The First $0.01

I vividly recall my overwhelming excitement when I saw my first $0.01 next to one of my articles. It felt almost accidental, as I hadn’t been actively pursuing income from my writing. Yet, there it was—a tangible representation of value.

This small financial figure is insignificant compared to its deeper meaning; it indicated that someone found my writing valuable enough to warrant payment.

Writing Daily: A Misguided Notion

Many articles discuss the three critical metrics of Medium, yet after reading numerous opinions, I often wonder if anyone truly grasps what drives earnings on the platform. While you can analyze data endlessly, the one thing you can influence is your writing output.

I’ve previously argued that the idea of writing every single day can be flawed. However, publishing consistently does ignite my passion. To truly engage with the Medium algorithm, it's essential to tap into existing audiences.

One effective strategy is to have your work published in established publications. For instance, my article titled “The 5 Step Framework to Becoming a Key Person of Influence for Story Lamp Reviews” turned out to be my highest earner—albeit a modest $0.37. Nevertheless, the principle of leveraging publications remains valid.

Another strategy involves tagging authors with larger followings in your articles, hoping they might reciprocate. I had my first taste of success when @realzachthinkshare shared my piece on Powerlifting, ADHD, and Decision Fatigue with his extensive audience. Even if my $0.01 isn’t enough for Medium to convert into my local currency, I will always appreciate Zach for amplifying my voice.

1% Improvement Each Day

Recently, boxing enthusiasts witnessed a remarkable undercard event, featuring Mark De Mori, an Australian boxer who learned the sport through YouTube tutorials. He faced Filip Hrgovic, a bronze medallist from the Rio 2016 Olympics, and unfortunately suffered a first-round defeat.

De Mori likely practiced boxing daily during his self-training journey, yet he fell short against Hrgovic's prowess. Similarly, while writing daily can enhance your consistency, repeating the same mistakes for a year can lead to stagnation.

To combat this risk, I am documenting one piece of writing advice each day, aiming to compile it into a comprehensive article or eBook once I gather enough insights. If you have any transformative writing tips that boosted your income, please share them in the comments!