Medium Is The Newest MLM Craze

It’s like the pink drink for writers

Day after day, the same types of articles pop up in my suggestions:

I wrote for 30 days and here’s what happened…

My stats show an amazing trend….

How I made thousands in just a few months….

I thought it was a fad at first, something that wouldn’t catch on. Surely no one cares, and people will get tired of writing about these topics. But then it became irritating. More people began to share these kinds of articles, and I began to wonder why. After all, those stats, trends, and tips are nothing new. We’ve all heard it a thousand times.

But then it clicked. It’s like a pyramid scheme.

The pink drink of the writing world

Seriously, let’s make the comparison.

You’re a struggling writer, just like someone struggles with their health.

Medium comes along, offering the freedom to publish what you want and make money. It’s a writer’s dream. Just like the pink drink can cure you of whatever health issues you have while giving you the chance to make huge amounts of money. Perfect. How do you make money? People — but they have to want what you’re selling, whether it’s information or the pink drink.

Why do people join Medium? They want a chance to make money writing. It only makes sense that articles about how to succeed on Medium will do well. It’s what people want to know. But it becomes a trap. Just like everyone started selling the pink drink so they could afford to buy it themselves. It becomes less about the product or writing ability and more about marketing skills.

Hey, you really want this. It’ll be good for you. Look at what it did for me. No, seriously, look at how much I’m making- not because the product is actually good, but because I’m convincing others to buy into what I’m saying.

Enjoy your success while it lasts

I’m not attacking Medium. It has its faults, but don’t we all. It could stop curating crap, that would be helpful. My problem is with writers who feel the need to push their product in the form of “helpful” articles. No one cares about your monthly stats, Karen. You can stop. It does nothing but make me distrust you and want to never hear your name again. Just like those that suddenly became very friendly and helpful in order to sell their drinks. I’m your friend and I care about your health/future sooooo much. Yes, I bet you do.

But like every other marketing scheme, success is short-lived. Eventually it falls apart, and you’re faced with the embarrassment of knowing you sold your soul for scraps. It’s all the same, whether it’s annoying the hell out of friends and family in your attempts to make money off their trust or selling out with clickbait headlines and false promises.

Your pockets might be padded for a time, but you’ll be left with nothing, even the things that matter most.