I’m not sure how you serve readers if you make writers distrust the platform. The whole idea of Friends of Medium was to pay $15 a month that went to support writers that you read.
We got publications lifted to follow status, just like writers in 2024. So if I read four or five articles on my favourite publication I am considered focused too much on a small group of writers.
Because each publication is focused on specific niches or topics, which readers find helpful, each publication forms a small pool of writers for the publication. We read each other’s work it’s what human colleagues do.We also comment and highlight. That’s what helps publications grow a following of readers.
I have introduced people to Medium and recommended favourite topics, writers, and publications. They renewed their membership to keep on reading the same and adding other articles and writing they like as well.
It’s a strength that made it easier to sell people on a Medium membership. It’s unwise to treat small writers with common interests as less worthy.
It's a game they're playing, and I'm getting tired of it. Punishments and taking sides? What are we, in high school or middle school? Is this like kindergarden?
I think there is finally some clarity in communication by Scott Lamb. Medium doesn’t want to pay for any more stories about writing on Medium.
No meta stories behind the paywall. I try to celebrate good things like boosted stories and great work I enjoy by other writers in stories once in a while. I won’t be able to do that anymore as a member of the partner program.
Writing about writing as a pure act without mentioning any word about Medium or any other Medium author should still be okay.
Tagging other authors is probably not a good idea. If you write a story that gives me an idea for a story I better not credit or quote you anymore.
This feels sad and restrictive to me right now. But, we shall see. No more public appreciation of other Medium authors in stories on Medium.
I really do need Substack to write about appreciation of other writers I love to read.
There are so many restrictions for writers... it just doesn't feel like they encourage any community anymore. We will see. It saddens me and at the same time I am so grateful for Substack right now!
As for meta stories, somehow I agree; I rarely enjoyed those on Medium. Way too many people are writing about Medium, as it has always been a popular topic.
What do you mean you won't be able to enjoy boosted stories as part of the PP?
I meant writing about celebrating the ten I have had so far. I intended to write about how each one introduced me to new readers who always came back for more and I had new people to read as well. It’s the hidden gem in the Boost program helping readers find new people to read. But, I can’t write about it now since it’s verboten. I waited to get my first boosted story this year because I had my first boosted story last January. I liked the anniversary feel to it.
I am unsure about this distinction between writers and readers. I understand "most" people on the platform are silent readers. But the majority of writers are paying readers as well. Plus, this is a platform where you have nothing if you have no writers, so it's probably not a great idea to screw them over and gaslight them.
He cannot make people who are inherently built to create communities not talk to each other. Either he doesn't understand human psychology or tries to control things way too much, which will either way make people leave the platform.
The plot thickens and divides. Now it's money towards the writer vs. money towards the reader. The majority reader on Medium likes Tech, Data Science and bot-driven content. It doesn't end, Bin Jiang.
I'm not on Medium and this piece makes me happy I am not. I just wanted you to understand that I cant subscribe for money at the moment because, like so many Substackers, there are so many great writers I just cant afford them all. Thankyou for the information!
I’m not sure how you serve readers if you make writers distrust the platform. The whole idea of Friends of Medium was to pay $15 a month that went to support writers that you read.
We got publications lifted to follow status, just like writers in 2024. So if I read four or five articles on my favourite publication I am considered focused too much on a small group of writers.
Because each publication is focused on specific niches or topics, which readers find helpful, each publication forms a small pool of writers for the publication. We read each other’s work it’s what human colleagues do.We also comment and highlight. That’s what helps publications grow a following of readers.
I have introduced people to Medium and recommended favourite topics, writers, and publications. They renewed their membership to keep on reading the same and adding other articles and writing they like as well.
It’s a strength that made it easier to sell people on a Medium membership. It’s unwise to treat small writers with common interests as less worthy.
It's a game they're playing, and I'm getting tired of it. Punishments and taking sides? What are we, in high school or middle school? Is this like kindergarden?
I think there is finally some clarity in communication by Scott Lamb. Medium doesn’t want to pay for any more stories about writing on Medium.
No meta stories behind the paywall. I try to celebrate good things like boosted stories and great work I enjoy by other writers in stories once in a while. I won’t be able to do that anymore as a member of the partner program.
Writing about writing as a pure act without mentioning any word about Medium or any other Medium author should still be okay.
Tagging other authors is probably not a good idea. If you write a story that gives me an idea for a story I better not credit or quote you anymore.
This feels sad and restrictive to me right now. But, we shall see. No more public appreciation of other Medium authors in stories on Medium.
I really do need Substack to write about appreciation of other writers I love to read.
One more wrinkle.
There are so many restrictions for writers... it just doesn't feel like they encourage any community anymore. We will see. It saddens me and at the same time I am so grateful for Substack right now!
As for meta stories, somehow I agree; I rarely enjoyed those on Medium. Way too many people are writing about Medium, as it has always been a popular topic.
What do you mean you won't be able to enjoy boosted stories as part of the PP?
I meant writing about celebrating the ten I have had so far. I intended to write about how each one introduced me to new readers who always came back for more and I had new people to read as well. It’s the hidden gem in the Boost program helping readers find new people to read. But, I can’t write about it now since it’s verboten. I waited to get my first boosted story this year because I had my first boosted story last January. I liked the anniversary feel to it.
Every writer has their own writing preferences. I don't know why they are discriminating among writers.
If Tony doesn't like reading a certain genre, that doesn't mean that the writers and their writings are worthless.
Exactly and neither is the reader that loves that genre.
I think he is confused.
First he is saying he is on writers side and then in the next line he is saying he is on readers side.
First he needs to decide on whose side he is before jumping in the comments section.
Readers and writers both pay $5🤔
Hes on the medium profit side :)
And as Bin aptly pointed out, most Medium writers are also readers in some capacity. Dude has no idea what he's doing.
I am unsure about this distinction between writers and readers. I understand "most" people on the platform are silent readers. But the majority of writers are paying readers as well. Plus, this is a platform where you have nothing if you have no writers, so it's probably not a great idea to screw them over and gaslight them.
Exactly!
So according to Tony, if I am a writer I should write only and not read? Does that mean I should ignore comments made on my stories too?
He cannot make people who are inherently built to create communities not talk to each other. Either he doesn't understand human psychology or tries to control things way too much, which will either way make people leave the platform.
I don't know, but that's what I've started doing. I've seen a small rebound but not much.
The plot thickens and divides. Now it's money towards the writer vs. money towards the reader. The majority reader on Medium likes Tech, Data Science and bot-driven content. It doesn't end, Bin Jiang.
I'm not on Medium and this piece makes me happy I am not. I just wanted you to understand that I cant subscribe for money at the moment because, like so many Substackers, there are so many great writers I just cant afford them all. Thankyou for the information!