Chapter 1: The Writer's Dilemma

We all know the feeling. You might think that by reading just one more article on how to monetize your writing on platforms like Medium, you'll finally uncover the secret to success. But here’s the truth: there is no magic formula.

Writers need to write. You can convince yourself that you’re conducting valuable market research, but in reality, you’re likely just procrastinating. Until you commit words to paper and share them with others, you’re not truly engaging in the writing process—you’re merely consuming content.

While reading is undeniably crucial for writers and should be part of your routine, it isn’t the sole focus. Yes, it ranks among the top seven activities every writer should prioritize, but it’s not the most vital one.

Allocate specific time for reading and research, and be disciplined about it. Focus on reputable sources—voices that have proven reliable over time. I may have been away for a while, but I’ve accumulated plenty of relevant insights that can help you. Additionally, I highly recommend checking out Sinem Günel and Ayodeji Awosika. Their enduring presence and valuable advice are worth your attention.

However, it’s crucial to move beyond reading and delve into the seven actionable practices. If I wanted to make this more sensational, I could claim that the third practice is the most crucial. You probably already know what that is: writers write.

Yet, it’s essential not to overlook any of the practices. Ideally, engage in one or more of them daily. You can tackle them all in one day, split them over two days, or, if time is tight, focus on one each day. The benefit of working through all seven daily is that it fosters a continuous flow of content ideas. You can choose to apply each step to a different article, which I believe is more effective.

Section 1.1: Research with Purpose

Research should go beyond random articles. Concentrate on topics relevant to your writing goals. Keep a list of ideas handy—I prefer using Notion because it allows me to easily transform these ideas into full articles. Regardless of your method, just make sure to document them; your memory won’t suffice.

Remember, you won’t retain every idea. As Oppenheimer famously said, “What was that thing I was going to build?” and you know how that turned out.

Limit your research to the topics on your list. Expand each idea into detailed segments, and keep track of your sources for potential citations. During your daily research time, select the article that resonates most and focus solely on that piece.

Section 1.2: Outline or Summarize

Depending on the article, you might choose to outline or summarize your thoughts. A piece like this one benefits from a structured outline, while others may require just a brief summary. This can be a free-flowing method, allowing for quick notes linked to your research.

Why not dive right into writing? While that’s an option, if you’re like me, your ideas might outpace your typing. Capture them in an organized manner before they slip away. Ideally, outline the article you researched the previous day and let it marinate overnight. Jot down notes as they arise, but don’t let them derail your other tasks.

Section 1.3: Write

This is the big one. Some may argue it’s the only step that matters, but your writing will improve significantly if it’s part of a structured process. Rather than trying to write everything in one sitting, approach your writing gradually.

Begin by reviewing your outline or summary. Then write freely—don’t stop for proofreading or spell-checking. If it helps, use your outline to guide your writing, but I prefer starting with a blank page and letting my thoughts flow. If you’ve done your research and outlined effectively, this should come naturally.

Section 1.4: Proof

This stage is best tackled when your mind is fatigued. It’s a mechanical process focused on identifying errors. Use tools like Grammarly or ProWritingAid to assist you, but remember to read along and make adjustments as necessary. You’re merely correcting typos, punctuation, and grammatical mistakes at this point.

Section 1.5: Polish

Now comes the refinement. Read through each word and sentence. Does everything make sense? Is the flow coherent? This step requires a keen eye—no software can do this for you. Take your time and enhance the article to the best of your ability.

Section 1.6: Polish It Again

You may be tempted to combine the proofing and polishing phases, but I assure you, separating them yields better results. On your next project, try proofreading one day and polishing the next. You’ll likely catch mistakes you missed previously. By the time you’re ready to publish, you should have reviewed your work several times.

Section 1.7: Publish

Publishing is the final step, and while it may seem intimidating, it doesn’t have to be. One last read-through is essential, along with finalizing your images, headers, and formatting. This is the moment you hit that all-important publish button, marking your point of no return.

Here’s the key: if this is the seventh step, the hard work is already behind you. You initiated this project a week ago, carefully nurturing it along the way. Now it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

It may be tempting to write an entire article in one go, and while I’ve done that before, the pieces that emerge from this structured approach tend to be more enduring. They continue to be read long after they’re published.

So, close your browser and get to work.

But if you find yourself needing more reading material, consider these:

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