Summary

The article discusses the unpredictable nature of earning money on Medium, despite various strategies and observations.

Abstract

The author of the article shares insights into the enigmatic process of making money on Medium, emphasizing that there is no clear-cut formula for success. Although the author has previously shared strategies that can potentially increase earnings, the latest observations, supported by personal stats and screenshots, reveal inconsistencies in how earnings are calculated. The article highlights several instances where the correlation between member reading time, views, and earnings seems arbitrary, leading to the conclusion that Medium's payment algorithm is somewhat of a mystery. The author encourages writers to have fun with the process, acknowledging that factors like curation, "Top Writer" status, and external views may not significantly impact earnings, and that luck plays a considerable role in financial outcomes on the platform.

Opinions

The author believes that while there are strategies to potentially increase earnings on Medium, the actual process of making money remains largely unpredictable.
Observations made by the author and their partner, who is characterized as a "computer nerd," suggest that Medium's payment system does not follow a clear mathematical pattern.
The author expresses confusion and surprise at the discrepancies between member reading time, views, and the resulting earnings, implying that Medium's statistical reports may not provide meaningful insights.
Despite the lack of a discernible pattern, the author remains grateful for the earnings received and encourages a lighthearted approach to writing on Medium, framing it as a game of luck.
The author downplays the significance of curation and "Top Writer" statuses, suggesting that these accolades do not have a substantial impact on earnings.
The article concludes with a call to action for readers to enjoy the writing process and not to overly concern themselves with the unpredictable nature of Medium's earnings algorithm.

MONEY|WRITING

Do You Know The Keys Or Magic Formulas To Make Money On Medium?

Personal stories and screenshots of my stats with earnings for everyone who wants help rolling the proverbial dice

Last week I wrote and published a story detailing how much I earned in December.

What I Made (And How) In My Third Month (120 Stories Total) Earning Money On Medium

December of 2021 was one hell of a roller coaster ride and here’s why

medium.com

In the very beginning, I stated that it would be the last time that I will write about my earnings, at least for a while.

However, this story, the one you are reading right now, is different because it’s not a “monthly earnings update”.

This is story is meant to show you, and any and everyone who pays attention, that there is not much real rhyme or reason to making money on Medium.

After being a part of the Medium Partner Program for just 3 1/2 months, I have observed that there ARE some ways to HELP ensure that you MIGHT make SOME money on Medium.

I’ve already written about those excellent strategies here:

Visual images convey a great deal and it’s important to me that they’re in line with and reflective of my verbal messages as well.

Top 5 Writing Tips for Medium Writers Who Want to Have More Fun and Money

I don’t have “a magical formula”, but I do have a decent amount of fun, views, reads and money

byrslf.co

*You’re about to see several photos of my stats that might surprise you and clearly reflect my “message” today in regard to my earnings.

10 Writing Tips I’ve Learned Here Over The Past Year (Which Has Been Oh So Dear)

An open letter to me and you, and especially to those who are new

medium.com

When I first started writing on Medium with the intent of making money, I had already been a member for 9 months.

I had never read up on what I could do to increase my earnings.

Sometime in late September, I started reading these kinds of articles- a lot of them.

Many of them said that member reading time played a large factor in earnings.

After a few of my stories performed well, in terms of internal views and member reading time, I was convinced as well.

Then my partner started looking at the stats of several stories that were doing well and tried to figure out some kind of pattern or relation between member reading time, claps, responses, and earnings.

He’s a computer nerd. This kind of thing comes naturally to him…

…and yet, he and I are both still baffled.

Take a CLOSE look at the following photos:

15 minute reading time equals $3.44.

Hmmm…can that be right?

2 days later, 2 minute member reading time from 7 views earned me $3.59??

I’m quite happy and grateful about that, BUT it makes absolutely no sense!

Shall we continue….

11 min member reading time and 4 views earned me just $0.26 for this one.

I’m not complaining!

It’s just a complete mystery to me how Medium’s “algorithm” (or whatever) decides our financial fate at any given moment.

I don’t even know why Medium bothers to show us these stats when, to many of us, there is no real mathematical enlightenment that can truly happen.

Here is one of my ALL TIME FAVORITES that shows there IS a ghost in the Medium machine:

Somehow, someway, the gods saw fit to grant me $0.43 on a day that I had 1 external view (in case you haven’t heard through the grape juice vine, we, allegedly, ONLY make money from internal views, NOT external) AND not even ONE SECOND of member reading time.

How on earth do you explain that……….?

(Anyone? Bueller…? Anyone else?)

Tell me…

Do you know the secret, mysterious, magical formula to these statistical and financial algorithmical shenanigans??

If so, please do enlighten us.

Oh, and curation or “chosen for further distribution” or “Top Writer” statuses are nice, but don’t really make a difference.

How Does Life Change After You’ve Become “Top Writer” in 5 Categories on Medium?

Also, does curation or being “chosen for further distribution” really matter to stats and earnings?

klsimmons.medium.com

It’s all (mainly) a wonder-full game of LUCK…

SO HAVE SOME FUN!!!

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