The high priced coffee is what we’re after
In Five Months, I went from Coffee Money to $300 a Month on Medium
If a seventy-nine year old can do it, you can too
I’m an old retired guy. I love writing what I’m thinking. Sometimes I don’t give enough thought to what I type. And, that’s okay. Writing what’s on your mind is one thing; publishing it to the world is quite another.
I began writing on Medium way back in March 2018. In computerese, it’s ancient times. I became a member right away since I thought there was chance of making some money. So I paid the fifty dollars a year membership fee. Boy, I’m happy I did.
It’s not all about the money
I found two, no three, important by-products of being a paid member.
- I could read as many stories as I wanted to read for less than $5 a month. My local Newspaper costs me almost $5 a week, and the only thing worth my reading is the Obits. Yes, I know that’s morbid, but I want to make sure my name’s not listed.
- After reading hundreds of Medium stories, I found my niche most suited to write about. Okay, two niches. Look at it this way, for less than $5 a month, I discovered my interest in writing. People pay thousands of dollars to learn this; I did it for fifty bucks. You can too, but I agree it will take time. You decide you want to spend the money or the time. I’m retired. I have more time than money.
- As a paid member, I get paid. Okay, not so much, Here’s how it works. The first hundred or so articles I published was coffee money. Not Starbucks, but gas-station coffee shop money.
Bonus; I built friends who like what I write, and I very much like the stories they write. Someone said you build a tribe. Not sure I want the tribe thing, but I get the idea, and it’s a good one.
Let’s get to the money part
The money part is all about the three “P’s.”
- Practice
- Patience
- Production
You can read more on my take on using the three “P’s” here.
But, I’ll say this; Medium is not a quick get rich shop. First, I thought I was good, found out my writing was awful. I wanted success now. To write takes time like fine wine. Then I found I had to write, not read about writing, shortly writing every day became my habit.
Here is a list of my Strip payouts over the last five months of 2021.
Three things I discovered on my way to the $300 mark
- You must find your niche to write in. I’m old at seventy-nine and retired for eight years. So, I know from experience the changes we face as older people. Retirement issues are on my mind, so I have a wealth of material to draw on. You have life experiences to write about. Let us hear about what you’re going through and how you are managing. I want to read it because I need help. You may have the answer I need.
2. Find the publications on Medium where your niche will thrive. These will be the primary spots you’ll publish in. But don’t limit yourself to these. You have other interests beyond your niche, so look for other Pubs to put your stories.
3. Shoot for a positive spin on your stories. The facts are most of the news is negative. So, inspire people. Give people the insight and tools to make their day better. Most mornings, I ask my wife, “what can I do to make your day better?” Think about making your readers’ day better when you write.
I’m giving a shout-out to Scot Butwell. I read his story on reaching the $100 club on Medium. I thought sharing my story to inspire others to reach for the higher-priced coffee. Why not? I’m making some extra money on Medium and you can too.
I publish The Rich List twice a month, you can receive it directly to your inbox here. It’s free and you can cancel at any time.
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