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100%. It's always great to be on different platforms and to spread your message. A story that doesn't perform on Medium could perform on Substack or be a great video on YouTube. That's why I always recommend being on multiple platforms and repurposing content. Re Medium I shared a series about the Boost. When I shared and interview with one of Medium's Boost Nominators writers shared with me they weren't happy with the Boost vs organic reach. I heard from tech writers their views are down and earnings 70% down... Medium said there will be an update on September but I can see that all those changes drive writers crazy. 😆 Hope all is well. Greets Kristina

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The funny thing about Medium right now is that I took a post that had three views. I didn't share it on social media, I just dropped it on Medium and it got three views. Now, I took that same post and put it on my updated blog. Didn't post to social media and it got 70 organic views from Google search. So frustrating. But, what can we do?

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Do you know why? I tell ya. It's the 30 second rule! I bet you got way more views on Medium! If a news website or a WordPress blog with a press kit would do this it would be doomed in regard to brand deals/aff marketing/ads. Medium as a platform still get those views but we (the people who keep the content mill alive) only benefit from it when people keep for 30 sec, clap, highlight etc. So I get why you're frustrated. I'd like to repeat what you said earlier: don't put all eggs in one basket. Medium is one income stream and a place to build and audience but on the long run the money is where the people you *own* are. People like me who want to read what you share here

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Wait. What rock have I been living under. Medium doesn’t count a ‘view’ until someone has stuck around 30 seconds?!

First, that is hugely important info for me to know. That means my hook or opener sucks and needs work. Not that my title sucks (or it could be both). But not knowing that people are clicking in is terrible. That changes how I look at things.

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It's new. Since I'm on maternity leave I can't share all these updates - otherwise I'm sure you'd know. Oh and the one clap rule is new as well. Don't wonder if I only clap once clap 👏 once. Would you be interested in more news? Maybe I can write an update this weekend and share it here but I don't want to annoy people with Medium stuff all the time. There's more out there. At the moment we're launching a high ticket online course... Maybe I'll write about all of it.

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Sounds awesome! I get not having the time. Thanks for letting me know! Definitely makes a difference!

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Totally agree. It's why I no longer publish on Medium. I wasn't getting any true engagement and the majority of the articles I came across were either poorly written or didn't cover a subject I was interested in reading.

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So true. I stopped editing on Medium because the ones I just wrote from the hip seemed to do better than the ones I spent a ton of time editing. I don't have that time or energy to get kicked while I'm down. It's rough.

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It's sad that so many platforms are too liberal to give conservative and Christian writers a fair shake. I like writing on Medium because it's so much easier than my Wordpress site. I haven't even been able to upload photos to my website lately , so I say the heck with it, and post on Medium. If I write a post on my website and put it on FB, Twitter, and LinkedIn, anybody can read them. Sadly, I am struggling with WordPress. Who to you use for your website?

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I use Wordpress and just got a new Theme that I really like. I’m redoing the way I funnel content so it moves more toward my website and then to books and products.

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I am going to presume that you are more savvy at website building than I am. I was paying for Elegant Themes and decided it was a waste of money. When we get more settled I can work on my website. We are traveling too much for me to get it handled right now. Keep up the good work. :)

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I’m following your strategy with Medium reposting there only. I’m also adding a link at the top of my articles that says ‘not a member and want to read for free click here’ I then link that to my Substack. We don’t get referrals anymore so why should I help grow their platform.

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Ooh! I like the link idea! That’s true. If I can capture readers in the other places, then that can create revenue in those places instead of the Medium.

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Thank you for opening up about your journey and offering valuable lessons that can inspire and guide others in their pursuit of online writing. Your reflections serve as a reminder that persistence, adaptability, and continuous improvement are key factors in navigating the intricacies of these platforms. In this ever-shifting digital landscape, its important to spread your eggs on different platforms.

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Yep, gotta spread things out. Even when it seems like going all in could be good in the short.

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Excellent insights! I've sent an email to my subscribers on Tuesday with the headline - don't focus on socials, but that can be partially true for Medium and Substack as well. Focus on platform you own, I'd say. Mix platforms to get your message out there and be prepared to adapt often.

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Yep, it’s about spreading out a little bit, but you don’t have to be 100 percent original with every piece of content.

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Jack lets hope we can crack the code to growing on Substack brother. Something tells me there's going to be an adjustment period but I'm ready for it.

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I think so. I think people like information, but they like experience too here. The more we can combine the two, I think the more growth and connection we will get here!

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Thank you for sharing your perspective on this. I started intensively writing on Medium a year ago. In June I earned over $1,600 -- not an insignificant chunk of change. This month -- the first month since changes were made to the Partner Program -- I am looking at an 83% drop in revenue. Your point is well taken. I started moving my Medium content over here, publishing on my Tomorrow Today newsletter. I wasn't banking on my Medium revenue but I was sure hoping to grow it. I'm relieved to hear other experienced writers are feeling the same way.

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Aug 23, 2023Liked by J.R. Heimbigner

I tried on Medium. I was never able to build an audience. <= This is a loaded sentence. It's painful and hopeless because it's been on repeat for me for 20+ years.

I've been writing online since 2001. I've been on A LOT of platforms. Audience-building is not my strong suit. In fact, it's near impossible.

I burn out before anyone looks my way.

I've accepted this. I write anyway. I write less these days, and I feel like it may become less and less going forward. That's scares me because writing is my therapy. I have never not written.

I put no stock in any platform. Perhaps it's a mercy that I've never "blown up". I've never had the stress of hitting the big time and then trying to figure out how to keep that momentum.

God always knows what we truly need and apparently, I don't need to be a popular writer on these various platforms.

Why mine for gold when you can sell shovels? So, I sell shovels...aka I'm a virtual assistant to self-publishers specializing in email marketing. I also know my way around a WordPress blog and have a bunch of other hard-to-explain, but useful skills.

God makes a way when there is no way. So, while I sometimes lament that no one reveres my writing, my true joy is in helping other writers and authors find their tribe.

I removed all my articles from Medium and put them on Substack when I made that move. They don't deserve my content.

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It's tough online. With tons of people starting out writing on top of all the AI writing it's easy to drown in the noise. And then a platform makes it harder, what can we do? Keep writing, keep sharing, and the right people will start to see our stuff!

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I'm over here wanting to read this article. The coments can scroll and be read. The article sits idle and allows only the "listen" button. I cannot see the words or read them. This platform is confusing.

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