The 4 Pillars Behind Consistent $$$$ on Medium
If you’re struggling to make good money on Medium, read this.
Medium isn’t a place where you can expect to make a full-time living.
I don’t say this, but product manager Ariel Meadow Stallings said these words in the most recent Boost Nomination Program meeting for editors.
So yes, if you’d been hoping to read this and become a full-time writer just by depending on Medium, I’m sorry to burst your bubble.
But here’s the catch.
The definition of a “full-time living” differs depending on where you stay. If you’re from the US, $1000 a month is loose change. But if you live in a small city in countries like India, Pakistan, or Bangladesh, $1000 per month can be a life-changing amount.
Sure, it’s not a full-time living. But outside of these $1000 a month, you’ll also get —
Exposure to a global audience
A platform to build your portfolio
Sponsorship opportunities with brands
Visibility for your services and digital products
A community of loyal readers and writer friends
And more.
Medium can be the platform where you kickstart your writing business. It can be the place you pitch your services and set the foundation for other income streams related to writing.
So yes, even you can’t make a living on Medium, it’s still an incredible place to start writing. I’ve been on the platform since 2020, and it’s changed my life. I got clients, sponsorship opportunities, speaking gigs, award function invites and more — all because of the articles I published on Medium.
In this article, I’m sharing the four key steps you need to remember if you’d like to make consistent $$$$ on Medium. These have helped me for over four years, and I’m sure they’ll get you started too.
Step 1: Know what keeps you awake at night
If you want people to read from you, always aim to solve your audience’s problem through your articles.
I write about self-improvement, so I always aim to create content that can help my readers lead better lives.
But how do I keep coming up with interesting topics people love reading about?
They come from my everyday experiences, challenges, and the lessons I learn along the way. Every problem I face becomes an opportunity for me to create valuable content.
I confront my challenges head-on, try to find solutions by experimenting and document my journey.
I keep sharing about them through my articles to help others, who might be dealing with similar situations.
I love sharing what has helped me and how my audience can implement the same to lead a better life.
Every challenge in life helps me grow personally and create content that resonates with those who invest their time and money in my work.
All I have to do is be mindful of my challenges, accept I’m facing them, and work hard to resolve them. You can also do it by writing with the intent to help your audience and earn their trust.
Acknowledge your problems and focus on finding solutions. Remember, if you’re facing it, many others might be too, and you can help them by sharing about your journey.
While creating content, don’t talk about a vague problem. Be super specific about it.
“I am out of shape” is a vague problem.
“I want to get fit, but I can’t develop a consistent exercise routine” is a specific problem.
This specificity helps your audience relate better and find the exact solution they’re looking for.
Step 2: Explore the why
Once you know your problem, understand the context, “What’s making you face these problems? Why’re you stuck where you currently are?”
This is the first step towards finding a solution that works.
It helps you identify the root cause of your challenges, and not just the issues or symptoms you’re experiencing on the surface level. Go deep with the problems and reflect on what’s actually holding you back.
For your problem stated in step 1, the “why” could be–
I am scared of taking the first step.
I doubt myself if I’ll be consistent once I start.
I worry that my friends might make fun of me if they knew I joined the gym.
Once you’ve a clear understanding of the “why”, you’re in a better position to:
Brainstorm effective solutions.
Develop strategies to work on your issues.
Track your progress.
Seek the right help.
And eventually work on solving the problem.
Step 3: Work on solving the problem
You’ve done the groundwork, now comes the execution stage.
This part doesn’t involve any writing. You have to do the living.
There’ll be a few steps that look doable in theory but need to be tweaked when implemented in real life. So, go out, and work on solving your problem based on your planned strategies.
Collect the experiences.
Embrace the ups and downs.
Reflect on what’s working for you and what’s not.
This stage will give you a reality check on how effective your strategies are.
Stay committed to your journey, continuously learning from your experiences.
Don’t be too rigid in your approach if your plan doesn’t work out. Be flexible and learn to adapt based on your real-life experiences while working on the problem. That’s the only way to move forward and find the right solution in life.
Step 4: Teach with stories
This is the most important part. You know the problem, the context, and how to solve it. Now comes the writing part.
Create a story out of your experience.
Write so it hooks the reader, gives a solution, and empowers them to take action.
Give it a structure to make it easy to read.
Share how you were struggling and how you found the solution.
Include actionable guides for your readers dealing with the same problem.
Write about the mistakes you made and how your readers can avoid them.
Keep your tone conversational, as if you’re talking to a friend.
End the story with a positive note to encourage your readers to take action.
Presenting your content in a storytelling format is a powerful way to connect with your readers.
Don’t hesitate to make it personal or talk about your failures. Readers don’t want to learn from an expert; they look up to people who seem relatable. It gives them hope that if you can do it, so can they.
I’ve made my lived experiences my unfair advantage to create stories that leave a lasting impression on my readers.
I’ve been writing on Medium for the last 4 years. Some of my most impactful articles to date are those where:
I shared how racial discrimination is normalized in my country, and how I feel about it.
I discussed how I’m challenging my Indian middle-class mindset to make unconventional career choices.
I wrote about how I started pole dancing at 30.
What I write about on Medium to make consistent $$$$: Closing thoughts
Being a successful writer on Medium isn’t about having an elite vocabulary, expertise in technical concepts, or a command over every writing technique.
It’s about showing up consistently, writing authentic, valuable stories, and building a connection with your audience.
I follow the 4 steps outlined in this article to write all my Medium stories. And the audience loves it.
This approach lets me be authentic, doesn’t require a ton of research, and is 100% relatable because it comes from lived experience.
Feel free to use my template to create your own stories on Medium, and make the most of the platform to grow as a writer and make the money you deserve.
On Monday, September 23 at 7:00 PM IST, I’m hosting a FREE webinar on how to get started earning money on Medium.
Anangsa, your articles always add values to my skill.
Love you Anangsha!
You are shortening the learning curve for us with your work. I'm big admirer of your work.
You are my Hero, not just because of your work but because of wisdom and intentions you carry for your readers. It comes across very strongly in your writing.
Keep going girl. You have it in you. Your words inspire people.