Take Control of Your Writing Career: A Call to Action
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Chapter 1: The Reality of Medium
Have you ever noticed how even Las Vegas casinos are required to disclose their earnings from eager gamblers? While casino operators can legally tweak the rules and payout odds for games like blackjack and roulette, one thing remains certain: the more you play, the more you are likely to lose.
If you think this sounds familiar in the context of Medium, you're not alone. Unfortunately, the situation for writers on Medium is even more precarious. Unlike casinos, Medium can alter the rules at any moment without any obligation to inform us about what they actually pay out.
To reclaim our power, I propose a straightforward plan.
The Golden Rule
Reflecting on the 1980s junk bond frenzy detailed in "Barbarians at the Gate," I realized how Mike Milken revolutionized the financial landscape. He established a lucrative business model where his team enjoyed a significant share of the profits, while he maintained the authority to distribute those earnings.
Milken's lavish bonuses for top performers created an illusion of wealth among his employees, even as he retained a staggering amount for himself.
What's the lesson here?
Medium, like Milken, sets the rules, but we remain completely in the dark about how much they actually keep for themselves.
Do you have any insight into the salaries of Medium employees or its billionaire founder, Evan Williams? Neither do I. As a private entity, Medium is under no obligation to disclose this information.
It's worth noting that Medium made a $412,000 donation to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2015—hardly a necessity for them. Many writers would surely appreciate a larger share of the pie instead.
A Call for Change
While we are here by choice, it doesn't mean we have to continue to trust that Mr. Williams is acting in our best interest. After all, it's the writers who generate the content that attracts readers.
Without transparency from Medium, we have every right to seek alternatives.
If you want to settle for an average experience—what I’ll call a "Medium" experience—then you can choose to trust those who make the rules. But if you prefer to avoid being manipulated, consider a new system owned and operated by writers themselves—a "Maximum" experience.
Gorgeous chaos in acrylic pouring art can serve as an inspiring metaphor for the creative freedom we seek. In this video, witness the beauty of artistic expression in a world that often feels restrictive.
Chapter 2: Building the Maximum Experience
To launch this initiative with impact, we should invite popular Medium writers to participate, assuring them they will receive fair compensation for their work. If we could attract figures like Tim Denning and Kristina God, many readers might not even notice the switch from Medium.
To quickly surpass Medium, we must open up payment to writers from major countries currently excluded from the Medium Partner Program. Nations like China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Brazil collectively represent 3.5 billion people.
Let's appoint Jason Provencio as our inaugural CEO, with the understanding that he will be re-elected annually by writers. Given his experience as a notably undercompensated Top Writer, his commitment to a fair system would be unparalleled.
We'll also engage David Perlmutter as our official proofreader, hire Gareth Willey for user interface design, and retain the talents of Robin Wilding and Roz Warren to keep our spirits high while honing our writing skills.
The establishment of the Maximum Writer's School, led by Leonard Tillerman, will provide mentorship for aspiring authors. We should also include lawyers as initial board members to create a transparent governance framework.
I would gladly take on the role of Chairman of the Board, with Rachel A Fefer as Vice Chair to ensure proper oversight.
Let’s empower R C Hammond to oversee the quality of content, focusing on excluding AI-generated pieces that undermine our craft.
Lastly, we should consider compensating Smillew Rahcuef to remain on Medium, gradually lowering the overall quality of discourse to the point where it becomes unsustainable.
Writers of the World, Unite!
Medium is just over a decade old and is not the only platform available. While many are flocking to Substack, why not join us in building something remarkable from the ground up?
Imagine where we could be a decade from now!
I welcome your thoughts in the comments section. We are open for applications for all management positions—what role would you like to fill?
Take care!
If you’re uncertain whether this is a brilliant idea or simply absurd, consider reading more of my work.
In this stunning display, see how acrylic pouring can reflect the chaos and beauty of our writing journeys. The artistry presented here is a reminder of the creativity we can foster when we take control of our platforms.