A Roadmap to Academic Content Creation for Beginners
The journey to becoming a content creator in the academic sphere can be a transformative experience. It opens doors to sharing knowledge, connecting with peers, and building a reputable profile. If you're new to the world of academic content creation, fret not; I have a step-by-step guide that can help you get started. Let's embark on this exciting adventure.
Step 1: Setting the Stage
Your journey begins by creating a platform for your thoughts. Establish a presence on platforms like Substack or Medium. Choose topics you're passionate about or knowledgeable about and start writing articles of 500-1000 words. These platforms are your canvas; don't be daunted by the blank page. This is the first step to improving your writing skills.
https://medium.com/@sumedh.rasal
Step 2: Share Your Work
Don't keep your creations to yourself. Share your Substack or Medium articles with your connections on LinkedIn, Twitter, or any platform you're comfortable with. Embrace feedback, whether praise or critique. Every interaction helps you articulate your thoughts more succinctly.
Step 3: Google Scholar Profile
If you haven't already, create a Google Scholar profile. For those with previous publications, add them to your profile. It's your academic online home, where the world can find your scholarly work.
https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=Pq4jQkwAAAAJ
Step 4: The Fresh Start
If you haven't published anything before, don't worry. Your Google Scholar profile might be empty for now, but that's about to change.
Step 5: Reviewer's Insight
Reviewing others' work is an excellent way to gain insight into academic writing. Register as a volunteer reviewer on Elsevier (https://www.elsevier.com/reviewers), even if they expect prior journal publications. We have a workaround for this.
Step 6: arXiv - Your Gateway
Enter arXiv (pronounced "Archive") at https://arxiv.org. You only need a college or company email ID to create your profile. Pick a topic you're passionate about and read recent articles in that area. This is where you'll find your template for academic writing. Study the structure, and the limitations section, and find a way to contribute something novel.
Step 7: Just Start Writing
Once you have a clear vision, don't hesitate – start writing. Your first draft might be far from perfect, but it's better than a blank page. Use the template you discovered in Step 6 to fill in the sections. Seek feedback from friends and colleagues. Even if they don't respond, you've achieved something incredible.
Step 8: Submission and Patience
Submit your article to arXiv and await moderation. In a few days, your work will be published on the internet. Celebrate this achievement; you have made a significant step.
https://arxiv.org/pdf/2310.09755
Step 9: Unexpected Surprises
Two weeks after publication, you'll notice your article linked to your Google Scholar profile. And here's the delightful twist – publications might reach out to you. If you find their work aligns with your interests, you can submit your article to them. Some publications charge fees for review; others do it for free. Choose what suits you.
In the end, whether your work is accepted or not, you've ventured into the world of academic content creation. The goal was never just publication; it was the journey of growth and learning. Continue steps 6-9, and success is inevitable.
I've personally traversed this path with remarkable success, and I genuinely hope my readers find similar triumph in their academic research endeavors.
Happy creating!