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05 · Article playbook: 8 article types that work for makers

Rule one: the article must be worth reading if your product didn't exist. Medium doesn't distribute content marketing and suspends accounts that post mainly to drive traffic to a product (facts). Your product earns its place as one honest option, a short disclosed line at the end, and your bio.

The 8 types

# Type Title pattern Product mention Best for
1 How-to / tutorial "How to {{do X}} in {{tool/OS}} (without {{pain}})" One step can use your tool, next to a free/manual way Dev tools, Mac apps, extensions
2 Fix a specific problem "{{Error / annoyance}}: why it happens and 3 ways to fix it" Option 3 of 3, disclosed Mac apps, extensions, plugins
3 Honest comparison "{{A}} vs {{B}} vs {{C}} for {{use}}: what I'd pick" One row in the table, disclosed; say where it loses Any product with known rivals
4 Build story with real numbers "I built {{product}} in {{time}}. Here's what {{N}} users taught me" It's the subject, but the lessons are the value; real numbers only SaaS, AI tools, indie makers
5 Lesson / opinion "{{Common advice}} is wrong for {{audience}}" Bio only Building followers
6 Deep dive on how it works "How {{technology}} actually works, explained with code" "I used this in {{product}}" at the end Dev tools, AI products
7 Checklist / reference "The {{N}}-point checklist I use before {{task}}" One item, or a link to a free template Templates, B2B tools
8 Case study "How {{a real user}} cut {{task}} from {{A}} to {{B}}" Central, but only with the user's permission and real data B2B, SaaS

Types 1–3 bring readers from search for years. Type 4 and 5 bring followers. Start with 1–3.

Shape of one article

  1. Title: the reader's problem or result, specific. Subtitle: who it's for + what they'll get.
  2. First 3 lines: the problem in their words, and the promise. No "In today's fast-paced world".
  3. Body: short sections with headings, real steps, screenshots or code you made, numbers you measured. 5–10 minutes of reading is a good default for tutorials.
  4. Product, at most once in the body, as one option among others, with "I make this" in the same sentence.
  5. Last paragraph: one sentence on who you are and one link with UTM: ?utm_source=medium&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=<article-slug>.
  6. Topics: up to 5, specific first (e.g. macOS, Productivity, Mac, Apple, Software).

Product mention test (all must be yes)

  • The article is useful with the product line deleted.
  • The mention answers what the article is about, not a different problem.
  • You say it's yours, in the same sentence.
  • There's a free or manual alternative in the article too.
  • It's one mention in the body, plus the last paragraph. Not five.

AI and images

  • Write it yourself. AI outlining and grammar checks are fine; a mostly-AI article can't be paywalled and gets less distribution (facts). If AI helped substantially, say so near the top.
  • Use your own screenshots; caption any AI image as AI. Never present an AI image as a real user or a real result.

Paywall or free?

Choose When
Paywalled (Partner Program) You want Medium income and the article's main goal is reach inside Medium. Share it with a Friend Link on X, Reddit and email so non-members can read
Free The article is your product's best tutorial and you'll link it from your README, docs and emails. Every visitor should read it to the end