Table of Contents
- How can Medium’s unique writing platform help you reach new audiences and maximize your freelance potential?
- Time Stamps
- About Tony Stubblebine
- About Medium
- Noteworthy Quote From This Episode
- Listen Now
- Watch This Interview on YouTube! Subscribe here!
- Find Your Best Business Niche!
- Let’s Get Social
- Read The Transcript
How can Medium’s unique writing platform help you reach new audiences and maximize your freelance potential?
In this episode we sit down with Tony Stubblebine, CEO of Medium, to explore how the platform is impacting the world of writing.
Tony shares how Medium’s focus on authenticity and high-quality writing is offering freelance writers a refreshing alternative to the content grind and clickbait culture dominating much of the internet today.
With over 1 million paid subscribers and recent profitability, Medium is becoming a powerful space where writers can thrive without the hustle and connect with new audiences.
If you’re a freelance writer looking for new ways to boost your visibility, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!
Tune in to hear Tony’s take on how to maximize earnings through Medium’s partner program and the unique opportunities it presents to freelance writers.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- How Medium’s new focus on authenticity is helping writers stand out in a crowded digital market
- What profitability at Medium means for writers using the platform
- Key changes in Medium’s Partner Program and how they affect writer compensation
- Strategies for freelance writers to maximize their success and earnings on Medium
- Why community and connection with readers are more important than views or clicks
- How Medium’s distribution engine gives writers an edge
Time Stamps
03:32 Medium’s milestones: 1 million paid subscribers and profitability
04:46 The shift to authentic writing and moving away from clickbait and AI content
06:09 What profitability means for writers on Medium
09:04 Overview of Medium’s Partner Program and how writers are compensated
11:33 How freelance writers can maximize engagement and earnings
13:14 Why Medium’s tools, community, and distribution make it stand out
18:37 The power of community and building deeper connections with readers on Medium
About Tony Stubblebine
Tony Stubblebine is the CEO of Medium. Previously, he was the owner of some of Medium’s largest publications, including Better Humans, and is the co-founder and former CEO of Coach.me. He lives in New York.
Read Tony’s writing at: https://coachtony.medium.com/
About Medium
Medium is an online publishing platform where writers from all backgrounds can share their stories, insights, and ideas with a global audience. Known for its clean design and user-friendly interface, Medium offers a space for thoughtful, high-quality writing on a wide range of topics. With a unique focus on authenticity, Medium connects readers to content that prioritizes depth and meaning over clickbait, while offering writers the opportunity to get paid for their work through its membership model.
Learn about Medium’s Partner Program: https://medium.com/partner-program
Noteworthy Quote From This Episode
“The only way you can stand out is by focusing on quality and the thing that makes quality is authenticity. The Internet recently hasn’t really been built for quality. It’s been built for attention. So for two years now, we’ve been really just laser focused on building a platform that rewards the type of writing that I think everyone wants to do anyways, and which readers are dying to read. That’s why Medium has been growing as a subscription business. We’re standing out against what the rest of the Internet is doing right now.”
Tony Stubblebine
Listen Now
Click the player above to listen to the episode. We’re also available on all major podcast platforms including: Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Podcast Addict, and Deezer. You can also find all episodes on our Buzzsprout page. Get more info about our freelance podcast here.
Watch This Interview on YouTube! Subscribe here!
Find Your Best Business Niche!
We’ve released our “Niches Get Riches” Brainstorming Worksheet – and it’s absolutely free! This worksheet will help you identify the most profitable niches for your freelance writing business. Simply download and go through the prompts to explore potential niches that will quickly set you apart in the marketplace! Grab your copy here: https://pages.talkfreelancetome.com/
Let’s Get Social
Love the podcast so far? Rate and review us if you use Apple Podcasts and join in the freelance conversation on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube! You can also connect with Ashley on LinkedIn and check out our boards on Pinterest!
Read The Transcript
Note: This video transcript has been lightly edited using AI for clarity and readability.
[00:00:00] Ashley Cisneros Mejia: Hello everyone and welcome to another episode of the Talk Freelance to Me podcast.I’m your host, Ashley Cisneros Mejia, and today I am so excited to bring to you a special guest, someone that you may not have ever had an opportunity to hear from directly, the CEO of Medium, Tony Stubblebine.
