Grief and loss has been my money bag for the last year. Angels are my highest earner EVER. Before that it was relationships I guess. But of course, the occasional thing I post about Medium trumps most topics. Ugh.
The angels one took me by surprise. Grief and loss, not so much. You have a way of getting to the bone when you write about those. For me, when I do post about Medium once in a blue moon they fall flat on their face. I always have to stop and ask myself, is this worth the writing and editing for the paltry dollars it's going to make? lol
The writing topics that have done the best for me are my over-50 dating stories and what I’ve learned after marrying (and divorcing) a sex addict. Interestingly, I do much better on TikTok and Instagram Reels when discussing how to cope with or heal from a narcissistic relationship or as an adult child of a dysfunctional family. Each platform has a unique vibe. It’s been fun and challenging to figure out their eco-systems so that the message resonates. A common error I used to make is to fail to bring myself into the story. The more real or vulnerable I am, generally, the better my writing performs. At first, though, getting “naked” is scary as hell; lately it’s been liberating. I’m about to proof my book and start taping the audiobook’s narration. I’m so excited.
You and me both, Kerry -- getting naked and personal isn't even an option for me. If I'd used a pseudonym maybe. The walls have ears and I know who they belong to. lol
I think dark snarky humor and mental health awareness have been my most read pieces. Haven't made alot money from it but I'm compelled to write it anyway.
I maintain that the social structures developed by the end of third grade remain throughout a human's life. By third grade, there are the popular kids, the ones who get followers and get detractors as well. There are the playground games such as King of the Hill which remain throughout work and life in general. There is a burgeoning awareness of Status which then rules life. If you ever need a refresher on social dynamics, watch the third grade class at your local elementary school. Every element is there.
There is some of that, for sure. The one screw in the works is schoolyard bullying. Astounding how many kids that are bullied in school get out of that environment and shine enough to rise up to heights they never experienced in childhood.
That one on hearing loss just went wild, hey? Yeah, history and feminism for me. If I could find one other topic that interests me and does as well as those two, I'd be content.
I hope so, too. If you don't see me reading it the first day, you'll know Medium didn't put you in my feed. Again. Send me a poke so I don't miss it, k?
Except for my first two curated stories which are my highest earners, the most interest I get is for writing about writing on Medium. The most I've ever achieved is $42! I try so hard not to write the writing about writing stories, yet it's impossible not to when there's good news to share. Pretty much all my chosen ones and top writer staus in Climate Change and Sustainability do little. It won't stop me trying to get the message out, though. NewsBreak readers, read and appreciate (or disagree with) my work in the hundreds and thousands. Sometimes hundreds of thousands. Medium readers not so much, lol!
It's worth a try, Linda. Just take a look at my or Matt Lillywhite's comments and you'll get a good idea of what's possible. Obviously, he's way ahead in the game (51K followers, I have 6761) but I'm working on it! Much better odds than on Medium.
Great question and a topic area many of us wonder about. I write mainly humorous pieces about cats and dogs, but my read stats are bleak. The pets category doesn't appear to be a great one on Medium. I wrote a while back about writing, and while I got more views, it felt like I was not adding anything new to an already overloaded area. I will stick to my niche, and slowly add a couple more.
I can relate. The only pet post that got any traction at all for me was the one where I told people to stop poisoning their cats with essential oils. Other than that, no dice.
I've published so little on Medium that I don't want to read too deeply into the stats, they may just be noise.
On my Wordpress blog, the topics which get the most views are crafts (which is especially interesting since I've written so few DIY crafts posts), wuxia/Chinese-pop-culture (especially posts which discuss female characters), and posts about sexual incompatibility within relationships. Most of the traffic to my most viewed posts is driven by search engines.
I've just jumped back on Medium and will try and stick at it this time. I'm not sure about topics, but there's not a lot of traction for fiction and silly poems. 😪 I looked up the writers I follow and note many have not posted for ages. Since returning, I've read widely. I'm a total sucker for clickbait. One thing I've noticed this time around, many writers tend to point out the obvious and treat it as ground breaking. Also, they repeat the same points over and over to the point of tedium. I don't clap for these. A mean part of me wishes there was a negative clapper.
"Maybe that she writes about abuse and rape (albeit in poetry) is part of her success?" Absolutely. I'd rather focus on light and healing so I'm destined to die 'poor' but rich in joy.
Grief and loss has been my money bag for the last year. Angels are my highest earner EVER. Before that it was relationships I guess. But of course, the occasional thing I post about Medium trumps most topics. Ugh.
