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.
Yes! It's such a great point. Gaining confidence as a writer is so important, especially when you're first starting out. And, I feel the same way. I feel like I belong to a nice little community of writers now. 🙂🙏
I agree with this. I started writing on Medium last week and it’s giving me the confidence to post online. I tried on Twitter in the past and I always had so much anxiety around posting.
I’ve heard from successful content creators in the past that the best platform to use is the one that creates the least amount of friction for you to get started and be consistent. For me, that’s Medium.
Good writing ABOUT WRITING, Hudson. Getting exposure seems to be the best predictable pay Medium offers me. Even if I can't estimate how much cash I'll earn, I know that my "street cred" grows monthly. I won't be "Tom WHO?" forever.
Great update, Hudson. Needed to see this spelled out. I’ve been posting on Medium since 2016, and ridden all those waves of change. Your assessment resonates 100%. Hoping you’ll be seeing more of me there .. and here on Substack too .. more networking, more options .. all good!
I REALLY LOVE THIS PIECE, and AGREE WITH EVERYTHING SAID!! I HAVE ALSO SEEN SO MANY NEGATIVE COMMENTS ABOUT MEDIUM, AND I STARTED AS A NEWBIE IN 2021, and THE SCARIEST THING FOR ME TO DO, WAS TO HIT THAT “PUBLISH” BUTTON!! Lol, IT REALLY WAS!! I WAS SCARED TO DEATH, OF GETTING BARRAGED WITH HATERS, CRITISIZING MY WRITING, BUT INSTEAD, WAS MET WITH SUCH SUPPORT AND GREAT ADVICE, AND NOW I AM SO MUCH MORE CONFIDENT IN MY WRITING, BUT ALWAYS LEARNING AND WELCOME CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM!! I DID NOT START WRITING FOR MONEY!! IN FACT, I JUST SET UP MY STRIPE ACCOUNT LAST WEEK!! lol, and, OF COURSE, IT WOULD BE NICE TO GET PAID FOR MY WORK!! But I WANTED TO FEEL LIKE I HAD PUT IN THE TIME AND WORK, TO FEEL WORTHY OF BEING PAID, AND MUCH TO MY LIKING, MY FELLOW WRITERS AND FOLLOWERS, HAVE HELPED ME TO REALIZE THAT I HAVE A TALENT IN MY WRITING, and ACTUALLY MIGHT BE ABLE TO MAKE SOME PART TIME MONEY, DOING WHAT I LOVE!! YOU CANNOT ASK FOR BETTER THAN THAT!! But agree that, IF YOU ARE DOING THIS FOR STRICTLY THE MONETIZATION OF IT, YOU CAN MOST DEFINITELY, BE PREPARED FOR A LETDOWN!! So, I REALLY APPRECIATE THIS ARTICLE, FOR ITS HONESTY, AND STRAIGHTFORWARDNESS, BECAUSE ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN WRITING FOR MEDIUM, NEEDS TO KNOW THE TRUTH, AND NOT TO SEEM RUDE OR ANYTHING, but I TRY MY HARDEST TO BE A POSITIVE PERSON, AND JUST GET REALLY FRUSTRATED SOMETIMES, AT ALL THE “DEBBIE/DONNIE DOWNERS OUT THERE, WHO WANT TO COMPLAIN ABOUT MEDIUM ALL THE TIME!! WHEN, IF THEY WOULD TAKE THE SAME EFFORT THEY PUT INTO WRITING NEGATIVE COMMENTS, AND USE IT FOR POSITIVE WRITING, THEY MIGHT ACTUALLY BE SURPRISED, AT THE CASH THEY COULD MAKE ON THE SIDE!! USE THAT INTESTINAL FORTITUDE IN YOUR WRITING, and YOU MIGHT BE SURPRISED WHERE IT TAKES YOU!! GREAT READ, GOOD JOB!! HAPPY WRITING!!
That’s great to hear! And, I completely agree with you. It’s easy to focus on money, but the importance of feeling safe while doing something you love can’t be understated! 🙂🙌
This is a very informative and timely article. Medium has recently been under attack by bots randomly posting nonsense comments and low quality article. I decided to create a Substack (Generative AI Publication) newsletter to diversify.
As for the Boost program, you need to manage your expectations. Medium’s curation team has only 20% acceptance rate on average.