Tony, welcome to the show.
[00:00:22] Tony Stubblebine: Thank you, Ashley. Thank you for having me as a guest. I’m excited. Hopefully I can be helpful.Big Milestones At Medium
[00:00:27] Ashley Cisneros Mejia: Yes! I had the honor to experience Medium Day that you just had. And I got to hear your keynote address to everybody who was in attendance and it was very cool.Under your leadership at the company, you’ve achieved some big milestones. In April you crossed 1 million paid members. How would you define Medium’s identity today?
[00:00:48] Tony Stubblebine: Yeah, that’s a good place to start. So Medium is a blogging platform that rewards authentic writing. I want to get into what that means.This is like essentially the pivot that happened under my leadership, but it worked. And so you can count on us to stay in this direction.
The benefit of focusing on authentic writing is it’s this breath of fresh air for everyone, especially freelance writers, because nobody likes this grind of finding new “content” to manufacture every day, right?
That’s not an authentic way to write.
Readers will click on it. Sometimes they’ll go viral and they’ll click on it, which works if you’re running ads, but readers aren’t impressed with it.
Now with AI, that sort of daily grind approach to content development, it’s just not even defensible.
Now anyone can do it. And it’s impossible to stand out.
The only way you can stand out is by focusing on quality.
And the thing that makes quality is some authenticity about what you care about it or where it comes from your own life experience, right?
The good news is we’ve all led interesting lives and that can drive it much better writing than the idea of just, “Oh, I need to manufacture an opinion today that will go viral.”
And every writer that I’ve ever talked to has that’s on the content treadmill is dying to get off of it. It’s just an exhausting.
Low reward place to live. But the Internet recently hasn’t really been built for quality.
It’s been built for attention.
So for two years now we’ve been really just laser focused on building a platform that rewards the type of writing that I think everyone wants to do anyways, and which readers are dying to read.
That’s been a stark contrast to the rest of the internet.
And that’s why Medium has been growing as a subscription business.
We’re standing out against what the rest of the Internet is doing right now.
Profitability Equals Stability
[00:02:48] Ashley Cisneros Mejia: During your keynote, you also mentioned that for the first time since the company was founded, I think it was 2011, you’re profitable.That came under the last two years that you’ve been CEO. Congratulations.
What does this financial milestone and new stability mean for us as writers — who are putting our thoughts, our authenticity, our stories and insights on the platform?
[00:03:11] Tony Stubblebine: Financial stability is stability. For everyone.Inside the company, we’re over the moon.
It was this team that I’ve worked with for the last few years, this was one of our major goals for just completely practical reasons. We want to do big things.
In order to do big things, we have to stay in business.
It was a ton of work and we’re all very happy.
But why does that matter to everyone else? The reason it matters is because you want to write with a company you can count on to be in business for a long time.
Not just be in business, but to be stable to work with, right?
[00:03:47] I think prior Medium had a little bit of history of pivots, but this is really the true for all startups.Before they have a business model that works, they’re at risk for pulling the rug out from under you because they have to.
You have you either pivot or you go out of business. That’s why you see so many startups change their mode.
But now Medium is in a different category.
We have a working business. All of our pressure is to keep doing what we’re already doing, just do it better.
And I think that makes us a much more stable partner for writers for one, and especially writing is so timeless.
[00:04:23] Tony Stubblebine:You want to write something great and evergreen, and sometimes it can have a life on the internet that lasts for decades. You don’t want to have to move it to the “hot new thing” every time platforms change.
So, yeah, I think it’s a big deal for the whole community at Medium that we are now profitable. As you say, it’s easier to count on us, and we can be more reliable.
[00:04:46] Ashley Cisneros Mejia:To me, it’s a very uplifting and refreshing message, especially when you see AI everywhere now. I love AI—I use it for different things, like this podcast production, because it streamlines things.
But as a writer, it does feel a little disheartening when you see big legacy publications using AI to create content, which is something that me and a lot of my listeners do.
