1. Title and Cover Image Matter More Than Content

While the quality of your content is undeniably important, it often takes a backseat to the power of an engaging title and cover image. These elements are crucial in capturing a reader's attention. Consider the following scenarios:

• Good title/image + good content: Success!
• Good title/image + poor content: This is essentially clickbait.
• Poor title/image + good content: What’s the point if nobody clicks?
• Poor title/image + poor content: Time to reassess your approach.

In my opinion, having an appealing title and cover image combined with subpar content is more beneficial than the reverse scenario.

2. The Popularity of Listicles

Assuming your content provides value, listicles tend to resonate well with readers. Examples include:

• X things I never knew about Y
• X things I wish I had learned earlier about Y
• X levels of doing Y

My own listicle articles have generally performed well, and this very article is a prime example.

3. The Unpredictability of Success

One striking observation from my writing history is the unpredictability of article performance. Articles I anticipated would succeed often fell flat, while those I considered mediocre gained unexpected traction.

You could invest significant time and effort into a piece, only to see minimal returns, while a quick write-up could yield substantial rewards. The lesson? Embrace experimentation and be prepared to move on if something doesn’t work out.

4. Avoiding Walls of Text

Long, dense paragraphs, which I term "walls of text," are off-putting to readers. For me, a wall of text is a paragraph that exceeds five lines. When I encounter one, my instinct is to skim for keywords rather than engage with the content. This can lead to a quick exit from the article.

Keep paragraphs concise to maintain reader interest.

5. Engaging Readers with Challenges

Sometimes, I write articles that pose challenges to my readers, such as:

• "Most of you can't solve X."
• "You’re proficient at X if you can answer these seven questions."

While this approach may provoke some readers, it can also foster engagement.

6. The Allure of Correction

Errors in articles often lead to swift feedback from readers. Typos or inaccuracies may prompt comments pointing out mistakes, which I appreciate and rectify promptly.

If your goal is to boost engagement, consider intentionally incorporating minor errors—though this isn’t strictly advisable.

7. Emotional Appeal in Writing

Emotional titles and content tend to resonate more deeply with readers. For instance, titles that evoke strong feelings can attract clicks. Be prepared for passionate responses, both positive and negative.

8. Simplicity is Key

While I pride myself on a decent vocabulary, using overly complex words can alienate readers. Opt for straightforward language to ensure accessibility.

9. Iteration Over Originality

It’s perfectly acceptable to revisit similar topics across different articles. This can be viewed as refining and improving your previous work. Most readers won’t track every detail of your writing history.

10. Passion Fuels Productivity

My enthusiasm for Python programming drives my writing. Without that passion, I doubt I could have produced over 700 articles in three years.