Show Your Work: 10 Lessons to Supercharge Your Creativity and Success on Medium
Discover the magic behind Austin Kleon’s “Show Your Work” and learn how to apply these empowering lessons to your creative journey on Medium. With inspirational quotes and actionable tips, this article seeks to enlighten creators seeking to expand their reach and impact on the platform.
Inspirational Quotes
- “The problem with hoarding is you end up living off your reserves. Eventually, you’ll become stale. If you give away everything you have, you’re left with nothing. This forces you to look, to be aware, to replenish… Somehow, the more you give away, the more comes back to you.” — Paul Arden
- “You might think that the pleasure you get from the painting depends on its colour and its shape and its pattern. And if that’s right, it shouldn’t matter whether it’s original or forgery.” — Paul Bloom, a psychology professor
- “The trick is not caring what everybody thinks of you and just caring about what the right people think of you.” — Brian Michael Bendis
- “We don’t make movies to make money, we make money to make more movies.” — Walt Disney
Detailed Lessons for Medium Creators
Discover Your Voice by Using It
Experimentation is key to finding your niche on Medium. Try writing about various topics, adopting different styles, and using diverse formats to understand your strengths and preferences. Consistently write and share content to refine your unique voice that resonates with your audience. Analyze reader feedback and engage with your readers to better understand their preferences and tailor your content accordingly.
Maximize Your Visibility
Boost your content’s discoverability on Medium by crafting captivating headlines that pique readers’ interest, using relevant tags for better searchability, and actively engaging with the platform’s community. Share your work on social media channels, collaborate with other creators, and contribute to Medium’s publications to expand your reach. Consider optimizing your posts for search engines (SEO) and using eye-catching visuals to further enhance visibility.
Share Your Creative Journey
Provide a behind-the-scenes look into your creative process on Medium by discussing the challenges you face, the successes you achieve, and the lessons you learn. Sharing your journey humanizes your work, making it more relatable and engaging for readers. Additionally, sharing your creative process can inspire others and help foster a supportive community of creators on Medium.
Balance Consistency in Sharing and Creating
While posting regularly on Medium is crucial for maintaining visibility and reader engagement, it’s essential not to sacrifice your creative pursuits. Strive for a balance that nurtures your growth as a creator while maintaining a strong connection with your audience. Develop a content calendar to plan your posts and allocate sufficient time for ideation, creation, and promotion.
Leverage the Compound Effect
Harness the power of compound interest by consistently publishing quality content on Medium. Over time, your efforts will accumulate, resulting in exponential growth in followers, claps, and recognition. This growth will lead to greater success and opportunities on the platform. Cultivate patience and persistence, knowing that your hard work will pay off in the long run.
Connect Through Authenticity
Attract like-minded readers and fellow creators on Medium by being genuine in your writing and transparent about your passions and interests. Authenticity fosters meaningful connections and helps build a supportive community around your work. Share personal stories and anecdotes, discuss your motivations, and openly address your failures and successes.
Storytelling Matters
Elevate your Medium articles by incorporating compelling narratives, context, and personal experiences. Mastering the art of storytelling will make your work stand out and resonate deeply with your readers. To become a better storyteller, practice weaving anecdotes, emotions, and vivid imagery into your writing. Create relatable characters and use a conversational tone to engage your audience. Emphasize the “why” behind your story to make it more impactful, and don’t shy away from vulnerability when sharing your own experiences.
Share Your Expertise
Establish your authority on Medium by teaching what you know. Share your knowledge generously through informative articles, tutorials, and guides. As you help others grow, you’ll simultaneously bolster your reputation as an expert in your field. To effectively share your expertise, break down complex concepts into digestible pieces, and use analogies to make abstract ideas more accessible. Encourage reader interaction by asking questions and inviting feedback, and continually update your content to ensure it remains relevant and accurate.
Monetize Your Work Ethically
Take advantage of Medium’s Partner Program to earn money from your work. Additionally, consider charging fairly for any services or products you offer, such as workshops, coaching, or eBooks. Value your creativity and expertise while providing value to your audience. To monetize your work ethically, be transparent about your intentions and pricing structures, and avoid using deceptive tactics to lure readers. Focus on offering genuine value and benefits to your audience, and maintain a high standard of quality in everything you create.
Maintain Your Momentum
Continue to evolve as a creator on Medium by staying curious, embracing challenges, and always striving for growth. Regularly reassess your goals and objectives, learn from feedback, and stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices. Surround yourself with a supportive community of creators to exchange ideas and insights, and set achievable targets to track your progress. Celebrate your achievements and milestones, and use setbacks as opportunities to learn and improve. By maintaining your momentum, you’ll stay motivated and inspired on your creative journey.