[00:05:11]What you and your team have created, and the fact that so many members are saying, “We are paying for good content, for good storytelling, for things that are going to make us feel something and teach us something”—you’re showing that it can still be done. There’s still a demand for that. [00:05:29]
I think that’s really cool because it sends a message that there is still a demand for what we do. I think that’s awesome. [00:05:36] Tony Stubblebine:
Absolutely. I think that message really validates people who are hopeful that there can be better places on the internet, that the internet itself can be better, and that writing, as we think of it, still has a future and a home. [00:05:51]
That’s one of the big messages here: hope that, hey, it works. It doesn’t all have to be as bad as it is in other corners of the internet.
How Medium Compensates Writers
[00:06:01] Ashley Cisneros Mejia:You’ve made a lot of changes to your partner program, how you compensate writers, and how you work with the algorithm and your internal team, who decides what content to boost.
Can you walk us through some of these big changes, particularly for writers looking to earn money on the platform?
[00:06:19] Tony Stubblebine:Yes, as you mentioned, we do a profit share with our authors, and it’s really focused on rewarding the very best stories. That’s been great for everyone who’s trying to get off the treadmill.
You just flat out cannot earn a living on Medium if your strategy is to grind out something new every day.
[00:06:37] Tony Stubblebine:It’s much more about finding something meaningful and impactful that you can write about. I think that has guided writers in a different direction, where they’re asking, “What does my writing ladder up to?”
The most successful writers on Medium, in terms of both financial success and satisfaction, are often writing in a way that leads to either a book or other employment.
[00:07:00]The people who make the most money on Medium are using writing to develop and show mastery of a topic, and then they’re getting paid even more for something related to that. [00:07:23]
They might be a coach or a consultant. The people making the most money on Medium are all business consultants.
No one really says that out loud, but instead, the focus is often on, “How much does each piece get paid?” The reality is, we live in a world where expertise gets huge rewards, and writing is the best way to develop and show expertise.
[00:08:00]Our readers, who give us their money, want to read content from someone who knows what they’re talking about. [00:08:01]
We’ve redone all our incentives and recommendation systems to get away from algorithmic attention-seeking. Algorithms are great at spotting what you’ll click on, but they’re terrible at determining if something was genuinely helpful. [00:08:18]
That’s where having topic experts in our recommendation system makes all the difference. It’s what has made the current Medium successful. We’re spotting and elevating a different type of writing, and both our readers and writers love that. [00:08:38] Ashley Cisneros Mejia:
Very cool. So what strategies would you recommend to writers who want to maximize engagement and earnings under the new model for your partners?
How Freelance Writers Can Leverage Medium
[00:08:48] Tony Stubblebine:I’m always asking freelancers to think bigger. It’s appealing to think you can make a living just sharing whatever thoughts crossed your mind today, right? [00:09:01]
But the freelancers you work with quickly realize that’s a very competitive, flooded space. To succeed, you have to find a voice and often a topic where you can be well-known. [00:09:23]
The good news is that if you do this, you’re not just succeeding as a writer day-to-day. It opens the door to other things.
For example, even if you’re a successful writer like Stephen King, I’m pretty sure he makes more money on the movie rights than he does on his books. So even at the peak, the extra comes beyond the writing.
[00:09:42]There’s a term in programming: people get lost in a “local maxima” and miss out on something bigger next door. You might get really excited about climbing a hill, but don’t realize there’s a mountain next door. [00:10:00]
We’re constantly looking for ways to guide writers away from the idea that being a creator means writing something new every day. No, you have to have a bigger vision for yourself. Without that, it just doesn’t work out. [00:10:16] Ashley Cisneros Mejia:
So given the competition with other platforms, how does Medium differentiate itself in terms of its business model and the value it offers writers?
Why Should Freelance Writers Publish Their Writing On Medium?
[00:10:29] Tony Stubblebine:Yeah, I think there are three main reasons someone would pick Medium: the tools, the community, and the distribution.
For most people, Medium is a better choice than a standalone site like WordPress or Ghost, or a newsletter tool like ConvertKit or Substack.
