How $1.33 taught me more about writing online than any viral post ever could.
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TL;DR:
Substack shines when you already have a loyal audience. Medium pays you while you find one.
After 90 days testing both side by side: Substack gave me 14 subscribers and $0.00.
Medium gave me 50+ followers, $1.33 total, and steady momentum.
When I Started the Experiment
Everyone online kept saying, “Build on Substack! Own your audience!”
So, I did. I spent three months posting on both platforms to see which one actually helps writers grow and earn in 2025.
Substack gave me loneliness and potential.
Medium gave me validation and dollars.
Not because I’m a brilliant writer, but because I finally understood how each platform really works.
Here’s what I learned, so you don’t have to spend three months figuring it out.
The Unpopular Truth
Most new Substack writers I’ve met stop within a few months.
Not because the platform is bad, but because they start in the wrong order.
They try to “build an empire” before learning what their readers actually want.
I almost made the same mistake.
My 3-Month Results: The Numbers Don’t Lie
Subscribers/Followers:
→ Substack: 14
→ Medium: 50+
Total Reads:
→ Substack: ~12 total
→ Medium: 150+ per month
Earnings:
→ Substack: $0.00
→ Medium: $1.33
Engagement:
→ Substack: Minimal
→ Medium: Claps, highlights, comments
Time Investment:
→ Both: 90 days of consistent effort
The difference is stark.
On Substack, I got 14 free subscribers and maybe 12 total reads.
On Medium, I crossed 50 followers and earned $1.33 from several short articles.
Is that huge? No. But it’s proof that Medium pays even small creators to keep learning.
And that, honestly, kept me going.
The Coffee Shop vs the Basement
When I opened Substack, it felt like walking into an unfinished basement.
Concrete floors. Folding chairs. A few people talking quietly in corners.
It wasn’t bad, just empty. The kind of space that could become something amazing if you’re willing to spend months decorating it, inviting people, and keeping the lights on.
Medium, on the other hand, felt like a busy coffee shop at 2 p.m.
Writers everywhere. Conversations happening. That creative buzz where you can sit down, write, and someone might actually read your post today.
Where Substack Wins
Substack absolutely has strengths.
- You own your subscribers. You can export your list and take it anywhere.
- You build direct relationships with no algorithm in between.
- It’s built for monetization once trust exists.
- Perfect for long-form or serialized newsletters.
It’s brilliant if you already have 500+ engaged followers elsewhere.
But if you’re starting from zero, it can feel like whispering into the void.
Where Substack Struggles
- Low discoverability. People won’t just stumble upon your writing.
- Slow growth. It takes consistent engagement to get noticed.
- Community effort. You have to comment, reply, and network to stay visible.
- The loneliness factor. Publishing to 14 subscribers feels like hosting a party where only your mom showed up.
Still, Substack can work beautifully if you treat it like a neighborhood — reading, commenting, and genuinely connecting with others.
Why Medium Still Wins for Most Writers
Medium rewards you for showing up.
You can publish today, and tomorrow someone in another country might find your story because it appeared in their feed.
It’s not life-changing money, but that first few cents matters.
The first time I saw $0.03 on my dashboard, I was soooo Happy! Granted I knew that It wouldn’t buy coffee, but it flipped a switch…I dont believe that someone finished my story. That tiny green number kept me writing the next night.
What Makes Medium Different
- Instant discoverability. Tags and publications help readers find you fast.
- The Partner Program pays. My best article earned $0.30, my lowest $0.07.
- Outside traffic helps. Sharing your work on LinkedIn or X brings more views now. Read this article on how you can use your social media platforms to increase your views, engagement and earnings.
- Built-in community. Claps, highlights, and comments make it social.
- Clean design. Your stories automatically look professional.
Real Results After 3 Months
Month 1: $0.14 (learning)
Month 2: $0.24 (finding topics)
Month 3: $0.30 (steady growth)
Month 4: $0.65 and counting
Total so far: $1.33.
Not much, but enough to prove that consistency compounds.
Where That $1.33 Actually Came From:
- Article 1 (Substack comparison): $0.30
- Article 2 (Writing productivity): $0.24
- Article 3 (Life lessons): $0.14
- Article 4 (Online safety): $0.09
- Other smaller pieces: $0.56
Notice something? My platform comparison article earned more than double my next best piece. That taught me something valuable: write about what you’re actually experiencing. Authenticity pays.
The Trade-Offs
Medium pays you earlier, but you don’t own your readers’ emails.
Substack lets you own your list, but growth is slower and requires more hustle.
Think of it this way:
Substack is buying a house. It’s yours forever, but you’ll need to build it piece by piece.
Medium is renting a great apartment. You can move in today, enjoy the amenities, and even earn while you learn.
Right now, I’m happy renting.
