I often come across individuals expressing dissatisfaction with the recent updates on Medium. Admittedly, these headlines pique my interest. Yet, instead of the usual curiosity, I find myself smirking—ah, here comes another newcomer.

# The Absence of a Medium Course

In 2020, I authored a guide detailing effective strategies for maximizing earnings on Medium. Once, I was among the platform's top earners, though I'm uncertain if I still hold that title.

It's been several months since I earned over $1,000 in a month on Medium; these days, I consider myself fortunate to hit $500. Previously, I effortlessly earned more than $4,000 each month, with my articles accumulating over 100,000 views.

I believed I had discovered a winning strategy, and I did—enough to write a book about it, which I published on Amazon. However, I soon had to withdraw it from circulation.

While this may not trouble everyone, it disturbs me when the methods I share become ineffective. I refuse to keep a book for sale that contains techniques I know are outdated.

At one point, I had an unsettling feeling that someone at Medium was monitoring and dismantling the systems that allowed my success to thrive. This suspicion arose in 2021.

I resolved to maintain secrecy—if I kept my insights under wraps, they'd continue to work. Shortly after, I noticed others creating courses on Medium, prompting me to consider a similar approach.

I collaborated with a publication owner to launch a live series that also functioned as a course. We attracted several writers to our free sessions, but once we introduced a fee, attendance dwindled.

I didn't dwell on it too much, but it was a learning experience that I chose not to repeat. I observed that many of the tips I had previously shared ceased to yield results for me.

What began as a hypothesis morphed into a conspiracy theory. I couldn't pinpoint how it connected, but I doubted the existence of a dedicated staff member scrutinizing our activities given Medium's limited workforce.

Consequently, I ceased sharing insights altogether.

# Monetizing Your Writing

In 2021, I joined a business mastermind group that significantly broadened my understanding of structuring an online business.

This experience prompted me to start an email list, encouraging readers to subscribe at the end of each article. Did this impact my article reach? Perhaps, but numerous other factors complicate the answer.

My email list stagnated just below 1,000 subscribers. I understood why—I wasn't proactive about it, nor did I particularly desire to be. I valued the small group of dedicated followers that I continue to cherish.

Recently, I stopped sharing the subscription link on Medium, and I have my reasons for doing so.

Interestingly, I've received feedback from several individuals claiming that the link at the bottom of my articles is malfunctioning. This led me to always write out the link rather than hyperlinking a word.

It seems that after a few clicks, the link becomes unclickable. I have no idea why. If this is a deliberate design choice by Medium, I get it—they want users to remain on their platform. However, this undermines writers like myself.

Perhaps they're concerned that we’ll siphon off their readers, overlooking the fact that audiences seek content based on their preferences, irrespective of the platform.

I've had numerous people unsubscribe from my email list, yet I don't view it as a loss. I do the same with others' lists.

How did I monetize my list? I didn't, really. I couldn't stand it when I joined others' lists only to be bombarded with sales pitches. I didn't want to subject my readers—who found me in an ad-free environment—to the same.

However, I occasionally offered coaching services, albeit not as frequently as I should have, and I did gain clients. Some worked with me briefly, while others stayed for extended periods. I learned to identify the type of clients I genuinely wanted to collaborate with; some people are great but simply not the right fit.

When advising writers on monetizing their work, I encourage them to consider building a business or ecosystem—not solely based on their writing but around their content. There’s a distinction.

People aren't inherently interested in your prowess as a writer; they care about the subjects you tackle and how you approach them. For instance, if you write about Kim Kardashian as a businesswoman, readers will be intrigued by her entrepreneurial insights. Unless you've established your authority, your identity matters little.

Readers want to see narratives they wish they had crafted or topics that are currently trending. This explains why one article might attract 50,000 readers while another struggles to reach 1,000. The momentum is real.

You monetize your writing by creating something substantial from it. It took me a while to discern what to build.

# What I’m Creating

I took an inordinate amount of time to embark on a new project. During a one-on-one session with a coach, I lamented my situation until she suggested I create a website.

The idea of starting fresh was daunting. I didn't want to abandon my existing momentum on Medium, where I had amassed over 100,000 followers.

After weeks of grappling with this decision, I finally acknowledged the necessity of starting anew. Yet, my strengths lie solely in writing; visuals and videos are not my forte. Where could I find my new direction?

Several months ago, a friend from the mastermind group asked for my recommendation on a writing platform. I provided her with my best insights, but Medium didn't make the cut due to its business limitations.

A few weeks later, a client inquired about the platform she ultimately chose. It was unfamiliar to me, prompting me to explore it.

To my surprise, the platform was fantastic. Today, both my client and I utilize it for our business endeavors, and my experience has been rewarding. I won't mention its name to avoid sounding promotional.

If you're curious about what I'm creating, feel free to check out richculture.co.

