Why I'm back writing on Medium consistently (even if I don't make the money anymore)
Why keep writing on Medium if there's no money in it? If you're serious about writing online, you need to read this.
I’m back on writing on Medium consistently.
No, I don’t get paid anymore.
Yes, I know, I know….it sounds ridiculous.
Not when I keep seeing that 👇
But why keep doing it when there’s no money? Why invest the time, the effort, and the brainpower? Why keep showing up when Medium decided my words aren’t worth a penny anymore?
To be honest, I decided to stop.
It didn’t make sense anymore. Medium is not a community anymore. In fact, building a community is kind of illegal now — you can get suspended.
To be honest I don’t know what Medium is:
not a community
not a social media
not a publication that pays writers
not a media that pays for curated content
Right now it’s a place where people pay a fee to read whatever Medium decides it’s worth reading. An obsolete business model…
The truth is you can use Medium in many ways.
So why I’m back?
Because of notifications like this: “New free subscriber to Unplugged by Yana G.Y.! Source: Medium”
It’s not about the money.
Medium has excellent SEO. It also has a great audience that’s hungry for better content. It’s a goldmine.
The Real Currency of Writing Online
Everyone is so obsessed with making money that they forget the one thing that matters more than a paycheck: the audience.
It comes before money.
My Medium audience? They’re still there. They still read. They still subscribe. They still care.
That’s why I decided to come back.
Because a (paid) subscriber doesn’t just appear out of thin air. They start as a free reader. They start as someone who stumbles on your work, clicks “Follow,” and maybe (just maybe) joins your email list.
And an email subscriber? That’s the pure gold.
Because Medium can change its payment structure overnight. Platforms can collapse. Algorithms can turn against you. But when someone willingly gives you their email, they’re handing you permission to stay in their life.
That’s powerful.
It’s the ultimate sign of trust you need.
If You’re a Writer, You Need a Bigger Picture
Most people quit writing because they expect instant results. They want the dopamine rush of a viral post. They want the overnight flood of cash of a boosted story.
But the real game? It’s slower. It’s strategic. It’s long.
I’m back writing on Medium because it’s a distribution channel.
A lead generator.
I’ll simply use it differently.
As a way to meet new readers who might eventually become (paying) subscribers to my newsletter.
Medium isn’t the destination.
It’s now the top of the funnel for me.
But if you’re trying to maintain or recover your Medium earnings, here’s some ideas how to do that:
So, Am I Insane?
Maybe.
But if insanity means showing up when others quit…
If insanity means writing for the people who still read…
If insanity means building something that outlasts a platform’s payment model…
Then yeah, I’ll proudly call myself crazy.
And I’ll keep hitting “Publish.”
Because your audience’s attention is the real online currency.
And I’m not done collecting.
So tell me:
Let’s talk!
Recommend Unplugged by Yana G.Y.!
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I am also continuing to write on Medium despite the embarrassing earnings and disrespect. I downgraded my subscription so I don't feel ripped off anymore. I have noticed that even though my engagement has decreased significantly, I am still gaining free substack subscriptions from Medium accounts. I think you are right! The more places we write, the better the chance of being seen by people who enjoy our writing. I've decided to write all my health articles here and the everyday stuff that's going on in my life at Medium. Maybe we will get lucky and things will dramatically change for the better over there soon. Who knows. Only time will tell. Great article!
Right now, on Medium, I'm only writing Drabbles, which never make much money.
However, I'm not being paid anyway so I'm continuing to write them because of close friendship.
When you write an article on Medium and someone subscribes, do you move them over to Substack?
If not, how do they benefit you?