Exploring the Value of Becoming a Friend of Medium for Writers
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Chapter 1: Introduction to Being a Friend of Medium
In the early hours of February 6, 2024, I took a significant step—upgrading my status to a Friend of Medium. The question loomed: is this decision worthwhile?
Previously, at the end of the last year, I opted not to invest in the $5 membership aimed at creators. Instead, I managed to attract over 100 followers and successfully joined the Medium Partner Program, allowing me to earn that coveted Partner income—all without spending any money.
However, this month has been underwhelming; my earnings reached only around $3.50 in just five days, and the statistics aren’t looking promising. Consequently, I decided to reinvest my one month’s earnings back into Medium by becoming a Friend of Medium.
As February comes to a close, I have a comparable month to analyze.
Section 1.1: Comparing Monthly Statistics
For context, I selected October 2023 for comparison due to its similar monthly views and reads.
October 2023 Reads and Views:
- Reads: More than February.
- Views: Similar or slightly fewer.
February 2024 Reads and Views:
- Audience Growth:
- October 2023: Gained 86 followers and received 9 email notifications.
- February 2024: Gained 53 followers and received 3 email notifications.
Earnings Comparison:
- October 2023: $106.23
- February 2024: $35.00—quite disappointing.
What contributed to these changes?
Subsection 1.1.1: Content Volume and Engagement
In October, I published 12 articles, while in February, that number increased to 24. Interestingly, the average read time for articles in October was approximately 2.92 minutes, which saw a slight rise to about 3.23 minutes in February. This suggests a shift towards more comprehensive content in February compared to October.
What does this mean? It appears that producing fewer, more thorough articles may yield better results.
Section 1.2: Seeking New Strategies
Following these observations, I consulted ChatGPT for advice. The insights I received included sharing more personal experiences about my life as a father rather than focusing solely on financial strategies.
What do you think about this approach?
Your #1 Fan,
B$
Chapter 2: Perspectives on Medium's Value
In this section, we delve deeper into the value of Medium for writers and examine the evolving landscape of writing online.
The first video titled "Is Medium Still Worth It in 2024? (from a Top Writer + Boost Nominator)" explores the current relevance of Medium for writers, discussing various perspectives and experiences.
The second video, "Is writing on Medium worth it in 2024? (REALISTIC earnings)," presents a realistic outlook on potential earnings for writers on the platform, providing valuable insights for anyone considering a writing career on Medium.