Essential Insights for Writers: Top Tips for Medium Success
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Chapter 1: Navigating Medium
When it comes to writing and sharing your work on Medium, utilizing the diverse publications available is essential. Start by reviewing their content to ensure alignment with your style. When preparing a post for submission to a publication, draft and format your piece as usual. Once ready, follow the submission guidelines by clicking the three dots in the upper right corner of your screen, selecting "Add to publication," and choosing your desired publication.
Maintaining proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation is crucial. While everyone makes occasional mistakes, a post riddled with errors can deter readers. Personally, if I encounter more than a few basic mistakes, I tend to leave the page.
Section 1.1: Crafting Your Title Block
A complete title block is vital. It should consist of a kicker, the main title, and a subtitle. This is the first aspect readers notice while scrolling through their feed or checking notifications, making it your primary tool for capturing interest.
The "kicker" appears above the title. Use the small "T" in the formatting menu for this. Think of it as an extension of your topic tags; opt for frequently searched terms to enhance your post’s visibility in algorithms. Format your main title with the larger "T." Keep it concise, as lengthy titles may extend over multiple lines on mobile devices.
Always incorporate a subtitle, which serves as supporting information for your main title. The initial words of your title are often the most engaging, so focus on the core appeal while reserving additional context for the kicker and subtitle.
Section 1.2: Effective Use of Images
If you're including a banner, consider it part of your layout rather than the main image. It should span the full width of the page but not be overly tall. A simple graphic will present a more polished appearance.
Avoid placing large images before your title block and opt for horizontal images over vertical ones. Best practice suggests providing at least one paragraph of text before displaying an image, as the opening lines will entice readers to continue.
Always credit images properly in the designated caption area, even for those you own. Ensure you have the legal rights to use any graphics or images. Medium offers access to royalty-free images via Unsplash; simply select the Unsplash icon, input your keywords, and choose the image you want.
Chapter 2: Writing Structure and Engagement
The initial paragraph is pivotal in drawing readers in. Aim for essay paragraphs to contain at least three sentences, and try to keep them under ten lines for readability. Be flexible with narration and dialogue; however, avoid multiple characters speaking in the same paragraph.
To ensure your content fully engages readers, aim for a minimum of 500 words. This length typically results in a read time of at least 30 seconds, which is crucial for algorithms to count it as a read.
The first video, "My Top 12 Writing Tips! | Advice That Changed How I Write," provides invaluable guidance for improving your writing process. It covers essential strategies and insights that can transform your approach to writing.
The second video, "My Best Writing Tips (Top 5 Writing Tips You NEED to Know)," outlines crucial tips that can enhance your writing skills and boost your confidence as a writer.
Section 2.1: Formatting and Editing
For long quotes, highlight the text and click the quotation mark in the pop-up menu to italicize it with a margin line. For shorter quotes, use the offset format for clarity. The drop-cap feature is another formatting option, but it should be used sparingly to avoid clutter.
When sharing links, convert them into display links rather than plain text links for better presentation. And remember, emojis can distract from your writing's clarity, so it's best to omit them.
Section 2.2: The Importance of Originality
Authenticity is key to retaining readers. A conversational tone can make your writing feel more relatable. For instance, saying "you need empathy to build trust" is more impactful than using a more complex phrase.
While editing software like Grammarly can be helpful, relying too heavily on it may strip away your unique voice. Presenting AI-generated text as your own is strictly prohibited and can lead to removal from platforms.
Chapter 3: Continuous Growth as a Writer
To improve your writing, it's essential to read extensively. Engaging with well-crafted works can inspire your own creativity. As I often say, "writers write always. Great writers read, then write."
Engage with your audience and fellow writers to build a following. Quality interactions can significantly enhance your visibility and network.
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Denise, the owner/editor of the WE PAW Bloggers publication, invites you to join our supportive community of writers dedicated to mutual growth and networking.