But that's not all. I sought something that would provide a sense of career fulfillment. I felt the urge to develop a long-term project that would foster a loyal audience. Thus, I delved into music; songwriting has been a passion of mine for over a decade.

# My Perspective on Medium

Before discussing Medium in detail, it's essential to recognize a fundamental truth about social media: follower counts are often superficial metrics, regardless of their authenticity.

The focus should not be on how many followers you have but rather on how many individuals engage with your content.

Previously, follower counts were significant. They held weight in earlier algorithms, but post-2020, their importance has diminished. This shift is why platforms now feature "for you" and "following" sections—not to deceive anyone, but to keep users engaged.

Platforms understand that users often don’t want to follow accounts that compel them to stay. Consequently, they've adjusted their algorithms to prioritize content over individual users.

I frequently remind writers that having over 100,000 followers doesn't guarantee that 100,000 people will read my articles. It indicates that my work has resonated with that many individuals—a measure of impact rather than a predictor of future performance.

This observation applies not only to Medium but to all social media platforms. On Instagram, for example, you encounter “suggested posts.” The implications of this are significant. This is one reason why many online creators have seen a decline in income across various platforms. It’s often more effective to write about trending subjects you’re knowledgeable about rather than solely expressing personal opinions.

Let’s return to a focused discussion on Medium.

I’m not here to criticize others; I still appreciate Medium, despite feeling let down multiple times. I once resented the lack of communication and the ambiguity surrounding their updates, but that has improved.

Now, their communication is clearer. I used to be frustrated by their neutrality, but there’s now a level of transparency. I've expressed to those close to me that if your goal is to thrive as an online creator, working from home, and earning a consistent income, Medium is NOT the right platform for you.

You can enjoy it as a reader and occasional writer, but any expectation of achieving reliable or sustainable income is unrealistic. It has become evident that the platform prioritizes serving readers over empowering writers.

And no, it’s not possible to have both simultaneously. Have you visited Twitter (now X) lately? That’s an example of a platform designed to support creators. It’s not perfect, of course, but creators often introduce unpredictability, and any platform aiming to uplift independent creators must accommodate that chaos.

Medium has opted for a more structured approach. They now significantly influence what content readers encounter. Medium’s stance is clear: This is our audience, and this is how we intend to serve them. In essence, conform or be overlooked.

This isn’t inherently negative; choosing a side carries its own consequences. I’m just relieved that the situation is now transparent. If you’re not an expert in a trending topic (or a topic you can elevate), you can discard any hopes of gaining significant traction on this platform.

Medium may not explicitly state this, but I’m merely clarifying the reality. If you lack expertise or firsthand experience in your subject matter, this may not be the right venue for your writing.

However, the real question lies in defining what constitutes an expert. How does Medium's algorithm determine your expertise in a specific area? It's important to note that there isn't a dedicated staff member categorizing experts and non-experts; it's all algorithmic.

Your guess is as good as mine. I’m uncertain, and this has impacted my writing approach on Medium. I am self-taught in finance, passionate about educating others about money, but I lack formal degrees in the field and have no plans to pursue one.

Continuing to write about finance on Medium feels futile, especially when I face challenges from MBA graduates who hold differing views shaped by their education. You see my point.

I'll continue to write on Medium, but I’ll focus on topics that resonate with me. Perhaps I’ll share more personal stories and reflections like these. It appears that Medium is seeking narratives, so I’ll provide them while directing my more technical pieces elsewhere.

The one feature I hope Medium will introduce, given their current direction, is writing prompts. I envision an algorithmic system that sends notifications to individuals deemed experts in a hot topic when it's trending online.

For instance, if I’m recognized as an expert in the psychology of success and a new Jeff Bezos interview garners attention, I would receive an email prompt to write about it—if I choose to. At least this way, I won't waste time on an article that only earns $1.06.

Dear Medium, since you've opted to serve readers algorithmically—please implement writing prompts.

Naturally, many individuals will receive these prompts, leading to a plethora of published articles. I suggest a 24-hour window for submissions; anyone submitting afterward has no one to blame for any lack of traction.

And what about algorithmic bias? Yes, bias will exist, and it already does. What’s there to fear? Medium could also consider a system where select readers rate article quality (separate from claps), which would inform how the article is promoted. Ultimately, the quality should be determined by readers, not solely by the algorithm or Medium staff.

Sometimes I feel I should be on Medium's board of directors. But I guess I'm too much of a free thinker. It's not too late, though; I doubt they have many creators on their team.

# Conclusion

This has turned into quite a lengthy read. I initially intended to write something entirely different but was inspired by an article that compelled me to share my thoughts. I hope this resonates with someone.

And as a final reminder—never write solely for financial gain. When you prioritize your craft or your audience over money, you’ll find a clearer path to prosperity than you ever imagined. Remember, wealth comes from problem-solving.

The only reason I continue is that I don’t write for monetary reward. I write because it’s in my nature.

From my cozy spot, David O.