Stats show that it’s not all roses and rainbows in content and popular media, as I once thought.
Like many, I used to believe social media influencers and popular writers were making buckets of money. I envied them and eagerly joined the crew a few years ago after I retired from the workforce. I thought the pasture would be greener. Spoiler alert — it wasn’t.
And after reviewing the stats, I realized just how misguided those perceptions were. For those interested, I’ll link a few key references at the end, but let me first share a bit of my journey to set the scene.
After five decades of writing — mostly scientific papers that didn’t earn me a cent — I thought popular media platforms might finally be where I could make a difference. Writing about critical issues like cancer, dementia, and suicide, I was hopeful for change.
But here’s the brutal truth: very few people ever got the chance to see these stories. Only a handful of readers, whom I shared direct links with, read and appreciated them.
I also used to think social media influencers were swimming in cash. But I was dead wrong. Even those influencers we assume are raking it in are often struggling.
A recent Wall Street Journal (WSJ) article nailed it: platforms are paying less for content, brands are getting pickier, and the algorithm is playing favorites. Health and wellness issues are definitely not the algorithms’ top pick.
WSJ article discusses how social media influencers are facing financial challenges, with platforms paying less for posts and brands being more selective about partnerships. It highlights the difficulties even popular creators are experiencing in the current landscape. Read more here.
We live in a world where viral dances and 15-second trends grab all the attention, but here’s the kicker — serious topics like mental health? The algorithms often suppress them because they don’t keep people glued to their screens.
While I’m writing stories that could genuinely help someone dealing with depression or suicidal thoughts, the platforms shove that content to the back in favor of fluff. I’m not alone in this. Even top influencers with millions of followers are seeing a drop in engagement and income.
Even TikTok creators, some of whom once made significant money, are now feeling the squeeze. It’s not just writers — anyone trying to share meaningful content is being pushed to the sidelines.
Business Insider Report report covers the struggles TikTok creators face amid changing algorithms and a decline in sponsorships, reflecting the broader trends affecting content creators across platforms. Read more here.
If you’re a creator wondering why your hard-hitting stories aren’t getting the attention they deserve, you may check out the global stats. Here is the link to the creator earnings for the benchmark report conducted in 2023
It feels like we’re all shouting into a void that the algorithm refuses to acknowledge. I’ve personally felt this on Medium, where serious topics are largely ignored, and sensational content gets all the love. But hey, as writers, we press on, hoping someone, somewhere, finds value in what we create.
Writing isn’t just about making money — it’s about making a meaningful impact, expressing ourselves authentically, and finding personal growth and healing in the process.
Thank you for reading my thoughts and feelings.
My stories, of course, never include health or professional advice.
I am a retired healthcare scientist in his mid-70s, and I have several grandkids who keep me going and inspire me to write on this platform. I am also the chief editor of the Health and Science publication on Medium.com. As a giveback activity, I volunteered as an editor for Illumination publications, supporting many new writers. I will be happy to read, publish, and promote your stories. You may connect with me on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Quora, where I share stories I read. You may subscribe to my account to get my stories in your inbox when I post. You can also find my distilled content on Subtack: Health Science Research By Dr Mike Broadly.
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