As a new writer, it can be disheartening to put your heart and soul into crafting articles only to find that no one is reading them. However, there is one simple, yet effective strategy you can employ to gain exposure and build an audience even when you’re just starting out.
I know your default place to park all your articles is your blog site or website. The only problem with this is that your website has very low internet traffic. That being said, besides writing on your own blog or website, consider leveraging what they called as Off-Page Search Engine Optimisation or Off-Page SEO. It is a strategy where you regularly place your articles on other people’s websites.
How?
The trick is simple. And no, it doesn’t involve guest blogging. This method is easier than guest blogging, guaranteed. Let me share with you how I do it.
So, here goes. Since I write between three to four articles per week, I will allocate one article each week to be placed on content-sharing platforms such as Medium, 300th or a combination of these.
In my case, I don’t have my own blog or website. Soon, I guess. So, I am using Medium as my primary place to park all my articles. But weekly, there is going to be one article I’m allocating for others too. All I have to do is to create an account there and upload that article week-in-week-out. Done. Why am I doing this? It is because all these content-sharing platforms offer several advantages for writers like us, some cool stuff—as in, access to existing traffic, the potential for growing millions of subscribers, and the opportunity to earn a decent income from your content.
And I don’t have to have a presence on all of them. I just need to choose one or two which give me the most benefits.
What is a content-sharing platform?
Brilliant content creators especially writers use content-sharing platforms to do two things:
- Bring the platform’s existing traffic back to their own blogs or websites.
- Take advantage of the platform’s existing features to grow subscribers and make their content easily indexable to be searchable on search engines.
A content-sharing platform is an online place where users can upload and share various types of content, making it accessible to a wide audience. These platforms are primarily driven by user-generated content, allowing those users to showcase their creativity, skills, or knowledge. One of the most well-known examples of a content-sharing platform is YouTube. On YouTube, creators can upload videos, grow their own channels, acquire followers and subscribers, and even earn money through advertising revenue and sponsorships.
The beauty of content-sharing platforms lies in their ability to tap into existing internet traffic. By publishing their work on these platforms, users can easily reach a vast already-available audience that is actively seeking new and interesting content. This is particularly beneficial for aspiring creators who may struggle to attract attention or build an audience on their own. Content-sharing platforms provide a ready-made community of users who are eager to discover fresh content and support emerging talent.
The process of uploading or publishing content on these platforms is relatively simple and user-friendly. If you are not into videos, as a writer you can easily upload your articles on Medium, 300th or LinkedIn. These platforms often provide tools and features to enhance the visibility and discoverability of the content. Search engines usually index content on these platforms better than an individual’s blog or website. This empowers writers to share their work without the need for complex technical knowledge or expensive resources.
In addition to exposure and reach, content-sharing platforms also offer opportunities for creators to monetise their efforts. Minus LinkedIn, the rest of the platforms I mentioned earlier, through advertising partnerships, sponsored content, or direct support from their audience, creators can earn money from their articles. This financial aspect has turned content creation into a viable career path for many individuals, attracting a growing number of aspiring creators to these platforms.
Access to existing traffic
One of the significant advantages of writing on content-sharing platforms is the readily available traffic. These platforms have established communities of readers who are actively seeking interesting and engaging content. As a new writer, tapping into this existing pool of readers can help you overcome the initial struggle of attracting an audience.
Medium, for instance, is a popular content-sharing platform that boasts millions of users. By publishing your articles on Medium, you can take advantage of its vast reader base and increase the chances of your work being discovered. Additionally, Medium’s algorithm recommends articles to users based on their interests and reading history, providing further opportunities for exposure.
300th on the other hand is another platform offering similar benefits. But the traffic here isn’t there yet because I think it is new. While 300th is primarily focused on Asian-based content and readerships, LinkedIn caters to a global audience. Both platforms provide opportunities to showcase your writing to a pre-existing user base, maximising your chances of gaining traction and attracting readers.
Grow subscribers
Subscribers play a crucial role in building a loyal audience for your writing. Unlike mere followers, subscribers actively opt to receive updates from you and show a genuine interest in your content. Content-sharing platforms offer features that allow you to grow your subscriber base effectively.
On Medium, readers can follow specific writers, ensuring that they receive notifications whenever new articles are published. By consistently delivering valuable content, you can engage readers and encourage them to become subscribers. Furthermore, Medium’s built-in social features allow readers to highlight and comment on your articles, fostering discussions and community engagement.
300th also offers similar mechanisms for attracting subscribers. 300th, with its focus on the Asian market, provides a platform for writers to connect with Asian readers who are eager to explore more in-depth regional-based quality content. LinkedIn, on the other hand, offers social networking capabilities, publishing long-form content and a newsletter-based model, allowing writers to directly communicate with their followers, connections and/or subscribers via the platform.
Earn a decent income regularly
Writing can be a passion, but it can also become a source of income. Content-sharing platforms offer opportunities for new writers to monetise their work and earn a decent income.
Medium, for instance, operates a Partner Program that enables writers to earn money based on the engagement their articles receive. By participating in the program, writers can potentially earn revenue through Medium’s membership and subscription model. The more subscribers and readers engage with your content, the higher your chances of generating income.
Similarly, 300th provides monetisation options for writers too. 300th allows writers to earn money through its earning program model. LinkedIn however doesn’t offer any monetisation feature but the users are free to monetise their LinkedIn presence through sponsored content, services such as influencer’s fee and private advisory. These platforms empower new writers to take control of their own earnings, making it an attractive prospect for those looking to turn their passion for writing into a viable source of income.
To recap
For new writers seeking exposure, engagement, and potential earnings, leveraging content-sharing platforms like Medium, 300th and LinkedIn can be a game-changer. These platforms provide access to existing traffic, allowing your articles to reach a wider audience from the start. They also offer features for growing a subscriber base, ensuring that your work reaches readers who are genuinely interested in your content. Moreover, these platforms provide opportunities for earning a decent income, giving you the motivation and resources to continue pursuing your writing aspirations.
So, to all new writers out there, don’t be disheartened if no one is reading your articles on your personal blog or website. Take advantage of the existing infrastructure and community on content-sharing platforms to amplify your reach, engage with readers, and potentially earn income.
Go ahead, use your active presence on these content-sharing platforms to bring traffic back to your own blog or website. Do this consistently, and you will see your own blog or website will start to attract better traffic than before.
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