How to Grow Your Following as a Writer

Writing is a powerful tool to share your thoughts, ideas, and perspectives with the world. However, getting your work in front of the right audience can be a challenge. In this blog post, we’ll explore some strategies to help you grow your following as a writer.

Quality is Key

Quality content is the foundation of a successful writing career. Medium values quality content and readers do too. Make sure that your writing meets a high editorial standard. It should be well-written, easy to follow, free of errors, appropriately sourced, narratively strong, and compelling.

Your writing should also add value for the reader. Share new insights or perspectives, offer an original take on a familiar issue, stir emotions and/or thinking, provide meaningful advice, enrich a reader’s understanding of the topic, and make it feel like time well spent.

Write for the reader, make a connection with the reader, and aim to be complete and concise. Your writing should be polished and finished, and it should hold up to scrutiny. Be honest in your writing, and aim to provide a good reading experience by properly formatting for the web/mobile, having a clear and relevant headline, and using proper paragraphs, spacing, styling, section breaks, and quotes.

When it comes to imagery, use them to enhance your story and make it more engaging, but make sure that it is relevant and appropriate to the story. Avoid using images that could be considered offensive or that could distract from the story.

Build Your Online Presence

The internet is a vast and powerful tool that can help you reach a global audience. Building an online presence for your writing can help you grow your following and connect with readers.

Start by creating a website or blog for your writing. This will give you a platform to showcase your work and provide a point of contact for readers. Make sure to include a bio, a list of your published work, and a way for readers to contact you.

Social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, can also be great ways to connect with readers and promote your work. Use them to share your writing, engage with readers, and build a community around your work. Share your writing process, behind the scenes, and your thoughts on relevant topics. Make sure to use appropriate hashtags to make it easier for people to find your content.

Networking with other writers and influencers in your genre can also help you grow your following. Reach out to other writers, participate in online writing communities, and attend writing events to connect with other writers and industry professionals. Collaborating with other writers can also help you gain exposure and reach a new audience.

Publish on Reputable Platforms

Another key to growing your following as a writer is to publish your work on reputable platforms. Medium, for example, is a platform that values quality content and can help you reach a wider audience. Other platforms like WordPress, Blogger, and LinkedIn are also great places to share your work.

When you publish on reputable platforms, your work is more likely to be seen by a larger audience, and you’ll have the opportunity to connect with other writers and readers. Take the time to research and find the right platforms for your writing.

Consistency is the key

Consistency is crucial when it comes to growing your following as a writer. Set a schedule for yourself and stick to it. This will help you build a routine and establish a regular readership.

It’s also important to be consistent in the type of content you produce. If you want to be known as an expert in a specific topic, make sure that the majority of your writing is focused on that topic. This will help you attract readers who are interested in that specific subject and increase your chances of building a loyal following.

Engage with your readers

Engaging with your readers is another important aspect of growing your following as a writer. Respond to comments, questions, and feedback on your work. This shows that you value your readers and care about their opinions.

You can also ask your readers for feedback on your work. This will not only help you improve your writing but also give you an idea of what your readers are interested in.

Promote your work

Promotion is an essential part of growing your following as a writer. Share your work on your social media platforms, your website, and on other platforms. Use email marketing to keep in touch with your readers and let them know about your new work.

You can also use paid promotion to reach a larger audience. Platforms like Facebook and Twitter offer paid promotion options that can help you reach a larger audience and grow your following.

Conclusion

Growing your following as a writer takes time and effort, but by focusing on quality, building an online presence, networking with other writers, publishing on reputable platforms, being consistent, engaging with your readers, and promoting your work, you can increase your visibility and connect with more readers. Remember, the most important thing is to keep writing, and to keep putting your work out there. With persistence and hard work, you can grow your following and achieve your writing goals.