I Started Taking the Medium Survey
And then gave up, because it felt like unpaid labor
You know the old saw, “No good deed goes unpunished?” As I’ve been writing on this platform for over two years now, I thought that my contribution to the recent Medium survey would be an excellent barometer for the powers that be, to better understand writers like myself.
That’s what I thought, anyway, until I realized that answering the seemingly endless questions about how I write and where I write and who I write for, and what I make from writing, was taking me over three days to complete.
Why? Because I had to take frequent breaks as the survey is laborious AF and also, I have actual stories to get out so I can continue reaping my pittance every month.
Yes. I couldn’t finish it in one go. The survey with its mind-numbing questions about other writing platforms is laborious to the extreme. I understand why Ev and company need to know this stuff but, every time I thought I was close to the finish line, there was yet another list of questions related to Substack, News Break Vocal, LinkedIn, Twitter, and the like, all necessary evils we writers need to manipulate in order to promote our “brands.”
I mean, what does Medium expect us to say? That we detest all others and bow down only to them, when the reality is, we writers get screwed everywhere?
Finally, when I realized I was spending way too much time on this thing, I shut it down. I hit the little red button on my Chrome browser and said, “enough.” Yet, I just received another email today requesting my participation. Maybe, Medium likes me more than I thought. Maybe, they really, really do.
Well, I’m sorry, Medium. But, in order to make it up to you, I’m going to tell you right here and now how I feel about writing on this, and other platforms.
Medium
I started writing in November of 2018 and made connections with fellow writers and readers alike that I treasure. My earnings, in spite of the fact that I “seem” to have a decent fan base and readers respond to my work, are pitiful.
I believe the most I’ve ever earned on Medium in a single month is $118. How the hell can this be? And moreover, why aren’t writers — the ones who don’t churn out crap on a regular basis — not fairly compensated?
In all fairness, I’m not one to delve into algorithms. My eyes start rolling back in my head when I attempt to understand charts with too many numbers and pointy graphics and gradient shadings and the like. I may be wired, but just not in that way. Perhaps some of you can relate.
The upside and admittedly, this is a biggie: I get to write what I want, for the most part, and I’ve forged relationships with some amazingly talented and generous individuals.
What a blessing it would be to meet with all of you, face to face, one day. We could have one hell of a party!
So, Medium, I love the community, am grateful to share my ramblings but we need to get decently compensated for our hard work, you know?
News Break
A definite love/hate relationship here. I’m loving the fact that I’ve made more coin here, in the few months that I’ve been writing on NB, at their request, than in all my time on Medium. Just admitting this saddens me as I don’t have the creative freedom on NB that I enjoy on Medium. It seems that the algorithm changes monthly. That’s the hate part. There are those Medium/NB writers who perfectly understand the various machinations of this platform and can roll with it, but I’m having an issue with their most recent directive, which is to focus on local news stories, only. Huh?? If I was a beat reporter, it would be an ideal circumstance, but I’m not. I cover the waterfront and that’s how I prefer it.
Currently, NB has a base payment system that has worked out well for me, where each story is given a “grade” from one to ten, with $25 being the least amount a story can earn and $60, the capper. Of course, this is in addition to what writers receive from views, reads, impressions, and the like.
The one thing writers must acclimate themselves to when publishing on NB is the absolute ignorance of much of the readership. I’ve received comments so hateful, so intolerant and so personal in their attacks that I had to stop reading them. Too many times, I jumped into the ring and then realized that my fighting back is exactly what these assholes want. So, as other writers have pointed out, let them read and spout their ravings. They’re only helping us in the long run.
Substack
I do have a newsletter here and so far, I’m really enjoying the freedom of sharing damn near anything I like, as well as the ease of use. Unfortunately, I’m not earning any money because currently, my newsletter is free, but thankfully, I’m getting new sign-ups fairly frequently. Soon, I may migrate to a monthly, fee-based subscription but I want to be sure that I’m giving subscribers something of value as opposed to spewing out bullshit tips and advice. (Sound familiar?)
Too, Substack is another avenue for boosting our Medium stories as well as our personal “brands.” By the way, I’ve conveniently linked to my newsletter at the end of this piece, if you’d like to take look.
Vocal Media
Although I signed on for a three-month freebie in the “Vocal +” program, my feeling is that this is just another platform where writers get screwed. If you’re not a pro member, Vocal will pay you $3.8 for 1,000 views. (Gag.) Otherwise, if you choose to throw in a few bucks monthly to step things up, you’ll receive $6.00. Can anyone say “chump change?”
There’s also a “tipping” option. In all honesty, other writers have explained Vocal’s algorithm better than I have, but again, I just don’t see myself sticking with Vocal for any extended length of time. That said, the reason I signed on was for their frequent challenges where, if a story is chosen as a “winner,” a writer can make anywhere from $1,500 and up.
Hey, I just checked my Vocal “wallet.” Guess how much I have in there? $0.00!
Up yours, Vocal!
The absolute pits for writers. Again, this is my opinion and I do share many of my Medium stories there but I believe that the community has far too many corporate ass-kissers for my liking.
To the best of my knowledge, there’s no money to be had from posting on LinkedIn. Writers might gain a sprinkling of additional fans on their Medium profile, but don’t expect any engagement, as the ass-kissers are afraid to comment on anything remotely controversial. Oh, except if you have the temerity to publish a photo of say…Kamala Harris…as one individual did recently, only to shrink back in horror as the racists scuttled out of the woodwork. Yes! On LinkedIn! Fuck them, too.
Facebook and Twitter
I have a FB page called “Sherry Raw” (also the name of my Substack newsletter) on which I share my Medium stories. It’s the same with Twitter. Easy-peasy ways to self-promote.
That’s it. Again, other writers have gone into greater detail about these various avenues for both newbie and veteran scribes. But, since I bailed on the Medium survey, I felt it was my duty, after all this time, to share my thoughts on the mysterious workings of this platform.
However, if you still would like me to participate in your time-consuming but hopefully-illuminating survey, all you have to do is pay me for my work.
I charge $50 an hour, but for you, I’ll settle for $45. You’re welcome. Love you, too.
© Sherry McGuinn, 2021. All Rights Reserved.
Sherry McGuinn is a slightly-twisted, longtime Chicago-area writer and award-winning screenwriter. Her work has appeared in The Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, and numerous other publications. Sherry’s soon-to-be-ex-manager is currently NOT pitching her newest screenplay, a drama with dark, comedic overtones and inspired by a true story.
Thanks for reading, guys. If you enjoyed this, I’d love for you to check out the following, as well as my newsletter, Sherry Raw.
