Chapter 1: Assessing Earnings on Medium

In my experience as a new writer on Medium, I've realized that many might not aim to merely break even on their Friend of Medium subscription. I certainly continue to rely on my day job. However, my actual earnings reflect a more attainable situation for many aspiring writers, and I'm excited to share my progress—hopefully, it will motivate others!

I've only been writing for six weeks, and I still feel like I'm learning the ropes. Writing was never a skill I actively worked on before; I’m doing it purely for enjoyment. Nevertheless, seeing my earnings and statistics validates that I'm gradually improving my writing and contributing to the platform.

I subscribe to the Friend of Medium to support fellow writers and the broader writing community. Here’s a glimpse of my earnings with just six days left in the month:

February and March Earnings

Remarkably, only three articles out of the eleven I've published account for 84.65% of my income this month.

Article Performance Overview for March

The statistics for these three stories are as follows:

• Article 1: 89% member read ratio, 25 views, 16 member reads. I'm proud of this read ratio, earning $0.42 per read, along with numerous positive comments.
• Article 2: 43% member read ratio, 10 views, 3 member reads. I’m uncertain why this one performed so well, bringing in $1.19 per read.
• Article 3: 75% member read ratio, 8 views, 3 member reads. Again, I'm puzzled by its high earnings at $0.93 per read.

Insights Gained During My Writing Journey

As I navigate my new writing career, I've noticed a few key trends:

#### The Importance of the First 24 Hours

When I publish, most of my views come within the first day. I typically write a couple of articles weekly, a pace I'm comfortable with, and it remains enjoyable. Post-publication, views tend to plateau.

#### The Impact of Headlines and Topics

I've observed that certain subjects and titles attract more interest. Two of my articles focused on romance, while another delved into writing. These themes resonate strongly with readers’ emotions:

• Love: Romance captivates many.
• Rejection: It's a universally disliked experience that stirs negative feelings.
• Hope: The aspiration to leave a job and pursue writing is appealing.

In sales, I learned that "It's not just about what you say, but how you make them feel." This principle applies to writing as well. I've begun exploring human psychology through readings, including theories of emotion.

Building a Supportive Community

Most of my readers are familiar faces—people whose articles I’ve engaged with. Building a community is crucial. Initially, I received sporadic claps, but a notable comment that stood out was:

> Great read … Better luck next time 💔 — Melanie Jackson

Simple feedback like this has encouraged me. I've seen an increase in positive comments over time, which helps gauge reader engagement.

I dedicate 15 to 20 minutes daily to reading and interacting with articles from my network, providing highlights and thoughtful comments.

My Writing Process

My writing approach is straightforward, and I might look back one day and chuckle at my early attempts. I select topics that resonate with my life experiences, write authentic stories, and support my claims with research and statistics before concluding with a thoughtful summary.

I strive to write as naturally as I speak, which can be quite challenging. I aim for articles between 500 and 1250 words, allowing for a thorough exploration of topics without overwhelming readers.

Although my headlines need improvement, I’ve received valuable advice from fellow writers, like Bin Jiang’s suggestion on crafting impactful titles.

When I’m ready to publish, I choose a fitting publication that aligns with my topic, analyzing their best-performing articles to find overlaps. I'm still experimenting with which subjects fit which platforms.

Recommended Publications

Here are a few notable publications where I've shared my work:

• Word Garden: A space for new writers learning the craft.
• Read or Die!: Focused on genuine storytelling and poetry.
• Write a Catalyst: Concentrates on writing and self-improvement.
• Illumination: Offers a diverse range of topics.

These platforms are welcoming and encourage contributions.

Conclusion

Here are links to my top-earning articles; I highly recommend checking out my best piece so far. While I'm still honing my skills, I already feel like I've made significant strides in just six weeks.

This glimpse into my writing journey may provide insight for others. I'm not earning thousands yet, but who knows what the future holds?

Happy writing!

The video "How Much Money You Can Make Writing on Medium in 2024" offers a detailed overview of potential earnings for writers on Medium, highlighting success stories and strategies to maximize income. Check it out for more insights!