3 Tips to Boost Your Curation Odds on Medium

Photo by Jonathan Petersson on Unsplash

Ah curation — I remember the feeling when I first got curated. It felt like a reassurance that I was actually doing something right here on Medium.

I can’t imagine that was only 3 months ago, which was when I first started writing on Medium.

If I’m not mistaken, here’s my first ever article that got curated. It was under the publication P.S. I Love You:

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My first month writing on Medium, my curation rate is 70%+, I’m bad at Math and rounding off is the best I can do. Okay?

To be honest, I think there’s a newbie bias when it comes to curation — to hook new writers in the program, but this is just a hunch and it’s not like I’m complaining.

After my first month writing here, curation isn’t that much of a big deal to me. Sure, it can get you a few more reads here and there but nothing too significant that I can’t get through other means:

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But now there’s a new MPP earning metrics in town, and getting our writings out there, in my mind, was doubled in importance.

Getting curated can bring a dead article back to life, and that’s what I’m personally aiming for, and I think you should too if you’re in this to get a few bucks.

Here are 3 tips to boost your curation odds on Medium:

1. E-mail your friends

Obviously, not your actual friends. Although, be a dear and check on your actual friends here and there.

I’m talking about e-mailing Medium — it’s yourfriends@medium.com

I used to get the “The volume is too high and this is therefore not checked for curation.” — Okay, I completely butchered that, but you know what I mean.

My curation galore started when I e-mailed them about it. I didn’t get any response, even the automated one but I’m guessing my e-mail had something to do with them checking my articles.

If you’re in curation jail: the state wherein no writing piece of yours has been curated in a long time, try e-mailing them too.

I’m annoying AF, and cracked a couple of curation from this. Don’t believe me? Here’s our exchange (You can also use this as a guide if you want to):

I think it’s better to be more specific to save you and our friends on Medium some time because here’s their response:

Of course, I definitely took advantage of them actually replying:

If you’re confident in your work, don’t be afraid to let them know that it’s worth a second look. If I sound a little arrogant, it’s because I’m self-assured.

Here’s their response after that:

Yup, my annoying ass got vindicated. I know some people are too good to e-mail them, I saw one writer posts that it’s like begging — I disagree.

It’s talking to other human beings like a mature adult. If they pass on it again, then okay. If not, then it worked out all right.

2. Headlines

The title of your writing pieces is the first thing a curator, or anyone for that matter, sees.

It’s extremely important to have a title that you, yourself, would click on. I’m not saying make a click-bait title, although, usually my articles would have a click-baity tone to it; just make sure, the body of work holds true to your title.

I find my articles don’t get curated if I have super vague headlines. Be alluring and a little specific when it comes to your titles. Don’t give too much away though, a little mystery is captivating.

3. Medium partnered publications

There are Medium in-house publications like Forge and Human Parts but there are also Medium partnered publications.

Now, this one I know for a fact that it’s true from experience and from what the ravens told me.

You could get higher curation chances if your article is published through these partnered publications. A couple I know is P.S. I Love You and Better Marketing.

I’m pretty sure I’m missing one or two more. If you want the full scoop, you can ask on our Facebook community. I’m sure they’ll be helpful.

There’s a list here for the Medium groups on Facebook:

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In the end, Medium curation is still a mystery to everyone. I doubt one person here knows all the answers to it, but we definitely could pick up a few pieces of the puzzle.

If you’re looking for ways to get more views on your pieces, here’s a more concise article about it:

Where to Promote Your Writing Pieces on Medium (2019)

Keep writing and listen to Ellen DeGeneres — Be kind to one another!

Credits to GIPHY