, by far, the best site I’ve ever used for personal online writing. I had kept a few blogs before, but it was kind of lonely. There wasn’t much community in it. And that’s what makes all the difference here.
The secret to my success on Medium has been to keep showing up and supporting people I admire.
I bet there are people who don’t know how much I enjoy their work because I’ve been too shy to tell them. Thankfully, I stopped being shy with Roy. But the pressure I feel now that he follows me?! I won’t even dare ask how he feels about using cuss words in our writing.
To me, it’s about community. I know that might seem cheesy, but I have to say, I really freaking like cheese. And I like cheesy things. Like the show Heartland. Have you seen it? If not, it’s like Full House but with horses. I highly recommend it. Your life will not be complete without it.
But yeah, seriously guys. I’m sorry I can’t shake my use of the word “guys” to refer to all people. I know it’s probably super offensive to some people. And guess what? I’m totally a feminist. I think. I do believe we all should be treated equally. It’s just that, I like that word. Guys. Dang it, I have more thinking to do. I hate so much thinking. More playing, less thinking.
Ok but yeah, getting back to my point.
And I guess there’s only one. I’m not sure why I numbered it.
The secret to my success on Medium has been in my ability to keep showing up. And to support and interact with the lovely creative humans I’ve met along the way.
That’s the only reason I feel comfortable writing such balderdash. I know there are a few people here who will read this nonsense, and find it kind of endearing. I’ve been building relationships with those people long enough now, for them to understand my heart to some extent. Through the humor, they know how much I truly value our connection.
I have grown so much as a writer and as a human since I joined Medium. That is ALL thanks to the people I’ve found community with. These people inspire me and challenge me and encourage me. They make me laugh and cry and want to learn more about birds.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I don’t like listing these people because I don’t like the idea of favorites. I only mentioned Roy because he’s a skeleton.
The people I’ve made these special connections with already know who they are. That’s the power of this platform. That’s the secret of our success. We found each other. Our writing journeys are a lot less lonely now.
For anyone still reading this who was hoping for some genuine insight, not laced with humor, here’s what I’ll tell you:
You must believe in yourself, fully, fiercely, once and for all. Love your writing, love yourself, and be committed to falling more and more in love with the creative process, even when it hurts. You are a beautiful, loved human with powerful creative potential. Own it. Use it.
Keep showing up. To the page. To the screen. Keep practicing. Keep growing. Keep playing. Keep writing. Don’t you dare give up.
Find your people. They will make the journey far more beautiful than you could have ever imagined.
