Last week, the Medium mastermind of the Online Writing Club, Walter Rhein, offered an invaluable session titled "My Uncensored Prediction for 2025."
Over 20 writers joined this candid discussion to uncover the secrets of thriving on Medium and beyond in 2025.
Before diving in, we apologize to anyone who missed part of the session while waiting in the Zoom waiting room. Walter is committed to improving his tech skills—hey, it happens to the best of us!—and we’re excited to share that there will be monthly sessions with Walter where he can practice and get even better at these things. Thank you for your patience!
Here’s a breakdown of the key takeaways from Walter’s session that you should know to thrive:
Medium Is Changing – Here’s What to Expect
Walter kicked things off by highlighting Medium’s shift toward high-quality, expert-driven content. Unlike a few years ago, when daily posts could earn decent money, Medium now rewards:
Articles with unique experiences or expert perspectives.
Well-researched pieces supported by academic sources.
Thoughtful writing that dismantles misconceptions and adds value.
The Boost Program: Still The Key to Medium Success
Walter explained the Boost Program, where Medium promotes select articles to a broader audience. Boosted articles often see higher earnings, visibility, and engagement. Here’s how it works:
Boost Nominators (like Walter) evaluate submissions and suggest improvements.
Medium’s internal team selects articles for boosting.
While boost rates have tightened—only about 50% of Walter’s nominations are selected—Boosted articles can earn anywhere from $50 to $20,000 (yes, you read that right). However, most fall within the $200–$400 range.
Quality Over Quantity
Walter emphasized the importance of focusing on quality writing rather than churning out numerous posts. “I’d rather write three articles that get Boosted than 50 that don’t,” he explained. This means:
Spending time editing and refining your ideas.
Ensuring articles are engaging and aligned with Medium’s guidelines.
Collaborating with editors to polish your work.
How to Succeed as a Writer in 2025
Walter shared actionable strategies for writers to thrive:
Leverage Medium and Substack: Use Medium’s reach to build an audience while funneling them to your Substack for deeper engagement.
Engage Thoughtfully: Read and comment on other writers’ articles to build genuine connections.
Experiment with Formats: Try voice recordings, podcasts, and transcripts to refine ideas before turning them into articles.
Stay Adaptable: Platforms evolve, and writers must evolve with them. Understanding Medium’s expectations will improve your craft and ensure longevity.
Walter’s 2025 Prediction: Expertise + Authenticity = Success
Walter believes that expertise and authenticity will remain king.
Writers who adapt to platforms' changing demands, embrace editorial feedback, and create meaningful, researched content will rise above the noise.
If you missed the session, don’t worry! You can catch the replay. Walter’s monthly sessions and our upcoming Bootcamp will ensure you stay on track.
Looking Ahead: Monthly Sessions, a Bootcamp, and More
We’re thrilled to announce monthly Q&A sessions with Walter Rhein, where he’ll share his latest insights and hone his tech skills. (Practice makes perfect, right? :))
In addition, please mark your calendars for our March Bootcamp, designed to give you the tools and strategies you need to succeed on platforms like Medium and Substack.
If you can’t wait until March, consider joining the Substack-Medium Flywheel Bootcamp with Online Writing Club member
, which focuses on building a flywheel to double, triple, or even quadruple your earnings. It’s a game-changer for writers ready to scale their success!Walter will be a panelist and join us for a panel discussion with more surprise guests who combine Medium and Substack to grow their online writing business.
Tell us…what do you think of these insights?
Are you ready to elevate your writing game on Medium? What are your Qs? What do you want Walter to cover in the next value-packed session? Let us know in the comments!
Here’s to a successful year of writing ahead! Let’s make 2025 the year we thrive.
Walter & Kristina
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