Section 1.1: The Real Motivation—Avoiding the Pursuit of Profit

Many writers initially flocked to Medium with the hope of financial gain. When the pandemic began in 2020, numerous articles suggested that consistent writing on Medium could lead to wealth. As a result, many abandoned their day jobs to focus entirely on their Medium writing.

While this dedication might have benefited the platform and helped cultivate a writing habit, it often led to financial hardship for the writers involved. The stark reality is that:

There are no shortcuts to wealth.

Numerous writers who began with the singular aim of making money have since faded from the platform. A similar trend can be observed on TikTok, where virality is often influenced by human decisions rather than a straightforward, replicable formula.

I've encountered many theories explaining this trend, but one article encapsulated it all: TikTok utilized a simple heating button. Forbes noted that TikTok teams determined which videos would go viral, leaving others to the unpredictable nature of algorithms.

Virality on TikTok is akin to divine intervention—nothing more. We all strive to make sense of the chaotic landscape, often leading to a misplaced sense of self-importance, where we assume we’ve discovered the secret to sudden success.

But what happens when followers can’t reproduce that success? They might think they simply weren't trying hard enough.

In summary:

If financial gain is your only goal, the chances of failure are substantial. It's vital to seek a deeper purpose in your writing.

Section 1.2: Honing the Art of Storytelling

If profit isn't the primary focus, what remains? From my perspective, those who chased wealth as their sole ambition often stumbled. While financial stability is crucial for living, its ability to enhance happiness diminishes once basic needs are met.

Most financially successful individuals I’ve encountered had loftier aspirations: they aimed to enrich their lives, contribute to society, and improve the world. Medium offers a unique platform for writers to share their narratives, visions, and ideas with a broad audience. The platform’s extensive reach provides a rare opportunity to amplify your voice.

Mastering storytelling is an invaluable skill for both entrepreneurs and individuals. The path to success lies in establishing a cycle of habit: Write, Publish, Get Feedback, and Revise.

This once-rare process is now commonplace. Thanks to the internet, every writer has the chance to publish, build an audience, and learn from feedback. Seize this opportunity to flourish.