How to Write Brilliant Articles on Medium in 2024
Understand Medium’s updated distribution categories so your stories get boosted and read.
Do you dream of writing articles on Medium that not only get published but also discovered and read by a large audience?
I’ve been writing on Medium for over four years and have published more than 300 articles. My earnings have ranged from as little as $0.36 to $5,921 a month.
When I started, I meticulously studied Medium’s curation guidelines and trends, aiming to get my articles noticed by major publications. This dedication paid off, as I became a contributor to several prominent ones.
However, as I took on more writing projects for other clients, and while I continued to write consistently, my consistency in publishing on Medium waned.
Reflecting on 4 years of solopreneurship, I’ve decided to return to the structure that served me well at the start of my self-employment: dedicating two hours each day to writing about topics I am passionate about and publishing them on Medium (if you want to do the same check out my free guide to non-fiction online writing).
This article will take you through my updated approach to writing on Medium and offer insights on how you can navigate this platform effectively. It is structured into two parts.
- Part one is about Medium’s origins and developments. To grow on any digital publishing platform, it’s important to understand the platform’s history and key changes, and the direction it is headed towards.
- Part two builds on this foundation to find the sweet spot between personal writing goals and the platform’s ambitions, aiming to attract a larger, authentic readership.
Part 1: Tracing the Journey of Medium
2012: The Birth of a Platform with Purpose
In 2012, Ev Williams, co-founder of Twitter, launched Medium with a clear vision — a platform for sharing meaningful ideas and stories beyond short social media posts.
In his first post on the platform, Ev described Medium as:
“Medium is a new place on the Internet where people share ideas and stories that are longer than 140 characters and not just for friends. It’s designed for little stories that make your day better and manifestos that change the world. It’s used by everyone from professional journalists to amateur cooks. It’s simple, beautiful, collaborative, and it helps you find the right audience for whatever you have to say.”
In the same post, he also highlighted a feature that continues to draw readers and writers to Medium:
“Through a combination of algorithmic and editorial curation, posts on Medium get spread around based on interest and engagement. Some get hundreds of thousands of readers — and not because they were written by famous people. Medium is not about who you are or whom you know, but about what you have to say.”
This approach meant that on Medium, unlike platforms like LinkedIn, visibility and readership were determined not by personal fame or connections, but by the quality and relevance of the words shared.
2013–2020: The Evolution of Medium’s Cornerstone Features
The following years saw the introduction of new features that have become foundational to Medium — stats, private notes, profile pages, publications, tagging, embedding, responding, and content feeds.
By the end of 2016, Medium had raised a total of $132 million at a $600 million valuation and reported having 60 million unique monthly visitors.
In 2017, Medium introduced two key features: the Medium Membership, offering exclusive content for $5 a month, and the Partner Program, initially paying writers a flat fee for member-only content.
Despite laying off a third of its staff and losing many publications, Medium’s focus on high-quality content persisted; though not necessarily perceived so by its readers.
By 2019, Medium had established a curation team to review and recommend stories and revamped the Partner Program’s compensation model to base earnings on the reading time of Medium members rather than claps.
In 2020, Medium updated its curation guidelines to emphasize quality content, fresh ideas, unique perspectives, and varied voices for broader distribution.
2021–2022: Turmoil and a change of leadership
In 2021, Medium shifted its editorial strategy to support independent writers rather than traditional publications. This included offering a voluntary separation program to editorial employees and reallocating resources to promote individual voices.
In July 2022, Ev Williams handed over leadership to Tony Stubblebine, a long-term writer on the platform and initiator of many major former publications. In his last post as CEO, Ev wrote:
“Tony is a builder, a writer, an open-minded thinker, and a keen businessperson. I’m confident Medium will benefit greatly from his vision, integrity, energy, and pragmatic leadership.”
2022-2024: Tony Stubblebine’s Vision for Medium
The second half of 2022 started with Tony Stubblebine making significant changes aimed at aligning Medium with its mission of supporting quality content. His initial moves included laying off 29 employees to create a leaner, more focused team:
“We’ve found ourselves bigger than we need to be for the focused mission ahead. The team that remains is the team that we need for the strategy I have laid out. Our success comes when we facilitate our community of readers and writers. We are at our best when we put tools and incentives in place for our authors and then get out of their way.”
In early 2023, Tony then introduced a new Boost for top stories (replacing the ‘curated’ tag), still intact as of the day I am writing this article, to elevate high-quality content through human curation and expert recommendations.
Tony’s leadership so far has been characterized by the intention to listen to the community, and a commitment to support genuine human connections through storytelling, as highlighted in his 2023 Medium Day keynote in August 2023:
“There’s a way to write that’s not healthy, and there’s a way to write that is healthy and transforms people’s lives. We want to be the place for transformative, human stories. […]. When you share your story — and when we’re able to connect your story to another reader — something special happens: Your wisdom becomes their wisdom.”
He emphasized the impact of authentic, transformative writing on readers, illustrated by a touching message from a reader named Laurie, who expressed how Medium’s stories profoundly moved her:
“I got an email from Medium and I started reading one article and then another one.
Each posting was just like hitting a different side of me and touching a part of me.
And I’ve just been crying a lot and learning a lot and it just made me want to call and say… I’m glad [Medium] exists.”
Most recently, Medium passed the 1,000,000 members threshold and I am particularly excited about what Tony and his team will share on the upcoming Medium day on August 17, 2024.
