avatarToni The Talker

Summary

Toni Greathouse, a Medium user, discusses the benefits of upgrading to the "Friend of Medium" membership, emphasizing the mutual benefits for writers through the act of boosting content.

Abstract

Toni Greathouse, known as "Toni the Talker," has taken a significant step by fully committing to the "Friend of Medium" membership, which costs an additional $150. This upgrade is not just for personal gain but serves as a strategic move to support other writers on the platform by providing them with boosts, which can significantly increase their earnings. Toni has opted out of the partner program to focus on the joy of writing and reading without the distraction of metrics. The decision to upgrade is also influenced by Toni's history with Medium, which began in 2018 through a perk from the U.S. Small Business Association's SCORE program. Toni emphasizes that the enhanced membership allows for a more profound engagement with the community and provides a tangible benefit to other writers, as a read from a "Friend of Medium" is worth four times the earnings of a standard member's read.

Opinions

  • Toni believes that the "boosted" feature on Medium is synonymous with support and community upliftment.
  • The "Friend of Medium" upgrade is seen as a way to contribute to the platform's ecosystem by directly supporting writers through boosts.
  • Toni has a realistic approach to the addiction of checking metrics and has consciously decided to step away from the partner program to avoid this distraction.
  • The decision to upgrade is also a personal commitment to Medium, where Toni has found joy in reading and has seen growth as a writer.
  • Toni advocates for other members to consider upgrading to a "Friend of Medium" to maximize the benefits for the writing community.
  • There is a sense of urgency in Toni's message, encouraging others to act before the opportunity passes.
  • Toni values the legacy and impact of their work on Medium, aiming to leave a lasting impression through their writing and support of others.

TONI TALKS | UNMUTED FOR AN UPDATE | CHOOSING TO RENEW

You’ve Got A Friend In Me

Bringing The 🚀Boost

Wordart created in Canva by Toni Greathouse

Boosted is likely the most used word on Medium. In fact, it’s application on this site could alter it’s etymology. In my mind, the word no longer means blasting off. It is synonymous with the idea of being supported.

A Rising Tide Lifted All Boats

In October [2023] the “boosted” aphorism was in full effect. That’s when decision makers introduced the “Friend of Medium” option as an upgrade. Before diving in, I dipped my toe into the water, at the prorated price.

Today, on April 22, 2024… I’m going all in and ponying up an additional $150 fee. However, the biggest to benefit will be to other writers on the platform. Translation: When you see the name “Toni the Talker” on any one of your posts consider it a boost!

Brazen Request that Keeps It Real

My ask is to peruse the more than 100 posts that are sitting on my profile. Dive deep because treasures await your discovery. Real Talk: I will NOT earn even one penny for your read. That’s because I’ve withdraw from the partner program.

For more time than I care to count {pun intended} obsessively checking metrics has fed my addition to Medium. Stats are my crack. See proof in the post below. I drew a line in the sand and forbade myself to cross it.

As of this update, disconnection has done me good! For the record: I joined the partner program in 2019. The result of mounting earnings will cover my membership for the next two decades.

Behind My Why

Medium found me in 2018. The United States Small Business Association extended it as a perk for volunteering my time through their grassroots mentorship program called SCORE.

Because I was so busy working [in the real world] all I did was read for the first two years. Returning to a “reader” mindset helped me recapture the initial joy of discovering a new diverse range of voices. More to the point, reading made me a better writer.

The upgraded fee truly makes me a “Friend of Medium” and empowers me to fulfill an obligation to every writer whose words saved me from being booted from the site five days into the month of March 2024.

From where I sit, there are only upsides to supersizing my membership. Translation: A read from me will benefit YOU via a boost that equates to four times the earnings of a standard member.

Help others and yourself by jumping on this wave before it crests, crashes into the shore, and disappears into oblivion.

Wordart created in Canva by Toni Greathouse

The BIG Idea aka Takeaway

Though no one asked for my advice, I recommended that every member upgrade their status to be a “Friend of Medium.” I’ve seen a lot of trends come and go.

Help others ➖and yourself ➖by jumping on this wave before it crests, crashes into the shore, and disappears into oblivion.

🔹About Me ➖ Toni Greathouse (moniker) 🔹❣️🔹Toni The Talker ➖ Living every day like it’s my last, but planning like I’ll be here 60 more years. Rewriting my reality in ways that will leave a legacy that outlives me.

Friend Of Medium
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