avatarSherry McGuinn

Summary

The article "Medium for Dummies" critiques the notion that writing on Medium can be a lucrative endeavor, suggesting that success on the platform often requires writing repetitive content within a niche, rather than producing fresh and engaging material.

Abstract

In the satirical piece titled "Medium for Dummies," the author expresses skepticism about the effectiveness of advice given to writers on Medium, particularly regarding making money. The article mocks the idea that Medium will reward writers with bonuses for exceptional stories and points out that the real financial success comes from churning out similar content repeatedly. It also humorously suggests that writing about sex or Medium success tips is a surefire way to attract attention and earnings, despite the content's potential lack of originality. The author, Sherry McGuinn, admires writers who offer unique and truthful content and criticizes the platform's tendency to reward formulaic writing over creativity and truth. McGuinn positions herself as a seasoned writer who values authenticity and entertainment in writing, and she encourages readers not to be swayed by clickbait and mediocre advice.

Opinions

  • The author is critical of the idea that writing on Medium can lead to significant financial rewards, especially through bonuses for "extra-special" stories.
  • McGuinn believes that the only reliable way to make money on Medium is by constantly reproducing the same type of content within a specific niche.
  • She sarcastically suggests that writing prurient content or regurgitating Medium success tips is the key to financial success on the platform.
  • The author holds writers like Stephen Sovie, Estacious, and Leslie Wibberley in high regard, noting that their diverse and engaging content does not necessarily translate to financial success on Medium.
  • McGuinn emphasizes the importance of fresh and truthful content, asserting that writers who fail to provide new insights do not deserve the earnings they might receive.
  • She takes a stance against listicles, mediocre advice, and clickbait headlines, urging readers to be skeptical of such content.
  • McGuinn identifies herself as a writer who values creativity and entertainment, and she encourages readers to seek out and support authentic voices on the platform.

Medium for Dummies

Don’t believe what “they,” say.

Source: Flickr.Com

I’m going to start off Monday morning with a bang. A virtual bang on the head for the writer who penned an older story, geared to “idiots,” about making money on Medium.

I am one of these idiots as I actually took the four minutes to read this crap. All I gleaned was that the Medium powers-that-be will bestow bonus bucks on a story they deem to be extra-special. This is news to me. Is it to you, as well? Or have I just been oblivious?

Imagine. A bonus! For being extra-special! Woo Hoo! One more carrot to scurry for and not get. But that’s okay as I just checked my stats and one of my stories made seven bucks! Seven whole dollars, people! Beat that with a stick.

Thank you from the bottom of my hardened heart! Wait a minute so I can grab my ankles and bend over. Oooh. Ahhh. Here comes another fiver! Sorry, Honest Abe. You deserve better than this.

From what I’ve observed, the only way to make money on Medium is to write the same content repeatedly. Regurgitate it in a whole “new” way but write the same thing. All. The. Time. Carve out your niche and squeeze in next to the hundred other writers who are writing the same stories you are. Make sure to hold your breath because the air will be fetid. As in stale.

If your niche is “sex,” make sure your content is as prurient as you can possibly make it. We want to smell the funk. Feel the wet. Gird our loins right along with you. We want that money shot. Pun intended. And while you’re at it, you can throw a few bucks our way just for putting up with you. (Now there’s a story.)

If your niche is “Medium success tips,” just copy and paste some tips from a similar story, change the wording a little and hit “publish.” Or even better, tell us, writers, to “just keep writing” Bang! Five thousand claps and you didn’t even break a sweat.

If your niche is “poetry,” be sure to throw together a long opus where, after struggling to get through it — even reading aloud a stanza or two — I have no idea what you were trying to convey. Was it sad? Joyful? Was a unicorn involved? Or Big Foot? I have no clue.

I need to break here to tell Medium I love them so that I’m not blackballed.

Medium, I love you guys! You’re the bestis! Thank you for allowing me to write here!

So. Who am I to offer up advice? A veteran writer who can take a licking and keep on ticking, that’s who. Someone who can endure a vigorous ass-kicking and come back for more. Someone who spends a whole lot of time working for little-to-no-pay.

In other words, I’m a fucking dummy. A Medium dummy. But that’s better than being a run-of-the-mill dummy. I think. Kind of like being a village idiot in an upscale village.

I read writers like Stephen Sovie, Estacious(Charles White), Leslie Wibberley, Hawkeye Pete Egan B., Pam Livingston, P.G. Barnett, Robin Klammer and so many more, and wonder, “how are these people not superstars on this platform?” (I’d mention Helen Cassidy Page and Kristi Keller, but they’re probably kicking ass here.)

In my humble opinion, these folks aren’t Medium mega-earners because they mix things up, that’s why. They keep it interesting and fresh. They tell the truth. And they’re entertaining as well. That is part of the gig, after all.

Wisecracks aside, I’m not saying it’s wrong to have a niche, per se, but if you can’t write content that’s fresh, with at least one new nugget, then you don’t deserve the big bucks you’re probably making. I suppose that’s on the readers, as well. After all, that’s where the bar is ultimately raised, or dropped like a hot spud.

So don’t believe what “they,” say with their useless listicles, mediocre advice, and click-bait headlines like, “I Made a Grand this Month and Never Wrote a Single Word!”

Okay. I’d read that. But I’d feel queasy, after.

Who can you believe if not “they?” Me! That’s who! Believe me, instead. After all, have I ever lied to you?

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 manager is currently pitching her newest screenplay, a drama with dark, comedic overtones and inspired by a true story.

Thank you for reading my goofy ramblings. I hope you enjoyed this. If so, here’s more.

And please check out the other great writers in my pub, Rogues’ Gallery.

Writing
Writing Advice
Writers On Medium
Humor
Claps On Medium
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