I'm so pleased to end our 2024 Online Writing Club podcast season with an author who is living the dream of many writers.
He’s a seasoned writer, book author, editor, columnist for The Writing Cooperative (one of Medium’s top 10 publications) and one of Medium’s top Boost Nominators.
Also, he got Boosted more than 150 times!
Essentially, Boost is ideal for individuals who have important stories to tell, but who haven't yet developed a following. It allows you to get more visibility even if you're new to the scene. It's also good for individuals who already have a following as it can increase your earnings.
Join me as I sit down with my friend
, to unpack the secrets behind the platform’s success.With over 20 years of experience in writing and editing and 50,000 Medium followers,…
In today’s episode, Walter shares insights on:
What makes Medium the go-to platform for writers in 2025?
How does Medium stand out in the sea of publishing platforms?
Why the Boost has been in a constant state of evolution since the program was launched.
How human curation on Medium keeps the platform authentic and AI-free.
The magic behind the Boost program that amplifies quality stories.
Building a thriving writing career on Medium and Substack.
Why storytelling and community are the heart of a writer's journey.
Plus, Walter gives us a sneak peek into his solopreneur life, balancing creative freedom, family (two kids and a dog), and meaningful connections through his writing.
I bet you won’t want to miss Walter’s inspiring journey and actionable advice, especially when you keep in mind you can earn decent money with your Boosted Medium stories, as Walter does, or even CRAZY GOOD money as friend and tribe member
did in 2024:
🎧 Tune in now and let Walter show you how to level up your writing game in 2025, as soooo many of our tribe members did in 2024.
I hope you enjoy the show.
Want More From Walter and Meet Him?
Inside my Online Writing Club Membership, we have a Medium course, you’ll get access to as an annual member.
In addition, Walter and I will offer our popular Medium Kickstarter Bootcamp in 2025 one more time!
Want in? Click here to join now and start your journey to becoming a Medium writer who gets paid to be seen and heard today!
The BEST thing: You can meet tribe member Walter inside!
In January 2025, we will have our first Q&A session with the Medium writing king. You can also watch the replay of an exclusive workshop we hosted a few months back.
Here's a special New Year's surprise note from Walter just for you!
I'm delighted to announce that I'll be partnering with Kristina on some offerings in the early part of 2025.
I'll be hosting a Q&A for her subscribers. Normally I only do these for my paid subscribers, but this will be an opportunity for every member of her tribe. Please come with questions, and I can help you get a better idea of how to succeed both on Medium and Substack. I'm happy to discuss almost anything you want to ask.
Just come and drop your questions into the chat, and I'll answer them in the order they are received.
Kristina will share the Zoom link to her paid subscribers, and I'll share the link to mine.
I look forward to talking with all of you! This will be a nice way to build community, create a plan of productive action, and generate some momentum that will help us get the most out of 2025!
Also, watch out for a guest post from Walter with MORE insights, which will land in your inbox in the next few days!
Challenge: What You Can Do Today
As we turn the page to 2025, I want to remind you of your incredible potential. This year is your chance to chase your goals, tell your stories, and make an impact in ways you’ve only dreamed of.
Thanks to Medium, I was featured by AOL and BoredPanda in 2024. I became a Substack bestseller and have an incredible paid community of 300+ amazing people.
Remember, every small step you take matters. Whether it’s refining a single paragraph, engaging with your audience, or exploring new opportunities like Boost, know that you’re building something meaningful.
Let’s make this year about growth, bold creativity, and supporting one another. I’m excited to see all that you’ll achieve, and I’m here to cheer you on every step of the way.
If you’re serious about growing your Medium writing career, ask questions about the Boost and the platform.
Here’s an exercise for you:
Tell us what you’re writing about and share the link to you Medium account in the comments to get seen by Walter and other Boost nominators.
Tell us what’s holding you back from joining Medium if you're not yet on Medium.
If you want to get Boosted, ask your Qs. Walter will answer them here in the comments section and in the Q&A session.
Learn about the Boost as much as possible so you can crush it in 2025. If you don’t do it, others will get Boosted!
Here’s to a remarkable year ahead and making your dreams come true in 2025,
P.S. In our live Q&A session in January, Walter will reveal how Medium will change in 2025 and his predictions as a writer and nominator. You won’t want to miss this session. Join us today and get access to our hands-on Q&A with Walter and many more to come in 2025.
P.P.S. Click here to watch now.
P.P.P.S. Please share this and invite anyone else who might enjoy our community!
Walter, I don't know if you have Tony's ear, but there's a reason so many big writers have left Medium for Substack and I plan to be the latest.
*The Boost is KILLING the site.*
I've brought countless subs, I do 120,000 views per month on 5-minute reads that have 80%+ retention, and my RPM has gone from $70 prior to the MPP changes, to $30 immediately after, to $16 in December and $10 over the past few days.
