Reevaluating My Content: Insights from Expert Feedback on Visibility
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Recently, I sought an outside viewpoint on the limited engagement my impactful stories have been receiving. The feedback I received was truly enlightening.
I’ve noticed that despite the considerable effort I’ve invested in crafting my stories, some are not garnering the views they once did. My audience, which has grown over time, seems to be disengaged.
At first, I suspected a technical issue—similar to what happened with the mailing system last year. However, upon checking, I learned that the distribution system is functioning normally and is actively monitored, with many stories achieving substantial visibility.
Taking it upon myself to resolve this issue, I reached out to a trusted mentor known for her writing expertise and profound understanding of platform algorithms.
In this article, I aim to share the unfiltered insights provided by my mentor, a seasoned writer and educator, who generously offered her feedback to assist others facing similar hurdles.
While I’ve preserved the core of her comments, I’ve made some adjustments for clarity, as her original feedback was more casual due to our close relationship.
The comments below relate to a personal story that means a lot to me but has not attracted much attention.
Beyond the Surface: A Detailed Look at ALS Patterns from Years of Research
Reflections from my writings on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, a disease with no current cure but with some…
Moreover, I've included the revised iteration of this story at the conclusion of this article, which incorporates the insights I received. I welcome your candid opinions on both the original and updated versions as both a writer and a reader.
Request for Feedback
Dear friend, I hope you are doing well. I wanted to talk about the story titled "Beyond the Surface: A Detailed Look at ALS Patterns from Years of Research," published on ILLUMINATION-Curated, which received a nomination but did not get boosted.
Despite receiving positive feedback from readers who accessed it through direct links, the visibility on the platform has been disappointingly low.
I’m reaching out to gain your honest perspective on why my usual audience might not be seeing this story and why new readers are not discovering it organically. This piece holds significant importance to me, and I've devoted considerable energy to its creation.
Interestingly, a similar version has performed well on another platform, which adds to my confusion. I value your insights and appreciate your help in navigating this issue, given your extensive experience on this platform.
Candid Feedback from My Mentor
"Dear Dr. Yildiz, to start, many readers may hesitate to engage with a story that has a 12-minute reading time. This length appears excessive for the Medium audience. Have you noticed any stories by Tim Denning that exceed 7 minutes in your publications?
Additionally, the tone of your narrative might come off as negative, potentially disheartening readers by lacking a sense of hope concerning this condition. While your concerns are valid, I recommend framing the information in a more optimistic manner. For example, consider how Pollyanna would narrate the story—I’m exaggerating to make my point.
Furthermore, your writing contains a lot of scientific information, which, while important, might not meet the expectations of the typical Medium reader who looks for inspiring, engaging, and uplifting content.
Complex lifestyle changes, such as fasting or cold showers, may discourage readers seeking simpler, more positive health solutions. It's similar to how a child reacts when asked to skip candy before dinner.
To appeal to a broader audience, aim for concise writing that infuses positivity and hope, avoid controversial or critical stances on mainstream ideas, refrain from suggesting difficult actions, and keep your sentences and paragraphs short with straightforward language and fewer complex metaphors.
Another often-overlooked element is the significance of cover images. For instance, your story featured a rather somber expression. While it may seem trivial, uplifting visuals have markedly improved the visibility of my stories. I’ve tested this approach multiple times since 2018, and the results have been consistently positive.
I frequently recommend these strategies to my mentees and clients. They yield results, with many experiencing increased visibility for their stories. Following this guidance, some have even landed in the top five on topic pages. I’ve coached writers in health topics, and their simplified and engaging narratives resonate well with readers.
You can check out their content and simple styles for inspiration. I know you were once a top writer in health, but due to the lack of visibility for your stories, you are no longer recommended in that category.
Their success stems from enhanced reader engagement due to their straightforward style and compelling narratives, as the platform’s algorithm favors and rewards content that fosters meaningful interactions.
As you’re aware, the more readers engage with your stories, the more views they receive. If readers can’t find or read your stories, the algorithm will not promote them, assuming they lack value. This recognition and evaluation of quality content have become crucial benchmarks since August 2023.
I believe you recognize this, given the changes to your publication submission guidelines. However, you need to enhance your own stories' appeal to a wider audience with a few minor adjustments so the algorithm can start sharing them with more readers.
I appreciate the opportunity to offer feedback. Your stories, while often challenging for me to digest due to my lack of scientific background, consistently provide me with new insights, for which I am thankful as your loyal reader. I'm also grateful for having my stories published in your publications, where they consistently receive great views and engagement."
Conclusions
Based on this invaluable feedback, I revised my story and published the updated version earlier, hoping it might resonate with a broader audience since the content is close to my heart.
Here is the revised version.
A Positive Perspective on ALS After Years of Research and Experience
While this condition can present challenges, there are wonderful ways to cope with it. We need to stay optimistic and…
If you are a writer, I would love to hear about your experiences and how you managed similar situations.
If you are a reader, I would appreciate knowing which version of my story you prefer and your reasons. I am open to honest feedback.
Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts. Wishing you a healthy and joyful life.
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