So, here's the truth about writing on Medium...
My final verdict
I’ve been writing on Medium since 2019.
And, for as long as I can remember, I’ve seen waves of online conjecture about Medium’s future:
In 2020, many popular writers left the platform after seeing a decrease in earnings — with many returning the following year.
In 2022, my homepage was plastered with stories declaring Medium to “be dead” when Ev Williams stepped down as CEO.
And, like clockwork, the beginning of 2024 has sparked questions about Medium’s trajectory.
So, I want to take a few minutes to outline:
What Medium is (and isn’t)
What you can expect from the platform
How to best utilize it to reach your writing goals
Let’s get into it…
Is Medium dead?
January is a month of momentum.
As the clock ticks to midnight, we start thinking about how to make this year the best year ever.
So, naturally, last month, I received tons of messages from writers interested in starting their Medium journey. Many of whom, felt confused after seeing videos/articles bashing the platform. Or, complaining about its recent changes.
So, for starters, no. Medium is alive and well.
But, it’s also changed. And, it’s not what it once was.
From what I’ve observed, the negativity surrounding Medium comes mainly from existing Medium writers who are finding it difficult to accept its new direction.
Because, here’s the truth…
Medium has only been around since 2012. And, pay for writers peaked in the mid-to-late 2010s. After a directional change in 2020, earnings have been steadily decreasing.
But, just because something was once better, doesn’t mean it’s not still valuable.
Although, I understand writers feeling let down after seeing their earnings drop, to be honest, I never experienced the Medium boom. And, have only seen my earnings increase as I’ve grown on the platform.
For me, it’s a positive contrast of reality vs. expectations.
Sure, it must have been great to earn thousands each month writing the same quality articles you see today. But, my only comparison has been to freelancing — where I sold my soul for a fraction of what I make each month, on Medium.
Today, I earn an average of $500-$1,000+ per month writing 1-2 weekly articles.
Although it’s not a full-time income, it’s helped me steer clear of a 9-5 for the past 2 years. And, after talking to more writers, it seems as though this is the most effective way to write on Medium.
Here’s why Medium may (or may not) be right for you…
Is Medium still worth it?
I often relate Medium to YouTube — as, it pretty much is the YouTube of writing.
And, just like Medium, YouTube has recently gone through a series of directional changes, sparking endless videos on “Why I’m leaving YouTube…”
And, while many will quit and never return… many will come back.
Like clockwork.
In 2020, when Medium began its directional changes, many of its top writers left the platform.
But, many came back.
Because another truth is… well, Medium is awesome.
I recently had a Zoom call with one of Medium’s OG writers, Matt Lillywhite, who left Medium in 2020. Admitting he “made a mistake”, he returned to Medium only to have his best month ever the following year.
There’s no other platform where writers can sign up, start writing, and get paid as quickly and easily as on Medium. And, while Medium may no longer be a place to earn a full-time living, it has many benefits.
Aside from being a low-effort side income, Medium has helped me:
Network
Build my portfolio
Develop as a writer
All of which, have allowed me to quit my 9-5 and sustain my lifestyle for 2 years and counting.
This is because Medium is no longer a job — it’s an investment…
What Medium (actually) is.
Since mid-2023, I’ve been bouncing around a theory about what Medium wants to become.
And, last week, it was finally confirmed.
In a recent interview with Zulie Rane, Medium’s CEO, Tony Stubblebine, broke down the state of Medium. And, one quote stood out to me, in particular:
“The people who make the most money on Medium all get paid a second way… writing creates new opportunities. And, almost always those new opportunities pay more than the writing itself.”
This is true in almost any artistic field:
Musicians make more from live events than they do from streams of their music.
Podcasters make the majority of their income through brand deals and merch sales.
And, as Tony mentions in the interview, authors like Stephen King often make more from their novels being adapted into movies than book sales.
Medium is no longer a job — it’s an investment.
