My Medium Journey: Insights and Growth in 2023
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Chapter 1: Starting My Writing Journey
On July 18, 2020, I took the plunge and published my very first article. The motivation behind my decision to write is a bit hazy—whether it stemmed from passion or a desire to showcase my expertise to potential employers, I'm not entirely sure.
Since that initial post, I've shared 25 articles on Medium, with a few drafts still awaiting completion. My writing consistency improved significantly in late 2023 after reading The Art and Business of Online Writing, which inspired me to concentrate more on my craft.
Although I'm still evolving and honing my writing abilities, I find that overcoming these challenges makes the experience all the more thrilling.
Why I Write
Writing enables me to assist others by sharing what I know while pushing me beyond my comfort zone. Each new piece presents its own unique challenge. At times, the fear of judgment from peers and readers makes me contemplate giving up and returning to familiar territory. However, I always muster the courage to hit the publish button.
My most intricate article thus far has been on Advanced Project Structuring in Python, which took me several days to complete. The statistics for this article are impressive:
- 171 claps
- 1 response
- 632 views
- 397 reads
- $13.29 in earnings for December
I was pleasantly surprised by these numbers, especially considering this article is my longest at a 15-minute read time. The most rewarding aspect of writing this piece was the depth of knowledge I gained during the process. The more challenging the subject, the more research I had to conduct to ensure quality content.
I plan to continue addressing complex topics to support others while learning and growing in the process.
Chapter 2: Observing My Medium Growth
As with anything, consistency breeds growth, and I've certainly witnessed this trend recently. After committing to writing once or twice a week, I've seen gradual, steady growth in my profile.
November 2023 was a pivotal month for me, as my profile began to take shape:
- 6.4K views
- 3.9K reads
- +50 followers
- $57.91 in earnings
To my astonishment, these results led me to purchase more books and delve deeper into Python topics to maintain my momentum. Yet, I've learned that growth is rarely linear; it has its ups and downs.
The Reality of Performance
Initially, I assumed my next article would surpass the previous one in performance, but I quickly came to terms with the fact that not every piece will meet my expectations. This realization is part of the writing journey—some articles excel while others fall short. Ultimately, each experience contributes to my knowledge and enhances my writing skills.
Last Articles of 2023 — December Insights
As December began, I aimed to sustain the momentum I'd built in November. I managed to publish a few more articles, though finding time to write during my vacation has been challenging.
Despite this, I completed pieces such as "Automated Project Documentation — Python." I discovered that older articles can continue to gain traction over time. For example, my piece on Structuring Python Projects received more engagement this month than it did when first published in October:
- 1K views
- 604 reads
- 554 claps (overall)
- $18.8 in earnings
I noticed an increase in my audience as well, surpassing last month's growth with +51 followers.
My Growth Strategy
My strategy for growth is quite straightforward. I enjoy writing about Python, and I believe my readers appreciate that focus:
- Write one to two articles weekly, depending on complexity.
- Include interesting content infused with personal and professional experiences.
- Explain concepts in a way I would find engaging.
- Submit articles to reputable publications like Python In Plain English.
- Share my articles on the Python Community page on LinkedIn.
I do utilize some tools to assist with my writing:
- ChatGPT serves as my brainstorming partner, helping me generate and refine ideas.
- Grammarly aids in checking spelling and grammar.
- I also lean heavily on books and Python Enhancement Proposals (PEPs).
Conclusion
I'm thankful for every follower and reader who engages with my work. I intend to keep sharing my insights through weekly writing. While monetary rewards are nice, my primary motivation lies in the fulfillment I feel when I publish a piece, knowing I am contributing positively to the world.
For those who love writing but are hesitant to start, my advice is simple: just begin typing whatever comes to mind. Every draft is a worthwhile starting point, and you'll improve over time. Don't pressure yourself to create complex content to prove your worth; sometimes, the simplest articles resonate the most.
I welcome any questions or constructive feedback, so feel free to reach out and share your thoughts below.
Lastly, wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 🏂