Member-only story
Everyone’s Medium Journey is Different
Don’t set false expectations
If you’re asking the question, “can I make money on Medium?” Well, the answer is “yes.”
I have made some money on my journey, and March 2021 ended up being my most profitable month so far.
I first started taking Medium a little more seriously in 2018, when I learned about their partner program. And, as I kept writing, sure enough, one of my pieces was curated (the one and only piece I’ve ever had curated). That helped me generate a little bit of Starbucks money.
Unfortunately, that’s when I took my eyes off Medium for a while. I honestly couldn’t tell what the fuss was about. My stories didn’t get that much traffic (some experts were even saying if you aren’t getting 1,000+ views per story, you’re doing it wrong), and the money I made never amounted to more than a fancy fruity iced tea.
I made my return last year in July and have been publishing daily ever since, sometimes multiple times per day. I went from a little over 100 stories to over 400 stories.
And now, instead of one fancy fruity iced tea, I can buy three with the money I make! Wow!
So, when I see others say you can make $50 in your first month, yeah, I suppose that’s true. But I haven’t seen it myself, and as a new writer I’m not sure it would be wise to set your expectations that high either.
When I see the same people say you can earn $1,000 in six months… Uh, maybe let off the engines there, buddy. Unless your intention is to discourage new writers before they even get started.
Yes, of course it’s possible. You might get there. But you could also be setting yourself up for massive disappointment.
My Writing Journey
When I talk about this stuff, some people look at me like I’ve got three eyes, so let me share with you some of my journey. I didn’t start writing yesterday, and I don’t fancy myself an “instant writer,” just so we’re clear.
I’m not saying I’m the best writer in the world. But with thousands of articles online, dozens of eBooks, and five books, I didn’t just wake up one day and say, “I’m going to be a Medium Rockstar.”
