Are You a Writer Disgruntled by the Changes on Medium?

Here’s what to do when the platform is failing

I know what you’ve been thinking. What the heck has been going on with Medium recently?

Views and earnings are down once again. The curation tag has been removed from the system. The question on every writer’s mind is, what can they expect down the road as Medium continues to evolve?

Lately, I’ve been seeing many articles flooding my feed from writers talking about their struggles on Medium. And, as a writer, who has been writing on Medium for over two years, I share their pain.

I don’t know what to make of it, but since Medium introduced new changes to the platform, it’s taken the turn for the worse. Not better by any means.

• Views and earnings are down
• The “Chosen for further distribution” tag is completely gone
• Follower profile faces are gone

It’s no wonder many writers are leaving the platform in droves.

I think the removal of the “Chosen for further distribution” tag was a grave mistake.

Many writers like myself who care about the quality of their writing want to know when their articles are being distributed. It pushes and motivates them to show up and continue to produce high-quality work.

As a writer, it’s crucial to know where you stand and if your writing meets high curation standards. But now, though, when that golden curation tag is gone, there’s no way of knowing other than guessing that your work is distributed.

Don’t make this mistake as a writer

For those who think writing on Medium is the way to build your writing career, don’t be fooled.

If anything, it’s a reminder that you should not put all your eggs in one basket.

If you want to grow as a writer beyond Medium, you need to branch out. And the sooner you do that, the better.

And here’s the brutal part: No matter who takes over the reins of Medium, no change in leadership will change the fact that Medium will always remain Medium. The site won’t magically take off and become a golden pot for writers. Not by a long shot. So, as long as you know what Medium is all about, you can’t complain.

No one should expect anything from Medium. Medium doesn’t owe writers anything except the platform to showcase their writing, help writers connect and build a writing community, and expand their reach.

Writing on Medium is a great launching pad to start your writing career. It won’t make you rich, but it will help you grow in other ways as a writer, especially if you’re a newbie writer looking to hone your skills.

It’s also a great way to build your e-mail list and sell your digital products and many successful writers on Medium who make substantial income have done that. But it’s in no way to skyrocket your earnings as a writer. So if you’ve been financially hit by Medium, know that it’s not your fault.

Approach Medium with realistic expectations

Truth be told, I’ve been writing on Medium for over two years now. And I’ve seen many changes firsthand since I started my journey. Some were good, while others were so bad I was ready to jump off a cliff. But at the same time, those changes gave me a kick in the pants to realize I should never be dependent on Medium as a writer. Instead, I’ll use it as a platform to grow and connect with other writers and find writing opportunities.

Medium is not meant to replace your full-time or even a part-time job. For example, I have a part-time music job and do writing on the side. Most of my income comes from my real job, not from writing. It’s another reason you can’t put high stakes on Medium and expect it to pay your bills. You must have realistic expectations. Besides, if Medium ceases to exist, which is definitely within the realm of possibilities, you’ll be really screwed.

So instead of pining and whining about how miserable your earnings are, think of how Medium can help you grow as a writer, such as building your e-mail list or growing your own newsletter. Or perhaps attract high-end writing clients who see your work on Medium.

If you’re a writer wondering how to grow outside of Medium, here’s how:

• Pitch and write for online publications
• Pitch to small businesses in your niche and offer your blogging services
• Start a Substack newsletter
• Sell digital products on Gumroad

Final thoughts

It’s not surprising that writing on Medium can suck sometimes. And I’m no stranger to changes when it comes to writing on Medium. From the time I started writing here, I’ve experienced it all: algorithm changes, and changes in curation, just to name a few.

But even then, you won’t be too disappointed if you write with realistic expectations and take this platform for what it is.

The best thing you can do as a writer is not to put all your eggs in one basket. After all, you know better than to rely on one platform to make a living from writing. Many writing opportunities exist outside of Medium, you just have to reach out and get them.