When You're Consistent It's As If The Stars Aligned For You
I can't help but feel #blessed with all the things that I'm doing right. How about we start investing in you?
Hi friends,
What a week I’ve had! A lot of positive things, a lot of lessons, and overall success — let’s dive in!
A Look Into Medium Stats
As per my last update, my daily views record was 187, and I was averaging 28 views per day. Since then, I haven’t really changed anything in my approach, I just kept doing more of the same.
I’ve had 1,100 new views since last week, my fans doubled, and my daily record is now at 230 views, on November 11. Ever since then, I’ve made an effort to keep my views above 100 every day — and my daily average has jumped to 64 views per day.
I know a lot of people will say views aren’t a measurement for success in Medium because views for responses are also considered in this graph. So what? Visibility is still visibility.
And speaking of visibility, I finally managed to write an article that ranks #1 in Google with several keywords, and with one, in particular, my article is the featured snipped — go me!
This is something I’ve been trying to achieve for the past 2 weeks, and it feels nice to finally succeed. I’d be rude if I didn’t mention I couldn’t have done it without the help of Alex Tucker.
We Need More Than Fans, We Need Support, Too
I met Alex in one of the many Facebook Groups for Medium writers, and he immediately offered to help me and give me tips. I’ve seen him get the coveted featured snipped with more than one article, and the fact that I managed to do it, just shows how good he is at what he does. Go check him out, he’ll be happy to help you!
I would also like to call out Genevieve Santos, who I met through one of my articles. Genevieve is building such a fantastic and supportive community, and I highly encourage you to check out her publication, SAFESPACE.
Genevieve and I write about very different topics but having someone you can talk to who understands what you’re going through is more valuable than getting 100 new fans.
Remember, you can’t do this alone, so if you don’t have a good support system in place, you’re not setting yourself up for success. If you don’t know anyone, just join a Facebook Group — you can join mine, Solopreneuring Like a Boss.
Solopreneuring Like a Boss, the Community
Now, I have to be honest — I’ve received a lot of value from these Facebook Groups we’re all a part of; I know most of you know me from there. However, at times, I feel like there are too much negativity and jealousy, and people are misguided by self-proclaimed experts.
It’s for that reason I’ve decided to launch a community today. Today is the day I’m able to say, in all honesty, that I’m able to help you. I know what is working well for me, and I know how to replicate it. I know how to help you get to where I am — which isn’t that further away from a lot of you, truth be told.
Today was the day I looked back at the “5-step plan” I claimed would get me to earn $100 in November, and I was able to say “these steps work, here’s the proof." As arrogant as it may sound, I never felt prouder of myself.
I’ve always been known as the guy that has a million ideas, starts a thousand projects, and abandons all of them. Not today. Today I can prove to you discipline leads to results, and so does consistency.
So if you’re into giving and receiving value, and being a part of a community of people who truly support each other, rather than just ask for claps, join us right here.
My Thoughts on Medium Today vs Medium Last Year
There are many reasons why I wasn’t successful last year: I had no focus and I was writing about anything and everything; I didn’t have a community I could turn to; I didn’t understand the power of owning my publication; and so on.
But mostly, I never felt like I fit in with the 2018 Medium community. It felt too much like a popularity contest, everyone was trying to outdo everyone. There were all these crazy tactics to grab people’s attention, and everyone was throwing everything at their stories.
Medium felt loud and chaotic, it felt like it was run by the popular kids' group.
Now, it feels more like an inclusive community, everyone has a chance to succeed — all you have to do is deliver quality content. I believe that’s only fair to ask of us, writers, right?
Two impactful changes have contributed to this: Medium Curation and Medium Partner Program’s recent changes.
Medium Curation
As the overachiever I am, I’ve always looked for recognition in every job I’ve had. Working without any sort of metrics has always led to demotivation and disinterest down the line.
Now I have a goal and a reward: if I make an effort to improve my writing, I will be recognized for it; now I have something to keep me going.
Medium Partner Program’s Changes
I know a lot of people were skeptical, but when I looked at my stats from last year one thing was clear: my views were far more than my fans. It seemed only logical to me I’d be more successful under the new model.
And guess what? I was right. In the first 4 days after the change, from 28 to 31 November, I earned $1.75. It wasn’t an earth-shattering amount but it was enough to get me excited. Especially when you have into account last year, after an entire month of writing, I earned $1.13.
Maybe for some of you, it’s the opposite and you were doing better with the previous model. I know this is the reality for many writers. That just means you need to adapt; if you were successful before, you can do it again.
Whatever your struggle is, whether or not I wrote about it, please know you can always reach me with any questions you have. I’ve been faced with so many situations in my life where there was no one I could turn to but myself — I know the struggle, and you’re truly not alone. Instead of giving up, just ask for help.
Weekly Analysis and Knowledge Sharing
Other than the 5-step plan, there are a number of other things I’ve been doing this month: sending a weekly newsletter, sending a letter to my publication’s followers every 5 days, reaching out to the people and companies I mention in my articles.
To be entirely honest, so far this newsletter hasn’t led to any clicks. Most of you enjoy my email but don’t really click on any links I give you. That’s okay, I’m not shaming anyone!
My point is, if you have an email list (which you should), don’t get discouraged if no one clicks on your links. I mostly feel happy when I see that you opened and read it — it means you value what I have to say, and I truly appreciate that!
Sending letters is a bit different, even though they function in a very similar way. Since the letters are actually published on Medium, these usually bring in new views and visitors whenever I send a new one.
A tactic I’ve been experimenting with, and it has been giving me good results, is to give a shoutout to my newest followers — this is a win-win situation for both parties. Just be careful not to do it in an obvious, spammy way.
Lastly, I reached out to Fiona Monga, who works with Partnerships at Substack, and sent her my guide to Substack. She loved it and said she’d share it with the rest of the team!
I can’t take credit for this one, though, as I was only following Neil Patel’s advice — you’d be doing yourself a favor if you read it, too.
Now, onto the numbers:
If You’re a Solopreneur, Here’s How to Start Your Email List Today in Better Marketing
I believe this is the closest I’ve gotten to a viral article. It was initially curated in Marketing, and one day later in Freelancing. When it was curated in Freelancing, its popularity exploded!
Date: 10 Nov / Total views: 445 / Read ratio: 45% / Lifetime earnings: $12.31I Bought My First Facebook Ad. Here’s What Happened in Solopreneuring Like a Boss
I expected this article to do a lot better than it did. It never had a chance to be curated because I speak about promoting Medium articles, though.
Date: 11 Nov / Total views: 47 / Read ratio: 45% / Lifetime earnings: $0.92Why I Always Give 50 Claps and You Should, Too in Solopreneuring Like a Boss
This was more of an opinion piece rather than providing value to anyone. I was trying to convince people to be kind, mostly. Didn’t do so well, as expected. Curiously, it has earned almost as much as the previous article with half the views.
Date: 13 Nov / Total views: 21 / Read ratio: 67% / Lifetime earnings: $0.75I Refused to Grow an Email List, Just Like You. Here’s What I Learned in Live Your Life On Purpose
Originally, I submitted to The Writing Cooperative, but they felt it didn’t fit in with their guidelines — don’t all writers need to have an email list, though? After that, I submitted it to a different publication and it was curated in Marketing.
Date: 14 Nov / Total views: 99 / Read ratio: 46% / Lifetime earnings: $2.63How to Use Spreadsheets to Track Your Performance on Medium in Solopreneuring Like a Boss
Another article that didn’t perform as I expected. The purpose of this article was to give away a free resource to my readers, and to grow my email list — that’s how some of you ended up here. Nonetheless, I expected a bit more enthusiasm over my beautiful spreadsheet! If you don’t have it yet, download it here.
Date: 15 Nov / Total views: 26 / Read ratio: 35% / Lifetime earnings: $0.44How to Start a Newsletter on Substack in Better Marketing
I decide to do this one after a response I received on Medium. A reader thanked me for my Comprehensive Guide to Medium Publications which helped me realize how much I enjoy making guides, and how good I am at it. I’ve been waiting since last night for Medium curators to process it, and I’m hoping to be curated in Marketing — fingers crossed!
Date: 15 Nov / Total views: 40 / Read ratio: 58% / Lifetime earnings: $0.64Road to $100: Did I Hit $50 Yet? in Solopreneuring Like a Boss
This one was published just a few hours ago so there isn’t that much data yet. Nonetheless, I expected this article to do quite well — and it hasn’t disappointed me so far.
Date: 16 Nov / Total views: 48 / Read ratio: 38% / Lifetime earnings: N/A
Top 3 Best-Performing Articles Based on Earnings:
$12.31: If You’re a Solopreneur, Here’s How to Start Your Email List Today
$5.73: I’m Going to Earn $100 in November and You Can, Too! Follow These 5 Steps
I hope you find this useful. There’s so much more I wanted to tell you, but if I don’t stop now, I’ll write a newsletter way too long for anyone to read. As always, feel free to reply if you have any questions, or suggestions on how to make this newsletter more useful for you.
Have a great weekend, and I'll be back next week ✌️
— Mauro