The Sad Reason Why Your Recurring Revenue Via Medium Is So Low

Summary

The article discusses the limitations of Medium's referral program, which significantly hinders the potential for recurring revenue for writers due to the inability to refer new members via the mobile app, despite Medium's focus on growing its paying subscriber base.

Abstract

The author of the article addresses a critical issue with Medium's referral program, emphasizing that half of Medium's readership, who access the platform through the mobile app, cannot become referred members. This limitation is a blindspot in Medium's strategy, as it undermines the potential for writers to earn recurring revenue through referrals. The article highlights the importance of recurring revenue for stability, security, saving money, and eventually retiring. Despite the referral program's potential as an incentive to convert non-paying readers into paying subscribers, the current inability to access the referral page on mobile apps results in a missed opportunity for both writers and Medium. The author, Kristina God, encourages readers to use her referral link if they are on a desktop or using a browser on their smartphone but notes the frustration for those reading via the app, as they cannot participate in the referral program.

Opinions

The author believes that the inability to refer new members through the mobile app is a significant oversight by Medium, affecting 50% of its readership.
The referral program is seen as a valuable tool for writers to earn money and for Medium to grow its subscriber base, yet the current limitations on mobile are counterproductive to these goals.
There is a sense of frustration and annoyance regarding Medium's lack of action to resolve this issue, especially given the platform's stated focus on increasing paying subscribers.
The author suggests that Medium's current state of affairs regarding the referral program is not aligned with the interests of its writers, who actively promote the platform on various social media channels.
Despite the challenges, the author remains optimistic, encouraging readers to use her referral link when possible and highlighting the benefits of becoming a Medium member, both for the reader and the writers they support.

Let’s talk about a blindspot and grab some tissues for this one.

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Let me ask you a general question about recurring income:

What would recurring revenue make possible for you?

Here are some potential answers:

stability which calms the nervous system

feeling of security

save some money

pay off your debt

… and yes, of course, recurring income could enable you to retire one day too.

Although Dominic DiFrancesco recently stated that the payments for listen time or referred members won’t enable you to retire right away… they can at least help you to get closer to this goal.

So I don't get it.

The referral program is a great incentive to convert non-paying readers.

It’s a win-win.

Most writers want a chunk of that yummy $5.

They actively refer people via Medium and other social media sites such as —- Twitter, Quora, NewsBreak, Vocal, Instagram, YouTube, and so on…and once people click on the link…

nothing… they come back to the writer’s profile page but can’t access the referral page.

The Sad Reason Why Your Recurring Revenue Via Medium Is So Low

Let’s talk about a blindspot and grab some tissues for this one.

Okay, let’s be more serious now… and talk about a blindspot

I reached out to Medium and they told me:

So I don't get it.

See!

Join Medium with my referral link - Kristina God

As a Medium member, a portion of your membership fee goes to writers you read, and you get full access to every story…