The Digitalmehmet Content Ecosystem

If you’re a writer on Medium, you may have noticed that since June 2024, earnings from the Medium Partner Program (MPP) dropped for many people.

This was tough for writers who relied on that income.

Many great writers who were doing well before suddenly found themselves earning less, leaving them feeling disappointed and even questioning their skills.

But don’t worry — you’re not alone, and there are ways to keep going and even find new ways to earn with your writing.

This guide is here to help you understand what happened, explore new paths, and show you how to make the most of this situation.

Why Have Earnings Changed on Medium?

Medium has always made changes to how content is shown, shared, and paid for.

Recently, some big changes affected many writers. Here’s what might be going on:

1. Medium’s Algorithm Changed: Medium uses an algorithm to decide which stories get shown to more readers. Updates to this algorithm can affect who sees your work.
2. Readers’ Interests Shift: Over time, what readers like to read changes. This affects which stories get attention, and it might not be the same content that used to perform well.
3. More Writers on Medium: With more writers joining Medium, it’s harder to stand out, and the competition for readers’ attention is stronger.

These shifts might feel frustrating, but they’re also a reminder that relying on one source of income can be risky.

So, let’s look at ways to build a steady income as a writer, even if things are changing.

Step 1: Don’t Depend Only on Medium

Medium is a great platform, but putting all your focus on one place means that when changes happen, they can have a big impact.

To protect yourself from big drops in income, think about ways to earn beyond Medium.

1. Try Other Platforms: Consider posting on Substack, Ghost, LinkedIn, or even starting your own blog. Some of these platforms have ways to earn money similar to Medium.
2. Build a Connection with Your Readers: When readers feel connected to you, they’re more likely to support you no matter where you write. You could connect with them through a newsletter or social media, so they can follow your writing wherever it is.
3. Create Your Own Blog or Website: Having your own site lets you control everything about your content. You can keep your writing in one place and use ads, paid memberships, or even products to make money from it.

Step 2: Update Your Content Strategy

To stay successful, it helps to rethink what you’re writing and who you’re writing for.

Here are some simple tips to keep your writing interesting and helpful for readers:

1. Focus on Topics That Solve Problems: Readers often like stories that solve their problems or help them learn something new. Writing guides, tips, or useful advice can draw in more readers.
2. Stay Up-to-Date with Trends: Look at what’s trending on Medium and similar sites. Writing about topics that are in demand can help your stories reach more people.
3. Experiment with Different Content Types: Mix it up with different types of posts, like listicles, personal stories, or step-by-step guides. Variety can help you find what readers enjoy most.

Step 3: Find New Ways to Earn from Your Writing

If Medium earnings are going down, it’s a good time to explore other ways to make money from writing.

1. Affiliate Marketing: Some platforms let you earn money by recommending products or services. If readers click on your links and buy something, you earn a small fee. Be sure to recommend things you believe in, so readers trust you.
2. Freelance Writing: Offer your writing services to businesses or other publications. Many companies pay for blog posts, social media content, or articles.
3. Paid Memberships: If you have loyal readers, they may be willing to pay for extra content. Platforms like Substack let you charge for newsletters or special posts, so readers who love your work can support you directly.

Step 4: Stay Positive and Focused

Writing is not always an easy path, and changes can feel discouraging. But remember, every writer has ups and downs.

The key is to keep going and find new ways to reach your goals. Stay creative, keep experimenting, and remember why you started writing.

Take Your Next Step to Success

If you’re ready to move forward, I’ve put together an Advanced Monetization Roadmap for writers on Medium and Substack.

It has detailed strategies on how to make money with your writing, even in today’s changing environment.

You can download it for free here.