Writing

The Real Reason I Made Over $200 For This Story (+ Stats Update)

There’s an obvious and a not so obvious reason.

“There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.” – Ernest Hemingway

Okay, so I decided to take an even closer look at my most successful story to figure out how to write another $200 one.

I think the article did well for two main reasons: an obvious reason and a not so obvious reason.

At the end of this article, I’ve included all the statistics for the story from December 2023 to February 2024.

The obvious reason

The first reason is straightforward – it’s about the article’s topic. I wrote it shortly after the Friend of Medium tier was introduced. When everyone was wondering if upgrading was worth it. It’s pretty simple, no rocket science.

So lesson number one: Write about trending topics, but nail the timing. Don’t be too early or too late; find that sweet spot for your post.

The not so obvious reason

Now about the second reason: The internet has become a highlight reel. We constantly see perfectly curated feeds. Polished articles. And curated success stories.

And then there’s me, staring at my cursor. Feeling like a toddler trying to paint a masterpiece with her finger.

I joined Medium about three months ago, enthusiastic to start my writing journey. Found some amazing people, for sure. But I also found a whole new level of self-doubt. Imposter syndrome hit me hard. And it left me lost in a sea of comparison.

I became a Friend of Medium, hoping it would be my golden ticket to success. More features, more readers, more…anxiety. Because as my views climbed, so did the voice in my head whispering, ‘They’ll see you’re a fraud soon enough.’

My story, ‘Here’s What Happened After I Became a Friend of Medium,’ was basically a therapy session on my screen. It was raw. Messy. And filled with self-deprecation.

It wasn’t Hemingway. It wasn’t even a Buzzfeed listicle. It was just me. Confessing my insecurities to the void.

And guess what? It made $200.

Two. Hundred. Dollars. For my self-pitying rant.

It felt wrong. Like I’d somehow tricked the system. Like readers were mistaking my vulnerability for brilliance.

The irony wasn’t lost on me. Here I was, preaching about self-acceptance while simultaneously freaking out about not being good enough.

But that actually might be the secret sauce here. Maybe in a world of perfectly-crafted personas, we’re craving a little bit of real, unfiltered honesty.

Maybe people connect with the messy human behind the words. The one struggling with the same doubts and fears they are.

So here’s what I think resonated most with readers.

1. We all have that inner critic. But only few give it a voice (and I know it’s not easy, I still struggle with it too). By writing about my insecurities, I created a space for others to do the same.

For a moment I felt like I was not alone in the struggle. And that even the seemingly ‘successful’ people have their moments of self-doubt. Vulnerability is magnetic.

2. Let’s face it, the pressure to be perfect is suffocating. My story wasn’t about achieving some grand literary feat. I just wrote about the everyday battle with self-doubt.

It’s something everyone can connect with. Regardless of their writing aspirations. It’s relatable.

3. The comments section became a mini-support group. A lot of readers were sharing their own experiences with imposter syndrome and offering encouragement.

It showed me that this platform can be a powerful tool for connection. Not just for comparison. My story sparked a conversation.

4. But here’s my most crucial insight. My story’s success isn’t a blueprint. It’s not a secret formula for getting rich on Medium.

It just shows us that sometimes, the most powerful writing comes from the most unexpected places. From the raw, unfiltered truth of our own experiences.

So, the bottom line here is don’t worry about being perfect. Don’t worry about having to write the next viral masterpiece.

Just write from the heart. Share your deepest thoughts. Those that people normally don’t talk about. And trust that someone out there might just need to hear it.

I think the most beautiful stories are the ones that show us that we’re all just a bunch of messy, vulnerable humans.

We’re all just trying to find our way in the world. And that’s perfectly okay.

Now, if you’ll excuse me. I have a date with my inner critic. Wish me luck.

Here’s an overview of all the stats of the story:

February 2024:

January 2024:

December 2023: