4.8k Views but Only $8.5…
The truth about Medium views
Chasing views is futile. I learned that the hard way.
I collectively made $8.5 off two posts with over 2k views each.
But then I made $10.38 off a post with just 218 views.
As new writers, the mistake that we all make is that we write things that we believe will get us the most views. I mean, more views equal more money, right?
I think the above pictures make it clear as day that it is not the case. You can literally have thousands of views and barely make anything off it. And when people are in the same situation I was in, they get discouraged and quit writing. Why put in the hard work in return for peanuts?
I’ve been writing on Medium since August 2020. Since then I have learned A LOT about making content and building a brand. But there’s one thing, that I already knew, that tops all my learnings over the last 1.5 years. That one trick, which you already know as well, can completely skyrocket the amount you are making on this, and literally any other platform.
But first, we need to understand how Medium works.
Why Views Don’t Mean Anything
The reason why the amount of views, and even the reads, you get over a post doesn’t determine the amount you’ll make off it is because Medium pays writers based on how much time Medium members spend while reading your article.
That’s exactly why I made more on my article about the writing master list than the articles about Stephen King and Walking. Readers spent more time on the former-mentioned article than the latter ones.
As simple as that.
People were clicking on my (somewhat) clickbait-y headlines but weren’t reading it for long. However, I thought if I’m getting views and reads, then even if people aren’t reading it for long, the earnings will add up to a large amount. That didn’t happen.
If anything, when Medium’s algorithm sensed that people are clicking off my article very soon, it stopped recommending my article further. This didn’t just damage my chances of making more money on those articles, it also damaged the exposure of my profile.
The less exposure I get, the less the chances of my other articles being discovered by new readers. This is when I learned writing clickbait-y headlines for views won’t get me anywhere.
This led to an obvious revelation.
Here’s What Will Make You Money
A valuable piece of article.
Are you really surprised? Me neither.
If you want people to stay on your article for long, write something that would make them want to read. It’s sad that so many new writers (me included) can’t wrap their brains around this simple logic.
When I started out, I did everything, from writing clickbait-y headlines to researching the most viral topics, to get as many views (and money) as possible. However, the only thing that I should’ve been doing all along, is writing something of value.
If you actually take some time to read the posts on Medium, you’ll see that most of the articles and even the advice they contain are obvious and repetitive. They aren’t adding anything new to the reader’s knowledge. They aren’t simplifying their lives.
Writers on here are just recycling the same piece of content like a goddamn tote bag. Readers are sick of this. This is why they don’t stay on an article for long. Because they have already read the same advice a million times. And this is why most writers are whining about barely making any money on this platform.
If you want to make money on Medium, try to add something in the reader’s life that was missing prior to coming to your article.
How can you do that?
By:
- Going out and experiencing new things
- Getting out of your comfort zones
- Reading books
- Learning new skills
- Learning more about yourself
Make your readers leave with a valuable piece of advice/information after reading your article. You can’t do that until you push yourself to learn new things.
Once they start recognising you as the guy they can always rely upon for making their lives simpler, they’ll follow you. New follows will grow your brand and you’ll earn trusted readers.
Soon you will create a cycle that automatically grows your brand and makes you money in return.
Articles mentioned in this post:
If you liked this post, you can support me (and other writers) by subscribing to Medium through my referral!
