How to Identify the Most Lucrative Topics for Medium

The Three-Step Approach to Discovering Profitable Topics

#### What Topics Yield the Highest Earnings on Medium?

Understanding which topics generate significant income on Medium can greatly enhance your chances of success on the platform.

> Note: This article is the second part of our previous discussion on this topic. If you haven't read Part 1, please refer to it before continuing here.

Reference to Part 1

#### How to Identify the Most Lucrative Topics for Medium

#### What Topics Generate the Most Income on Medium?

This strategy is not universally applicable; it's tailored to help you uncover unique topics that resonate with your writing style on Medium. It’s the method I utilize when searching for money-making writing topics.

This approach is applicable not just for Medium but for online writing as a whole. It will lead you to subjects that can engage your audience profitably. Let’s dive into the three steps involved.

Step 1: Brainstorm Ideas

Create a Venn diagram with three overlapping circles labeled "Value," "Interest," and "Knowledge/Experience." The intersection of these areas is crucial for your story if you want to monetize it effectively.

Lack of interest will hinder your ability to sustain your writing. For instance, while many people are interested in relationships, I struggle to write about them due to disinterest and lack of expertise.

You also need a certain level of knowledge or experience to avoid being overshadowed by better-informed writers. For example, if I wanted to write on personal finance but have no understanding of it, that would be an unwise choice.

Lastly, your topics must provide value to readers, whether through informative content, tutorials, entertainment, or insights that prompt reflection. The selected topics should enable you to deliver this value.

The intersection of these three factors will yield a narrow but profitable list of topics for Medium and other platforms. While I prefer colorful brainstorming, this process helps me identify fresh, lucrative topics when I seek a change from my regular writing themes.

Step 2: Identify at Least Three Topics

Select three topics that lie within the overlapping area of your Venn diagram and write at least one piece for each. Here’s a small rant: many Medium users see my articles and assume,

> "If he can do it, it must be simple. Medium is a quick way to get rich." But that’s not true.

I’ve been honing my skills for months, learning something new daily and gradually increasing my earnings. Success on Medium is a long-term endeavor.

When employing this strategy, don’t focus on immediate results. Shift your mindset toward the months ahead. This will be an evolving process, not a one-time effort.

Write at least one article for each topic.

The more data points you gather, the better. For instance, if you think you can write well about pets but find it challenging to create valuable content, that may signal a need for more knowledge or a different topic focus.

Compare Your Findings

There’s an element of luck involved in Medium. Sometimes, a well-crafted headline or the right publication can make a difference.

To minimize variables, analyze your stories collectively. Aim for a reasonable average value per read to facilitate comparisons. For example, I have written successful articles on "Retirement," which also connects to "Finance."

One of my articles, "7 Frugal Habits that Rarely Pay Off in Retirement," has garnered 1.3k reads and earned $46.13, translating to about $0.035 per read.

Financial Insights

In contrast, an article on "Writing Tips" earned me $7.66 from 41 reads, which is roughly $0.19 per read.

This indicates that while "Retirement" articles yield more reads, "Writing Tips" may be more lucrative. Understanding these dynamics is crucial.

Assess the Average Value of Your Topics

Perform this analysis across all your articles to gauge which topics are most valuable. If one topic stands out significantly in terms of earnings, consider focusing on it more often.

Step 3: Repeat the Process

You’ll need to revisit this process. Continue writing on the three selected topics and, as you refine your Venn diagram, you may discover new interests or areas of expertise over time.

As you grow and learn, your profitable writing topics will evolve. Additionally, the audience on Medium will shift with changing trends.

For example, a friend with diverse interests let his Medium subscription lapse due to time constraints, affecting his reads. This trend occurs daily across the platform.

> I learned from Zulie (as mentioned in my previous article) that when she began writing, relationship topics were prevalent. She struggled with them and thought her writing was subpar, but the topic simply wasn't her strength.

Medium has seen shifts from relationship stories to listicles, and now to more brand-focused content. Staying attuned to these changes will help you navigate and identify valuable writing topics over time. Keep iterating, analyzing earnings, and don’t assume one topic is universally profitable.

> Medium is not merely an assignment. It’s an opportunity to explore your passions, connect with an audience, and earn income. Each writer will have a unique experience based on their interests and writing preferences.

This wraps up another discussion on monetizing your writing on Medium. I cherish Medium as my preferred writing platform, and I believe these strategies can apply to various topics.

The internet offers vast opportunities amidst competition. Keep exploring, and perhaps you'll find that one exceptional topic that resonates with readers, but until then, enjoy the journey.

I encourage you to share your thoughts in the comments!

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