The difference is that a gambler can't learn to be a "better" gambler and increase their odds of winning. But a writer can. I have a small handful of writers that easily get over half their posts boosted. And Medium even has a list of which publications have nominators on board. Granted a lot of new writers attracted by the offer need to work on their writing skills, but writing skills *can* be worked on whereas I don't think we can say the same about gambling skills. You know?
I wasn't able to attend the pub crawl either - I did not know that only a small % got boosted - one would have thought the number was far higher - I select my pubs carefully given that I write personal/relationship based stories - I usually go with pubs that publish those kinds of stories - all 10 of my boosted stories are personal stories - I think you mentioned somewhere that the competition in that niche (for boost nominations) is becoming fierce -
There are a lot of opportunities for writers right now because the competition is fierce. I've been reaching out to a lot of boost nominators. The better your understanding of what they're looking for, the better your chances of writing successful work! I like that the boost program is motivating writers to seek out feedback.
As an editor, I have seen a couple of writers really step up their game over the last 5-6 months, and it's meant them going from someone I'd never consider nominating, to someone I can't wait to push through.
So funny you know. Seems like Robert Frosts two paths live everywhere. Some writers try to learn how it works, seek feedback. Others go down the other path. Don't dig in, don't ask for feedback and just get upset that they aren't getting good results. Makes me want to say come on over to this path, it leads to a nicer place.
There's one writer in particular I had in mind when I wrote that. 6-7 months ago, I was getting typo-riddled submissions that meandered, and took all kinds of side roads without ever reaching a conclusion. Seeing them in the queue would literally bum me out. Now, it's odd if I have to add more than a comma or two. it's been an incredible turnaround.
I suppose with that kind of volume competition is going to be fierce in every niche. Tony also mentioned that there were 28,000 different tags used across posts in Feb. Might come down to really digging into tags. That's something I plan to dive into and write about
I had a nice time at the pub crawl. Tony Stubblebine stopped by my booth for a moment, and I inquired about adding "track changes" to Medium's editing features so we can do a better job. I often ask writers to submit to me on Google Docs because I can do a better job and leave longer (more polite) notes. I appreciate the opportunity to work with editors who challenge me. If I'm writing just to readers on a blog or newsletter, I don't feel I create the same quality work. Too many writers have the wrong impression of rejection. One of my top performing stories on Medium was something that was rejected for Huffpost. When you write with a certain audience in mind, you create better work. Then it's just a matter of putting that work in the best possible home. I think Medium is trending in the right direction, and yes, that's great for writers!
That's really cool that Tony showed up at your booth. Staff was doing that. One of the staff popped by Roman's booth too. (forget which, oops) A while back Ariel mentioned that Medium is planning some changes for how publications are run. For me, getting rid of the 200 character limit on those text boxes is right up at the top of the list. :)
Thanks for the link to Tony's speech! I wasn't able to make the Pub crawl, but am glad to hear it went well. Great point about how few articles actually get Boosted. I see a lot of people using that as a way/reason to bemoan the program, but as a writer, I see it as a challenge.
From my observer's perch, I think anyone who is hoping to be boosted should be doing the same. Tony (and Medium) have repeatedly used the term "cover story" as a high-level description of what they are looking for, and in my experience as a Booster, articles that could very well be one are the ones consistently approved for boost.
Also: link dropping w/o any context is *the worst*. That's one of my biggest pet peeves, and is a surefire way to make me never read your work.
You're very welcome. When I was watching the video I wrote the word AFFINITY in all caps on a scrap of paper to remind myself I want to talk about it. lol. In this video he switched from saying "cover story" to saying "best of the best." Used that repeatedly. And I totally agree. I see it as a challenge too. Never any harm in striving to be the best of the best.
P.S. Link dropping. lol. Right? Me too. Had a bunch dropped in my booth, too. Deleted them. Poof, gone.
Thanks for your thoughts, Linda, on the PC. I didn’t make it either, like you said, but different “life-ing” things going on in my neck of the woods.
Sorry to hear you lost someone in your family. My condolences.
I really like that whole “affinity” concept, something I hadn’t really thought about re:Medium. Similar to you, I write in a bunch of areas so thinking about affinity from pubs is extra important.
Would you say that pubs accepting Shortform, but on a wide range of topics, build affinity with readers desiring only a quick and eclectic reading experience? I’m pondering that one. The answer would be easy if the pub wanted Shortform but only ( for example)on the yoga topic.
P.S. I still plan to send you my additional thoughts on the niche need for “Shortform” 🙄 editorial services, but as you see it is taking me a bit.
On short form content... every publication gets to pick 5 topics to theme their publication around. What I'd do is check to see if their topic choices match what you're writing about. And if they don't, I'd probably opt for a publication that targets those topics as opposed to one that just targets read time.
