Chapter 1: Getting Started with Programming Articles

In the summer of 2019, I embarked on a journey to write about programming and data science. My primary goal was to blend my two passions: writing and data science. Additionally, I viewed this as a fantastic chance to expand my knowledge and transition my career toward this field, which was quite different from my previous work in the automotive sector. Although some tools I used then proved beneficial later in my data science endeavors, many others were ones I only encountered through blogs and online courses. Establishing a blog presented an opportunity for deeper learning, so I decided to give it a shot.

Next, I’ll share several tips that could assist you in advancing your writing career in programming and data science, based on my experiences over the past few years. Let’s dive in!

By Yourself: Focus on Passion, Not Just Followers

One of my key recommendations for aspiring writers is to establish a personal blog. Instead of fixating on follower counts, prioritize crafting content that reflects your true interests. I’ll later address which types of articles resonate most with readers, but remember, your writing should stem from what you love. For instance, I enjoy creating exploratory analyses using public datasets and interactive visualizations. I often select familiar cities and topics I'm eager to explore. Even though these articles might not always garner the most attention, they contribute to my personal brand, which I cherish.

When you write about what excites you, you’ll produce quality content that, over time, is more likely to attract readers. While the topic may not appeal to everyone, those who do engage will appreciate the effort you put into it. Ultimately, this practice will help you cultivate a valuable blog and a distinctive personal brand.

Enhance Learning: Integrate Code in Your Articles

Readers of programming articles typically possess a certain level of technical expertise and are keen to learn more. Therefore, including guiding explanations alongside the code used to achieve results greatly enhances the learning experience.

For displaying code in my articles, I prefer using GitHub Gist. In my view, it’s the most aesthetically pleasing method, as it formats the code similarly to how it appears on GitHub or in development environments.

For more on implementing code in your articles, check out this quick guide on incorporating interactive visualizations.

Incorporating Interactive Visualizations in Your Article

Visualizations play a crucial role in data science projects, and mastering this skill is essential. Medium allows not only static visualizations but also interactive ones created using libraries like Plotly.

The following article provides guidance on embedding an interactive visualization made with Plotly into your writing. Be sure to take a look!

Efficient Information Structuring

A well-organized article is vital, not just for programming content but for any writing on Medium or other platforms. Create titles that succinctly summarize your article's subject, supplemented by a subtitle for clarity. Begin with a brief introduction, paired with an image sourced from free-access platforms like Unsplash. Lastly, don’t forget to wrap up your article with a concise summary—an excellent way to conclude!

Non-Native English Speakers: Aim for Quality, Don’t Stress

Many Medium writers are non-native English speakers, so don't fret over occasional spelling, grammar, or phrasing errors. However, strive to produce the highest quality possible. Tools like Grammarly can help correct mistakes as you write, and DeepL is useful for translations. I recommend incorporating these tools into your writing process. Recently, large language models integrated into platforms like ChatGPT can assist in correcting grammar and spelling errors in your text.

Understanding Your Audience and Current Trends

The fields of artificial intelligence, programming, and data science are constantly evolving. Thus, it’s crucial that your articles remain current. Topics that were once relevant, such as detailed explanations of specific Python functions, may now be outdated due to tools like ChatGPT that provide instant answers. Instead, focus on writing about emerging technologies like cloud computing and large language models.

Aim to craft articles that showcase a complete journey. For example, consider writing about solving a data science problem from exploratory analysis to production, or visualizing insights from exploratory data analyses. Steer clear of articles that merely answer questions ChatGPT can resolve in seconds. Instead, highlight your thought process from a defined problem to a final solution.

Articles that tackle broad topics tend to resonate better with readers than those that delve into niche subjects. For instance, creating a regression model with public data and deploying it in production is more appealing than analyzing the demographics of a specific city or detailing a specific feature in Power BI.

Maximizing Impact: Choosing the Right Time and Place to Publish

Most reading occurs during weekdays, making this the ideal time to publish your articles. Avoid weekends, as engagement tends to drop, and refrain from publishing on Fridays when people are shifting into weekend mode. Remember, the majority of your readership will occur shortly after publication and then taper off. Timing your release can significantly affect your article's visibility.

Additionally, if you aim to reach a broader audience—which I assume you do—consider submitting your article to a well-established publication. This can enhance your visibility and connect you with a wider readership.

Thoroughly Review Your Article Before Publication

You might be eager to publish and share your work, but it’s essential to take a moment to review it with fresh eyes. Step back, read through your article from beginning to end, and let it shine!

These are some insights I’d like to share based on my experiences over the years. Cultivating a unique style in your writing, focusing on topics you enjoy, structuring your content effectively, and supplementing your articles with code and interactive visualizations will help you create high-quality pieces. And remember, consistency is crucial—mastery comes with practice!

Thanks for reading!

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