Navigating the Dilemma: Medium vs. Independent Blogging
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Chapter 1: My Journey on Medium
I began my writing journey on Medium in April 2022, enrolling in Ayodeji Awosika's Medium Blogging Course, which provided me with invaluable insights. One key takeaway was that thriving on Medium requires dedication and long-term effort.
After developing a passion for writing on the platform, I pursued Jon Morrow's SmartBlogger Content Marketing Certification Course, where I excelled, leading to consistent writing opportunities for a content marketing agency. Following this, I enrolled in Adam Enfroy's Big Growth Engine course during a promotional period, which reignited my interest in an independent blog I had launched prior to joining Medium, known as the Successity Blog.
Despite enjoying the Big Growth Engine course and reviving the Successity Blog, I found myself questioning my direction. I lacked the enthusiasm for crafting multiple affiliate marketing posts when my true passion lay in writing 700–1,000 word articles centered on wellness, mental health, success, adversity, screenwriting, and film critiques, sprinkled with some lighter posts about cats.
Ultimately, Medium—with its impressive domain rating of 94—may provide the platform I need, along with the potential to earn some income if I invest sufficient effort.
One factor that momentarily deterred me from Medium was the abundance of articles focused on monetizing writing on the platform. However, I realized that my exposure to these topics was self-inflicted, stemming from my reading preferences.
This brings me to a crossroads: should I fully commit to Medium or focus on my independent blog? Some argue for dual publishing, but this raises concerns about how Google handles duplicate content. While this may not significantly impact my Medium posts, it could adversely affect the domain and URL ratings of the Successity Blog.
I must clarify my ultimate objectives with my blogging endeavors. The idea of earning $10,000 monthly through affiliate marketing, as suggested by Adam Enfroy, is enticing, yet I question whether my content aligns with this model.
It is said that the top 1% of Medium writers earn between $5,000 and $30,000 monthly, a figure that sounds appealing. However, if I were to recommit to Medium, I would aim for a more realistic goal of earning a fraction of that amount within two years. The effort I planned to invest in the Successity Blog could be redirected back to Medium, potentially yielding significant results.
Moreover, I currently have around seven hundred followers on Medium, and it would be disheartening to abandon such supportive readers who value my contributions.
Consequently, I feel compelled to reaffirm my commitment to Medium. My stories resonate with readers, and it appears that Adam Enfroy's approach is tailored more towards SaaS and technology. Deep down, I believe that my desired narrative style is better suited for Medium.
For the time being, I may take a balanced approach while I refine my strategy. I welcome any thoughts, advice, or insights from others who have faced similar dilemmas.
Lastly, I want to express my gratitude to Louise Peacock for encouraging me to reconsider the merits of promoting an independent blog when Medium is readily available.
If anyone has wondered about my recent silence on Medium, now you know the reason. I apologize for the absence and look forward to sharing my journey ahead.