How to Grow Your Followers and Engagement Organically

The technique I utilize revolves around taking full responsibility for the success or failure of my articles; I never attribute the quality of my work to the publications. This perspective may seem unusual, but it's important for a valid reason.

Recently, I participated in a Medium webinar with thirty other individuals, where the discussion included a publication I frequently use, which boasts a substantial following. Out of respect for that publication, I won’t disclose its name, but one participant shared that they had written what they considered "the best article" they had ever created.

They dedicated over three weeks to crafting this piece, and prior to submitting it, they sought feedback from friends and family, who all praised it as exceptional.

Despite not having read the article, it’s easy to predict what happened next. Once published, it didn’t perform well, receiving minimal claps and comments, and ultimately generated little income. The author criticized the publication for the lackluster performance, citing that all her supporters had deemed it fantastic. However, I feel she may have overestimated its value.

Had I been in her shoes, I would have verified its alignment with the publication's audience, sought guidance from an editor, and allowed more time to gauge its success. In essence, I would have held myself accountable. I might have asked fellow writers for constructive feedback before hitting publish, as friends and family tend to provide unwavering support, which can mislead one into thinking an article is better than it truly is.

Section 1.1: Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone

This month, I’ve also attempted to write about topics outside my usual areas of expertise, aiming to determine whether my audience is drawn to my identity as a writer or the subjects I tackle.

Medium vs. YouTube: The Journey Ahead

Venturing into these new areas is crucial, as sticking to the same methods typically yields the same outcomes. I believe that’s a reasonable assertion. Another initiative I plan to undertake is enrolling in an online course, which will unfold over 6–8 weeks. Therefore, I don’t anticipate immediate results, but stay tuned for updates.

Investing in my personal development is invaluable. I possess the commitment but occasionally struggle with energy levels—a different story altogether! I often find myself stretched too thin and receive frequent reminders about it.

As for the results of these changes, they may take time to materialize. This month has been particularly challenging for me, with all my metrics declining. I’ll share these statistics, as I always do, at the start of next month.