Becoming a Medium Editor: Four Effective Pathways Explained
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Chapter 1: Exploring Opportunities to Edit on Medium
Many aspiring writers are curious about how to become editors on Medium. This interest often stems from a desire to support indie publications, improve their own writing skills, and learn from the experiences of others. Additionally, becoming a Boost nommer can be a lucrative opportunity, allowing individuals to nominate high-quality stories for Boosts and potentially earn up to $900 monthly.
If you’re thinking, "I want to be an editor!" then this guide is for you. Here are four effective methods to achieve that goal.
Section 1.1: Launch Your Own Publication
One straightforward way to become an editor is by starting your own Medium publication. In doing so, you automatically take on the role of an editor without any gatekeepers. Your publication can showcase your own work or accept submissions from others.
For example, I established "Online Writing & Blogging Made Easy." Before you create your own publication, it’s wise to check if your desired topic is already being addressed. In my case, I noticed several publications focused on "blogging" and "online writing," but I wanted to carve out my own niche.
Section 1.2: Join an Existing Publication
Another route is to approach your favorite Medium publication. By following their submission guidelines and demonstrating your qualifications, you can express your interest in joining their editorial team. Several of my students successfully secured editorial positions in publications that didn’t seem to be actively hiring.
Subsection 1.2.1: Invitations to Edit
If you excel as a writer, there's a chance that existing editors might invite you to join them. Your responsibilities could include:
- Screening submissions
- Adding new writers
- Light editing
- Moderating Discord groups
- Running a podcast or YouTube channel
- Writing a newsletter
For instance, Nancy Peckenham from Crow's Feet recruits editors through direct invitations or her newsletter, while Robert Ralph with New Writers Welcome has a team of editors who each take turns managing submissions.
Section 1.3: Rare Invitations from Medium
Though it’s uncommon, there are instances where Medium itself invites someone to launch a publication. Tom Smith is one such example; he was approached to become a nommer and subsequently created his publication, "The Generator," which focuses on AI.
Takeaways
In summary, there are four primary avenues to become an editor on Medium. Choose the path that resonates with you, and once you’ve established yourself as an editor, you can apply to become a nommer to help discover hidden talents on the platform.
Explore how to expand your audience and income by leveraging Medium writing in 2024 through this insightful video.
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