This is how you make money on Medium

Tips that can change the course of your destiny

Dear Struggling Medium Writer,

I hear you.

$0.37 cents for all your hard work! Twenty-two reads, a thousand claps, and fifteen comments — what’s the point?

You spend hours trying to work the figures, but the maths just don’t add up!😐

Perhaps it’s time to go? Maybe another platform will reward you more?

The truth is, it probably won’t.

So WHAT can a struggling, fed-up, broke Medium writer do?

Before I jump into some juicy tips (taken from my $10k coaching program that shows writers how to make 100k in 60 days from their passion 😉), let’s take an honest look at the harsh reality.

According to my research, MEDIUM has (source):

• over 200 million monthly views (Not bad. Your work has a real potential to go viral 🤩)
• 725,000 subscribers (pretty impressive, lots of eyeballs on your stories 😀)
• 175,000 writers (great! Lots of people to learn from 🧐)

My detailed findings also reveal that only 1% of writers earn between $5,000 — $30,000 a month.

In my humble opinion, I am almost certain that most of you would be happy with just 10% of that.

This super detailed article here from a fellow MEDIUM writer reveals some rather interesting data about this platform.

And I must admit, numbers like this get me really excited! (Disclaimer! As the author did not include links to any of the findings, I can’t verify them.)

Let’s face it, things have gone tits up in the last month, leaving many passionate writers sad and feeling infuriated.

Too many hearts have been broken and emotions hurt. ❤️‍🩹

While there is a lot of uncertainty and perhaps even un/intentional behavior causing the frustration, I want you to try and move on from this.

Let’s look at the bright side.

There are always two sides to every coin, and today it’s up to you to choose which one you walk away with.

So, without further ado, let’s try and change the course of your destiny.

Problem: WHAT steps to take to make money from your writing

Rumour has it that anyone can become a writer.

After taking a hard look at some data, I see a very different story.

Yes, I do believe that you can write. In fact, you probably write better than I do. I also believe that you are taking steps towards becoming a better writer.

But here’s a scene from our real grim reality! 💥

Writing without Research and defined Objectives is called journaling.

Now, I don’t know about you, but I’ve never met anyone who made money from journaling.

Does this resonate a tiny little bit by any chance?

Look, I know you have a real dilemma. And I’m presenting you a real SOLUTION, right here. Pay attention!

• Your ‘WRITING’ and ‘EDITING’ play only 20% part in how successful your article is going to turn out to be
• On the other hand, ‘RESEARCH’ and defining the ‘OBJECTIVES’ are responsible for 80% of your success

TIP #1 — It’s time for research! 🔍

• If you want to stop being a broke writer
• If you want to start making money
• If you are fed up and tired of guessing what will and won’t work
• If you want to stop wasting your time and see real results, then

DO YOUR RESEARCH! and here’s HOW!

I love your personal stories, but there’s a good reason why they are stuck at earning you $0.37 cents and are only being distributed to your personal network. (followers)

I’m not trying to be mean. I really want to help you!

Step 1: Start writing with intention.

I’m not saying you have to stop journaling . I’m just pointing out the obvious: Sorry sweetie, BUT it’s never going to make you money!😩

Here’s what backs up my research:

Do you know what the difference is between you and Coach Tony?

This man has a vision for his company. Do you have a vision for your writing?

Look, he clearly defines his objectives. He wants readers to be:

• entertained
• learn something new, even BETTER
• Come to Medium to Learn a freaking Profession •
• get better at whatever their goal is
• it’s a win-win situation

Answer this question with great honesty. How many times have you conducted research and looked at some data about what it is that your audience really wants to hear?

Are you even aware of who might be reading your stories?

Who do you want to appeal to? Who is your ideal reader — your tribe — your devoted follower?

You see, there is a way to sell personal stories, but only if you back them up with RESEARCH and OBJECTIVES. (unless, your names is Hemingway) 😉

Here are some of my stories that are based on data and are doing well: (Never forget! What might seem boring to you, might just be what others have been looking for!)

# Step 2: The problem: Deciding if you want to be a casual writer or a writer that makes money

I come across articles and stories every day about how people turn their passion for writing into a content-making money machine.

And such statements always put a smile on my face. You know, the grin when you say to yourself, “Yeah, right.” 😏

While I feel very intrigued by such declarations, I’ve never encountered a writer who made real money from writing this way.

If you want to be a casual writer, stick to platforms that won’t leave you feeling devastated if they disappear from the face of the earth tomorrow, taking all your hard-earned cash away.

Because my dear friend, this is what you are exposing yourself to every single day. 😞

Believe it or not, despite what Mr Denning is trying to tell you, Substack might not be for everyone the way forward. Unless of course, you decided that you want to be a casual writer.

Solution: Define your vision and create a plan

So you decided that you are going to take your craft seriously!

You are ready to make some real cash and here’s what you need to do next.⬇️

Steps to take if you want to earn money from writing:

• Set a professional presence (get your own website/ domain with your name)
• Define who you want to write for
• Define your tone and style (expository, persuasive, narrative, descriptive, creative — you can have more than one but you MUST know your audience)
• Get to know your audience
• Get to know the problem, desires, and pain points
• Read
• Practice writing
• Start networking — choose only 2 social media platforms where you are going to share your thoughts and insights into your work
• Put your work out there!
• Look at the bigger picture — start writing with the intention of repurposing your work

# Step 3 — Repurposing your work

I don’t know about you, but I value my time.

This self-love practice extends to all areas of my life. Writing included.

I’ve only been on Medium for 8 weeks and I’ve met a lot of interesting people along the way. But nothing I haven’t seen before.

I’m not saying this to offend anyone, but it’s true.

Take me for instance.

Look at this stuff about me:

I’m going to let you into a big secret 🤫. Everyone has a profile like this.

And there are loads of people who match my profile perfectly.

And these profiles put us into categories, such as niches. You belong to a niche. In fact, you belong to many niches. All your readers are niches too.

Look at my goals. Look at what drives me up the wall. Look at my pain.

Do you have a solution for me? If so, I want to know about you! I want to read your stuff! I want to consume your words, your products — until I drop.

You must take time to understand this and take it very seriously. We all belong to a niche. We all belong to a sub-niche, whether we like it or not.

And when you gain absolute clarity about your niche, you can start repurposing your work.

This is where you go from being a broke writer to a very wealthy one.

Warmest regards,

© D. Sahaya — All Rights Reserved.

If you want to know more about repurposing your work and how to make money from your writing, don’t forget to subscribe.

Some more articles I wrote to help you with your writing: