Understanding the Shift in Focus

The initial step was to grasp the changes in the program. Medium has transitioned its emphasis from simple visibility to actual engagement. It's no longer sufficient to have a high number of views; the interaction with your work—through claps, comments, highlights, and follows—now holds greater significance. Collectively, these interactions are termed engagement points. Additionally, earning extra points is possible if your piece resonates with existing followers or receives a boost.

Picking the Right Niche

I soon discovered that the technical articles that previously garnered attention were no longer as profitable.

Instead, articles centered on personal experiences and storytelling were attracting more engagement. Consequently, I redirected my focus towards these areas, sharing narratives and lessons that resonated with readers. For instance, an article reflecting on the insights gained from "Every Article That Made $100 and Went Viral" saw high engagement due to its relatable content.

Crafting Compelling Headlines

Medium has made it clear: they do not wish to promote sensational clickbait or formulaic content. In light of this, I began to concentrate on creating more engaging headlines. For example, rather than using a flashy title like, "Mind-Blowing Reality Check: The Insane Amount of Money I Earned on Medium in Just ONE MONTH!", I opted for something like, "After My First Month and 18 Articles on Medium, What I’ve Earned? — It’s Better than YouTube." This subtle change significantly increased click-through rates on my articles.

Providing Real Value

A pivotal change I made was to prioritize genuine value for my readers. I started sharing my own experiences, insights, and actionable tips that could benefit my audience. For instance, instead of merely suggesting how to gain your first 100 followers, I documented my personal journey of creating a new account and the strategies I implemented, which helped my readers visualize the process more clearly.

Engaging with the Audience

I made a deliberate effort to interact more with my readers by responding to comments, posing questions, and fostering discussions.

I strive to acknowledge every comment on my articles and also share my work across social media platforms, participating in conversations related to my content.

Seeking Feedback

Increased comments lead to increased earnings. The two crucial factors are reader engagement time (over 30 seconds) and the number of comments received. I often solicit feedback within my articles, as this encourages readers to comment, thereby meeting both metrics effectively. Moreover, the feedback I receive is invaluable for future improvements.

Utilizing Visuals

Incorporating relevant images and graphics significantly enhances the appeal of my articles. For example, in a finance-focused piece, I included infographics illustrating Warren Buffet's wealth growth over the years.

Learning from Analytics

I began paying close attention to Medium’s analytics to identify the types of content that resonated most with readers. This information has allowed me to fine-tune my upcoming articles for maximum engagement. Additionally, understanding the importance of publications in reaching the right audience led me to compile a list of popular publications across various categories, which you can download below.

? Quick Glance Features: - Direct links to each publication ?? - Insightful follower counts ?? - Category List ? - Info on whether they are accepting new writers ?? ?? LINK TO DOWNLOAD LIST OF 220+ MEDIUM PUBLICATIONS

Results of My Efforts

Since implementing these strategies, I’ve witnessed a remarkable increase in my Medium following, skyrocketing from zero to over 200 in just one month. Without these adjustments, I likely wouldn’t have surpassed even 20 followers.

Summary for Aspiring Writers

Here’s a concise summary for those looking to enhance their Medium earnings: 1. Emphasize Quality over Quantity: Create well-researched, thought-provoking content that offers real value. 2. Engage with Your Audience: Respond to comments, ask questions, and foster discussions. 3. Use Visuals: Enhance your articles with relevant images or graphics. 4. Promote Your Work: Share your articles on social media or personal blogs.

Happy Writing!!

The new guidelines of the Medium Partner Program present an incredible opportunity for writers to boost their earnings by producing engaging and valuable content. By understanding the new rules, selecting the right niche, crafting compelling headlines, and engaging with your audience, I have significantly increased my Medium earnings. I encourage fellow writers to adopt these strategies in their writing journeys.