Chapter 1: Confusion Over Earnings

Alright, Medium? I'm a bit perplexed!

Why are the earnings $0.81 and $1.97?

It’s intriguing, but why exactly are the earnings $0.81 and $1.97?

Photo by Dex Ezekiel on Unsplash

Over the past two weeks, my experience with Medium has dramatically shifted. I feel as if I'm in a whirlwind romance with this platform and with my own identity as a writer. Ideas are constantly whirling in my mind; every little thing I observe transforms into a potential article. I eagerly await those quiet moments when I can write down my thoughts and immerse myself in the writings of others before bedtime.

However, amidst this creative surge, I find myself grappling with uncertainty.

What’s the deal with the earnings, everyone?

Initially, the situation seemed straightforward. However, it’s clear that simply accumulating reads doesn’t provide the full picture. There’s something deeper at work. What could it be?

Is it about whether the readers are Medium members?

Okay, I’ve got that figured out. I shared some links with friends, and while my reads increased, my earnings did not!

So, it must be about engagement, right?

I might sound like I’m reinventing the wheel here, but I’m still getting accustomed to this whole process after just 15 days! It’s exhilarating to see others connect with my words.

Medium appears to suggest that if our Read Time doesn’t exceed 30 seconds, the rest is irrelevant. When we do achieve that, then engagement starts to matter… right?

Alright, let’s resist our tendency to skim through articles we enjoy!

I’m also a bit lost on the claps – why does one clap generate 1, yet others seem to yield 25 or even 50?

Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

I suspect it relates to how long someone spends on the piece or the number of followers they have. Are they members? Are they friends on Medium?

These are indeed readers, but I assume it’s the members who truly impact the value of an article on the platform!

Do we really clap multiple times as Sara Flower mentioned?

Oh wow, I had no clue! Thank you, Sarah! 👏🏽👏🏽

Do you have any insights into what else influences engagement?

As a newcomer, the mystery surrounding the varied payouts makes this journey even more captivating!

Want to dive deeper?

Much love,

C K

Chapter 2: Understanding Engagement and Earnings

This video, "Dazed & Confused | Alright, Alright, Alright (Full Scene)" encapsulates the essence of feeling lost yet determined. It mirrors the writer's journey of understanding engagement and earnings on Medium.

In "CONFUSED!" the complexities of navigating new experiences are humorously highlighted, paralleling the writer's exploration of Medium’s platform.