I knew someone who spent two hours until midnight reading people's stories on Medium and she received lots of claps in return. It seems a bit of a game--maybe a good game, maybe, in some cases, not. I would like to write somewhere where people not on Medium can read my work too and I am financially rewarded for it. Perhaps following many suggestions here and doing more research about what Medium appreciates would help. I don't quite understand the affinity concept. If you or your other commenter are creating affinity with reader who like whatever you write I say Bravo! I'm also not a one stop pony show. But I guess it means you'll get more reads if you write on a publication with affinity for your topic. That sounds like a smart idea.
I’m interested in sharing stories that would have been in Harper’s or Life magazine in the past. At the same time our world reminds me of the Renaissance period in that what was working for most people as a conceptual world view was suddenly turned on its head.
However people needing one another and the horrifying cost to simply annihilating cities in Gaza or Bucha in Ukraine will be deeper disconnection from humanity, our collective archetypes and hope.
Grandmothers weather a few losses to get to be grandmas. I want to share dialogues with other people about all of that. That’s what I crave the chance to build affinity for.
I’m one of those who reads what you write because I sense that same affinity in your words.
I can’t move forward at great speed anymore because the need for depth and gratitude for what life has taught must be reflected upon and then I listen and read trying to adapt to the changes coming.
Waxing a little philosophical here, but it’s where the light leads me - out of the shadows.
I have a fondness for waxing philosophical so you are in exactly the right place. I could while away an afternoon on that kind of conversation and a nice cappuccino. :)
"they like the way I write and don’t care what I write about."
Yep, that's me. whatever you write, I enjoy reading it. I think because you have a way of making your stories interesting. Quite a knack you have for it.
"On most sites, the algorithms exist to measure popularity. See which posts are getting engagement, show more of those. That’s not how the algorithm works at Medium. Not one bit. At Medium, the algorithm is driven by affinity."
I wrote an article two or three months ago. It was a random topic, and to be honest something I didn't think much about. People started reading and somehow, more and more people. It seems that this post was so popular that it got engagement and the more popular it was, the more it was shown and the more I was earning. It was an increasing line. So, my conclusion is that there is an algorithm that measures popularity of the article and show it more, even without a boost.
The difference is that a gambler can't learn to be a "better" gambler and increase their odds of winning. But a writer can. I have a small handful of writers that easily get over half their posts boosted. And Medium even has a list of which publications have nominators on board. Granted a lot of new writers attracted by the offer need to work on their writing skills, but writing skills *can* be worked on whereas I don't think we can say the same about gambling skills. You know?
I wasn't able to attend the pub crawl either - I did not know that only a small % got boosted - one would have thought the number was far higher - I select my pubs carefully given that I write personal/relationship based stories - I usually go with pubs that publish those kinds of stories - all 10 of my boosted stories are personal stories - I think you mentioned somewhere that the competition in that niche (for boost nominations) is becoming fierce -
There are a lot of opportunities for writers right now because the competition is fierce. I've been reaching out to a lot of boost nominators. The better your understanding of what they're looking for, the better your chances of writing successful work! I like that the boost program is motivating writers to seek out feedback.
As an editor, I have seen a couple of writers really step up their game over the last 5-6 months, and it's meant them going from someone I'd never consider nominating, to someone I can't wait to push through.
That's fantastic!
Totally agree with Walter. That's fantastic to hear.
So funny you know. Seems like Robert Frosts two paths live everywhere. Some writers try to learn how it works, seek feedback. Others go down the other path. Don't dig in, don't ask for feedback and just get upset that they aren't getting good results. Makes me want to say come on over to this path, it leads to a nicer place.
There's one writer in particular I had in mind when I wrote that. 6-7 months ago, I was getting typo-riddled submissions that meandered, and took all kinds of side roads without ever reaching a conclusion. Seeing them in the queue would literally bum me out. Now, it's odd if I have to add more than a comma or two. it's been an incredible turnaround.
That's incredible. Love hearing stuff like that.
I suppose with that kind of volume competition is going to be fierce in every niche. Tony also mentioned that there were 28,000 different tags used across posts in Feb. Might come down to really digging into tags. That's something I plan to dive into and write about
I had a nice time at the pub crawl. Tony Stubblebine stopped by my booth for a moment, and I inquired about adding "track changes" to Medium's editing features so we can do a better job. I often ask writers to submit to me on Google Docs because I can do a better job and leave longer (more polite) notes. I appreciate the opportunity to work with editors who challenge me. If I'm writing just to readers on a blog or newsletter, I don't feel I create the same quality work. Too many writers have the wrong impression of rejection. One of my top performing stories on Medium was something that was rejected for Huffpost. When you write with a certain audience in mind, you create better work. Then it's just a matter of putting that work in the best possible home. I think Medium is trending in the right direction, and yes, that's great for writers!
That's really cool that Tony showed up at your booth. Staff was doing that. One of the staff popped by Roman's booth too. (forget which, oops) A while back Ariel mentioned that Medium is planning some changes for how publications are run. For me, getting rid of the 200 character limit on those text boxes is right up at the top of the list. :)
Yes please!