Part 2: Practical Strategies for Writers
The Three Distribution Categories on Medium
Stories on Medium fall into three categories of distribution: Boosted, General Distribution, and Network Only. Understanding these categories and how your work fits into them will influence your strategy for writing on Medium.
- General Distribution is the default distribution category for stories. Articles here are matched to readers based on their interests and the topics they follow. While these stories don’t receive the enhanced visibility of Boosted stories, they can still reach a broad audience through various channels on the platform, featuring it in sections like the “For You” homepage, topic pages, and “Recommended for you” areas.
- Network Only Stories are limited to the writer’s and publication’s followers. They do not benefit from the broader distribution network and are generally restricted due to factors such as clickbait, negativity, or promotional content. While these stories are still accessible via direct links, social media, and search engines, their reach on Medium itself is constrained.
- Boosted Stories are the crème de la crème of writing, selected for their high quality and potential to engage readers deeply. These stories are given priority in matching with readers through the platform’s network, including homepage features, emails, and the app. That’s why getting your story Boosted can lead to a substantial increase in visibility, readership, and eventually remuneration.
Who Decides on The Category for Your Article?
When you publish yourstory on Medium, the platform uses a combination of algorithms and human curators to determine how your article is categorized and distributed.
Initial Distribution: Once you publish, your story is immediately available via a unique URL for sharing on social media and email. It also reaches your personal network, appearing in the “Following” tab on their home pages and in Medium Digest emails.
General Distribution: By default, all stories are eligible for general distribution. Medium’s algorithm matches your story with readers based on their interests and reading habits.
Network Only: Stories that don’t meet quality standards or contain clickbait, negativity, or promotional content are restricted to the writer’s followers and the publication’s followers. These stories won’t receive broader distribution but remain accessible via direct links, social media, and search engines. This article falls into the category as well, as it is about writing on Medium.
Boosted Stories: Exceptional stories can be Boosted for enhanced visibility. Medium’s curators, along with the Boost Nomination Pilot involving independent publication editors, select stories that offer high quality, originality, and reader engagement. Boosted stories typically receive at least 500 additional views within two weeks.
Here is a flowchart of how this looks like in practice:
Write Stories That Get Boosted by Focusing on These 6 Things
Getting a Boost on Medium highlights your story’s quality, originality, and impact. This Boost acts as a quality stamp, making your writing more appealing to readers and enhancing its credibility, even if published elsewhere.
Here’s how to meet these high standards:
- Enrich the Reader’s Life: Medium values stories that offer real value, whether by evoking emotions like laughter or tears or providing practical insights that help readers improve their lives or understand complex issues. Consider what you want readers to gain from your story — new perspectives, a sense of community, or valuable knowledge. Focus on enhancing the reader’s experience rather than seeking attention.
- Original, Human-Created Content: Your story should explore a unique topic or offer a fresh perspective on a familiar one. Medium prefers human-created content over AI-generated text. Bring something new through personal anecdotes, expert insights, or novel ideas. Republishing from your blog is fine, but ensure the content is unique and engaging.
- Author’s Experience: Show your expertise or personal connection to the topic. Whether you’re an expert or sharing a personal story, explain why you’re the right person to write this piece. Your passion and authority should be evident, giving readers a reason to trust and value your perspective.
- Well-Written and Error-Free: A Boost-worthy story is meticulously crafted. This means it is free of grammatical errors, well-sourced, and narratively strong. Spend time editing and refining your work. Use tools and resources to check your grammar and improve readability. A clear, compelling narrative will keep readers engaged and convey your message effectively.
- Engaging Titles and Appropriate Length: Your title should be interesting and non-clickbait. It should accurately represent the content of your story and entice readers to click without being misleading. Similarly, the length of your story should suit its purpose. Some topics may require in-depth exploration, while others are best kept concise. Ensure that every word serves a purpose and adds value to the reader.
- Impactful and Memorable: Aim to write stories that leave a lasting impression. Whether it’s a thought-provoking piece that readers ponder for days or an inspiring story that motivates action, your story should have a significant impact. Consider how your story might compel readers to share it with their network or reflect on its message long after reading.
How to Increase Your Chances to Get Boosted
Ariel Meadow Stallings, product manager at Medium, recommends:
Find an indie publication in the BNP (Boost Nomination Pilot) that aligns with your style and start submitting.
Medium’s Boost Nomination Pilot involves independent publication editors who can nominate stories for Boosting. Engaging with these publications (and their editors) can increase your chances of getting noticed.
As of June 2024, there are over 150 people participating in the pilot program and you can browse the non-exhaustive, regularly updated list of publications here. Given the non-exhaustive list here, I will focus on the below publications:
- Re-Thinker (Culture, Insights, business, philosophy, inspiration)
- EduCreate
In Conclusion
Whether you are just starting or looking to refine your strategy, remember that success on Medium comes from understanding the platform’s evolving features, maintaining a consistent writing practice, and always focusing on delivering value to your readers. Writing on Medium is about meaningful, authentic storytelling.
As I recommit to my writing journey, dedicating two hours a day to topics I’m passionate about, I invite you to join me. Writing online is not just for publishing online but for becoming a better human through gaining a deeper understanding, and building genuine connections, thereby making the world a better place.
So, what’s your story?
Start writing today. Engage with your curiosity, share your expertise, and most importantly, write from the heart. May your articles inspire and resonate with readers far and wide.
