I Found the One Reason Holding Us Back from Making $1000 on Medium

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1966

Abstract

etc.), were randomly located in their fixed positions within a square world of 201x201 patches with periodic boundary conditions [<a href="https://arxiv.org/pdf/1802.07068.pdf">1</a>].</p><p id="eab9">During each simulation, which covered several dozens of years, they were exposed to a certain number NE of lucky (green circles) and unlucky (red circles) events, which moved across the world following random trajectories (random walks).</p><blockquote id="0732"><p><i>Whenever a person encountered an unlucky event, their success was reduced in half, and whenever a person encountered a lucky event, their success doubled proportional to their talent (to reflect the real-world interaction between talent and opportunity).</i></p></blockquote><p id="8f26">Talent was definitely not sufficient because <b><i>the most talented individuals were rarely the most successful. </i></b>In general, mediocre-but-lucky people were much more successful than more-talented-but-unlucky individuals. The most successful agents tended to be those who were <b><i>only slightly above average in talent but with a lot of luck</i></b> in their lives.</p><p id="46a3">As the researchers point out, since rewards and resources are usually given to those who are already highly rewarded, this often causes a lack of opportunities for those who are most talented (i.e., have the greatest potential to actually benefit from the resources), and it doesn’t take into account the important role of luck, which can emerge spontaneously throughout the creative process.</p><figure id="b983"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*kZLnOvbWPJjLB4OizavTkA.png"><figcaption>Highly successful, low-talented agents in green VS Least successful, higher-talented agents in red. Source: <a href="https://arxiv.org/pdf/1802.07068.pdf">Research paper “Talent vs Luck”. Pluchino, Biondo & A. Rapisarda, 2018</a></figcaption></figure><h1 id="6ce4">What is luck on Medium?</h1>

Options

<p id="63fc">—</p><ul><li>Algorithmic distribution on the platform</li><li>Potential curation by Medium editors</li><li>The engagement and feedback from readers</li></ul><p id="a819">In essence, luck plays a role in determining whether a story gains traction, reaches a wider audience, and achieves success on the Medium platform.</p><p id="f718">Let’s take a moment to consider how Medium reinforces the “rich get richer” paradigm.</p><p id="b42e">Your story gets a boost whenever it goes viral, subsequently resulting in more followers, reads, reader engagements, and ultimately higher earnings.</p><h1 id="d1a7">How to increase luck?</h1><p id="c622">—</p><figure id="dfc9"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/0*P8Oerx1cLF2l7YBv"><figcaption>Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@dylan_nolte?utm_source=medium&utm_medium=referral">dylan nolte</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com?utm_source=medium&utm_medium=referral">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure><h2 id="1cbe">Algorithmic distribution on the platform</h2><ul><li><b>> Writing consistently.</b> We still need to be consistent in writing and publishing stories. The more you publish, the more likely it is that one of your stories will be picked up by algorithms and discovered by a large audience.</li></ul><h2 id="1411">Potential curation by Medium editors</h2><ul><li>> <b>Joining relevant publications.</b> Publications can help you reach a wider audience and get more exposure. This also includes building connections with editors.</li></ul><h2 id="4ee2">The engagement and feedback from readers</h2><ul><li><b>> Being active in the community.</b> Respond to comments, engage with other writers, and build relationships.</li></ul><p id="3dd2">—</p><blockquote id="e73e"><p><i>Minimize the hours spent on writing stories to enhance your “talent”, and instead, focus on increasing your chances of attracting lucky events!</i></p></blockquote></article></body>

What’s the crack?

After following all the advice, such as

writing consistently every day,

writing quality content based on market demand,

using clickbait titles and cover images,

you check the Partner Program earnings every morning. However, you don’t see a sufficient amount of $$$.

I have a similar experience, although it’s not my primary goal on Medium.

Let me open your eyes with the following graph.

You should be only slightly above average in talent but with a lot of luck.

The Italian researchers made an agent-based model simulation with 1000 individuals (agents) over 100 tries. Each time, they started with different random conditions. In one simulation, each agent’s working life lasted for 40 years.

1000 agents with different degrees of talent (intelligence, skills, etc.), were randomly located in their fixed positions within a square world of 201x201 patches with periodic boundary conditions [1].

During each simulation, which covered several dozens of years, they were exposed to a certain number NE of lucky (green circles) and unlucky (red circles) events, which moved across the world following random trajectories (random walks).

Whenever a person encountered an unlucky event, their success was reduced in half, and whenever a person encountered a lucky event, their success doubled proportional to their talent (to reflect the real-world interaction between talent and opportunity).

Talent was definitely not sufficient because the most talented individuals were rarely the most successful. In general, mediocre-but-lucky people were much more successful than more-talented-but-unlucky individuals. The most successful agents tended to be those who were only slightly above average in talent but with a lot of luck in their lives.

As the researchers point out, since rewards and resources are usually given to those who are already highly rewarded, this often causes a lack of opportunities for those who are most talented (i.e., have the greatest potential to actually benefit from the resources), and it doesn’t take into account the important role of luck, which can emerge spontaneously throughout the creative process.

What is luck on Medium?

—

Algorithmic distribution on the platform

Potential curation by Medium editors

The engagement and feedback from readers

In essence, luck plays a role in determining whether a story gains traction, reaches a wider audience, and achieves success on the Medium platform.

Let’s take a moment to consider how Medium reinforces the “rich get richer” paradigm.

Your story gets a boost whenever it goes viral, subsequently resulting in more followers, reads, reader engagements, and ultimately higher earnings.

Do You Write Consistently Every Day With No Luck?

What’s the crack?

What is luck on Medium?

How to increase luck?

Algorithmic distribution on the platform

Potential curation by Medium editors

The engagement and feedback from readers