Hey friend,
Imagine this. You hit “publish” on your latest Medium story. Hours pass. Days pass. Crickets. Zero claps. Barely any views.
Sound familiar?
I’ve been there. Back in early 2025, my first few posts got maybe 20 views total. Felt like shouting into an empty room.
But then I learned the real Medium writing tips that actually move the needle.
Now? My stories regularly hit hundreds — sometimes thousands — of reads. More claps. Friend links shared. Even some earnings rolling in from the Partner Program.
Today I’m sharing everything I wish someone told me sooner.
These are fresh Medium writing tips for 2026 or how to write better on medium — straight from real practice, Medium’s own editor updates, and what top writers do right now.
Stick around. By the end, you’ll know exactly , how to write better on medium and turn your drafts into reader magnets.
Ready? Let’s dive in like we’re chatting over coffee.
Why Most New Medium Writers Struggle (And How to Fix It Quick)
Most beginners treat Medium like a normal blog. Big mistake.
Medium’s algorithm loves stories that hook fast, keep people reading, and spark claps/comments.
Low views usually come from three things:
- Weak headlines & subtitles
- Poor formatting (walls of text = instant bounce)
- No visuals or embeds
Fix these and your stats jump. I’ve seen my own bounce rate drop 40% just by using better Medium formatting tricks.
Let’s start with the foundation.
Pick a Niche That Actually Pays in 2026
Don’t write about everything. Pick one lane.
High-earning niches on Medium right now (USA/Canada focus):
- Personal finance & side hustles
- AI tools & productivity
- Mental health & self-improvement
- Tech reviews & how-tos
- Writing & blogging advice (meta, but it works!)
Why? Advertisers pay more in these areas → higher AdSense potential if you cross-post snippets to your WordPress site.
I started in “writing tips” because I love it — and it’s low competition if you add personal stories.
Pro tip: Use Medium’s Topics (up to 5 per story). Add relevant ones like “Writing”, “Productivity”, “Self Improvement”. Helps the algo push your post.
Craft Click-Worthy Titles & Subtitles Every Time
Your title is 80% of the battle.
Bad: “My Thoughts on Writing”
Good: “How I Doubled My Medium Views in 30 Days (Real Numbers)”
Rules that work in 2026:
- Use numbers: “7 Medium Formatting Tricks…”
- Promise value: “How to…” or “Best…”
- Add emotion/year: “2026”, “Secret”, “Fast”
- Keep under 60 characters for mobile
Subtitle: Expand the hook. Example: “Simple changes that turned my drafts from invisible to viral — no fancy tools needed.”
I test 3–4 title ideas before publishing. You should too.
Master the Medium Editor: Best Formatting Tricks for Beginners
Medium’s editor looks simple. But hidden power is in formatting.
Here are my favorite Medium formatting tricks that make posts look pro.
Use Headers Like a Roadmap
Highlight text → select big T (H1) or small t (H2/H3).
Readers scan. Headers guide them.
I use:
- H2 for main sections
- H3 for sub-steps
Add a Table of Contents. Manual way: Link to #[header-id] (inspect element to get ID). Or use a free Chrome extension for auto-TOC.
Bold, Italic, & Pull Quotes for Emphasis
Don’t overdo bold. Use it for key phrases.
Italic for thoughts or book titles.
Pull quotes (quote twice) grab attention mid-post. Example:
“Short paragraphs win on Medium. Every. Single. Time.”
Lists Are Your Best Friend
Bullet points. Numbered steps. Readers love them.
Like this:
- Keep sentences short
- One idea per line
- Add space between bullets
Numbered for tutorials — perfect for “how-to” posts.
Drop Caps & Block Quotes
Start a section with a drop cap (select first letter). Looks elegant.
Block quotes for long citations or stories.
Code Blocks & TK Notes
Writing tech tips? Use triple backticks for code with syntax highlight.
Stuck? Type TK (to come) as placeholder. Medium warns you before publish if any left.
Images: The Secret Weapon for More Reads
Posts with images get way more time on page.
