As professionals we can’t sit and think, I want new readers if we are not prepared to discover new writers.
Last week I read a comment on one of my Facebook groups that asked:
How do we increase our readership if all the groups are filled with the same people?
It is a brilliant question. Within the groups I belong, the same group of names are always there. Not that this is a bad thing as I love the writers I interact with, in these groups. But, how do we get new people to see our work, especially as Medium is not great at pushing articles forward?
Mix Up Your Posting
I try to mix up the articles that I publish on these groups. I post three times a day, so I can offer different groups, different posts. I still feel though this is not enough. As writers, we need to cultivate new readers to continue growing.
Search out, new readers.
The only way to increase our readership is to search out new writers. As professionals, we can’t sit and think I want new readers if we are not prepared to discover new writers.
Over the last couple of days, I have been actively looking for new writers to follow. The hope being, that a proportion of these will check out my work.
I use a simple system, on posts that are similar to the topics I read, I click on their fan base. This is super easy to do, tap the clap counter next to the hands and a list will appear.
I then look for writers I don’t follow. I click on their profile and save a post, would like to read. I limit myself to five a day, you can pick any number you want.
When I have five minutes I read their work and comment. Commenting is important, think of it as introducing yourself to a potential reader.
Change Your Niche
Another good way to increase your readership is to change the niche that you write about.
This is not always easy, but you should try. I am not one of the writers that think writing in a set niche gets you noticed. There should be certain niches you become known for. But don’t be frightened to experiment and try new things.
Is there a new niche, you can try and write in?
This week I have taken a tentative step into writing Haiku. My first attempt was well received.
Change Your Publications
As you change your niches, are there other publications you can write for. Publications will come with their own followers. These are a good way of introducing yourself to new readers.
I try to add a new publication to my count every couple of months. I leave it a couple of months because I like to give back to the publications that accept me. I consider it bad manners to write once and then disappearing.
Try having a search for some new publications you could write for.
My Biggest Proven Tip
This is the simplest of all. Interact with others. It’s that easy. Whether it is a writer who leaves you a comment. Or someone who claps for your article, check their profile out and read their work.
Give back to the writing community more than you take.
