My $0.43 A Month Writing Routine
The habits that will earn you a consistent income of up to $0.43 a month
You read that right. I earn an average monthly income on Medium of up to $0.43. This is the outcome of consistent thought patterns and habits that, when followed, will help you achieve the same results.
I began writing on Medium five months ago. Like you, I had a passion for writing that constantly drove me to want to write more. Medium was the perfect place to get all those ideas out into the world. A world that would benefit from the many thoughts, experiences, and bits of advice that I’d stored away in my head for years.
I’d unsuccessfully launched a few blogs in the past, bogged down by the tasks of figuring out domains, Wordpress, and promotion. Nothing ever got very far because I wasn’t focused on the writing itself. Medium provided the ideal solution. All I had to do was write.
So, five months ago, I set up my profile, enrolled in a membership and the Medium Partner Program, and got to work.
Since then, I’ve learned some habits that have contributed to my consistent results. The result has been an average monthly income of $0.43. If you learn and follow these habits, you too can easily see the same success I have.
Think About Writing
I think a lot about writing. A LOT. I have the luxury of a 30-minute commute to and from work each day. During that time, I listen to countless podcasts and audiobooks about writing. It’s inspiring. I imagine myself sitting at my laptop, hacking away at one brilliant article after another. I dream about sharing the success of other writers, making mental notes of their habits, routines and tips. I’ve internalized so much about what makes other writers successful that the actually writing is almost effortless.
When I’m not in the car, I’m thinking about what to write. I make mental notes of ideas and come up with perfect titles and subtitles. I envision myself completing a thousand words, choosing the perfect image, and submitting to a great publication. When that article hits Medium, it’s going to blow up. I can see it all as if it’s actually happened. I’m able to do this so well in the midst of the busyness of my professional and personal life that I haven’t had to carve out any additional time. I can think about writing while I’m making dinner, driving kids to activities, hanging out with friends and meditating on social media and Netflix.
When you spend so much time thinking about writing, you’re able to avoid bad writing. You won’t be bothered with sitting down regularly to get your ideas down only to discover that they’re not that great. You’ll avoid rejection from top publications and the terrible feeling of seeing a published article with no claps. You don’t need to experience these things. When you put in a significant amount of time learning and dreaming about what it takes to be a writer, you’ll believe you are one.
Create the Perfect Writing Space
As a result of thinking so much about writing, I’ve created the perfect writing space. It’s a 10-minute drive from my house at a little coffee shop. Here is where I feel the most inspired. When I’m at the coffee shop, ideally first thing in the morning, I don’t have the distractions of work and home. I’m able to focus and create the way a writer should.
I’ve tried to write in other locations and at other times. But it’s just not the same. It may sound limiting, but I’m able to get to the coffee shop at least once, sometimes twice, a month. When I’m in this precise spot at a precise time under precise conditions, I can crank out some great writing. In fact, most, if not all, of my published content has been written this way. That’s nine articles in five months!
So, find that perfect place and time to write.
There will be times you’ll find yourself in another setting where you’re tempted to grab your laptop or a pen and notebook. You may have a moment in the morning before you leave for work or a brief time before bed. You may be waiting for an oil change or at the doctor’s office. A little voice in your head will say, “This is a good time to write. Even just a paragraph. Every little bit will help.” Resist this voice. It’s trying to convince you that writing is a process and a discipline rather than the art it really is. Ignore that voice and remind yourself that you have a time and a place for writing. You’ll eventually get to it under the right circumstances.
Follow Your Muse
When your head is full of writing inspiration, and you’ve found yourself in the perfect writing location, it’s time to write.
This is where it’s tempting to just get started. But don’t be too hasty.
You don’t want to waste time or words. Rather than just letting your fingers fly, take the necessary time to be inspired. Your goal is to discover that perfect idea. You’ve already spent so much time thinking about writing. The ideas are in there. You just need to let the muse speak. Don’t get started until she/he does.
If you just start writing, you’ll miss it. Trust me, I’ve made this mistake. When I did, I began discovering thoughts and ideas I didn’t know I had. The result was a piece that I hadn’t set out to write, with ideas that I hadn’t considered before. I quickly deleted the document and regretted the time wasted.
To avoid this, just wait. Stare at the screen, and allow the muse to work. If she/he doesn’t speak, it’s not time wasted. It’s just the reality of being a writer. You can take comfort in the fact that this just wasn’t the right moment. The muse will be ready the next time you’re able to carve out some time to write.
It’s as simple as that: Think About Writing, Create the Perfect Writing Space, and Follow Your Muse.
Do this, and eventually you will write something great and ready to be shared with the Medium community.
It’s hard work. Trust me. I’m 1,000 words in and I’m exhausted. What keeps me going is knowing that when I’ve typed the last word, I can walk away. I can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the writing is behind me and I don’t need to dive right into the next article. Fortunately, I’ll have a good three to four weeks to recover.
In the meantime, I’ll keep plenty busy watching my stats, knowing that in no time at all I’ll have earned enough to finally pay for that first month’s membership fee.