2026 tricks:
- Drag & drop from your desktop
- Search Unsplash inside editor (free, auto-credit)
- Add alt text always — accessibility + SEO boost
- Choose focus point (hold Alt/Option, click) for better thumbnails
- Add captions with credit if not Unsplash
- Feature image: Shift + F or meatball menu. Pick high-res for social previews
I add 1 image every 300–400 words. Engagement jumps.
Want stunning stock photos? Check Shutterstock — great affiliate if you create visuals: https://submit.shutterstock.com/?rid=385839883
Embeds: Make Your Post Interactive
Paste links and Medium auto-embeds:
- YouTube videos
- Tweets/X posts
- Spotify tracks
- Other Medium stories
Edit the preview text for better fit.
This keeps readers longer — algo loves it.
Publishing Secrets That Boost Visibility
Don’t just hit publish. Do this:
- Submit to publications (apply/comment first) — huge reach boost
- Add 3–5 topics
- Share draft link for feedback (meatball menu)
- Publish unlisted first if testing
- Use friend links for paywalled stories
After publish: Pin to profile. Share on X, LinkedIn, Facebook.
Check stats at medium.com/me/stats — track referrers, reads, earnings.
How to Grow Claps, Followers & Earnings in 2026
Claps = love. More claps → more distribution.
Tips:
- End with a question or call-to-action: “What’s your top Medium trick? Clap & comment!”
- Reply to every comment — builds community
- Write consistently (1–2 posts/week)
- Join Medium’s Writing Hour on Zoom Thursdays
Partner Program: Earnings based on member reads. Focus on quality over quantity.
Want your own site to cross-promote? Hostinger is fast, cheap, and beginner-friendly. Start here: https://hostinger.com?REFERRALCODE=TAMZID99
(Great for WordPress + AdSense.)
Need short links for sharing? Try shrinkme.io: https://shrinkme.io/ref/117309961582089083533
Monetize extra traffic? Check Adsterra smartlink where relevant: https://www.effectivegatecpm.com/ah4xf60i?key=05fcdfe514bf1689915e52d4c097f045
My Real Story: From 20 Views to Hundreds
In 2025 I wrote fluffy posts. No structure.
Then I applied these best medium tips for beginners: Medium Story Ideas for Beginners: 25+ Fresh Prompts to Start Writing & Earn in 2026
- Switched to numbered lists
- Added Unsplash images
- Used strong hooks
- Submitted to pubs like “Better Humans”
First post after changes: 800+ views in a week.
Now I track everything. You can too.
You got this. Read more
Medium vs Substack 2026: Which Platform Pays Writers More (Honest Comparison)
FAQs About Writing Better on Medium
What is the best way to start writing on Medium in 2026?
Sign up free, claim your username URL, pick a niche, and write your first story with good formatting.
How do I get more views on Medium?
Use strong titles, add images/embeds, submit to publications, share on social, and write consistently.
Do Medium formatting tricks really help?
Yes! Headers, lists, pull quotes, and short paragraphs cut bounce rate and boost read time.
How can beginners earn money on Medium?
Join the Partner Program. Focus on member-engaged stories in high-CPC niches like finance or tech.
What’s the easiest Medium editor tip for new writers?
Use bold for key points, bullets for lists, and add one image per section.
Should I use Unsplash for Medium images?
Yes — free, high-quality, auto-credits. Always add alt text.
How do I create a Table of Contents on Medium?
Manual links to #header-id or use a Chrome extension for auto.
Why do my Medium posts get no claps?
Weak hook, long paragraphs, no CTA. End with questions and reply to readers.
Can I import old blog posts to Medium?
Yes — use the Import tool in the editor dropdown.
What’s the top Medium writing tip for 2026?
Write short, scannable, value-packed stories with personal stories and visuals.
There you have it, friend.
Go write that next story. Use these Medium writing tips today.
Watch your stats grow.
If this helped, clap below (imagine I’m saying it with a grin 😄).
TAMZIDUL HAQUE 🖋️Writer-
https://medium.com/@tamzidulhaque
https://writers-hive.beehiiv.com/