I read a disturbing post about writers asking how to make money. Can we talk?

Back when public hangings were a thing, mobs behaved in ways they’d never behave one on one.

windblown woman photo from pexels

Happy Friday,

Sometimes the world is nuts. Just totally nutbar, like someone reached into the matrix and stitched a David Lynch movie to the best of Looney Toons and wrapped it into some crazy burrito with the sane people in the middle so they’re surrounded by crazy.

I read a post that I found disturbing on so many levels, it’s not even funny.

First — if you know who I’m talking about, do not use names. Neither you or I would want to find ourselves discussed publicly in someone else’s newsletter so we don’t do that to other people here, either. And thank you for respecting that.

Here’s the gist of what I read.

A writer on Medium runs a newsletter for people who want to write online. The opt in is a Medium start-up guide. Sign up and get the Medium startup guide, free. At the end of the guide, the writer says if you have questions, just ask!

Apparently, the number one question is “How do I make money?”

Which is all fine and well. Expected, even. I mean — seriously — what else could we expect if we are targeting brand new writers and setting them up on Medium?

Except the writer chose to write about it on Medium. And said “it makes me laugh, alternating with despair.” And followed by saying “If there was an easy answer I could email in a couple of paragraphs, I’d shout it from the rooftops”

I’m paraphrasing, so you know.

Well sorry, but there is an easy answer. Here. Shout this from the rooftops.

Write something good enough to get boosted.

That’s it. In a nutshell. Sorry. Simple, but not easy.

Two or three years ago, it was easier to make money on Medium. Before the referral program and when there were fewer writers. There are more writers now and pay is less because referrals scoop a chunk of cash out of the writers pay pot.

Instead, the writer offers more resources. Sign up for Vocal. Sign up for Simily, where they pay 2 cents per view. Lots of “helpful” links—mostly affiliate links.

Know what disturbs me about that?

It’s not even the writer. It’s really not. The very basic tenet of running a successful business is to find a need and fill it.

Unfortunately we live in a world where money is a need. 60% of Americans don’t have $500 in the bank and 77% are truly concerned about their financial situation. 68% know they can’t afford to retire.

A lot of people are going to capitalize on that. Our pain is their opt in.

It doesn’t even upset me. I know, how sad is that? But the fact is those people have always existed and will always exist until we destroy life as we know it on this planet and there are no more people to exploit each other.

It doesn’t even upset me that we fall for it. Because how do we know? It’s not that we’re gullible. It’s that we’re trusting. And that’s different. People who wouldn’t exploit someone else are the easiest to exploit. How sad is that, too.

What disturbs me most is the mob reaction. Back when public hangings were a thing, mobs behaved in ways they’d never behave one on one. Feeding off each other.

Lots of people cheered the writer. Yeah, I don’t know what works either. Hey, thanks for getting me on Medium, I made lots of friends here. But in between all that, there was some real ugly. Shaming the newbies for even asking. Mocking them.

And I don’t understand that. I find it disturbing.

Do you?

Gentle reminder — no names please and thank you.

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Thanks for reading and have a great weekend. If you enjoy my writing, please scroll down and click the heart to let me know. 💗

xo, Linda