Navigating the Challenges of Writing on Multiple Platforms
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Chapter 1: The Initial Excitement
In November, I shared my optimism about discovering NewsBreak, feeling that my earnings were finally on an upward trajectory after months of hard work on Medium. My first month on NewsBreak showed a promising uptick in revenue, making me hopeful about my writing future.
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Section 1.1: The Reality Sets In
However, as the saying goes, "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is." Just a week after my initial excitement, I realized that my anticipated success on NewsBreak was fleeting. Shortly after gaining a following, they altered their publication rules and distribution algorithms.
My earnings took a significant hit—December saw my income slashed in half, and the downward trend continued.
Subsection 1.1.1: A Temporary Bright Spot
At that time, I felt reassured because my earnings on Medium were still climbing, increasing by 32% from November to December 2021. But the situation shifted again, and in 2022, Medium also revamped its membership program and algorithms, leading to a steady decline in my earnings. I experienced drops of 21% in January and 22% in February.
Section 1.2: Hopes Dashed
Ironically, this downturn came right after I published an article advocating for higher pay for writers on Medium. Despite my frustrations, I continued to see potential in NewsBreak’s broad reach, hoping to drive traffic to my Medium articles.
But then, just this week, I hit another wall. My latest article submission on NewsBreak was rejected, with a notice stating that I could only link to NewsBreak content and not to my Medium pieces.
Chapter 2: Facing Uncertainty
Now, my earnings are plummeting on both platforms, despite my consistent efforts on Medium for nearly a year.
In this lyric video, Bailey Zimmerman expresses the struggle of feeling trapped between difficult choices, which resonates with my current situation.
Tauren Wells' "Take It All Back" explores themes of resilience and determination, mirroring my desire to persist in writing despite setbacks.
I refuse to adopt a defeatist mindset; I'm too determined for that. I love writing and have received positive feedback, accumulating over 4.1K followers and 104K views.
The core issue remains—I’m not seeking accolades; I genuinely aspire to make a living through my writing. But surviving on a mere $5 a day is hardly sustainable. With countless articles out there offering strategies for earning substantial income through writing, I find that most provide similar advice that I’ve been diligently following for months.
Should I redirect my focus to other pursuits and accept that writing may only be a hobby? I sincerely hope that isn’t the case.