Good morning Linda, sorry about the loss of a loyal reader. It’s a strange thing but beautiful in its own way. I was not aware that non-members could no longer read three articles a month or the percentages for previews. But I can’t see why any regular Medium writer would care. My exterior views are much lower than those you show, more like 25%. If they generate Medium memberships, great but we no longer get a piece of that so…not that it really amounted to much. Rather than get myself worked up over Medium’s policies and incompetent management, I just publish and move on to building up my Substack stuff. At least I feel like I have control over my destiny with my newsletters. M
I so agree, Martin. But some do, and I figure better to let them know up front than have them hit publish and then be upset. (I need to work on building up my Substack, too.)
Last month (October) was the first month I realized my Substack subs were actually making a dent in my monthly income. A small one but very encouraging. It took a long time to get there but it took a long time to build a Medium following too. One of the myths of online publishing is this overnight success crap. Honestly, I think it sets weird standards for new people who get discouraged. This is a long game. Like most things.
The story about your friend was beautiful and deserves a Boost/much wider audience-- all the more so, given how many people sight the connections they make online as a reason for staying on platforms that might not love them back.
There was a writer for The Riff that was similar to your friend; read everything I wrote, etc. He was also an amazing writer--if I had to add a comma to any of his drafts, it was unusual. Better yet, he kept the same weird hours I do, so we'd often be on Medium or Twitter at the same time pinging comments/messages back & forth. Then he was gone. It's been almost 2 years and I still can't bring myself to remove him from any of my lists. Funny the way these parasocial relationships work...
I'm sorry the same happened to you too, Kevin. Years ago I had a friend on another platform. We started with words and emails. Then moved to phone. We'd call each other every week like clockwork, just to say hi. One day I called and her husband said she's gone. Died in an accident the day after our last call. I was crushed. Her name was Annie and I miss her dearly.
Also, I submitted a story to your "On Reflections" pub about a week ago, not sure if you've had a chance to look at it yet & it's kinda lighthearted: https://medium.com/p/f45c32eef2f8/edit
I am going to go and read about your friend. I have a feeling I may already know who it is from something I saw on Twitter recently but want to confirm my suspicions.
I'm super late to these comments but just found this substack thanks to Lisa Beth Wright linking to it on Medium.
As to Boosting, my wish is that all boosted articles have some sort of identifying symbol. This would serve several purposes: it would presumably be identifying the best of Medium content, it would be gratifying to the writer, and importantly, it would let readers and writers alike see exactly what kind of content Medium values and promotes.
I'm new here on Substack, posting only my fiction, but I am happy to have found you here. So far, I am finding the content on substack to be amazing. It's a goldmine for a reader
Well, if someone is providing you with a platform for free, you're their product. Their entire business model has always been shady—putting your story behind the Medium paywall allows Medium to convert subscribers and make money while paying you less than 10% in return! That's how corporate media operates—paying a select few elite group to boost the work of others. It's shady, and I'm glad that some writers are moving away from Medium as they can finally see through the deception.
The boost program just creates a divide between the publishers and the writers.
Compare that to substack, and it's 10x better as a product and platform.
You can certainly miss someone you've never met. There are many writers and readers on Medium who have become friends of mine that I've never met in person--but I would certainly miss.
I thought your tribute was heartfelt and boost worthy.
Thanks Walter, that means a lot coming from you. You're a powerful writer yourself. :)
Good morning Linda, sorry about the loss of a loyal reader. It’s a strange thing but beautiful in its own way. I was not aware that non-members could no longer read three articles a month or the percentages for previews. But I can’t see why any regular Medium writer would care. My exterior views are much lower than those you show, more like 25%. If they generate Medium memberships, great but we no longer get a piece of that so…not that it really amounted to much. Rather than get myself worked up over Medium’s policies and incompetent management, I just publish and move on to building up my Substack stuff. At least I feel like I have control over my destiny with my newsletters. M
I so agree, Martin. But some do, and I figure better to let them know up front than have them hit publish and then be upset. (I need to work on building up my Substack, too.)
Last month (October) was the first month I realized my Substack subs were actually making a dent in my monthly income. A small one but very encouraging. It took a long time to get there but it took a long time to build a Medium following too. One of the myths of online publishing is this overnight success crap. Honestly, I think it sets weird standards for new people who get discouraged. This is a long game. Like most things.
If any of the ones I know end up on Substack, I'll follow them. I follow some of them that are already here anyway.
