Chapter 1: Exploring the Vocal Platform

As I continued to contribute articles on Medium, I ventured into a similar platform known as Vocal.

In April, I signed up for a free account on Vocal but hesitated to publish any content initially. I wanted to familiarize myself with how the platform operated and how to effectively write for it. For a while, I sifted through various articles to grasp the essence of the content and writing style prevalent on Vocal.

I had previously read on Medium that authors often reused their content from Medium on Vocal. However, I found that the types of articles differed significantly from my experiences on Medium, leaning towards genres I was not particularly comfortable with. Additionally, Vocal only allowed submissions in English, which meant I couldn't publish my work written in my native language. After some contemplation, I decided to translate my articles into English, selecting those I believed would resonate with Vocal's audience.

Through this exploration, I learned about the publishing process on Vocal. Unlike Medium, where publishing is as simple as clicking a button, Vocal requires that articles undergo an automated review. I assumed this was a measure against plagiarism and artificial intelligence-generated content. Following a brief 1-2 minute check, if the article meets the platform's standards, it gets published under the chosen category.

I successfully published my first four articles, but faced a setback with my fifth. It received a warning for artificial intelligence and/or spam content. I had never allowed AI to dictate my writing, only using it for minor spelling corrections and translation assistance. Nonetheless, this warning was disheartening. Vocal merely moved the article to drafts without any explanation of the issue. Despite my attempts to revise and resubmit it, I was met with failure.

Writing holds significant importance for me, and this challenge was quite disheartening, which led me to reconsider my relationship with the platform. However, I remained determined to find a way to share my work on Vocal.

One day, as I browsed articles to alleviate my boredom, I stumbled upon a striking image accompanied by a brief text: "A Tiny Haiku." The simplicity of the words struck me, and I noticed that this concise format garnered more engagement than longer, more complex articles.

Before my grandfather passed away, I used to read him my review articles on speculative fiction. He once remarked, "You write beautifully, but why do you only write about others' works? Why not create your own?" I yearned to do so but struggled to find the right outlet for my creative expression. Despite experimenting with various methods, including meditation and Reiki, I couldn’t quite break through my creative block. (Perhaps I’ll delve deeper into this in another article.)

Seeing that haiku reignited my desire to try something new. I wrote "Remote Retreat," marking a delightful beginning for me. After submitting it, I was thrilled to see it published immediately on Vocal.

Gaining followers on Vocal proved challenging, or perhaps I simply hadn’t fully grasped the formula. My initial focus was on navigating the publication process rather than seeking reactions. Writing "Remote Retreat" was a joy, and I quickly understood why poetry brought me such happiness—it felt like engaging in a playful mathematical puzzle with numerous enjoyable patterns.

I continued writing poems such as "Diamonds" and experimented with acrostics. Surprisingly, the pressure to find topics dissipated. I found inspiration in the simplest thoughts, like writing an ode to Thor on a Thursday.

Vocal compensates authors based on readership, but the payout is minimal compared to Medium. Given the difficulty of building a follower base, I didn’t expect to see significant earnings in my Vocal Wallet. Nonetheless, as I published a new poem daily and occasionally translated my older articles, I gradually amassed a following of ten individuals.

This group of creative writers consistently engaged with my articles and shared an average of 3-4 poems or stories daily. Their work inspired new styles and ideas in my mind, prompting me to take bolder steps in my writing. For instance, I penned a metaphor-laden fairy tale that I am currently hesitant to publish. Writing poetry became increasingly enjoyable and accessible.

I successfully had 20 articles accepted on Vocal. While I relished the joy of writing, a notification from my phone caught my attention. It indicated that $10 had been deposited into my Vocal Wallet. I was puzzled about the source of this money, especially since I had just 18 cents left.

After some exploration, I discovered that there is a weekly leaderboard, and my haiku "Remote Retreat" had secured second place for garnering the most reactions among newcomers.

Although the $10 itself is inconsequential, the success I achieved in a genre I was trying for the first time filled me with happiness. That night, I excitedly shared my writing journey with those around me, explaining how I crafted the poem and why it resonated with readers.

Reiki and meditation had guided me toward awareness, but Vocal’s challenges truly helped me overcome my writing obstacles. In the past, I might have shrugged off such setbacks, but this time, I experienced a profound realization where every element came together, paving the way to my creative breakthrough. It felt as if the dormant writer within me was awakening…

With love :)

Chapter 2: Insights from Vocal Experience

Here is a video titled Songwriting for the Voice | ASCAP Experience, which explores how to craft songs specifically for vocalists. This video may provide valuable insights for aspiring songwriters and content creators.

Additionally, this video titled Writing on Vocal Media for 30 Days Part 1: Is it Worth the Effort? dives into the experiences and challenges of writing consistently on Vocal, offering reflections on the platform's unique aspects.