Thanks for the link to Tony's speech! I wasn't able to make the Pub crawl, but am glad to hear it went well. Great point about how few articles actually get Boosted. I see a lot of people using that as a way/reason to bemoan the program, but as a writer, I see it as a challenge.
From my observer's perch, I think anyone who is hoping to be boosted should be doing the same. Tony (and Medium) have repeatedly used the term "cover story" as a high-level description of what they are looking for, and in my experience as a Booster, articles that could very well be one are the ones consistently approved for boost.
Also: link dropping w/o any context is *the worst*. That's one of my biggest pet peeves, and is a surefire way to make me never read your work.
You're very welcome. When I was watching the video I wrote the word AFFINITY in all caps on a scrap of paper to remind myself I want to talk about it. lol. In this video he switched from saying "cover story" to saying "best of the best." Used that repeatedly. And I totally agree. I see it as a challenge too. Never any harm in striving to be the best of the best.
P.S. Link dropping. lol. Right? Me too. Had a bunch dropped in my booth, too. Deleted them. Poof, gone.
Thanks for your thoughts, Linda, on the PC. I didn’t make it either, like you said, but different “life-ing” things going on in my neck of the woods.
Sorry to hear you lost someone in your family. My condolences.
I really like that whole “affinity” concept, something I hadn’t really thought about re:Medium. Similar to you, I write in a bunch of areas so thinking about affinity from pubs is extra important.
Would you say that pubs accepting Shortform, but on a wide range of topics, build affinity with readers desiring only a quick and eclectic reading experience? I’m pondering that one. The answer would be easy if the pub wanted Shortform but only ( for example)on the yoga topic.
P.S. I still plan to send you my additional thoughts on the niche need for “Shortform” 🙄 editorial services, but as you see it is taking me a bit.
On short form content... every publication gets to pick 5 topics to theme their publication around. What I'd do is check to see if their topic choices match what you're writing about. And if they don't, I'd probably opt for a publication that targets those topics as opposed to one that just targets read time.
“Some for the personal essays and maybe some because they like the way I write and don’t care what I write about.” That would be me.
Thanks Patricia, how nice of you to say that.
I knew someone who spent two hours until midnight reading people's stories on Medium and she received lots of claps in return. It seems a bit of a game--maybe a good game, maybe, in some cases, not. I would like to write somewhere where people not on Medium can read my work too and I am financially rewarded for it. Perhaps following many suggestions here and doing more research about what Medium appreciates would help. I don't quite understand the affinity concept. If you or your other commenter are creating affinity with reader who like whatever you write I say Bravo! I'm also not a one stop pony show. But I guess it means you'll get more reads if you write on a publication with affinity for your topic. That sounds like a smart idea.
I’m interested in sharing stories that would have been in Harper’s or Life magazine in the past. At the same time our world reminds me of the Renaissance period in that what was working for most people as a conceptual world view was suddenly turned on its head.
However people needing one another and the horrifying cost to simply annihilating cities in Gaza or Bucha in Ukraine will be deeper disconnection from humanity, our collective archetypes and hope.
Grandmothers weather a few losses to get to be grandmas. I want to share dialogues with other people about all of that. That’s what I crave the chance to build affinity for.
I’m one of those who reads what you write because I sense that same affinity in your words.
I can’t move forward at great speed anymore because the need for depth and gratitude for what life has taught must be reflected upon and then I listen and read trying to adapt to the changes coming.
Waxing a little philosophical here, but it’s where the light leads me - out of the shadows.
I have a fondness for waxing philosophical so you are in exactly the right place. I could while away an afternoon on that kind of conversation and a nice cappuccino. :)
I’d have to have a cup of herbal tea, no caffeine for me. But that afternoon of dialogue would be stimulating.
Well there you go. I keep that in the house too. It's what my sister drinks! lol
Maybe someday we’ll be in that same place and I’d bring some tea blends to add to your sister’s stash.
Linda, thanks so much for posting the link to Tony's talk. I was unable to make it to the event and am grateful I could listen to him tonight.
Oh you're very welcome. It's a short one, 20 mins or so not an hour like the last one, but good stuff in those 20 mins. Hope you enjoy. :)
"they like the way I write and don’t care what I write about."
Yep, that's me. whatever you write, I enjoy reading it. I think because you have a way of making your stories interesting. Quite a knack you have for it.
Linda, I'm not sure about that:
"On most sites, the algorithms exist to measure popularity. See which posts are getting engagement, show more of those. That’s not how the algorithm works at Medium. Not one bit. At Medium, the algorithm is driven by affinity."
I wrote an article two or three months ago. It was a random topic, and to be honest something I didn't think much about. People started reading and somehow, more and more people. It seems that this post was so popular that it got engagement and the more popular it was, the more it was shown and the more I was earning. It was an increasing line. So, my conclusion is that there is an algorithm that measures popularity of the article and show it more, even without a boost.