This is Why I Won’t Be Busting My Ass on Medium Any More!

A final confession from a confused and prolific writer

Let me start off by saying this is a rant, only if you choose to look at it that way, because it’s more about me, than it is about Medium and the platform in general.

The truth of the matter is, I’m a prolific writer, currently with 632 stories published on Medium, including the story you’re reading. That number was accomplished in a nine month period.

I publish at least one story every day, and sometimes more, so my story count could have actually been much higher, but I started worrying about whether I was bombarding readers.

Out of the hundreds of stories I’ve published, I spent time addressing all types of issues, including the topic of writing and earning money on Medium.

I also write about fun topics, informative topics, both on a local and global basis, and of course, my favorite: personal life lessons I’ve learned about practically everything in life, like relationships, self improvement, health issues, you name it.

I use my Daily Justiss publication to publish it all, on a daily basis, without letup.

In addition to my own first-hand experience from being on this earth soon to be 64 years, I have a wealth of knowledge built up from all the research and writing I’ve done online for more than 4 decades!

I’ve learned to successfully develop lots of effective marketing and promotional skills over the years, especially with respect to trying to gain visibility for my multiple self published ebooks and novels, and novellas.

I’ve been around and written for all types of clients, blogs, websites, and most of the popular writing platforms from the past — also referred to as content mills. I know how things go, particularly with respect to earning revenue through views and reader interaction and engagement.

Twitter is no stranger to me, nor are some of the other useful social media platforms, that for the most part, all operate in a similar way — securing an online following.

Okay, so now we get to the point of me saying all this and breaking down a bit of my background and pedigree, so to speak.

I’m not some new online writer who just popped up out of no where, and expects to be able to master Medium and earn lots of cash overnight.

I’m not just learning the ropes, nor am I on Medium, learning how to become a writer. I am a writer, and I’ve been one for a lot of years. So when I get to a point where my discontentment begins to exceed the enjoyment I get out of writing, I start to re-evaluate where I stand, and where I go from there.

If you’re still with me, and give even half a damn, allow me to explain.

Confusion about earnings is just one of my issues

In one of my most recent stories about Medium, that also inspired what you’re currently reading, I stated this in the first paragraph:

“I’m writing this story, at the risk of losing out on my average $110–$150 a month on Medium (Yep! that’s all I typically earn, in spite of how much I write and engage on this site.”

That paragraph speaks to the confusion that I feel on Medium, being a prolific and productive writer who also engages on a regular basis.

Not only am I more than just a half-way decent writer, at times, I’m even a damn good writer, and not just off the dome. I often use quotes, or do a little research on a topic and try to offer up a balanced view.

In other words, I know I’m dotting all the “i‘s” and crossing all the “t’s”

So what am I supposed to think about the higher earnings of other writers with fewer stories, not as many diverse topics, worse writing, and even lesser engagement on the platform?

Haven’t you guys seen the stories about writers with a handful of stories, or who’ve only been here two or three months? Many of them talk about exceeding two and three hundred dollars a month already. WTF?

Maybe some of them are less than truthful, but not everyone can be lying can they. So if they’re telling the truth, what gives?

Anyone who reads my stories, knows I’m the last person to knock, shame, belittle or hate on another writer. Do I begrudge other writers who earn more and seem to do less?

Not really. I just don’t get it.

If anything, I begrudge the ones in charge of the purse strings, for not recognizing how off putting these kinds of discrepancies can be to writers.

It’s not my place to try and determine the worth of another writer, any writer, no matter what stage they may be at. But I’m totally within my rights, to know my own worth, and question whether or not I’m being viewed in the right light.

I’ve come to the realization that maybe I’m not.

I don’t know what it is that I’m apparently not doing enough of on Medium, but I don’t feel that all my efforts are truly reflected in my earnings. Believe it or not, I was starting to be okay with that, until recently.

Just what or how much more do I have to do, to see the kind of earnings increase you’d expect from the catalog of stories and number of followers I have?

I don’t know what the answer is, but what I do know, is that now, it really doesn’t matter to me anymore. I’m done chasing that goal.

Here’s my further confession about where I stand with Medium.

There’s nothing you can do to change the status quo

After getting fired up to write the story I mentioned in the opening paragraph, I’ve come to the final conclusion that there is nothing we writers can do to change the status quo.

The story I’m talking about is titled:

If you read the story, you’ll understand why I feel the need to re-think things. When it comes to writing on Medium, and anywhere else on line for that matter, here’s the bottom line:

We can spend all our time and efforts figuring out the secret to earning more and more money, via paid views and revenue sharing.

But even if we actually EARN hundreds of dollars for one story, or thousands of dollars in one month, we are completely at the mercy of the website, on whether or not we see a penny of that money.

Whoever is disbursing the funds that we’ve earned can simply refuse to pay, right or wrong, and there’s not a damn thing we can do about it.

Suddenly, this is starting to cause me the kind of distress that makes me want to stop giving my all to this platform or any platform.

• Why on earth should I keep giving all that I got, knowing I don’t feel completely appreciated, not by the website and not entirely by the members either.
• Why should it be that you can miss a day or two engaging on the platform, and suddenly no one is reading your writing anymore? What’s that about?
• Why are members reading my writing anyway? Is it to enjoy what they’re reading, or simply to play the game? — We all know the game I mean.

The more I consider these things, the more fed up I start to become. That’s why, right now, I schedule my stories to post at night, and I’m trying hard to limit myself to publishing just one story a day.

I’ve also cut down on hanging out, browsing and reading on Medium all freaking day long.

I’ve begun committing to reading and engaging in the community on one designated day a week, and also writing about and promoting the stories I read on a weekly basis.

Believe it or not, it’s difficult for me to stop being so prolific on Medium, whether I’m earning a substantial amount or not.

As I’ve already confessed in a story about my dirty little secret, I’m literally compelled to write. But compulsion or not, I’m done with this unbalanced relationship between me and Medium. It’s like a one-sided love affair.

From now on, I’ll be sticking to the agenda and routine I just mentioned above, no more and no less. That will have to satisfy my need to write.

That’s all I’ll be giving to Medium, and they can give me whatever they want to give me, or not.

Final Thoughts

As I mentioned at the onset, this story may be seen as ranting, and frankly, I don’t really care. It’s the truth from my perspective, and I’m entitled to it.

I’ve burnt out on Medium before, but I was able to return after the burnout and come back strong. All this time, I’ve continued trying to be a team player, but honestly guys, I don’t think I can do it anymore.

As much as I love being a prolific writer, and sharing what I know with others, I’m starting to feel a bit taken advantage of. I’m afraid if I continue to allow this, I’ll begin to feel like a fool, which is hell on your self esteem.

I don’t need that kind of drama in my life. I’ve been through too much, and managed to come out on top. I’ll be darned if I let the confusing situation on this site, or any site, cause me to doubt myself and my abilities.

I’m awesome, and I want to keep seeing myself that way.

I hope those who truly enjoy my stories will continue reading and benefiting from the content I share. But if not, I’ll understand. Every writer and Medium member has to do what’s best for them.

As for me, I won’t be busting my ass on Medium anymore. I think this is what’s best for me.

Not a Medium Member yet? Join now with my referral link. I’ll earn a few bucks when you do, https://justissgoode.medium.com/membership plus I can HELP YOU START EARNING MONEY TOO! 😄