Summary

The author took three classes on writing for Medium with the goal of making significant income but found that the reality of earning through the Partner Program is challenging due to content saturation and algorithm changes.

Abstract

The author invested in three separate courses on Medium writing with the aspiration of earning at least $1,000 in the first month and eventually supporting their family through the platform's Partner Program. Despite learning valuable information about the Partner Program, profile setup, writing schedules, and Medium's changing nature, the classes did not prepare the author for the challenge of content saturation and the difficulty in gaining readership. The author emphasizes that writing on Medium should not be solely for the purpose of making money, as the platform's algorithm and market saturation make it unpredictable. Instead, writers should focus on the love of writing or other benefits like social media presence, email list building, or supporting an independent business.

Opinions

The author believes that the promise of making substantial income on Medium is not guaranteed, despite the success stories and the educational courses available.
There is a sense of skepticism towards the sustainability of relying on Medium's Partner Program as a primary source of income due to the unpredictability of the platform's algorithm and the high level of competition among writers.
The author suggests that new writers on Medium face significant challenges in attracting readers and earning money, especially when compared to established writers with a following.
The author values the educational experience from the classes taken but acknowledges a gap in the practical discussion of content saturation and its impact on earning potential.
The author advises that Medium should be approached with a focus on the intrinsic rewards of writing or as a tool for broader goals, rather than as a guaranteed income stream.

I Took Three Classes About Making Big Money on Medium

Here’s what none of them taught me.

Last year I took three classes to learn how to make big bucks writing on Medium. I wanted to know what I was doing before starting to write on Medium. I figured if I were super-prepared and super-knowledgeable, I would be guaranteed to make at least $1,000 my first month on Medium. From there on, the sky would be the limit.

I had read about plenty of people who support themselves solely by writing on Medium in the Partner Program, some earning more than $10,000 a month. With that type of money, my husband could quit his job on the assembly line working for Jeep. We would finally be able to afford to buy one of the Jeeps that he helps to build. We would buy our dream home. This whole Medium thing would be the solution to all of our problems.

I knew nothing about how Medium worked, so I wanted to educate myself. I’m old school and grew up in the days of the typewriter and phones with cords, so I had a lot to learn. I signed up for three classes in total so I could learn virtually everything that there was to know.

Of the three teachers, one guy made big money in the Partner Program each month, the second guy also made a fair amount of money every month, and the third guy fibbed about being a heavy hitter. He was pretty new and had a few good months early on, so he thought he had mastered Medium. Then his earnings went in the crapper, so he’s basically in hiding. He’s a super nice guy, though. I like to think his intentions were good. I hope things improve for him.

Some of the classes cost more than others, but all three were good. By “good,” I mean I learned a lot of useful information. They all covered pretty much the same material. After all, there is only so much to say about Medium.

I learned all about the Partner Program where you get paid for your writing, setting up a profile, the importance of a writing schedule, and how the only thing that stays the same on Medium is that it continually changes. The information was practical. I learned everything that I needed to know to be able to write and publish articles on Medium.

All the classes also were careful not to over-promise. They cautioned about putting all of your eggs in one basket because Medium likes to play with the algorithm (I don’t know what that is), making it more challenging to earn money. Further, Medium could also close their doors at any moment. I seriously doubt that is going to happen, especially given Medium’s recent French acquisition. Medium will probably only evolve and become bigger and better.

I love Medium. There is no other platform like Medium. I love to read it, and I love to write for it.

I’m glad I took the classes, and I would do it again. I learned a lot, but there is one thing they didn’t teach in any of the classes. They did not point out that if you are writing on Medium primarily to earn money with the Partner Program; you are screwed.

All of the classes clarified that there is no guarantee that you will make a lot of money; some people earn more money than others. I get that. But they all said that if you write consistently, you will make money in the Partner Program.

All classes emphasized that if you write consistently, preferably at least one post every day, you will make a decent amount of money in the Partner Program. It’s the whole “if you build it, they will come” theory. That, my friend, doesn’t work. Let me tell you why.

No one will read your story if they aren’t interested in the subject matter. No one will read your story if they are suffering through every word they read because your writing sucks. But, most important, none of the classes mentioned this little thing called “saturation.” Too many writers; too many stories.

Not all stories get treated equally, nor should they be, but when there are so many writers and so many stories out there, everyone can’t have a robust number of readers, especially among the newbies. If you’ve been around a while and already have an established following, you are in a much better position. If you are newer, you need to deal with saturation.

I think all the tinkering by the Wizard of Medium, or this algorithm stuff, has attempted to more fairly or evenly distribute stories to readers and compensate writers for their work. Now, instead of a few people making a ton of money, a ton of people are making a pittance. That’s a thought I have; I could be wrong. I don’t know.

But I do know that none of my three classes mentioned saturation. This might be because doing so could scare potential students away from Medium’s Partner Program, and then there will be no need to take the class.

Don’t let the Partner Program be your sole reason for writing on Medium. Consider any money you make from the Partner Program as a bonus.

Your primary reason for writing on Medium should be because you love to write or because you love the social media aspect of Medium. Maybe you write on Medium because you want to build your email list. You can also use Medium to help grow a business independent of the writing that you do on Medium. Use Medium as a tool.

Medium is what you make it. My advice, make it about something other than the Partner Program.

Click here to stay in touch and to follow my writing journey.

Linda Kowalchek is a work in progress and a member of the typewriter generation. She spends her time with her husband and her rescue cats, waiting for golf balls to crash through their windows. PSA: Don’t live next to a golf course.