3.4k Reads = $2.37. How Can That Be?
When a lot of views and reads do not translate to $$$
Does anybody remember when Medium paid us for claps? Oh, the glory days. Not that I got rich but it was motivating to start on this platform and be close to the magic $100 mark in less than three months.
Just as I was gaining momentum, the rug was pulled out from under all of us when Medium changed the way writers earn money. Reads matter now. Anyone can scroll to my article, slap 50 claps on it, and ask me to reciprocate on their latest story. What’s the value in that? Medium argued, and I couldn’t disagree.
As writers we want readers, don’t we? We want to know that our story, from a well-crafted headline to a satisfying conclusion, captivated and retained a reader long enough to trip the algorithm into depositing some money into our account. There’s a true accomplishment in that.
So what’s up with my story that has over 6k views and 3.4k reads and yet I’ve only earned $2.37? Is Medium tricking me? Is there an accounting error? What did I do wrong?
No, no, and nothing. The answer is this:
94% of my viewers, and therefore most of my readers, are not Medium members. I can also tell they are not Medium members because that story only has 44 claps. Most Medium folks still like to clap to express their enjoyment or appreciation of a story even though we all know it’s just a vanity number these days.
Somehow this story got picked up in Google searches and other referrals outside of Medium (don’t ask me how):
While I am pleased this article did well with a 57% view/read ratio, I cannot lie and say I am not disappointed it didn’t make more money, like the companion article I wrote about full-time RV life:
This story had fewer views and fewer reads (although a better view/read ratio), but was mainly read by paying members of Medium and therefore has currently earned over $100 to date.
Oh if only the other article were doing that well, I may have had my best month ever on Medium!
If you are reading this article and you are not a paying Medium member, won’t you consider joining now that you know what your membership does for starving artists like me? You can use this link to join Medium for unlimited access. A small portion of your membership supports me and many other great writers too.
