I do not write on other platforms. I write at Medium for the pleasure of it...and not for the $. If I depended on the little bit of money I earn there each month, I would have starved years ago!
Unlike many folks, I am in a good place, financially. No, do not hit me up for a loan - that's what banks are for. And relatives. LOL. If you hit up your friends for $, you are likely to have fewer friends...try that experiment, and you'll find out for yourself, probably. Hope what I wrote doesn't sound too snarky.
Following my Great Depression era parents' advice when I was a child and then adolescent served me well, i.e., put aside a little bit of money every pay check for a rainy day. Save for retirement. Pay extra on your mortgage every month to retire it before 30 years is up. I did all of those things. Now, I'm comfortable in retirement.
re: "Funny thing about us humans is we’re more loyal to our beliefs than most anything else. The more someone tries to convince us otherwise, the harder we defend our beliefs. What’s worse, we staunchly believe that’s not us!"
Lol. I wish Substack let us highlight things like Medium does. I'd have highlighted the starved years ago part. I only started making decent amounts when the model changed from claps to reads. Decent supplementary, but not a living wage, I might add.
I did all the right things, too. Divorce flushed it down the loo. Five years in divorce court until I gave up, walked away and let the lawyers and the ex have it all. Literally. Walked away with no house, no bank account and no child support. By then, I realized fair wasn't going to happen and was grateful just to be done with it.
Ouch (your divorce story). My divorce story isn’t as bad as yours, but it was still a harrowing period in my life. I had child support but a totally ridiculous attorney bill which took forever to pay off. She must have been laughing all of the way to the bank. I get angry all over again thinking about it (so I’ll just let it go-the anger, that is and not the memories).
So you didn't go over to News Break? (Divorce sucks. I have to tell the story of putting the guy's shoes outside and the marriage is done. Why did we change that? lol)
I started writing on NB in December and haven't been disappointed. I'm not there to participate, I'm just there for the money while they're handing it out. Their plan is not sustainable so I know I won't be there long but for now I'm getting paid which is what I need.
Medium has tanked and its very disappointing to see. I have THREE profiles there now and made just over $100 combined last month. What a joke. I used to pull in at least $500 from ONE profile before the changes.
I'm glad you got in early too, Kristi. Did they notify you of the change in pay, too? I read about it on Medium from someone who was already notified that it's changing. So many people are just tanking on Medium. It's a shame. Makes me wonder if they realize that writers are their most prolific readers and if they lose writers, they lose readers, too.
I accidentally accepted their new terms early, not knowing I could have waited out my for 3 months and made $1000 each month. BUT even on the new terms I made $600 for copying and pasting a few times a week lol.
Like I said, I'll never write original content over there because I don't see it as a home like I do with Medium. I like the community of Medium, love my readers. NB does not have a community vibe at all. And I don't believe their compensation plan will last so I'll just stay there until the money tanks. It's not good for anything else because we can't use calls to action at all. At least Medium can be a home base for other projects via calls to action and outside linking.
I’m under contract with News Break. And yes the early payment arrangement was sweet. I have been paid under the new arrangement. It’s decent money for the small amount of work I do.
Linda, I hope you are accepted. We all need multiple income streams. I’m very curious to hear about your experience with Vocal. I’ve considered them as well.
At the moment, I’m write under two names on Medium. The small account with 336 followers yields more money than the bigger account because I write about sex. Sigh ....
I’ve launched one podcast in January and am starting second series on a completely different topic within the next week. I’m excited to see what doors open from those ventures.
But it does take being nimble and current, doesn’t it?
I am glad to hear you got in when the pay was sweet. Wish I'd been quicker on the ball, hindsight being what it is.
I have considered writing under a male name to see what happens, given that 85% of the top writers are men. I'm half afraid to, though, because if my own writing did better with a male name attached, I'm not sure I'd be able to breathe from the anger of it. lol.
Right now, some days I do better on Medium, while other days my graphics outsell my words. I don't like the neck and neck race. Would love to push one of them to take the darn lead already. Might need to piggyback them to each other some how.
I was suspicious of the invitation at first and then when I went back to apply I thought I was too late. They did accept my application and met the payout promises. There is a new 3-month contract which is less restrictive vis a vis timing of articles and numbers required. There is no follower limit now but they are ranking articles and local content pays more. I find myself learning about cities in the US as I write local content about them. That's fine by me. It's an income stream. After this contract ends, there may be another. Maybe not. I'm fine either way. It's a lot more lucrative than Medium has ever been for me and believe me, I've put in the time there. Vocal is a harder nut to crack. So far my views are very very low. They haven't got the reach. But they are slowly making improvements to the platform so maybe it will be a good choice in the future.
I've read a few that said their requirements were only 500 views per month across all articles, which seemed pretty feasible. That said, I noticed not everyone got offered the same terms, either. Not sure how they'll work now and prohibiting writers from discussing pay means we'll never really know.
I never miss the boat because I never get on the boat. There are sharks in them thar waters.
There be monsters on land, too. :)
I do not write on other platforms. I write at Medium for the pleasure of it...and not for the $. If I depended on the little bit of money I earn there each month, I would have starved years ago!
Unlike many folks, I am in a good place, financially. No, do not hit me up for a loan - that's what banks are for. And relatives. LOL. If you hit up your friends for $, you are likely to have fewer friends...try that experiment, and you'll find out for yourself, probably. Hope what I wrote doesn't sound too snarky.
