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Two writers that I admire, @david_perell & @Nicolascole77 have COMPLETELY different takes on where to write online (see below)
David's camp is all for building your personal blog.
Nicolas swears by the power of sites like Medium, Quora.
Who's right? I decided to investigate
David's camp is all for building your personal blog.
Nicolas swears by the power of sites like Medium, Quora.
Who's right? I decided to investigate
1/ Social Writing Platforms
I'll be honest: Medium was a lifesaver
It's where I got started, how I landed my first client, how I uncovered my voice.
Pros:
- Distribution done for you
- Powerful analytics
- Democratized (anyone can submit pieces to big pubs)
I'll be honest: Medium was a lifesaver
It's where I got started, how I landed my first client, how I uncovered my voice.
Pros:
- Distribution done for you
- Powerful analytics
- Democratized (anyone can submit pieces to big pubs)
2/ Social writing platforms are life-changing.
You're able to go from a complete nobody to gathering perceived credibility.
It's also great practice if you're new to writing online. Writing online is completely different than academic-based writing.
You're able to go from a complete nobody to gathering perceived credibility.
It's also great practice if you're new to writing online. Writing online is completely different than academic-based writing.
3/ Cons of social writing platforms?
- terrible for SEO
- difficult to "bridge" occasional passer by's into loyal patrons
- tend to mold your voice to appeal to the masses
- terrible for SEO
- difficult to "bridge" occasional passer by's into loyal patrons
- tend to mold your voice to appeal to the masses
4/ What about David's take on blogs, AKA your personal home?
This is owned by you. Your direct line to your readers. That's vital. You can still observe analytics, too.
However, isn't it true that there's an over-saturation of blogs?
This is owned by you. Your direct line to your readers. That's vital. You can still observe analytics, too.
However, isn't it true that there's an over-saturation of blogs?
5/ As @stephsmithio says, there is ALWAYS room for quality content.
Think about it like movies
We could stop making movies right now & be fine. But ppl continue making movies and we always welcome amazing new movies. Blogs are the same thing.
Think about it like movies
We could stop making movies right now & be fine. But ppl continue making movies and we always welcome amazing new movies. Blogs are the same thing.
6/ The take?
If you're BRAND new to writing online, go for social writing platforms. You'll be shocked at how little you know about writing online and your own voice.
Observe other popular online writers. Play around with your voice. LOOK AT THE DATA! What do your readers like?
If you're BRAND new to writing online, go for social writing platforms. You'll be shocked at how little you know about writing online and your own voice.
Observe other popular online writers. Play around with your voice. LOOK AT THE DATA! What do your readers like?
7/ Once you feel confident about your voice, know your niche & what your readers like, migrate over to your own blog
Don't ditch social writing completely. It's still an amazing tool
But having your own home is vital. Don't depend on a platform you don't own for your audience
Don't ditch social writing completely. It's still an amazing tool
But having your own home is vital. Don't depend on a platform you don't own for your audience
8/ TL;DR
Both David & Nicolas have a point.
Social writing is amazing if new to online writing. You learn tons. But owning your channel is critical.
My advice? Medium if brand new, then move towards a blog.
Did I miss anything? Other thoughts? Lmk
Both David & Nicolas have a point.
Social writing is amazing if new to online writing. You learn tons. But owning your channel is critical.
My advice? Medium if brand new, then move towards a blog.
Did I miss anything? Other thoughts? Lmk