Choose Based on Your Stage
Use Substack if you already have a following, want to build a brand or serialized newsletter, and can commit to slow, steady growth.
Use Medium if you’re just starting out, need feedback and visibility, and want small earnings to keep your motivation alive.
Five Mistakes I Made (So You Don’t Have To)
- Starting with Substack first.
I didn’t know my audience yet. Medium helped me figure that out. - Inconsistent posting.
Two articles a week beats five random bursts. - Weak headlines.
Beautiful On Purpose got 35 views.
Substack vs Medium got 29 views and 12 full reads, and it earned more than double.
The difference wasn’t effort, it was the headline. People click curiosity, clarity, and relevance. Headlines aren’t decoration, they’re the door. - Ignoring other writers.
Fifteen minutes of engaging (reading, highlighting and clapping) daily doubled my traffic. - Comparing my start to others’ success.
Someone else’s $5K month shouldn’t make your $1.33 feel small.
How I Use Both Now
I use Medium to test ideas and get paid while learning.
Once I know what performs, I expand those ideas into Substack newsletters for deeper reader relationships.
Also, I use Medium to share things I found interesting with my readers. I typically share on LinkedIn and now I have been utilizing Medium a lot more, and I find that Medium feels more at home compared to LinkedIn and Substack.
It’s a simple rhythm:
Medium helps me experiment. Substack helps me build.
Steal This Exact System
Here’s the step-by-step approach that got me from $0 to $1.33 (and growing):
Month 1: Set Up & Test
- Join Medium Partner Program (if you can :D, please don’t feel pressured, however this is needed for you to earn through the partner program. )
- Look for and follow 20–30 writers in your niche. [OPTIONAL]
- Write 2 articles per week on different topics to share your knowledge, become a subject matter expert while you test what resonates
- Spend 15 minutes daily fully reading and clapping on others’ work. Think of how much inspiration and motivation you are giving others as well 🙂
- Track which topics get the most views in your stats
Month 2: Double Down
- Identify your #1 performing topic from Month 1
- Write 3–4 more articles expanding on that topic
- Submit your best article to 2–3 publications (Better Marketing, The Writing Cooperative)
- Engage with commenters within the first hour of publishing
- Start noticing patterns in what your audience responds to
Month 3: Expand & Build
- Share your top Medium pieces on LinkedIn, Twitter, or wherever your audience hangs out
- Start a basic Substack focused on your #1 winning topic only
- Invite your Medium readers to your newsletter at the end of articles
- Write expanded, deeper versions for Substack subscribers
- Cross-promote strategically without being spammy
Tools I Actually Use:
Canva (cover images and other images)
My passion (hehe, I had to throw this one in here!)
Time Commitment:
5–7 hours per week total.
You don’t need to quit your job or write for 12 hours a day. Consistency beats intensity every time.
A Little Secret About Medium
There’s something small but powerful I’ve noticed.
When you read someone’s story all the way through — really read it — something happens. The writer feels it. They see those highlights, those quiet claps, and somewhere between the stats and the sentences, they know someone cared.
It’s not just about numbers. It’s the feeling of, “Someone took time with my words.”
That kind of encouragement keeps writers going far more than any algorithm ever could.
So if a story makes you pause, highlight the part that moved you. Clap if it made you think.
That little moment of connection might be the reason they write again tomorrow. But please don’t forget — read it, slow down, absorb what the author would like to share. That matters more than you know.
The 30-Day Medium Challenge
Want to test this strategy yourself? Try this simple experiment:
Week 1: Write 3 articles on three different topics. Don’t overthink it. Just publish.
Week 2: Check your stats. Which topic resonated most?
Week 3: Write 3 more articles doubling down on that winning topic.
Week 4: Analyze your results and share your earnings in the comments.
My prediction: you’ll earn $0.15 to $0.50 in your first month — and discover your niche in the process.
If you’re taking this challenge:
Comment “I’M IN” below.
Come back in 30 days and share your results.
I’ll personally check in and give you feedback on what’s working.
Who’s in?
The Tweet-Sized Truth
Medium pays you to learn what works.
Substack pays you once you already know.
The Bottom Line
Substack is for builders.
Medium is for discoverers.
Use Medium to test, learn, and earn your first dollar.
Then use Substack to build something lasting.
It’s funny how $1.33 can feel more rewarding than any viral post — because it means someone stayed until the last line.
That’s not competition. That’s strategy.
Your Turn
I’ve shared my numbers. Now I’d love to hear yours.
Which platform are you using or testing?
What’s your biggest challenge with monetizing your writing?
Taking the 30-Day Medium Challenge? Comment “I’M IN” below.
Let’s compare notes and grow together.
To join the substack vs medium debate check out my previous post: Substack vs Medium on the topic.
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