Nov 16, 2022
Why I Never Talk About My Writing Income In My Stories
I’m revealing my Medium Partner Program income.
My Medium feed is full of articles from people sharing their writing income. Some share how they made $0.50 their first month on Medium, while others write about their highest earning of $1,000.
I used to be interested in reading such articles before. They motivated me to keep writing so I could do the same writing on Medium one day.
That explains why these stories keep popping up in my feed.
However, I have no interest in them anymore. I am happy for everyone earning from this platform, even if it's just $0.50, because it shows that you can make money here.
If you can make $1 online, you can figure out how to make $1,000 and more.
Why people share their writing income
I’m sure everyone has their reasons. But I’m guessing most writers want to inspire others. For instance, they want to show newbies what is possible on this platform.
Maybe some writers just want to display how much they are making.
Or maybe it’s just a great topic to get more views on because money is a very intriguing subject for many.
Whatever the reason, I’m not into it anymore. And, as I said, it’s not about the people writing these stories. Instead, it’s about me.
Why I don’t write about my income
If you have been following my stories, you probably know I am not a part of the Partner Program. I currently have 3.4k followers and more than 20k views per month. Yet, Medium thinks I’m not eligible to earn from this platform.
Why?
Because I am not living in a specific part of the world. Because I was unfortunate to be born in a least-developed country (LDC, as they say).
I won’t discuss whether it’s right or wrong because there’s nothing I can do about it. There are thousands of writers facing the same problem as I am. So, my complaining won’t make a difference.
Now you know why I never talk about my writing income. It’s because I don’t have any.
So far, I have made $0 from the Medium Partner Program.
Now I know that’s not the reason not to read someone else’s story about their income. But as I said, it’s not that I don’t like people writing these stories. Instead, it’s because they remind me of the opportunities I’m missing.
However, Medium has helped me make some money indirectly. For instance, I have sold multiple e-books by writing on Medium. Further, my readers have been so generous that they have donated $3, $6, $12, and even $36 because they found value in my work.
I’m so grateful for this. Yet, the idea of not being eligible for the Partner Program hurts. It reminds me of what could have been because writers with fewer followers and views than mine are making hundreds of dollars each month on this platform.
What now?
Well, firstly, writing is something I love doing. So, I won’t stop just because I can’t earn money on this platform. If I were to stop, I would have done it when I crossed 100 followers and got rejected after applying for the partner program numerous times.
Secondly, I love connecting with people. They tell me that my articles help them a lot. That itself is a reward for me.
Now, let’s be realistic. As I said, not being able to earn money on Medium reminds me of everything that could have been. It sucks. But it’s not that I get depressed every time I open Medium.
At the end of the day, what makes me happy is the support of my readers. Knowing I have helped someone, I feel grateful when I receive a response. Or when someone tips me and supports my work, it puts a smile on my face.
But I’m not giving up. I believe in the fact that I will receive greater rewards if I genuinely love something and do it consistently. So, I still have faith in myself and my work.
To everyone in the same situation as me, keep going, and you will find new opportunities along the way. Enjoy the process. Focus on your efforts. Work hard. Don’t think about the outcome because that’s not in your control.
Thank you for reading.
If you like my work, buy me a coffee.
If you want to learn more about online writing and get better at it, this e-book is for you: Online Writing for Newbies.
