Distribution seems to be the biggest issue impacting writers. I can go through hundreds of different articles in a variety of publications and most writers struggle to get 20 reads.
So, I think the key to making anything substantial is figuring out a way for articles to reach more people without them dying off after a few hours.
March will also be interesting since meta articles will no longer be able to earn anything. I wonder if that will have any impact on the overall earnings or not.
This is really useful, thank you. I have been doubling down on medium the last week once again as I love the platform and cannot bring myself to leave it, even though it’s a terrible use of my time ! Substack is something different.
I really don't understand Medium and how it calculates earnings. I have several stories that I put a lot of effort and time into receive 0 cents despite having reads, highlights, and comments…and others have earned 3 cents. It's offensive.
I am glad for you that Medium is working for you again. I joined Medium in December 2022. My earnings there dropped 70% after mid-December 2024 and in mid-February 2025 my views and reads dropped 50%.
I am not planning on leaving Medium, at least not in the near term, but if I see no improvement in the coming months, I will reevaluate my options.
I write poetry--earnings always suck--but right now, they are sucking hard over there--I could pivot as I have a legal and therapy background, but I am not sure if I want to--
I have been a FOM since August 2024 and while it seemed to help with visibility at first, the last two to three weeks there has been a precipitous drop in both views and reads.
Great results, James! It's been a bit of a struggle for me this month over there, but I will continue to test things out and see what happens. I'm very curious about March and if removing meta stories from the paywall will help boost overall earnings. We'll see!
I'm still getting some, but it's definitely dying down. It's made me $323 this month so far, and everything else is less than $100. I'm nervous for March.
James, you inspired me to check the Medium! 😄 I really hope they won't repeat old mistakes. And I'm sure the platform will prosper without meta stories! Fingers crossed ✌
Thank you for sharing all of this, James. I've been on Medium for 18 months. I saw good months, not as well paid as yours, but I was okay with it, then recently, it's been horrible. I write mainly fiction, and it seems no platform is kind to me or other fiction writers. I haven't decided what I'm doing about Medium right now, stay or go? I'm waiting to see what happens in the next several months.
I always find your post interesting, inspiring and educational. I know that my consistency is an issue. My earning have never been as high as your lowest. Thank you for sharing your pivots and thoughts.
I appreciate your honesty with your earnings.
Distribution seems to be the biggest issue impacting writers. I can go through hundreds of different articles in a variety of publications and most writers struggle to get 20 reads.
So, I think the key to making anything substantial is figuring out a way for articles to reach more people without them dying off after a few hours.
March will also be interesting since meta articles will no longer be able to earn anything. I wonder if that will have any impact on the overall earnings or not.
Distribution was pooched for me too at the start of Feb but it's really picking up now.
This is really useful, thank you. I have been doubling down on medium the last week once again as I love the platform and cannot bring myself to leave it, even though it’s a terrible use of my time ! Substack is something different.
I think people are going to get bored with Substack when they find it way harder to make money at
I really don't understand Medium and how it calculates earnings. I have several stories that I put a lot of effort and time into receive 0 cents despite having reads, highlights, and comments…and others have earned 3 cents. It's offensive.
I am glad for you that Medium is working for you again. I joined Medium in December 2022. My earnings there dropped 70% after mid-December 2024 and in mid-February 2025 my views and reads dropped 50%.
I am not planning on leaving Medium, at least not in the near term, but if I see no improvement in the coming months, I will reevaluate my options.
I write poetry--earnings always suck--but right now, they are sucking hard over there--I could pivot as I have a legal and therapy background, but I am not sure if I want to--
It's often a choice between writing what you really love and writing what makes money ... you could always do some of both
What are your thoughts now on FOM? It seems many of us have downgraded to a regular monthly membership
I still have it ... I think it helps with visibility and engagement
I have been a FOM since August 2024 and while it seemed to help with visibility at first, the last two to three weeks there has been a precipitous drop in both views and reads.
Great results, James! It's been a bit of a struggle for me this month over there, but I will continue to test things out and see what happens. I'm very curious about March and if removing meta stories from the paywall will help boost overall earnings. We'll see!
I think it will ... are your views dying off on that big hit you had?
I'm still getting some, but it's definitely dying down. It's made me $323 this month so far, and everything else is less than $100. I'm nervous for March.
I’m definitely nervous about how the meta purge will be carried out … hopefully it’s not too disruptive
Well, it will, but I would expect it to be distributed as it is now.
So many of us will barely feel anything.
Go for it, James. It ain’t worth the fight anymore.
James, you inspired me to check the Medium! 😄 I really hope they won't repeat old mistakes. And I'm sure the platform will prosper without meta stories! Fingers crossed ✌
Good luck! It’s hard work to stand out in the crowd but it’s well worth it if you figure out how!
Thank you for sharing all of this, James. I've been on Medium for 18 months. I saw good months, not as well paid as yours, but I was okay with it, then recently, it's been horrible. I write mainly fiction, and it seems no platform is kind to me or other fiction writers. I haven't decided what I'm doing about Medium right now, stay or go? I'm waiting to see what happens in the next several months.
I can’t argue with you there, it’s very tough to make a go of it writing fiction. Audience is too small.
I guess we just have to keep marketing ourselves, James. It can be so overwhelming and exhausting
I always find your post interesting, inspiring and educational. I know that my consistency is an issue. My earning have never been as high as your lowest. Thank you for sharing your pivots and thoughts.
Thank you for reading!
Exactly. I mentioned this myself. Adapt or die.
The hard work you have put in over the past two years is paying off, but for many, their earnings have been torched, and it's A or D time on Medium.
Which have you chosen?
The former
:(
Oh, we both misunderstood each other.
I thought you was asking about adapt or die.
You was instead asking about what you posed in your title, quit or fight, yes?