Medium Writing Advice

Why I’m Done Being a Prolific Writer and Ready to Become an AVID Reader!

Do you want a guaranteed way to help increase your stats and earnings?

If there’s one thing I discovered since creating a Medium profile, it’s just how hard it is, to be both a prolific writer and also an avid reader.

This topic most certainly has a bearing on your stats and earnings.

The information you’re about to consider, pertains to new and existing writers on Medium, and not just my own writing situation.

As you start to read, you’ll see how my viewpoint is relevant to all writers on Medium, including prolific writers like myself.

This story actually discusses the most notable way for writers on Medium to increase their earnings in a guaranteed way.

If you think I’m talking about the common writing advice that typically says you should “write everyday”, you’re WRONG.

What I’m about to discuss, all comes down to reading and commenting.

Beginning in July, I plan to shift my focus from being a prolific Medium writer, to becoming an avid Medium Reader.

Allow me to elaborate…

Writing is just one part of the equation

Here’s a newsflash for all those writers on Medium who believe that good writing alone, will earn you high stats and a bigger income. WRONG.

In reality, writing is only part of the equation.

I’ve always known that a key way to guarantee an increase in your earnings, was to read a lot more stories from other writers, and leave comments.

Subconsciously, I found this strategy a bit distasteful, though effective.

It reeks of writers displaying quid quo pro, instead of genuine interest.

As much as I love to show support and provide feedback; I don’t like feeling obligated, indebted, or being insincere.

Also, not being an avid reader — to the same degree as lots of other members — I mostly left this particular earning strategy to less prolific writers.

But now, after two years of devoting my primary focus to actual writing and producing content, I’ve managed to amass a huge catalog of stories.

I’m quite proud and happy with my large portfolio of titles.

That is why my low stats and lack of satisfactory earnings haven’t completely deterred me during this entire Medium journey.

In fact, if I cared half as much about my stats now, as I did a couple of months ago, I’d be mad as hell about my June 2023 earnings also.

To date (June 27th), my earnings for the month amount to a whopping $16.42 and I doubt it will get much higher.

A noteworthy fact is: I’ve only published 5 stories this month (including this one).

That’s a mere drop in the bucket, compared to my usual writing output.

But even more noteworthy — for purposes of this story, is the fact that I’ve done very little reading and commenting this month.

This is also not my usual behavior.

In spite of this fact, the stats are still a mystery.

How can over 1100 stories, and more than 3800 followers generate less than $50 over the course of an entire month?

As far as I’m concerned, any way that you logically try to do the math, it simply doesn’t make sense, unless…

Unless what? (You may be asking)

Unless you start to truly understand the correlation between how much you write (or have written), and how much you read, and OR comment on stories.

Keep reading as I explain…

Reading and leaving comments help generate interest in your writing

Have you ever bothered to pay attention to how much traffic your stories start to get, AFTER you’ve spent some time reading other stories, and leaving comments for other writers?

I have.

In fact, in the past, I’ve noticed that this is one of the guaranteed ways that I’ve been consistently able to direct attention to previously published stories.

Take it from me, reading and leaving comments help generate interest in your writing.

For years, I’ve written about, and covered some of the important benefits of commenting; as early as 2021.

Even as a new writer on Medium, I was already recognizing the value of reading and responding to stories.

Doing so always resulted in a big boost to my earnings, which in turn, prompted me to want to write and publish more stories.

My error was failing to develop a more balanced system that allowed considerable time for both reading and writing.

Instead, like a double-edged sword, my obsessive writing tendencies led to the growing catalog of stories I now possess — a catalog that currently earns very little.

But just like in the earlier days of my Medium journey, I plan to resume devoting time to reading and commenting on Medium stories.

To take matters even further, for the entire month of July (2023), I’m no longer a writer; In July, I’m an avid reader.

That means, you won’t be seeing an abundance of Justiss Goode story titles popping up in your mailbox.

You will, however, start seeing lots of comments and other related feedback, displaying my reactions to various stories.

Final Thoughts

I have no doubt, that the viewpoints discussed in this story are not just my own.

Many smart writers on Medium realize the need for interacting with readers.

This is evident in stories like the one written by James Bellerjeau. Though some writers might find it controversial, his point definitely is well taken.

In reality, no matter which stories you read and comment on, the more important issue, is that you conduct this practice on a regular and ongoing basis.

Don’t think of it as a self-serving, quid quo pro situation, but rather, as an opportunity for writers to get to know one another better.

So ask yourself:

• To what degree do you consistently implement this totally reliable activity?
• How much time per day or week do you consciously devote to reading and commenting?

Chances are, if you have a regular routine that includes excessive reading and engagement, your stats may be more impressive than someone with more content than you.

If you haven’t already tested this theory for yourself, why not give it a try?

All it takes is a simple little experiment that you can perform in one day.

I challenge everyone reading this, to see if what I’m saying is true.

For one day only, implement your own massive reading and commenting campaign.

Within as little as 24 hours, you’ll be able to confirm the validity of this important piece of writing advice.

Various older stories will suddenly start getting hits again, and newer stories will begin to receive more views.

Of course, the sudden rise won’t last indefinitely, but it will definitely be noticeable!

I’m so certain, that I invite writers to return here after you monitor and analyze your results.

Favorable or not, I welcome you to share your views.

All you have to do is leave a comment 😄

Thanks for reading…

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