Why I Don't Look Forward To Earning From My Writing On The Digital Platform Anymore

Then, why does one write? Why do I write?

Image by John Conde from Pixabay

I started writing when I was jobless during the COVID-19 pandemic¹. It would be very unfair if I did not admit that the main reason I started writing was to earn from a side hustle. While I wrote with baby steps, I also started reading about how to earn from my writing. Fortunately or unfortunately, we live at a point in history when information is available effortlessly and cheaply.

So, the more I read, the more I learned that earning from writing is as easy as a stroll in the park. But as I took a deep dive into the digital writing world, I realised that nothing can be further than the truth.

For a writer, the digital writing universe is comparatively easy to enter. It is as easy as creating an online account in the Substack or Medium, and you are ready to go. But when it comes to earning money from writing digitally, it is a different story altogether. Innumerable talented writers are vying for attention in the digital universe. The Substack and Medium, the two most important digital platforms for writers, are no exception. So, it is never easy to get noticed by readers and paid for what one writes.

To my understanding, there are four main reasons why earning from writing in the digital universe is onerous.

Free Content

Most written content, like most other content in the digital domain, is free for everyone. Hence, I always wonder why anyone would be willing to pay what one can get for free. Unless a writer writes on a subject of a unique niche or is a celebrated author for which readers are willing to pay. Since my writing and I do not fall into any of these categories, getting paid for my writing is a long shot.

Geographical Location of The Writer

Another reason a writer may not get paid is his geographical location. I can speak for Indian authors since I write from India.

When I started writing on Substack, I used to get paid via Stripe. But for the last few months, Stripe has stopped supporting Indian authors. The reason they provided was regulatory—whatever that means. So, even when I have a substantial subscriber base, and some are willing to pay to read my work, they cannot.

For the Medium platform, it is even worse. They do not have a problem taking my subscription, but they cannot serve me. They do not have a writer's affiliation programme in India. So, there is no payment for me when my followers read what I write.

I would love to know the experience of Indian writers who write regularly on Substack and Medium.

Most Readers Are Writers

A majority of Substack and Medium readers are writers. I do not know any non-writers reading from these two platforms regularly. As writers are perpetually hard-up and on these platforms to earn money, I am not sure why they would be willing to pay before they have started earning substantially.

Writing Consistently

Additionally, writing on these two platforms is a part-time activity for most writers. They are from different full-time professions. So, writing consistency suffers. At least, that has been my experience. My writing frequency is highly inconsistent, as I work full time in another profession. So, why would a reader pay if the writing output is not regular?

Then, why does one write? Why do I write?

Writing is a passion for most of us who write regularly. I write for the sheer love and joy of writing. It gives me immense satisfaction and a sense of fulfilment when I complete one piece of writing and post it on the Substack. It works as a therapy for me and helps me destress. It also works as an escape for me from the harsh realities of life. No other activity can give me these benefits. All of these are priceless for me. If, on top of these, someone pays for my writing, it is like icing on the cake.

So, no matter what, whether I earn from my writing on Substack or Medium, I will keep writing for the sheer joy of it. But that does not mean I have stopped striving to earn from my writing. Only my approach towards earning from my writing has changed. Now, I consider my writing a marathon instead of a sprint. I have sowed the seed. I am nursing that seed whenever I write and push the print button. The effort will bear fruit when the time is ripe.

1. You may read Pandemic, A Portal, which I wrote in July 2021. I described how I started writing.