Before Medium made huge changes that caused the downfall of earnings, I was happily making around $2,500-$3,500 a month. Today, I'm lucky to even hit $1,000.
The only reason why I stayed on Medium is because of the networking opportunity. I have made partnership with brands and startups to promote their products and tools. This is where I make a bigger chunk of my monthly earnings.
You are right to say that writing on Medium is not a full-time job, it's an investment.
Thanks! And, I completely agree with you on all accounts — particularly regarding Boosting. I no longer focus on it and I haven’t found Boosted articles to substantially boost earnings (pardon the pun).
I think diversifying with Substack is a really smart move. 🙂🙌
This was a really informative and well written piece, I'm glad I found it. I've been writing on Medium now for about 9 months, and Substack for 2, and have been wondering what the full ordeal is with writing online. Some advocate both, some just one over the other. Seeing a proper breakdown from someone who is positive about the platform also makes a lot of difference in encouraging new writers.
I totally agree. I'm also currently looking into more strategies for earning through donations and affiliate links -- for writers who aren't eligible to join the Partner Program. I appreciate you! 🙏
I'm dedicating time to work on becoming a better writer. Reading this really brought things back into focus for me. Thank you for sharing your strategies. I appreciate it.
You make some great points here about expectation versus reality, especially in relation to earnings. I was writing on Medium for a bit over a year and the one thing I did not find it, was easy to use.
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.
Yes! It's such a great point. Gaining confidence as a writer is so important, especially when you're first starting out. And, I feel the same way. I feel like I belong to a nice little community of writers now. 🙂🙏
I agree with this. I started writing on Medium last week and it’s giving me the confidence to post online. I tried on Twitter in the past and I always had so much anxiety around posting.
I’ve heard from successful content creators in the past that the best platform to use is the one that creates the least amount of friction for you to get started and be consistent. For me, that’s Medium.
Yes! I think that’s exactly right. I’m glad Medium is allowing you to take that important first step. 🙂🙌
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. ;)
Thanks! And, I totally agree. Change is one of the only constants of life. 🙂🙌
Thanks for the mention Hudson
Of course! I always enjoy watching your Medium update videos. 🙂🙌
Good writing ABOUT WRITING, Hudson. Getting exposure seems to be the best predictable pay Medium offers me. Even if I can't estimate how much cash I'll earn, I know that my "street cred" grows monthly. I won't be "Tom WHO?" forever.
Thanks! And, haha, I totally agree. Money is important but "street cred" is criminally underrated. 😎💪
This is one of the best objective articles I've seen about Medium.
Awesome! 🙂🙏
I agree with this. It’s really helpful to hav an informational opinion on the topic 🙏🏽
Write for yourself and it will never be a waste of time…
Well said. 😎🙌
Great update, Hudson. Needed to see this spelled out. I’ve been posting on Medium since 2016, and ridden all those waves of change. Your assessment resonates 100%. Hoping you’ll be seeing more of me there .. and here on Substack too .. more networking, more options .. all good!
Thanks! Yes, I've been more active on here lately and I'm really enjoying it. 🙂🙌
A-MEN!!
I REALLY LOVE THIS PIECE, and AGREE WITH EVERYTHING SAID!! I HAVE ALSO SEEN SO MANY NEGATIVE COMMENTS ABOUT MEDIUM, AND I STARTED AS A NEWBIE IN 2021, and THE SCARIEST THING FOR ME TO DO, WAS TO HIT THAT “PUBLISH” BUTTON!! Lol, IT REALLY WAS!! I WAS SCARED TO DEATH, OF GETTING BARRAGED WITH HATERS, CRITISIZING MY WRITING, BUT INSTEAD, WAS MET WITH SUCH SUPPORT AND GREAT ADVICE, AND NOW I AM SO MUCH MORE CONFIDENT IN MY WRITING, BUT ALWAYS LEARNING AND WELCOME CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM!! I DID NOT START WRITING FOR MONEY!! IN FACT, I JUST SET UP MY STRIPE ACCOUNT LAST WEEK!! lol, and, OF COURSE, IT WOULD BE NICE TO GET PAID FOR MY WORK!! But I WANTED TO FEEL LIKE I HAD PUT IN THE TIME AND WORK, TO FEEL WORTHY OF BEING PAID, AND MUCH TO MY LIKING, MY FELLOW WRITERS AND FOLLOWERS, HAVE HELPED ME TO REALIZE THAT I HAVE A TALENT IN MY WRITING, and ACTUALLY MIGHT BE ABLE TO MAKE SOME PART TIME MONEY, DOING WHAT I LOVE!! YOU CANNOT ASK FOR BETTER THAN THAT!! But agree that, IF YOU ARE DOING THIS FOR STRICTLY THE MONETIZATION OF IT, YOU CAN MOST DEFINITELY, BE PREPARED FOR A LETDOWN!! So, I REALLY APPRECIATE THIS ARTICLE, FOR ITS HONESTY, AND STRAIGHTFORWARDNESS, BECAUSE ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN WRITING FOR MEDIUM, NEEDS TO KNOW THE TRUTH, AND NOT TO SEEM RUDE OR ANYTHING, but I TRY MY HARDEST TO BE A POSITIVE PERSON, AND JUST GET REALLY FRUSTRATED SOMETIMES, AT ALL THE “DEBBIE/DONNIE DOWNERS OUT THERE, WHO WANT TO COMPLAIN ABOUT MEDIUM ALL THE TIME!! WHEN, IF THEY WOULD TAKE THE SAME EFFORT THEY PUT INTO WRITING NEGATIVE COMMENTS, AND USE IT FOR POSITIVE WRITING, THEY MIGHT ACTUALLY BE SURPRISED, AT THE CASH THEY COULD MAKE ON THE SIDE!! USE THAT INTESTINAL FORTITUDE IN YOUR WRITING, and YOU MIGHT BE SURPRISED WHERE IT TAKES YOU!! GREAT READ, GOOD JOB!! HAPPY WRITING!!
That’s great to hear! And, I completely agree with you. It’s easy to focus on money, but the importance of feeling safe while doing something you love can’t be understated! 🙂🙌
This is a very informative and timely article. Medium has recently been under attack by bots randomly posting nonsense comments and low quality article. I decided to create a Substack (Generative AI Publication) newsletter to diversify.
As for the Boost program, you need to manage your expectations. Medium’s curation team has only 20% acceptance rate on average.
Before Medium made huge changes that caused the downfall of earnings, I was happily making around $2,500-$3,500 a month. Today, I'm lucky to even hit $1,000.
The only reason why I stayed on Medium is because of the networking opportunity. I have made partnership with brands and startups to promote their products and tools. This is where I make a bigger chunk of my monthly earnings.
You are right to say that writing on Medium is not a full-time job, it's an investment.
Thanks! And, I completely agree with you on all accounts — particularly regarding Boosting. I no longer focus on it and I haven’t found Boosted articles to substantially boost earnings (pardon the pun).
I think diversifying with Substack is a really smart move. 🙂🙌
I totally agree with your verdict on this.
😃🙌
This was a really informative and well written piece, I'm glad I found it. I've been writing on Medium now for about 9 months, and Substack for 2, and have been wondering what the full ordeal is with writing online. Some advocate both, some just one over the other. Seeing a proper breakdown from someone who is positive about the platform also makes a lot of difference in encouraging new writers.
Appreciate the insight!
Nice! That's great to hear. 🙂🙌
This is in-depth detail about Medium. Thanks for sharing.
As of now, I will continue writing because I need to practice more in public, get better.
You're welcome! And, I think that's a great way to look at Medium. Even if you're not earning a lot, the experience is extremely valuable. 🙂🙌
I am from India and medium is still not paying writers here.
But it is a great platform to learn.
Thanks hudson for your advices.
Following you on YouTube too.
I totally agree. I'm also currently looking into more strategies for earning through donations and affiliate links -- for writers who aren't eligible to join the Partner Program. I appreciate you! 🙏
I'm dedicating time to work on becoming a better writer. Reading this really brought things back into focus for me. Thank you for sharing your strategies. I appreciate it.
That's great to hear! Always feel free to ask questions as they come up. 🙂🙌
You make some great points here about expectation versus reality, especially in relation to earnings. I was writing on Medium for a bit over a year and the one thing I did not find it, was easy to use.
Thanks! And, ah, ok. That's great feedback. 🙂🙏
Thanks for the education.
You're very welcome. 🙂🙌