# Generate Income with Medium: From $300 to $3500 Monthly
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Chapter 1: Understanding Medium's Potential
Medium offers an incredible opportunity for writers to monetize their content. Unlike other platforms, every time a paid member reads your work, you earn a minimum of $0.01. Initially, I shared my writing with the hope it would go viral, but I have since learned that successful writers usually have a substantial portfolio of pieces. I aspire to make Medium a reliable income source, as it allows flexibility in writing frequency based on the earnings of each article. Here’s what I wish I had known during my first month.
One piece can significantly outperform others for reasons that may seem inexplicable. This single story can contribute to 80% of your earnings while the rest bring in only 20%. Although it can be frustrating, the key is to continue publishing and linking back to your high-performing article. This strategy keeps your successful piece active within the algorithm, maximizing its earning potential before it fades. Here’s a visual demonstration of this approach:
Section 1.1: The Value of Unique Content
Many hours can be spent crafting an article with extensive research, like this one. However, I’ve discovered that readers appreciate unique insights and personal narratives far more than repetitive advice. For instance, in the career development sphere, a trending topic is "self-reject," which refers to the fear of not being good enough for success. Conversely, the relationship niche is seeing a decline in discussions around "green and red flags." If you can’t discuss current trends, share your personal journey. Typically, writing a personal piece takes about 30-40 minutes, and these articles often excel due to their originality and compelling headlines.
Subsection 1.1.1: Targeting Your Audience
Engage with your audience where they are most active. When selecting your tags, aim for a balanced mix. Include tags that have over 300,000 articles published for broader visibility. While smaller tags may yield better ranking, larger tags provide greater reach.
If your article generates $50, your insights will reflect this in the "your reader's interest" section, indicating traction in significant keyword tags. Thus, I recommend using three smaller tags with 100 to 10,000 articles and two larger, relevant tags with over 300,000 articles.
Section 1.2: The Importance of Adaptability
Flexibility in your writing approach can lead to increased readership and earnings. Adapt your content to reflect emerging trends while remaining authentic to your voice and experiences.
Chapter 2: Sustaining Your Medium Journey
Thank you for reading!