avatarChristina M. Ward

Summary

Christina M. Ward reflects on her experience with Medium's earnings and membership model, expressing a mix of frustration and appreciation for the platform's community and potential for exposure.

Abstract

The article by Christina M. Ward delves into her thoughts on Medium's earnings structure since October 2019, questioning the value of membership fees and the unpredictability of earning potential through writing. Despite her earnings hitting new lows, she acknowledges the enjoyment she derives from the platform and the community she has become a part of. Ward grapples with the desire for a viral article to improve her financial situation, the impact of curation on visibility and earnings, and the irony of paying for a service that is also a source of friendship. The piece captures the emotional rollercoaster of a writer seeking validation and compensation in a seemingly opaque system.

Opinions

  • The author questions the incentive of paying for Medium membership when free alternatives exist and when non-paying members can also post and earn.
  • She expresses confusion over her earnings not increasing despite writing more content.
  • Ward admits to loving the Medium platform and community, indicating a strong attachment to the writers and readers she has met.
  • She longs for a viral article that could significantly boost her income, reflecting a common aspiration among writers on the platform.
  • The author feels undervalued when her articles are not curated, linking curation to increased reads and higher earnings.
  • She highlights the supportive and friendly nature of the Medium community, which contributes to her willingness to maintain her membership.
  • There's a hint of self-deprecating humor in her realization that she is essentially paying for friendship through her Medium membership.
  • Ward points out the arbitrary nature of what content goes viral on Medium, suggesting a sense of unfairness in the selection process.

Humor

10, No… 9 Thoughts About Medium Earnings Since October 2019

How low can you go?

Actual photo of me trying to figure out Medium math.

You remember the back-breaking childhood game of Limbo?

A bar is held. You must go below the bar without touching it. Some people get really fancy and zoom underneath on roller skates (fashionable side pony tails and leg warmers, as I remember.) But as fun and usually musical as Limbo was when I was a kid — I am not feeling nostalgic watching my monthly earnings stoop to new lows.

A few thoughts on this, being in the “one year in this makes me an expert” camp. Why not share them? I mean — what is there to lose? (Do NOT answer that.)

Thought Number 1

WHY am I paying membership again? I get that I can read all I want. That’s nice and all, but I feel like there should be more incentive than that. There are a whole lot of other sites I can read all I want. I can even post stuff on here and get paid for it — even as a non-paying member. So why, again, exactly?

Thought Number 2

I seriously need to write more. But wait — I tried that and my numbers barely budged. HOW in the name of MATH is that possible?

Thought Number 3

This really is a great place and I love it here. Really I do.

Thought Number 4

If I could get just one viral article. Just one of those articles that makes thousands of dollars like out of the Medium faerie sky or something. My family really needs that. Even a one month upgrade in our lifestyle would be nice. One. Viral. Article. Please, oh Internet gods.

Sidenote: Have you seen some of those viral articles? WHY CAN’T I DO THAT?

(No offense to you awesome viral article writers! It is well-deserved — but how on earth are these viral articles chosen amongst all the great writing here? Seems we should take turns with this or something.)

Thought Number 5

Maybe if I just got curated more often. Then I’d get more reads, a higher monthly payout (supposedly), followed by a surge in renewed fervor to write, create, contribute, and live the writer’s life I have always dreamed of — the one where I’d be valued and rewarded for my work. I don’t mean to sound bitter, really I don’t. But I tend to be a bit whiny when I am feeling undervalued.

Thought Number 6

This really is a great community of people — I’ve made the coolest friends here.

Thought Number 7

Ok that. That is why I am paying for membership. I have made so many friends here!

Thought Number 8

I am paying for friendship. How has it come to this in my life?

Thought Number 9

I’m still stuck on number 8, but this is one of those listicle things and you can’t really stop on a weird number like 8 or 9, can you?

Christina M. Ward 💗 is a writer for Medium. A happily paying member of Medium. An “underpaid but working on that” writer for Medium. Maybe you’d like to follow her work and do a few pity-shares of her articles? Thanks for reading, y’all!

Humor
Writing
Social Media
This Happened To Me
Marketing
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