With my time here on Dev, I must say I have experienced different situations.
I completely agree with you on consistency. I have not been a lot consistent and that has affected my traffic from Google feeds.
Also about commenting, I really don't do it 😁. But after reading this, I made up my mind to start engaging with other articles. I basically had to force myself to comment right now. Especially for the purpose of encouraging and interacting.
Just a little tip on quality based on my experience: writing quality contents really depend on your understanding of that topic.
I remembered in my first article, I recieved a hot slap in the face to welcome me to the community. I knew about the topic, I had done a little bit of research but I didn't really understand it. But that was the last time.
When I wanted to write on Aligning elements to the center in CSS, even though I was solid in it to a great exten, I had to practice for more than a week on aligning items to the center; just to be sure I understood it. 😁
And here is another tip on traffic: Google feed/Google.com is a cheatsheet. My last two articles didn't receive any traffic from google feeds because I basically disappeared and appeared again, and so I was already tossed down from the headlines of my reader's (not DEV followers) feeds. But the last one that got traffic from google feeds generated over 45% of the traffic (out of 38k+).
And as much as I would not encourage anyone to write because of Google trends, I'd also suggest you optimize for search engines as well. Now that you have a topic, just use SEO tools to check out your competitions, keyword ideas, optimize the title, cover (as you mentioned)
My article on learning react still gets more than 100 views from google.com every week. That's crazy. Honestly, I'd say just take advantage of the domain authority of DEV.
Thanks for this awesome article. I would never have written a comment this long. Like never 😂
Accessibility First DevRel. I focus on ensuring content created, events held and company assets are as accessible as possible, for as many people as possible.
Then I believe my article has at least done some good in the world if it encouraged you to engage...and I am so glad you did as you raise some interesting points (and I learn so much more from the comments than people realise!)
The one thing I will say is the quality based on understanding...you are right, but there are things you can do.
Lets say you are just learning about flexbox and aren't so sure of yourself. Then write an article that is not claiming to be an authority piece, but instead starts with a "this is what I have learned, please correct me" type intro. You will find that the comments will fill in your gaps in knowledge very quickly (as you found out!).
The "hot slap in the face" you received (I liked that expression lol) is a good thing though and that is the other thing that is hard to consume as an author. Every single snarky comment that points out a mistake is an opportunity to learn, you just have to learn (and it is difficult) to zone out the mean or negative parts and focus on opportunities to learn! It is hard though, nobody can zone it all out! 🤣
Also there is another thing you have done in your comment that people are afraid to do because "they might appear pushy". You shared your work that is appropriate to the conversation. It isn't forced, it isn't an attempt to just grab views, it adds value! Many people are scared of doing that, don't be, any author who gets angry at someone sharing something appropriate in the comments has completely missed the point.
Thanks for the comment and I am so glad it has encouraged you to comment more, that really does warm my heart! ❤
Yeah, I totally agree with you on writing to learn more. Even someone who is very good in something can still learn from other people. I feel like everybody's understanding/experience is different and sharing makes it a perfect combo for all.
Thanks a lot for your kind words.
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With my time here on Dev, I must say I have experienced different situations.
I completely agree with you on consistency. I have not been a lot consistent and that has affected my traffic from Google feeds.
Also about commenting, I really don't do it 😁. But after reading this, I made up my mind to start engaging with other articles. I basically had to force myself to comment right now. Especially for the purpose of encouraging and interacting.
Just a little tip on quality based on my experience: writing quality contents really depend on your understanding of that topic.
I remembered in my first article, I recieved a hot slap in the face to welcome me to the community. I knew about the topic, I had done a little bit of research but I didn't really understand it. But that was the last time.
When I wanted to write on Aligning elements to the center in CSS, even though I was solid in it to a great exten, I had to practice for more than a week on aligning items to the center; just to be sure I understood it. 😁
And here is another tip on traffic: Google feed/Google.com is a cheatsheet. My last two articles didn't receive any traffic from google feeds because I basically disappeared and appeared again, and so I was already tossed down from the headlines of my reader's (not DEV followers) feeds. But the last one that got traffic from google feeds generated over 45% of the traffic (out of 38k+).
And as much as I would not encourage anyone to write because of Google trends, I'd also suggest you optimize for search engines as well. Now that you have a topic, just use SEO tools to check out your competitions, keyword ideas, optimize the title, cover (as you mentioned)
My article on learning react still gets more than 100 views from google.com every week. That's crazy. Honestly, I'd say just take advantage of the domain authority of DEV.
Thanks for this awesome article. I would never have written a comment this long. Like never 😂
Then I believe my article has at least done some good in the world if it encouraged you to engage...and I am so glad you did as you raise some interesting points (and I learn so much more from the comments than people realise!)
The one thing I will say is the quality based on understanding...you are right, but there are things you can do.
Lets say you are just learning about flexbox and aren't so sure of yourself. Then write an article that is not claiming to be an authority piece, but instead starts with a "this is what I have learned, please correct me" type intro. You will find that the comments will fill in your gaps in knowledge very quickly (as you found out!).
The "hot slap in the face" you received (I liked that expression lol) is a good thing though and that is the other thing that is hard to consume as an author. Every single snarky comment that points out a mistake is an opportunity to learn, you just have to learn (and it is difficult) to zone out the mean or negative parts and focus on opportunities to learn! It is hard though, nobody can zone it all out! 🤣
Also there is another thing you have done in your comment that people are afraid to do because "they might appear pushy". You shared your work that is appropriate to the conversation. It isn't forced, it isn't an attempt to just grab views, it adds value! Many people are scared of doing that, don't be, any author who gets angry at someone sharing something appropriate in the comments has completely missed the point.
Thanks for the comment and I am so glad it has encouraged you to comment more, that really does warm my heart! ❤
Yeah, I totally agree with you on writing to learn more. Even someone who is very good in something can still learn from other people. I feel like everybody's understanding/experience is different and sharing makes it a perfect combo for all.
Thanks a lot for your kind words.