Following my Great Depression era parents' advice when I was a child and then adolescent served me well, i.e., put aside a little bit of money every pay check for a rainy day. Save for retirement. Pay extra on your mortgage every month to retire it before 30 years is up. I did all of those things. Now, I'm comfortable in retirement.
re: "Funny thing about us humans is we’re more loyal to our beliefs than most anything else. The more someone tries to convince us otherwise, the harder we defend our beliefs. What’s worse, we staunchly believe that’s not us!"
A truer statement was never written! Brava.
Lol. I wish Substack let us highlight things like Medium does. I'd have highlighted the starved years ago part. I only started making decent amounts when the model changed from claps to reads. Decent supplementary, but not a living wage, I might add.
I did all the right things, too. Divorce flushed it down the loo. Five years in divorce court until I gave up, walked away and let the lawyers and the ex have it all. Literally. Walked away with no house, no bank account and no child support. By then, I realized fair wasn't going to happen and was grateful just to be done with it.
Ouch (your divorce story). My divorce story isn’t as bad as yours, but it was still a harrowing period in my life. I had child support but a totally ridiculous attorney bill which took forever to pay off. She must have been laughing all of the way to the bank. I get angry all over again thinking about it (so I’ll just let it go-the anger, that is and not the memories).
Fascinating article, Linda. Fascinating comments, everyone. (Linda, I took a semi- bath in a divorce too)
So you didn't go over to News Break? (Divorce sucks. I have to tell the story of putting the guy's shoes outside and the marriage is done. Why did we change that? lol)
LOL. No, no News Break for me. Mostly 'cause I'm a poet and I'm doubtful poets have traction there. Anymore than they have traction MOST places! :)
I started writing on NB in December and haven't been disappointed. I'm not there to participate, I'm just there for the money while they're handing it out. Their plan is not sustainable so I know I won't be there long but for now I'm getting paid which is what I need.
Medium has tanked and its very disappointing to see. I have THREE profiles there now and made just over $100 combined last month. What a joke. I used to pull in at least $500 from ONE profile before the changes.
I'm glad you got in early too, Kristi. Did they notify you of the change in pay, too? I read about it on Medium from someone who was already notified that it's changing. So many people are just tanking on Medium. It's a shame. Makes me wonder if they realize that writers are their most prolific readers and if they lose writers, they lose readers, too.
I accidentally accepted their new terms early, not knowing I could have waited out my for 3 months and made $1000 each month. BUT even on the new terms I made $600 for copying and pasting a few times a week lol.
Like I said, I'll never write original content over there because I don't see it as a home like I do with Medium. I like the community of Medium, love my readers. NB does not have a community vibe at all. And I don't believe their compensation plan will last so I'll just stay there until the money tanks. It's not good for anything else because we can't use calls to action at all. At least Medium can be a home base for other projects via calls to action and outside linking.
Great insight for writers as usual... Thank you Linda
Thanks, Sarah, glad you enjoyed it. :)
Thank you, Linda, I like your writings.
I hope one day you come and visit us in Baghdad, IRAQ
and enjoy our FOOD, it's a healthy food.
Sam John
Friend from Baghdad, IRAQ
I’m under contract with News Break. And yes the early payment arrangement was sweet. I have been paid under the new arrangement. It’s decent money for the small amount of work I do.
Linda, I hope you are accepted. We all need multiple income streams. I’m very curious to hear about your experience with Vocal. I’ve considered them as well.
At the moment, I’m write under two names on Medium. The small account with 336 followers yields more money than the bigger account because I write about sex. Sigh ....
I’ve launched one podcast in January and am starting second series on a completely different topic within the next week. I’m excited to see what doors open from those ventures.
But it does take being nimble and current, doesn’t it?
I am glad to hear you got in when the pay was sweet. Wish I'd been quicker on the ball, hindsight being what it is.
I have considered writing under a male name to see what happens, given that 85% of the top writers are men. I'm half afraid to, though, because if my own writing did better with a male name attached, I'm not sure I'd be able to breathe from the anger of it. lol.
Right now, some days I do better on Medium, while other days my graphics outsell my words. I don't like the neck and neck race. Would love to push one of them to take the darn lead already. Might need to piggyback them to each other some how.
I was suspicious of the invitation at first and then when I went back to apply I thought I was too late. They did accept my application and met the payout promises. There is a new 3-month contract which is less restrictive vis a vis timing of articles and numbers required. There is no follower limit now but they are ranking articles and local content pays more. I find myself learning about cities in the US as I write local content about them. That's fine by me. It's an income stream. After this contract ends, there may be another. Maybe not. I'm fine either way. It's a lot more lucrative than Medium has ever been for me and believe me, I've put in the time there. Vocal is a harder nut to crack. So far my views are very very low. They haven't got the reach. But they are slowly making improvements to the platform so maybe it will be a good choice in the future.
That's the trick, right? Play on the wheels that make us happy.
I'm curious what was in the contract that made you say nope. A lot of people have been real vague about the terms and confess it makes me curious.
Thanks! Interesting that they seem willing to negotiate. I might give it a whirl again just to see what they offer. Curiosity being what it is. :)
I've read a few that said their requirements were only 500 views per month across all articles, which seemed pretty feasible. That said, I noticed not everyone got offered the same terms, either. Not sure how they'll work now and prohibiting writers from discussing pay means we'll never really know.
Wow. Seems they moderated that after a while..