Recent Transformations at Better Humans

You may have observed that our daily article output has decreased recently. Over the past couple of months, we've transitioned from publishing around eight articles each weekday to just about two.

Why this adjustment was necessary:

"Change is an essential part of creativity." — Enya

This shift is partially a response to Medium's new boosting algorithm. Historically, our editorial strategy has mirrored Medium's evolving preferences, and this latest update is no different. Since the boosting process prioritizes quality, it makes sense for us to realign our focus accordingly.

Additionally, this change allows for a more sustainable workload for our editorial team, as both Kristen and I are contributing to Better Humans on a limited, part-time schedule.

What This Means for Our Writers

"All change, even positive change, often brings challenges." — Arnold Bennett

As humans, we naturally resist change. However, adopting a growth mindset can transform our perspective, viewing change as an opportunity for growth.

With fewer articles being published, it has become increasingly common for writers to face article rejections. While I empathize with the frustration this may cause, it's essential to recognize this as a chance for development. It reflects an elevation in our standards rather than a decline in the quality of your work.

Higher standards can ultimately assist you in becoming a better writer, pushing you to refine your skills further! (For those interested in improving their writing, I recommend checking out the resources linked in this article.)

For those whose articles are accepted, the publication timeline may also be longer. My goal is to present a variety of topics each week to engage our readers. Therefore, if numerous submissions address similar themes, I may choose to stagger their release.

How This Change is Unfolding

"I cannot guarantee that things will improve with change; I can assure you they must change to improve." — Georg C. Lichtenberg

So far, it seems our readers appreciate this emphasis on quality. Despite the reduction in published articles, we've seen an increase of nearly half a million monthly views!

I no longer find myself racing through tasks like a hyperactive squirrel (thank goodness!), allowing me to dedicate more time to refining and enhancing the best submissions we receive ("your best shot").

Additionally, our published writers are benefiting from increased engagement, with many articles receiving more views and exposure than before. To illustrate, I took a screenshot comparing the statistics of five articles published before our quality-focused shift:

And here’s a look at the stats for five articles released after we prioritized quality:

The contrast is striking. Even though the later articles had less time to accumulate views, they are experiencing greater visibility than those released prior to this change.

Overall, I’m thrilled with the outcomes we observed in March!

Our Most Popular Articles Beyond Medium

And since there’s a world beyond Medium (as unusual as that may sound), here are the articles that garnered the most external attention:

The first article is valuable for writers, while the second appeals to everyone.

March Editorial Favorites

I have a couple of personal favorites not mentioned above. One moved me to tears, and the other has already saved me considerable time.

March Foundational Piece

Kendra Kinnison, our CEO, has released the latest installment in her series on creating sustainable change in your life. Having coached over 1,200 individuals, Kendra’s insights are reliable:

If this piques your interest, you can find your own coach, trained and certified in the methods discussed in Kendra's article, here.

Looking forward to seeing you in April!

Warm regards,

Bere