So much to comment on here but first? I need to tell you that this morning when I opened my Medium app the FIRST story that popped up was....wait for it....
I'm on both, but I've stopped submitting things to Vocal. It's been a huge disappointment. I've entered about 10 challenges and posted over 50 stories. My reads have generated less than $7.00. I haven't even come close to winning a challenge and when I read the winning entries, I'm often surprised by them: a story with the phrase "the rain went pitter pat" and sonnets with too many lines and an inaccurate rhyming pattern, for instance. The chances of beating 8,000 or more people for a prize are not very good. Anyone can read as much as they like for free on Vocal, so the only incentive to subscribe is access to the challenges. Therefore, only writers are paying in. Readers can give tips to writers, but if that ever happens to me, I'll collapse in shock. It feels like writers are being exploited. I make much more on Medium. I will not renew my Vocal membership.
Denise, wow. That's a great point, and you're probably right that it's only writers paying in. Makes a lot of sense. I haven't made much on reads, either. I made more getting a consolation prize and the bonus for hitting my first five. Initially I thought it was because I'm not really putting much into it because I focus on Medium and don't have a lot of time to focus on two, but I think you nailed a bigger problem. Hope Medium doesn't screw it all up in August. lol. I'm finally getting some traction there and it's been a long time coming.
So much to comment on here but first? I need to tell you that this morning when I opened my Medium app the FIRST story that popped up was....wait for it....
"Medium Bonuses Will Be Gone by August."
😂😂 It's starting already.
Lol. Right? I called that one.
Totally called it.
I'm on both, but I've stopped submitting things to Vocal. It's been a huge disappointment. I've entered about 10 challenges and posted over 50 stories. My reads have generated less than $7.00. I haven't even come close to winning a challenge and when I read the winning entries, I'm often surprised by them: a story with the phrase "the rain went pitter pat" and sonnets with too many lines and an inaccurate rhyming pattern, for instance. The chances of beating 8,000 or more people for a prize are not very good. Anyone can read as much as they like for free on Vocal, so the only incentive to subscribe is access to the challenges. Therefore, only writers are paying in. Readers can give tips to writers, but if that ever happens to me, I'll collapse in shock. It feels like writers are being exploited. I make much more on Medium. I will not renew my Vocal membership.
Denise, wow. That's a great point, and you're probably right that it's only writers paying in. Makes a lot of sense. I haven't made much on reads, either. I made more getting a consolation prize and the bonus for hitting my first five. Initially I thought it was because I'm not really putting much into it because I focus on Medium and don't have a lot of time to focus on two, but I think you nailed a bigger problem. Hope Medium doesn't screw it all up in August. lol. I'm finally getting some traction there and it's been a long time coming.
Thank you for that information. I've not joined Vocal, so you helped me continue that at a low priority.
Haven't dived into Vocal yet. I feel I've got enough on my plate daily w/ Medium...Waiting and seeing...
Dear Linda
Thank you
Your friend
Sam John
Baghdad, IRAQ