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A Personal Exploration of My Journey as a Friend of Medium

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Community Updates: My Experience as a Friend of Medium

Since committing to maximizing my benefits as a Friend of Medium (FOM), I've taken on the role of an enthusiastic advocate for this program. I wish to recount my personal experiences since adopting the title of Friend of Medium and the various activities and feelings that have accompanied this new status.

Without further delay, here’s how my journey unfolded.

The Beginning of My FOM Adventure

In December 2023, I stumbled upon an article that introduced the chance to "Become a Friend of Medium." I seized the opportunity immediately, earning the recognizable "friend" status that distinguishes our profile images. This replaced the original star icon with a delightful heart icon for an additional monthly fee of ten dollars.

One of my first actions after achieving this new status was to compose a comprehensive article on the topic, even daring to launch my own FOM club.

Writers Wanted for the "Medium Friends Reading Club!"

Do you want to boost your earnings on Medium?

justissgoode.medium.com

I won't deny my excitement about starting this venture, despite some negative chatter circulating within the community. Surprisingly, not everyone shared my enthusiasm; some were quite displeased. However, many members who hadn’t yet joined were at least intrigued.

I focused on engaging with the writers who upgraded their accounts early on and created a detailed ALPHABETIZED list of current FOM members.

To my amazement, following the publication of that article, I successfully recruited several friends to join my club. Before I knew it, the MFR Club reached 53 members, peaking at 55 including myself. The club had begun even before I established the publication itself.

I officially launched the Friends Reading Club Publication on January 26, 2024, with plans for an accompanying Newsletter.

> I must admit, there were times I felt compelled to voice my opinions on the FOM discussions that seemed contentious to some writers.

> Isn't it time we stop shaming writers for wanting to earn?

> What brings you here?

I understood the skepticism some writers harbored, yet it didn’t hinder my enthusiasm. I dove headfirst into what I believed in, dedicating a week to revamping a feature I had previously used in my Daily Justiss publication.

What I Read Yesterday!

Reading Relay: Tuesday — 12/12/23

medium.com

This change inspired me to engage in extensive reading sessions daily, fostering deeper connections with fellow writers. Despite my FOM activities, I remained loyal to others in the community, sharing insights on how to enjoy the "Friends of Medium" stories while maintaining appreciation for others.

Earning Through FOM Membership

My journey of earning on Medium as a FOM member has been a mixed bag. Initially, my stats surged, but like anyone who takes a break from Medium, I noticed a decline in my numbers.

> When things were looking bright, I wrote about it:

> Do You Want to See My “Friends of Medium” Status REPORT?

> The BEST Medium Tool!

> Another Update on UPGRADING!

> I Started A New Club on Medium and Finally Returned to the OLD One!

> Just Take the Damn Money and RUN!

While things appeared promising after becoming a FOM, I remained focused on maximizing this opportunity for as long as possible.

However, as is often the case in life, challenges arose alongside the successes. I encountered hit-and-run readers—those who treat a member's FOM badge as a target. These individuals negatively impacted my read ratio.

> This led to many "down" stories I wrote about my FOM experiences:

> Please Stop Following Me Today!

> Medium GLITCH: Am I Sure I Want to Remain a Writer on Medium?

> Sometimes Life Throws You Off Balance and Causes You to Lose

These narratives reflected my struggles and the lessons learned about what works and what doesn’t. My emotional roller-coaster journey continues to teach me invaluable lessons.

  • Thank You Friends of Medium for the Non-Monetary BENEFITS!
  • Medium Friends Reading Club: Your First MEMBER Assignment!
  • Friends of Medium Update for STAT Watchers!
  • What is there to LOVE about the Friends of Medium Potential to Earn?
  • Guess What’s In Store for this Upcoming Week in January?
  • Clearing Up CONFUSION About All My Recent and Upcoming FOM

If there's one piece of advice I can offer regarding the program, it’s to maintain your momentum once you establish it. I learned this the hard way, but I’m now focused on regaining my previous pace.

That said, my earnings have not dropped to pre-FOM levels; in fact, February saw my highest earnings month on Medium to date.

> Report Cards DUE: Medium Friends Reading Club Members Come Share Your Stats and Earnings!

> So Far My Stats Are on the RISE Again for the First Few Days of February!

> This Writing TIP was So Awesome that I Plan to Start Using it Again!

> BUT HERE WE GO AGAIN!…

> I Wrote But I Didn’t Read and My Stats Took a Huge DIVE!

> Do You Ever Wonder if Some Writers LIE About Their Stats?

> 3 Year Burnout: 1,400 Stories Later and STILL Struggling for Reads!

Since becoming a FOM, I've often questioned whether the initial potential I saw in the program was merely a fantasy. My writings reflect the emotional ups and downs I’ve experienced throughout this journey.

The core issue isn’t whether the FOM program can be profitable for writers; it’s about understanding the consistent effort required to make it work. If you can stay committed to the program, despite its highs and lows, I believe success will come.

Establishing a Solid FOM Strategy

Having navigated many highs and lows with the FOM experience, I’m now more determined than ever to make my modest yet significant club thrive. I’ve communicated my latest adjustments to the club and my broader vision for the publication.

In doing so, I’ve decided to remove members who haven’t actively engaged during their time with the club. I also published more pointed pieces about my mindset regarding the FOM topic and the insincerity I’ve observed in some engagement practices.

> Consider these titles:

> Is Your Friends Reading Club Membership about to EXPIRE?

> DON’T Click on My Damn Story if You’re Not Going to Read It!

> You Can ENVY Your Fellow Writers But Please Don’t be Jealous!

> Be Careful of EXTREME Thinking if You Want to Have Balance in Your Life!

> My 4-Day Self Challenge to EARN $100 Dollars!

These titles encapsulate the essence of my journey, revealing the struggles and aspirations I faced along the way. Even as I pushed myself to elevate my earnings, the desired outcome hasn’t yet materialized.

I’m grateful for every cent earned, but witnessing others earn significantly more with seemingly less effort has led me to question my path.

Yet, my stubbornness and aversion to defeat pushed me to regroup, allowing my creativity to flourish and generate new ideas.

> These stories illuminate my thought process leading up to this point:

> Should I Stop and Give Up or Change WHO I Really Am?

> Raise Your Hand if You’re TIRED of the B.S. and Ready to Earn More Money!

> I FAILED to Reach My Earnings Goal in February!

> The Friends of Medium Club Publication Has EXCITING News for the Entire Community!

The story about the exciting news for the community brings us up to the current phase of my FOM journey.

Concluding Thoughts

Reflecting on my experiences thus far, I hope readers can take away valuable insights.

  • Becoming a Friend of Medium is a worthwhile endeavor, but it demands effort to see results.
  • The most successful participants are those who engage actively, whether as readers or writers.
  • Attempting to exploit the system will ultimately prove futile, as genuine FOM members are discerning.

My journey with the FOM program has been a wild ride filled with challenges and opportunities for growth.

What am I focused on now?

I’m committed to fostering community engagement on this topic to offer tips, solutions, and practical advice for enhancing earnings. I also aim to address questions that many of us, including myself, still seek answers to regarding this new Medium opportunity.

I’m eager to connect with anyone willing to share their thoughts on this subject. I’m open to engaging in discussions and plan to publish future articles based on the community’s inquiries.

If you'd like to share your experiences with your own FOM journey or any related thoughts, feel free to do so.

Thank you for reading…

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