The angels one took me by surprise. Grief and loss, not so much. You have a way of getting to the bone when you write about those. For me, when I do post about Medium once in a blue moon they fall flat on their face. I always have to stop and ask myself, is this worth the writing and editing for the paltry dollars it's going to make? lol
The writing topics that have done the best for me are my over-50 dating stories and what I’ve learned after marrying (and divorcing) a sex addict. Interestingly, I do much better on TikTok and Instagram Reels when discussing how to cope with or heal from a narcissistic relationship or as an adult child of a dysfunctional family. Each platform has a unique vibe. It’s been fun and challenging to figure out their eco-systems so that the message resonates. A common error I used to make is to fail to bring myself into the story. The more real or vulnerable I am, generally, the better my writing performs. At first, though, getting “naked” is scary as hell; lately it’s been liberating. I’m about to proof my book and start taping the audiobook’s narration. I’m so excited.
You and me both, Kerry -- getting naked and personal isn't even an option for me. If I'd used a pseudonym maybe. The walls have ears and I know who they belong to. lol
I think dark snarky humor and mental health awareness have been my most read pieces. Haven't made alot money from it but I'm compelled to write it anyway.
Oh I need to look you up more. The feed has been just awful and most of the people I do read don't show up in it anymore. I do love some snark humor.
Ty! I can relate the feed being wonky. The ones I want to read aren't as visible on my feed anymore.:/. .
I also write fun Suess-y poetry lol.
Ie Humpty Trumpty. XD
I maintain that the social structures developed by the end of third grade remain throughout a human's life. By third grade, there are the popular kids, the ones who get followers and get detractors as well. There are the playground games such as King of the Hill which remain throughout work and life in general. There is a burgeoning awareness of Status which then rules life. If you ever need a refresher on social dynamics, watch the third grade class at your local elementary school. Every element is there.
There is some of that, for sure. The one screw in the works is schoolyard bullying. Astounding how many kids that are bullied in school get out of that environment and shine enough to rise up to heights they never experienced in childhood.
My highest earning story to date has been about my hearing loss. Otherwise, I've done best with history.
That one on hearing loss just went wild, hey? Yeah, history and feminism for me. If I could find one other topic that interests me and does as well as those two, I'd be content.
Yeah. I even had one person ask me for a follow up article. I hope when I write it, it does as well!
I hope so, too. If you don't see me reading it the first day, you'll know Medium didn't put you in my feed. Again. Send me a poke so I don't miss it, k?
Except for my first two curated stories which are my highest earners, the most interest I get is for writing about writing on Medium. The most I've ever achieved is $42! I try so hard not to write the writing about writing stories, yet it's impossible not to when there's good news to share. Pretty much all my chosen ones and top writer staus in Climate Change and Sustainability do little. It won't stop me trying to get the message out, though. NewsBreak readers, read and appreciate (or disagree with) my work in the hundreds and thousands. Sometimes hundreds of thousands. Medium readers not so much, lol!
I enjoy your Substack emails, Linda, thank you.
Thanks, Karen. Glad to hear you're doing well on Newsbreak. I've never tried it. Maybe I should. :)
It's worth a try, Linda. Just take a look at my or Matt Lillywhite's comments and you'll get a good idea of what's possible. Obviously, he's way ahead in the game (51K followers, I have 6761) but I'm working on it! Much better odds than on Medium.
Just did and they say I need a USA phone number. I'm in Canada, so I guess they don't want me. lol
Oh, what a shame.
Great question and a topic area many of us wonder about. I write mainly humorous pieces about cats and dogs, but my read stats are bleak. The pets category doesn't appear to be a great one on Medium. I wrote a while back about writing, and while I got more views, it felt like I was not adding anything new to an already overloaded area. I will stick to my niche, and slowly add a couple more.
I can relate. The only pet post that got any traction at all for me was the one where I told people to stop poisoning their cats with essential oils. Other than that, no dice.
I've published so little on Medium that I don't want to read too deeply into the stats, they may just be noise.
On my Wordpress blog, the topics which get the most views are crafts (which is especially interesting since I've written so few DIY crafts posts), wuxia/Chinese-pop-culture (especially posts which discuss female characters), and posts about sexual incompatibility within relationships. Most of the traffic to my most viewed posts is driven by search engines.
Sara, that's pretty fascinating.
Having trouble with computer. Pressed heart button numerous times. Please excuse if you're getting repetitive responses. Benjamin
Nope, no repeats. Guess the server had the hiccups is all. :)
I've just jumped back on Medium and will try and stick at it this time. I'm not sure about topics, but there's not a lot of traction for fiction and silly poems. 😪 I looked up the writers I follow and note many have not posted for ages. Since returning, I've read widely. I'm a total sucker for clickbait. One thing I've noticed this time around, many writers tend to point out the obvious and treat it as ground breaking. Also, they repeat the same points over and over to the point of tedium. I don't clap for these. A mean part of me wishes there was a negative clapper.
"We all live with the end results of each other's decisions." So well-put!
"Maybe that she writes about abuse and rape (albeit in poetry) is part of her success?" Absolutely. I'd rather focus on light and healing so I'm destined to die 'poor' but rich in joy.
I don’t write a lot; mostly poetry.
Pieces that have done the best are spiritual ones that implicitly (or explicitly) invoke gratitude and beauty.
Keep it up and thank you for all the good work :)