One prevalent topic among Medium writers is monetizing their content. While I believe Medium is invaluable for both novice and seasoned authors, this piece serves as a reality check.

This article aims to shift your mindset from viewing success as a game of chance to perceiving it as a dependable endeavor that requires patience and effort to yield progressively larger rewards. Instead of fixating on a specific dollar amount, prioritize sustainable growth, irrespective of your starting position.

While some tips may lead to earning $2,000 from a single article, relying on virality and curation is often a gamble influenced by chance.

It’s crucial to understand that the impressive earnings touted by some may be unrealistic, much like parents claiming all their children are "above average."

To clarify, Medium’s subscription model, priced at $5 monthly, inherently limits the potential income for aspiring writers. For every individual earning $5,000 monthly, approximately 1,000 subscribers would need to pay without receiving any earnings themselves, assuming 100% payout, which is not feasible.

Consequently, fewer than 6% of active Medium writers surpass $100 in earnings, and this figure is diminishing for various promising reasons.

Very few will generate enough income solely from Medium to sustain themselves long-term.

Nevertheless, as I mentioned earlier, Medium is an incredibly potent tool, and you’re in an excellent position to harness its benefits, regardless of your current writing prowess. I’ll share how it has positively impacted my journey.

“Focus on consistent growth, no matter what your starting point is.”

#1 Embrace Medium as a Constructive Habit

For two decades, I battled an addiction to video games, and social media has also consumed my time over the last few years. While I successfully quit gaming about a year and a half ago, breaking free from Facebook has proven more challenging, especially recently.

Despite its drawbacks, my engagement on Facebook initially sharpened my writing and critical thinking skills, allowing me to connect with intelligent individuals who encouraged my growth.

However, with time, the precision of advertisements became overwhelming, leading to regrettable expenditures. Furthermore, the only friendships I've lost stemmed from heated exchanges on Facebook, which are far safer to navigate in person or over the phone.

The most significant cost of both Facebook and gaming is time. They consume countless hours with little to show for it.

In contrast, Medium allows me to curate a collection of blog posts that I can easily locate and share. Regardless of the topic, I can write an article and have it available indefinitely. Whether addressing math anxiety with students or discussing artificial intelligence with friends, I can share relevant pieces I’ve created. I've even ventured into poetry, thanks to Medium!

Not only does this platform help me organize and clarify my thoughts—something I tried to achieve on Facebook—but I also earn money whenever someone finds my writing engaging. As my collection grows, each piece becomes more valuable as they interconnect.

While it may not seem substantial, the validation of earning anything is far more rewarding than simply receiving a "like."

#2 Expand Your Network

As I write this, I follow around 3,000 people and have about 1,000 followers. Compared to my modest YouTube channel or Facebook page, this is significant. This growth stems from the principle of reciprocation.

Daily, I reach the maximum number of follows, with about one-third returning the favor.

To optimize your daily follows, focus on those with a green circle around their profile picture, indicating they are subscribers. You only earn when subscribers engage with your work, a lesson I learned after wasting weeks following non-subscribers.

While I occasionally follow non-paying members for exceptional content or personal connections, my primary goal is to connect with fellow writers who have invested in their Medium journey.

As previously mentioned, I treat Medium similarly to how I approached Facebook—reading extensively and engaging with others. However, the quality of interactions on Medium is significantly higher, and users appreciate feedback on their articles much more than on Facebook. Here, I have access to experts in various fields who are more likely to respond to my contributions than they would on other platforms. I've even collaborated on podcasts with fellow Medium authors who are also new to this space, along with industry specialists I would not typically encounter.

#3 Set Attainable Goals

Entering a gym can be discouraging, especially if you attempt to lift weights meant for seasoned lifters. It's essential to build up gradually.

Initially, simply making it to the gym consistently is a victory—results aren't the focus yet. The key is forming the habit of showing up and completing even one small exercise. Set the bar low to ensure success.

That said, if driven by a compelling, life-altering reason, you can achieve remarkable results in a short period. One of my mentees, Nelson Gonzalez, a fan of David Goggins and Jocko Willink, has been transforming his mindset and handling discomfort effectively. Within a month of starting his diet and workout plan, he lost 18 pounds.

However, this isn't his first attempt; it's the culmination of previous failures and efforts to strengthen his discipline to achieve such results.

When it comes to goal-setting as a writer, I advise dreaming big only for the long-term. I recently read an insightful article by Jon Brosio titled "How to Jumpstart Your $2000-a-Month Side Hustle In Under 30 Days." While I appreciate his suggestions, if you aren't already a professional writer familiar with your niche and don’t habitually write 5,000 words daily, earning $2,000 in one month is unrealistic.

Just as you wouldn’t expect to lift heavy weights immediately, you must earn your way up.

Expecting to hit lofty targets on your first attempt may lead to disappointment.

I’ve found renewed motivation in writing over the past four months because I set achievable goals. In one of my initial articles, which remains my highest earner, I outlined a plan for exponential growth toward $1,000, beginning from a meager $0.01 in June. You can't start more humbly than that, but I was confident in my potential for growth.

In essence, I'm hitting my milestones while building a substantial repository of articles that interconnect and amplify one another, making the journey enjoyable.

Had I quit my day job and pressured myself to earn $2,000 in the first month, the experience would have been stressful and likely disastrous.

You must allow yourself time to adapt and gradually build up your capabilities.

I remain confident that within a year, I will earn $1,000 monthly from the work I’m currently producing, with my confidence and efforts increasing as I meet progressively challenging yet achievable targets.

#4 Seek Mentors and Learn from Others

Medium serves as a nurturing environment for emerging writers and a valuable source of information comparable to esteemed publications like The Economist or Foreign Policy. The platform hosts exceptional authors whose insights you should fully leverage.

Every accomplished writer reads extensively. Legendary authors, such as C.S. Lewis, emphasize the importance of conveying truth and usefulness over mere originality.

My assurance in my continued success on Medium stems from reading and applying lessons from established writers like Tim Denning. While my focus is currently on the first year, Denning illustrates how to expand that into a sustainable career over five years.

I'm not hesitant to introduce you to more experienced authors because, like search engines, I believe in guiding you toward the best information available. You won't think less of me for directing you to valuable resources.

From my tutoring experiences, I’ve learned that you should never be so insecure about providing value that you undermine your own relevance. As a mentor, your goal is to cultivate independent learners.

The more successful your audience becomes, the more likely they will invest in your future books, courses, and services. Thus, prioritize over-delivering value and connecting people with useful resources.

People will remember you positively for introducing them to valuable content and will be more inclined to check out your work.

#5 Cultivate an Email List

From August Birch, whose free course I highly recommend, I’ve learned that building an email list and maintaining control over your subscribers is crucial for long-term success.

While it takes time to grow your list, it represents the key to consistent income and significant impact. A well-maintained list is essential for fostering a profitable and enduring relationship with your dedicated followers.

If you choose to join my list, you’ll receive more stories like this directly in your inbox, eliminating reliance on algorithms to occasionally present you with relevant content.

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