It's a slap in the face.
When you pay $20,000 for one article, it takes so much money out of the pool that the marquee writers who made the site what it is start to wonder what they're grinding for when they're seeing their pay drop every single month.
Keep the Boost if you want, but remove that ridiculous 10x pay escalator.
This is an existential risk to the site I love.
You can also join our Q&A session with Walter in January
Hi James, feel your pain. For Michelle (and some more from the Online Writing Club, incl Walter, the Boost made them stay and really helped them financially and as motivation boost). I see both sides of the coin. Sorry to hear about your lower earnings.
Medium is changing all the time. Who knows what 2025 brings :)
I'll send you a DM re Riverside
I've seen a lot of people get really excited about getting Boosted early and then quitting because it didn't happen again. Lots saying Boosts are drying up.
Not the way to attract long-term, consistent, quality writers imo!
Hello James! Thanks for your comment. Unfortunately I don't have a seat at the table that makes those decisions. I've seen Boost evolve a lot over the last year and a half. Sometimes the changes benefit me and sometimes they benefit others. My own Boost rate has gone down lately, but I still get quite a few nominations through, so I think the program has value. I expect it will continue to evolve, so I hope it will become more equitable in the future. This is a great subject to talk about at length, thanks for leaving your response.
👍
I started writing on Medium beginning of 2024. I started really well and had about one or two pieces boosted each month. Then around October or November it just stopped. I barely get any views anymore. Since then I haven't written anything new for medium and I'm just posting my substack articles on medium, which I know aren't really the right articles to get a boost but honestly I can't be bothered anymore to put in any effort to get only a couple views.
Oops this turned out more negative then I intended sorry.
Hi Sophie, remember your wonderful boosted pieces. I'd keep writing on Medium and not only repurposing. Your vital hit could be around the corner although I also see you're having good success here.
Did you hear about my VIP member program? If love to help you become a bestseller in 2025! You got what it takes and I know you from the Bootcamp
That's okay Sophie, you're actually doing the right thing. I still have the occasional article take off and do well on Medium. Sometimes I'm completely surprised by what will do well. It's worth taking the time to post on both sites!
I bet you'll soon earn more on Substack than on Medium Walter. However writing on both and creating a flywheel is powerful. Thanks for all the insights in the comments here
Very similar with me, although I started out in 2023.i got no boost til now, and the likes, very few, don't come from persons who write on the same stuff as me. Not that that would be better. Part of my content is behind a paywall, but besides having more than 100 subscribers that do not comment or share, I have no other gain.
Sorry to hear this. Join our Q&A with Walter in January. We'll share date and time and all the deeds soon
Walter is a great writer. I read him on both Medium and Substack.
(I'll update you on my viral Medium piece! It's is the Energizer Bunny of Medium stories: It just keeps going and has now passed $23K!)
Wish you a prosperous New Year and lots of success here and on Medium and with your books of course ❤️
Stil got our interview in the can but needs editing... Hope to publish it in the next weeks and then we can also share an updated screenshot
You’re got your hands full for sure —I’m patient:)
Thanks. Today is my 🎈 🎂 birthday so I'm suuuuper busy 😂
Thanks Michelle! Congrats on that piece, that's awesome!
I paid to have an old cap fixed today! Yay for being able to afford dental care! That story made everything better.
Super! 😍
Thank you Kristina! I'm really looking forward to this and working with your wonderful online writing school. Actually, before I joined your school I was only sitting at 70 subscribers! I appreciate all that you've done for me! Wishing you a prosperous 2025!
All we need now is a date and time we can share. Then I'll send your note to my subscribers so they can join the Q&A. Let me know when. You can combine it with your Q&A for your newsletter . It's just a test. Let's see how it goes
Okay, how about Thursday, January 9th at Noon CST? Thank you!
😃 sure. I can share this
Walter, I don't know if you have Tony's ear, but there's a reason so many big writers have left Medium for Substack and I plan to be the latest.
*The Boost is KILLING the site.*
I've brought countless subs, I do 120,000 views per month on 5-minute reads that have 80%+ retention, and my RPM has gone from $70 prior to the MPP changes, to $30 immediately after, to $16 in December and $10 over the past few days.
It's a slap in the face.
When you pay $20,000 for one article, it takes so much money out of the pool that the marquee writers who made the site what it is start to wonder what they're grinding for when they're seeing their pay drop every single month.
Keep the Boost if you want, but remove that ridiculous 10x pay escalator.
This is an existential risk to the site I love.
Hi James, Walter replied above
Such extremely attractive and needed invitation// ASAP I plan to upgrade on the ones here who are NOT supporting Amazon nor military influence AI