Today, it seems clear that Medium is no longer a place to create a full-time income. But, it opens the door to one.
Personally, Medium started as my first income stream. And today, it’s grown into a total of 7:
Aside from helping me overcome the beginner’s hurdle of calling myself a writer, Medium has helped me connect with other writers. And, learn from their experiences.
There’s only so much you can learn from online research. And, unfortunately, purchasing online courses can be a risky endeavour.
The reality of Medium, in 2024, is two-fold:
#1. It’s not a place to earn a full-time income
#2. It’s the best place to start your writing career
If you’re serious about writing and would like to make a living doing it, I believe Medium is the best place to do so.
Here’s why:
You have access to millions of monthly readers without having to sell ads or write for SEO
The membership fee is incredibly inexpensive when compared to the cost of hosting your own blog
It’s simple, easy, and you get paid… just to write
With that said, even the best writers on Medium struggle to earn a full-time living. Here’s how they’re actually making money…
How writers are actually earning a living.
As is the case with any public upheaval, there are layers of opinions you must wade through to discover your own.
And, during the recent Medium changes of 2023, what stood out to me most was how many top writers pivoted their businesses. Many writers with large followings began writing about business and/or promoting other channels:
Coaching
Newsletters
Online courses
.. the list goes on.
At the time, I thought maybe they were simply getting bored of their usual content and wanted to speak to a new audience.
But, in retrospect, they were adapting to our current reality…
How writers are earning full-time incomes
Zulie Rane & Sinem Gunel have teamed up to offer Medium training. As well as becoming editors for one of Medium’s biggest publications, Better Marketing.
Matt Lilllywhite offers personalized Medium coaching. If you’re interested in maximizing your Medium earnings, reach out to Matt at mattlillywhite20@gmail.com. Tell him Hudson sent you and you’ll receive some special incentives. 🎁💸
Tim Denning started a Substack in addition to his online course, freelance work, and everything else he does.
And, many more writers have joined Medium’s Boost Nominator program, which pays a fixed monthly rate of up to $900 per month. If you own a publication, you can apply, here.
How much smaller writers are earning
If you’re subscribed to my YouTube channel, you know I’m very transparent about my earnings.
And, you may also know that I’ve recently reduced my schedule to posting once per week. This is, in part, due to my new outlook on how Medium should be used.
Since this change, here’s how much I’ve been earning:
And, being that more information is generally better, I found similar results from other writers with less than 10K followers.
James Julian recently revealed his earnings on his YouTube channel. He currently has 8.5K followers on Medium and posts almost every day.
Cameron Scott also revealed his earnings on his YouTube channel. Cameron’s earnings (seen below) are reflective of an average of 2 articles per month. Currently, he has 5.5K followers on Medium.
If you’re still at the beginning phase of your writing journey, don’t panic. Followers don’t determine your earnings. And, I’ve seen many writers earn hundreds in their first month.
From my YouTube channel:
The more I look into the business models of Medium writers, one theme is continually reinforced. Medium is a home — a great foundation.
But, to furnish it lavishly, you must branch out and explore new income streams.
My final verdict.
I hope this post helps you understand some of the recent buzz surrounding Medium’s future.
To summarize:
Medium is not a place to generate a full-time income
It’s a home for writing — but you’ll need additional income streams
Medium has many benefits including exposure, ease of use, and its aesthetic
Before you go…
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That’s it from me.
Talk soon! 🙋♂️
— Hudson
Agree Medium is a place for networking and branching out. If i did not write on medium, i do not think i would have had the confidence to write anywhere else, and of course I would not have met you! You inspire me to push and be better, and your clear analysis of what is happening in the writing world always is refreshing.
well said Hudson and well synthesized. I’ve grown weary of the complaining about Medium (or [enter platform here] bashing).
Change is a constant in the universe. As learned by Napster, Blockbuster, and others. We change, platforms change. Adapt. ;)