Overexerting Yourself

My writing resonates with readers because it’s straightforward.

I convey practical ideas using simple language. As a non-native speaker, I might find it challenging to compete with native English writers. Fortunately, most online readers aren’t searching for elaborate language; they seek engaging and useful narratives.

Instead of attempting to impress, focus on being succinct.

Value your readers' time by articulating your ideas clearly and briefly. Use only as many words as necessary, avoiding filler that doesn’t add to your message.

Most readers prefer concise information presented in an entertaining manner rather than lengthy, convoluted paragraphs.

Neglecting Your Audience

If your aim is to monetize, your writing should center around your readers, not yourself.

A lack of understanding regarding your target audience and the purpose of your writing will likely hinder your ability to stand out and deliver long-term value.

Despite the vast potential for audience and income growth through online writing, the landscape is saturated and noisy.

With millions of pieces of content published daily and countless creators vying for attention, you must be willing to do what others won’t: go the extra mile to produce stories that your audience genuinely desires and needs.

Many writers fear losing potential readers by narrowing their focus. In reality, it’s broad, generic content that risks alienating your audience.

People prefer to follow those who are knowledgeable and create tailored content to meet their needs.

When you understand your audience and the problems you’re addressing, you can craft relevant, valuable, and distinctive stories.

Overlooking the Details

Writing online involves more than just stringing words together; it’s about delivering a positive reading experience.

You don’t want to just produce stories that are logical, inspiring, or informative; you also want your content to be visually appealing and shareable.

In the rush to publish, many writers skip essential formatting elements. However, how your story is presented can be just as important as the content itself.

Ensure you use proper subheadings, engaging images, and create visually appealing narratives.

If I open a story only to face an intimidating block of text, I may lose interest before even starting.

Sometimes, seemingly minor details can make a significant difference.

Neglecting the Crucial Editing Stage

I lack formal education or professional writing experience, and I’m not a native speaker.

When I first began writing online, my work was less than stellar.

Yet here I am, reaching millions and teaching beginners the craft.

I still wouldn’t label myself a naturally gifted writer; rather, I have learned how to transform a rough draft into a polished, engaging piece through diligent editing.

Many novice writers think their job is complete once a draft is finished. In reality, that’s just the beginning of the most critical phase.

A thorough editing process ensures your narrative flows seamlessly and is coherent.

Don’t hesitate to eliminate unnecessary sentences and rework sections that fall flat.

Investing additional time in editing can elevate your work from “just written” to “worth reading.”

Utilize tools like Grammarly or the Hemingway Editor to enhance your editing process.

Reading your article aloud can help identify confusing phrases.

Seek honest feedback from peers, friends, or family.

Though proofreading and editing may not be enjoyable, they are as vital as the writing process itself.

Lacking a System for Idea Generation

In my coaching experience with thousands of writers, a prevalent issue among participants in my Medium Writing Academy is their uncertainty about what to write.

Another aspect of this error is writing whatever comes to mind.

Successful writers typically have a structured method for generating and organizing ideas.

Instead of beginning your writing sessions by pondering what to write, establish a system that generates ideas for you.

I began using a Trello Board to catalog my content ideas four years ago, resulting in a comprehensive list of potential stories.

Separating your idea generation and research time from your writing time allows for more effective writing sessions.

Develop a system that enables you to easily capture ideas or snippets of inspiration. Ideally, this system should be digital for easy access across devices.

For me, this means maintaining a Trello board that syncs across all my gadgets, but there are many other tools available.

Promoting Your Work to the Wrong Audience

Do you want to know how many beginners squander significant time that could be spent crafting compelling stories?

By sharing their links in writer-centric communities, such as Facebook groups.

Let me clarify: these writing communities are fantastic. They can make the journey more enjoyable and rewarding.

However, using these spaces to promote your work is futile unless your content is beneficial to other writers.

Too often, writers simply copy and paste their links, hoping for a few clicks or claps, which often yield little value.

Gaining a handful of extra clicks or exchanging applause is not the goal.

If you’re serious about pursuing writing as a career and cultivating a devoted audience, you need to target readers who genuinely care about your work.

If your audience is first-time mothers, promote your content to them, not other writers.

If you’re addressing middle-aged men dealing with weight loss, seek out where they congregate and share your work there.

Avoid accumulating “fake” clicks and applause that don’t contribute to your growth.

Failing to Establish a Sustainable Foundation

Writing is merely half of the equation.

To cultivate an audience and income online, you must anticipate future needs and undertake some uncomfortable steps.

The most vital action is to create an email newsletter for your readers.

With a newsletter, you can forge deeper connections, share updates, solicit feedback, develop (paid) offerings, and ultimately monetize your audience.

An email list is an excellent opportunity to engage with readers and showcase your human side.

You don’t want your efforts to become a one-sided conversation. Instead, interact, respond to comments, and foster community — all of which are easier when you can reach out to readers via email.

Successful online writers are those who become comfortable with marketing, even if it’s not their favorite task.

If you aspire to write professionally, avoid relying solely on external monetization avenues like Medium's Partner Program.

Consider these as bonuses, and strive to build a writing business that can thrive independently, even if platforms or monetization options disappear.

Inconsistency in Your Presence

Building a loyal audience and a steady income online revolves around establishing trust.

And trust is nurtured through consistency.

If you only engage when you feel inclined, developing a devoted audience and reliable income will be challenging.

This doesn’t mean you need to publish daily, but rather establish a consistent schedule that aligns with your capabilities.

I faced failure for the first 1.5 years of my journey due to a lack of direction and only writing when I had spare time.

Once I committed to writing full-time, I began producing content daily. This approach accelerated my learning, honed my skills, and provided data for informed decision-making.

After achieving my desired outcomes, I was able to reduce my output. Now, I typically publish 5–10 articles monthly.

Your Stories May Not Be as Captivating as You Believe

When we create something, such as a blog post, we often become emotionally attached. We are aware of the effort and time invested, leading us to believe it deserves attention, irrespective of its quality.

Unfortunately, this isn't how the creator economy operates.

The time and energy spent on a story do not guarantee its success.

The online space is saturated, with millions vying for attention.

To distinguish yourself, you must produce something innovative, superior, or distinct.

You needn't overhaul everything, but you cannot expect a generic piece to draw readers if it lacks novelty or excitement.

Therefore, inject your unique perspective, delve into intriguing facts and statistics, and strive to be actionable or more empathetic than others.

Remember, mere information isn’t sufficient. Most readers desire infotainment — a blend of learning and entertainment.

Additionally, many of us are busy, consuming content on the go. When we encounter a story, we expect immediate value and insights. If not, we’ll simply move on to the next option.

Concluding Thoughts

Writing is a perpetual journey of growth and learning.

When I revisit articles I published months or years ago, I often spot numerous errors or areas for enhancement.

Yet, avoiding mistakes doesn’t equate to striving for perfection.

It’s about ensuring we invest our time wisely rather than producing content that goes unnoticed. Steering clear of the aforementioned mistakes is an excellent starting point.

Happy writing!

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