Chapter 1: Understanding Success on Medium

Navigating the Medium platform often raises a common inquiry: How can one truly thrive here? The question of monetizing freelance writing is frequently posed. After spending two years on this platform, I can confidently assert that the answer is far from straightforward. There’s no universal solution that fits everyone’s needs, contrary to what some articles may suggest. The reality is, writing is inherently challenging.

In January 2021, my inaugural article gained significant traction, leading me to gain insights about what drives success on this platform—understanding which articles tend to resonate and how to enhance both visibility and income. I frequently shared this knowledge across various writing-focused publications.

However, a revelation struck me. Achieving success on Medium is not about accumulating followers or adhering to arbitrary guidelines or crafting each title to entice an eager audience. The essence of success boils down to one well-worn piece of wisdom: the effort you invest is what you’ll receive in return.

Let me delve deeper into how I shifted my perspective from merely seeking advice to understanding this core principle. Last fall, I took a step back from writing due to mental health concerns.

I decided to pause in September 2021 after grappling with personal challenges. Relocating to a new city where I felt out of place, starting a new job, and lacking a support network left me feeling adrift. You might assume that writing would provide solace during such a time, but I needed to take a moment to breathe and regain my composure.

What was intended to be a short break extended into several months.

And the consequences? My statistics plummeted. I witnessed my follower count dwindle.

With each glance at my metrics, the decline was evident. I saw unfollows and declining views. Where I once enjoyed hundreds—sometimes thousands—of views, I found myself struggling to reach even 100 on some days. This didn’t even account for the actual readership of those articles. Transitioning from a regular contributor to a complete halt took a toll on my career.

Prior to my break, I had maintained a steady writing schedule. Sure, there were instances of brief hiatuses, but I always returned to writing, often posting multiple times weekly. Some days I was prolific, while on others, I merely met my self-imposed targets.

However, the abrupt cessation of my writing had dire consequences. Months without producing any content meant that not even my previously viral articles or ongoing passive income from my extensive library of over 100 published pieces could compensate for my absence. My earnings hit a new low, and it was disheartening to see my Medium paycheck dwindle.

Then, I made my return. Slowly, but surely, I began to write again.

Following the holiday season, I eased back into my writing routine. Initially, my output was minimal, resulting in only a couple of articles. Yet, astonishingly, my stats began to rise!

Although they didn’t return to their previous heights immediately, I was encouraged by the improvement. After just a couple of published articles, I began to see positive changes.

What became clear was the direct correlation between my input and output. The more I engaged in writing, the more articles I produced, and the greater effort I invested—even if my work wasn't exceptional—the more I benefited. This manifested as increased viewership, additional reads, more followers, and even some email subscribers and membership signups.

I know it may sound cliché, but truly, you reap what you sow. Success is not instantaneous.

For me, my prior achievements on Medium stemmed from consistent effort. For over a year, I committed to writing regularly. While I wasn’t a household name on the platform, I practiced patience and enjoyed a number of articles that performed well.

This is a crucial reminder: success is not an overnight affair. Many articles out there suggest shortcuts to create content that will skyrocket in popularity and yield substantial financial rewards. They promote strategies for quick payouts. Titles like "Earn $500 Per Day on Medium!" or "These Topics Will Make You Go Viral" are enticing but often misleading. For the majority of us, achieving success is a gradual journey that demands time, patience, dedication, and a commitment to continuous learning. Even when an article goes viral, the financial benefits may take time to manifest.

Statistically, your chances of going viral increase significantly with prolific writing. The more content you produce, the higher the likelihood that at least one piece will resonate with an audience. This approach is far more reliable than following arbitrary advice to write about topics you lack passion for, solely for the sake of success or income.

Even without viral success, you’ll notice the benefits of your hard work. While your earnings might not be astronomical, they can certainly provide a decent side income. You'll undoubtedly see improvements compared to periods of lesser effort or output.

So, I encourage you: keep pushing forward. Persistence is essential for your success.

If you're feeling disheartened about your journey on Medium, don’t lose hope. If the plethora of advice-driven articles has left you feeling inadequate about your own performance, try not to internalize that negativity. Remember your original motivations: passion, drive, and the desire to share your voice with the world. Focus on that. Make it a priority to express yourself through articles, and aim to create quality content.

If you haven’t achieved success yet, don’t be discouraged. Most successful careers take time to build; they rarely explode overnight. In the meantime, your efforts will yield results, albeit gradually. I continue to learn this truth, but I’m excited about the growth ahead. I want to invest my energy into my writing and observe the outcomes. My goal is to rekindle my love for writing, rather than allowing numbers to dictate my sense of achievement.

You’ve got this. And who knows? You may just find luck on your side.

Chapter 2: Essential Traits for Writers on Medium

To thrive on Medium, certain traits are necessary. This video explores the key characteristics that successful writers embody.

Chapter 3: Building Your Audience and Income on Medium

In this segment, we discuss effective strategies for expanding your readership and boosting your earnings through writing on Medium.