MEDIUM PARTNER PROGRAM
New Writers Can Make Money on Medium — January 2021 Income Stats
Follow up from last month’s story about how my Medium income increased by 365% over 3 months
This is a follow up to the story I wrote last month
Month 4
I’ve been on Medium for longer than 4 months, but it’s only been 4 months since I took my writing seriously and really started to get into it.
The increase is now 667% since October 2020 with January 2021 earnings of $49.79, just under 1.5 times what I earned in December.
Here’s an excerpt from last month’s income stat story:
And there’s still 4 more days in December to go (as of the time of this writing). So, this amount will be even higher for the entire month.
The question is: Will the increases continue to double or do even better?
Let’s speculate.
At the current rate of about double for increases each month, my income in another three months should look something like this:
January: $27.24 x 2 = $54.48
February: $54.48 x 2 = $108.96
March: $108.96 x 2 = $217.92
As shown, I predicted that I would make $54.48 for January 2021, and I came in at $49.79 — not bad.
NOTE: Remember, I didn’t start taking my writing seriously until about the middle of September 2020, so this is why you see so many months of little to no income.
So, I didn’t quite make the goal of doubling my income from December, but 1.5x still proves my point that writing success on Medium is based on putting in the work and not just luck because I wrote 3–5 stories a week.
I’ve read stories from other Medium writers stating that it took them about 6 months to earn their first $100 in a month. So, it looks like I’m still on track to do at least that.
So far, I have successfully increased my income each month, since I really started focusing on writing, growing my Medium writing portfolio, and engaging more on the platform.
Medium Writer Income Stats
Here are stats of money earned by writers on the platform (based on reads not views) in just one month as reported in a recent Medium newsletter:
- 66.4% of writers who wrote at least one story earned an income.
- 6.2% of writers active on the platform earned over $100.
- $49,581.31 was the amount earned by a single writer, and $9,958.82 was the most a single story earned.
This is in just ONE month.
You Can Do It Too
If your desire is to earn a second income or a full-time income from writing on Medium, then it is possible. I’ve seen posts by new writers who say that writers making the big bucks on Medium was because they got lucky.
That is NOT the case. They put in the time and the work. I’m proving that is true.
Although of course, most people won’t earn the high amounts in bullet 3 in a month, it is possible to be counted in the percentages for bullet 1 and 2.
Pay particular attention to bullet 2. You’ve got to start somewhere. But if you want to be in the 6.2%, then you must be willing to do what 6.2% of writers on this platform do — PUT IN THE TIME AND THE WORK.
It’s Not Easy
If you’re wanting to reap the harvest from seeds you’re not willing to sow, then don’t hold your breath — it’s not going to happen.
The basics are this:
- Write 1–5 stories a day, every day (or at least 3–5 a week).
- Read at least 20 stories and engage (comment, highlight, clap, follow) with those stories every day.
- Repeat
I’ve been writing 3–5 stories a week consistently for the last 4 months, and here’s what my portfolio looks like.
As you can see, I’ve been busy putting in the work.
Important
This is what it basically boils down to, but you also need get stories published in as many different publications as possible, so do not be afraid to sign up to write for publications.
You also need to be constantly learning and absorbing information. Do your homework and drill down on the platform and seek out information to help you as a new writer. You can also use Google search to find helpful Medium articles.
I’m constantly learning from other writers, not only from stories they write that give advice on how to succeed on Medium but also just in enjoying all types of writing on all kinds of topics.
Reading interesting, intriguing, helpful, educating, or entertaining stories also help with overall success, in writing and every area of life. Engaging on the platform is a must-have ingredient in the secret sauce to writing success on Medium.
Why? Because it’s not all just about you — remember that and you’ll do well.
The Takeaway
As you can see, success as a writer on Medium is NOT based on luck.
It’s earned through work, consistency, and engagement, which leads to exposure and being picked up more by the algorithm.
My income went from growing 365% to 667% over four months because:
- I got serious with my writing and I started showing up to work on my writing every day and posting 3–5 times a week. (I will be increasing my output to 7–15 times a week starting in the month of January 2021)
- I did my homework on how to write what people want to read.
- I published 12–20 stories/articles each month.
- I monitored my progress and adjusted my output toward my goal.
- I engaged with my audience and other writers.
- I joined several publications and had my work accepted in them.
The bottom line is one of my favorite quotes by Grant Cardone:
Do what others refuse to do. Let the rest do whatever, while you do whatever it takes. If you want to be in the 1%, don’t do what the 99% do.
I’m curious to see how much my income will have increased at the end of next month (February), using these same tactics.
I’ll post an update then.
More Tips for New Writers
I’ve written some other stories to help new writers and I’ve linked them in my bio if you would like to check them out.