Beware of “meta” Writers on Medium.
About the writers who write about writing on Medium.
Who are meta writers?
Meta (No not that ‘Facebook’ Meta) is more or less translates to “something about itself”.
As per modern web dictionary,
showing or suggesting an explicit awareness of itself or oneself as a member of its category: cleverly self-referential
Usually, Writers write in different niches.
If the niche is ‘writing’, if it is more specific to how he does that, then he/she is a “meta” writer.
Medium Meta Writers
If you are a writer on Medium, you can find thousands of articles on how to be successful as a writer on Medium.
Some are informational, most are opinions.
The remaining are dummy blueprints, sharing the story of their initial success at Medium — So prematurely.
There are too many writers writing about their journey on Medium, but very few qualify to advise others.
Still, most read them. Including me.
Because the title looks compulsive. There’s fear of missing out on something. So we click and open the story and find nothing new — most of the time.
There are plenty of writers at the bottom level of the pyramid.
Only a few at the top.
The Meta writers try to convert the bottom pyramid into their readers.
While the entire pyramid is supposed to be written for readers. Readers who belong to a particular niche.
Meta Writing & Money in Medium
According to the Medium Partner Program’s new eligibility criteria, every writer who is going to apply should be a member of Medium. Meaning — they pay $5/month.
If you write for those sets of audiences, you’ll get your share — even if there are plenty of articles already there.
Unfortunately, many writers are following this path now.
Why it’s unfortunate?
Because they’re not writing in what they are specialized.
They changed their niche because of better rewards.
They quit fighting to be a better writer in their expertise.
Posting their meta journey on Medium on Medium.
Plenty of others looking to read’em.
Will this trend wane?
Nope.
Every day new set of writers join Medium with the hope of making their life out of this platform.
Even if the old set loses its interest — eventually — it’ll be replaced by another set of new aspiring writers (who want to be successful or make money).
What’s wrong with writing Meta articles on Medium?
Nothing wrong with it.
My simple suggestion is, don’t jump to conclusions too early.
You need a lot — a lot — a big lot of experience in writing and that too on Medium.
Otherwise, you may look too immature in seasoned readers’/writers’ eyes.
Should I follow them?
Not necessarily.
Select very few to follow. Not the one that has too many followers, but with too many engagements and highlights.
Decision dilemma
If you read too many writer’s workflows, you’ll just end up with a workflow made of bits and pieces that’ll never work for you.
Constantly changing your writing approach — every time — after reading a meta writer’s story will just make you chase your tail.
It’s not research. It’s not even a motivation.
Reading other writer’s success stories is not a motivation for you. It is a way you quench your thrust with mirage — not water.
Searching and knowing too many things on one topic is a sign you will never do it.
The sign of successful writers is they start writing and improve later by learning.
They don’t satiate their urge for success by reading other’s success stories.
Comparison is the thief of joy
Tell me. Why do you want to know how much someone earned on Medium last month?
Why are you checking the follower counts of your peers?
Why are you estimating things for your future based on other’s metrics?
The moment you start to compare, you fail to look into your flaws. You fail to look to improve your process. Instead, you’ll look for shortcuts and tricks.
I can see too many new budding writers changing their topics/niches just because the other niche is performing well.
Money is the by-product
If you set money as your primary metric of success, then that is not coming to you.
Money generated on Medium is a sign of satisfied readers. More satisfied readers — more money.
Quality stories are the product you need to focus on.
Trust me you don’t need help
Writing is the journey of improvement and lifelong learning — just similar to any other kind of top-class intellectual job.
If you can write a decent quality article, then you’re already qualified and you know more than it requires to become a good successful writer.
Good tips will come your way — penetrating your active ignorance towards these kinds of stories.
Bragging vs pitching
There’s a difference.
Most successful writers don’t brag. Closely watch them, if they brag they will try to sell something to you in the end.
They are not bragging. They tell you how much they are qualified to help you — or teach you.
If you read 20 to 30 articles on this niche, you’ll be able to distinguish the difference between a naive writer’s bragging and a seasoned one’s pitching.
Inevitable
You are going to click some catchy titles like “How I made $300 with 1 article with this 1 simple trick” — even if you don’t want to.
We don’t want to bet skipping and ignoring the ‘trick’. We can’t ignore $300 right?
Focus more on doing it than finding tricks and shortcuts about it.
Yes, some experts can help you to be successful on Medium.
Either they’ll charge some bucks to teach you or they won’t brag about their initial tiny victories.
That’s all from me. Waiting to hear your side.