Hi Linda, I have a non-boosted story if you would be interested. I’m honestly not sure how Medium deals with memoir these days, but I used to get boosted all the time and now crickets for 3 months. Thank you so so so much. https://medium.com/ellemeno/i-slept-in-my-car-at-my-high-school-reunion-dc82ae645bc6
You are so welcome Glenna. I have no idea how they deal with anything lately, but I will sure go have a read and thanks!
The poets on Medium won't like this, and I know there are quite a few of them there.
I figure some won't care, but some will care very much and they should probably know. :)
Linda, I am so sorry for your loss. I am going to go pour myself a glass of wine and read your story now. I have a feeling it will be a tear jerker.
Thanks, Carlyn.
The story about your friend was beautiful and deserves a Boost/much wider audience-- all the more so, given how many people sight the connections they make online as a reason for staying on platforms that might not love them back.
There was a writer for The Riff that was similar to your friend; read everything I wrote, etc. He was also an amazing writer--if I had to add a comma to any of his drafts, it was unusual. Better yet, he kept the same weird hours I do, so we'd often be on Medium or Twitter at the same time pinging comments/messages back & forth. Then he was gone. It's been almost 2 years and I still can't bring myself to remove him from any of my lists. Funny the way these parasocial relationships work...
I'm sorry the same happened to you too, Kevin. Years ago I had a friend on another platform. We started with words and emails. Then moved to phone. We'd call each other every week like clockwork, just to say hi. One day I called and her husband said she's gone. Died in an accident the day after our last call. I was crushed. Her name was Annie and I miss her dearly.
Also, I submitted a story to your "On Reflections" pub about a week ago, not sure if you've had a chance to look at it yet & it's kinda lighthearted: https://medium.com/p/f45c32eef2f8/edit
I have not because BLACK FRIDAY PRESALE for everyone who works in ecommerce, like me. lol I will do a catchup day today. :)
I seriously do NOT know how you do all you do. No worries, no hurries!
Necessity. Can't stop paying bills or I'll lose my roof. Can't stop writing or I'll lose my mind. lol.
I am going to go and read about your friend. I have a feeling I may already know who it is from something I saw on Twitter recently but want to confirm my suspicions.
Also here is my best non-boosted piece right now: https://medium.com/modern-women/how-limiting-beliefs-have-impacted-my-life-cd3a79ec0fd2
Thank you for taking the time to invite us to share.
I can feel your sadness through your piece. It's brilliant!
Thanks fo sharing the information on this one.
I'm super late to these comments but just found this substack thanks to Lisa Beth Wright linking to it on Medium.
As to Boosting, my wish is that all boosted articles have some sort of identifying symbol. This would serve several purposes: it would presumably be identifying the best of Medium content, it would be gratifying to the writer, and importantly, it would let readers and writers alike see exactly what kind of content Medium values and promotes.
I'm new here on Substack, posting only my fiction, but I am happy to have found you here. So far, I am finding the content on substack to be amazing. It's a goldmine for a reader
Hi Linda,
I have a non-boosted story for you to read. Thank you.
https://medium.com/age-of-empathy/my-mothers-death-was-a-transition-for-us-both-bd92fc97a75d
Well, if someone is providing you with a platform for free, you're their product. Their entire business model has always been shady—putting your story behind the Medium paywall allows Medium to convert subscribers and make money while paying you less than 10% in return! That's how corporate media operates—paying a select few elite group to boost the work of others. It's shady, and I'm glad that some writers are moving away from Medium as they can finally see through the deception.
The boost program just creates a divide between the publishers and the writers.
Compare that to substack, and it's 10x better as a product and platform.
Hi Linda,
Here is a non boosted story for you to read. Thank you.
https://medium.com/age-of-empathy/my-mothers-death-was-a-transition-for-us-both-bd92fc97a75d
Hello Linda. I'd like to propose a story written by my grandson:
https://medium.com/career-paths/love-what-you-do-or-leave-14feeddb7d64
You can certainly miss someone you've never met. There are many writers and readers on Medium who have become friends of mine that I've never met in person--but I would certainly miss.
As for Boost, thank you for taking a look at our posts. I thought this one would get a boost (it has the personal + research combo Medium is wanting) but it hasn't been so far. I'd be very open to your thoughts on it. https://medium.com/publishous/were-drinking-too-much-but-that-s-not-the-issue-23008e8b4d48