All Medium users want 100 followers — I was in the same boat. To make a few bucks, we’re willing to sacrifice our own writing style.
In reality, getting 100 followers in 24 hours is unrealistic. Here is an article I wrote about this and my experience with 100-follower frauds.
But it is possible to get 100 followers in 30 days, and with some perseverance, even less!
It takes lots of commitment to do this without using the tempting f4f articles out there.
After achieving this goal without boring myself over Medium 24/7, I can give you some advice.
Reading > Writing
Many new writers damage their confidence by spending lots of time writing.
They listen to unexperienced users’ bad advice, who suggest writing 3 articles per day.
If your real goal is to get success in a short period of time, then you should spend more time reading then writing.
Open up your Medium digest or for you tab, and take a good look at the articles. After reading each one, leave an insightful comment.
Here is the structure of an insightful comment:
1. What You’ve Learnt (and if you agree with it)
2. Criticism
3. Anything you have to add
Avoid comments such as ‘check out my profile’.
Here is a sample:
Hi, @person, this was a very interesting article to read. I have never heard of *this*
I remember when I was doing *something* and I heard of this concept from *someone*.
But, I disagree with the concept of *something*. that *something* and that the true way to stop *something* is through *another method*
If you want to stop, then do this *solution*.
Although I disagree with some aspects of your article, it has still been very useful to me. I appreciate your work and will be on the update to see more.
Please remember not to copy my exact sample. Think of your comment as a ‘mini-article’. Your comment has to display your writing style to attract readers.
This kind of comment shows you actually read the article and made your own assumptions from it. If you like the article, you can display some minimal criticism but still write a long comment. You could tell a story from your life.
This attracts followers to your profile, and I mean LOTS of followers. My daily average increased by 10 followers when I started making use of comments. On the days I don’t comment, I don’t get any followers at all.
I have learned many new things by reading and commenting on articles.
Also, isn’t it nice when someone leaves an insightful and critical comment on your article? Not ‘great article’
So remember, less time writing, more time reading.
Learn from other people so others can then learn from you.
Experience > Fact
You may have heard of the concept of utilising storytelling in your writing. I completely agree with this.
People don’t want to hear you boring on about what you read on the internet. They can go and do that themselves.
Don’t talk about the YouTube video you watched, or the articles you read.
Talk about something original.
It could be what YOU’VE learnt from getting over the loss of a loved one, or what YOU’VE learnt from getting over depression.
Not what the internet has taught you.
What makes an article tick on the platform is something that no one else talks about. Something that only YOU know.
So create a mind map of all your experiences. Whenever you learn something from your experience, share it with the crowd.
And I don’t mean sugar coating your life. Shove it out like it is — brutal, tragic, ugly.
I remember writing an article on the Miracle Morning, a book by Hal Elrod.
What made me enjoy this piece, and actually put Hal’s suggestions to use, is that he shared his life.
He didn’t share his accidents as small and insignificant. No, he showed the people what life is like. Gave them someone to relate to.
And he created his own recommendations.
Don’t forget, authentic writing is also about keeping your own writing style. Use the vocabulary you want. Do what you want with your words. Why should somebody like your writing if there’s similar content out there?
Instead of using facts or trends, make use of your OWN thoughts and experiences.
Quantity Matters
Yes, you do need to make time for commenting on other articles. But also make time to create your own work.
I made the mistake of not writing daily.
I lost a lot of my followers, and my reputation. Not to mention my skills.
So now, instead of not writing at all, I write for 15–20 minutes a day. Or if I’m not in the mood, I at least think about my articles and what I should write.
But don’t mistake that for writing on the worst days. Write when it feels good, and your articles will display that happiness.
Everyone’s schedule is different. But I recommend writing daily, and do what you can to make your days happy to ensure you write well.
Open your editors (Hemingway/Typely/Wordtune, in my case) and let them help motivate you to make it through. On bad days, my virtual editors are my best friends.
And you never know. One of your articles could go viral and bring you 100 followers in a few days.
Small Pubs > Big Pubs
I used to think big publications were better. But after writing for a while, I realised small pubs are even better if you want to increase your audience.
Don’t get me wrong. Big publications such as Illumination and Synergy are as well. In fact, most my articles go to big pubs.
But small pubs (such as Gain Inspiration, my absolute fav) have helped me get to 100 followers.
Small pubs have a close knitted community of editors and writers. They always clap and promote your articles, providing feedback, highlighting and leaving comments.
In small pubs you can get into contact with the editors, and if you want to improve your writing for free, try it.
BONUS TIP: IGNORE HEADLINE FORMULAS. MANY SUCCESSFUL WRITERS USE THE SIMPLEST HEADLINES
Thank you for reading. Try these tips and watch your audience grow :D
Hope you found this helpful! 🙃❤️
📜Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed it, clap/follow/subscribe.