Here’s Why You’ll (More Than Likely) Start Seeing Less of Me…

The harsh reality of writing online

A few weeks ago, I wrote a very transparent piece about the current state of Medium.

👉 You can read it, here.

In it, I referred to Medium as an investment rather than a full-time job. And, as writing often does, it got me thinking.

Here’s why you may be seeing less of me here on Medium. And, why I think it’s the right call…

This is not a hit piece.

For starters, I never envisioned myself writing a “Why I’m leaving Medium” story.

I’ve been writing on the platform for the better part of 5 years, and truthfully, don’t have anything bad to say about it.

So, I want to be clear: I love Medium.

It’s why I’ve stuck around thus far. And, have no plans of cancelling my membership anytime soon.

With that said, I am planning a pivot.

And, truthfully, it’s long overdue…

The reality of writing online.

In a recent video, on my YouTube channel, I likened Medium to an investment.

To quote myself,

“Medium is no longer a place to create a full-time income. But, it is the best place to start a blog, grow an audience, and start earning money as a writer.”

All of which, I still believe to be true.

This is why I recommend Medium to every new writer. And, why I don’t recommend anyone quit their job hoping to hit it big on the platform.

From what I’ve observed, it’s nearly impossible to earn a full-time income solely from writing on Medium. And, every full-time Medium writer I’ve ever met has multiple income streams.

With that said, it can contribute to a full-time income.

If you love to write and want to make a career out of it, Medium offers a great foundation to host your work and, perhaps most importantly, feel like a writer.

But, there comes a time in every writer’s journey when they must decide:

Is this a hobby? Or, a full-time job?

It’s this line of questioning that has made me rethink my current strategy.

So, I’m cutting back.

As is the natural progression of life, crawling turns to baby steps, and eventually, one must risk falling over to stand on their own two feet.

So, over the past few years, I’ve explored many forms of writing.

Some, I liked. Others, not so much.

And, while Medium stands atop my favourite list of platforms to write on, it has consistently fallen short on its ratio of effort vs. earnings.

At least, for me.

Although I’ve been lucky enough to consistently earn $500-$1,000+ per month, it’s taken nearly a full-time schedule to do so.

So, a few months ago, I cut back on my Medium output to see if there were more lucrative options out there. And, what I discovered was… there is:

• One YouTube video outearned a month’s worth of articles (promoting an affiliate link)
• My first month on Substack earned me more than my total Medium referrals (back when that was a thing)
• Last month, I earned more on Newsbreak than on Medium (with a quarter of the effort)

The truth is, that Medium’s algorithm best serves those who use it as a piece to a larger puzzle. It’s a great way to start a blog without having to learn SEO, WordPress, or Google Ads.

But, you’re also limited to Medium’s vision…

I’m not quitting.

As I write this, it feels very much like softening the blow of a breakup by saying, “Let’s take a break”.

Because, truthfully, I’m not ready to say goodbye.

But, it has also ceased to make sense for me to pour my heart and soul into stories without any promise of success. Unfortunately, Medium’s changing algorithm has made earnings inconsistent, and for this reason, I can’t rely on it to earn a consistent living.

So, I’ve decided to pivot.

Instead of sticking to a consistent weekly schedule, as I have been, I’ve decided to treat Medium as what I believe it’s best utilized as.

A hobby.

So, I’ve decided to cut back to posting 1–2 times per month. I think this will provide me the time necessary to monetize my words elsewhere while popping in when I feel inspired.

Since storytelling is a muscle needing consistent exercise, I’ll be splitting my time to focus more energy on my Substack newsletter, where I share my journey of monetizing my words.

👉 If you’re on a similar path, I’d love for you to subscribe.

Just like any decision, it’s a little scary.

I’ve been going back and forth about posting this story for quite some time. Because, frankly, I’d love to continue writing solely on Medium.

But, if there’s anything I’ve learned in life, it’s that the toughest decisions are the hardest to make.

And, while I feel slightly dramatic writing this, it helps create finality when taking this next step. So, if you see me posting a little less than normal, I’m simply trying something different.

Where I’ll be (when I’m not here):

• YouTube — making videos about writing online
• Substack — sharing the details of how to make money writing online

If you leave a comment below, when I post my next story, I’ll be sure to come check out your latest story as well.

See you soon…

… or, in a while! 🙌

Hi, I’m Hudson. I write about living healthier, happier, and more mindfully. To see my stories pop up on your feed, I’d love for you to follow me (Hudson Rennie). And, to have stories sent directly to you, subscribe to my newsletter.👇

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