[00:11:01]The main one is distribution. You’re always hunting for distribution somewhere, and we have a unique distribution system. [00:11:22]
We’ll give you content distribution that’s different from, say, TikTok. And if you’re killing it on TikTok, it might mean you won’t do well on Medium—and that’s fine. But if you want to focus on quality and authenticity, we’re set up to reward that. [00:11:43]
At a minimum, our Google ranking is way higher than your own. That’s just the benefit of being a platform. We get ranked highly on Google, so if you’re trying to set yourself up as an expert or use your writing to build a portfolio, why build your own SEO credibility when you can just use ours? [00:12:00]
A lot of people do that. And if you want to find an audience or a community—especially if you don’t already have one—Medium has a system of publications where you can submit and get a built-in audience you wouldn’t have otherwise. [00:12:19]
And if you’re trying to build an audience, Medium will even collect email addresses for you. You can take those email addresses wherever you want, like to your own newsletter tool. Tons of writers link out from Medium—it’s completely acceptable to put a call-to-action at the bottom of your post to send people to your course or newsletter. [00:12:47] Ashley Cisneros Mejia:
That’s what I’m seeing with a lot of writers. When we write for clients to pay the bills and buy groceries, we’re left with limited space—intellectually and time-wise—to write for ourselves. [00:13:00]
If I have only this much time and brain power left, should I write a book? Should I start a Substack? Should I try Medium? Or should I build my own empire? [00:13:20]
Some people aren’t tech-savvy and don’t know how to make a WordPress site. And if you’re just beginning, that’s a long journey to rank in Google. [00:13:40]
I think for writers who just want to write for the sake of writing, and who don’t want to create a funnel to sell digital products, Medium is a great way to jump in, share your expertise, and reach people quickly without worrying about all the other pieces. [00:14:05] Tony Stubblebine:
I agree. We often say that you shouldn’t have to learn how to be an “internet hustler” to have your writing read.
Medium is a place where we just want you to be a writer. Focus on writing, and focus on living, so you have something to write about.
[00:14:40]People who have mastered SEO and virality—that’s all time spent away from writing itself. I don’t think it’s healthy for the writer or for the internet at large. [00:14:46] Ashley Cisneros Mejia:
I agree. A lot of writers say, “Don’t give me another social media platform where I have to learn video production!”
They just want to share their message without worrying about trendy songs or filters.
[00:15:28] Tony Stubblebine:Exactly. We want writers to be successful and happier while doing it.
What’s Next for Medium?
[00:15:35] Ashley Cisneros Mejia:So as we look toward 2025, what’s next for Medium? [00:15:42] Tony Stubblebine:
Our goal is to keep doing what we’re already doing, but better.
One thing we barely touched on is the power of community at Medium. It’s one thing to get views, but the thing that drives writers the most is a connection with the reader.
[00:16:16]Medium has this incredibly active publication ecosystem where people submit, work with editors, and help each other find an audience. On any given month, there are about 9,000 active editors working with authors. [00:16:32]
Each publication has its own community, and that’s so powerful. I judge the success of my writing more by the comments than by the page views. [00:16:52]
That’s the secret sauce inside Medium, and we’re working on making that more visible because writers crave that human connection. [00:17:11] Ashley Cisneros Mejia:
I think that’s exciting. Many freelancers started out writing meaningful content, resonating with readers, and experiencing that synergy. [00:17:56]
Over time, some of us became businesses, which is great, but what I’m hearing is an invitation to be more playful with our writing, to return to what got us into this in the first place. [00:19:04] Tony Stubblebine:
That’s the authentic craft of writing. There’s a real hunger for that. I used to be a programmer, and then a corporate programmer, and I thought, “Wait, this was my hobby!” [00:19:29] Tony Stubblebine:
There are so many communities of writers here, covering different subtopics and genres. Just learning from and getting inspiration from these communities is incredibly powerful for people aspiring to be really successful freelance writers. [00:19:46] Ashley Cisneros Mejia:
Yeah, and the opportunity you’re creating on the internet to connect with real people—not just search engines or algorithms—is huge. For years, it felt like you were always thinking about how to rank, what keywords to use, how to format your writing to please Google. [00:20:00]
But now, there’s this invitation to just connect with real human beings again, which is pretty cool. [00:20:28] Tony Stubblebine:
Good, yeah. It’s job satisfaction on top of everything else. We want writers to be more successful but also happier while doing it. [00:20:38] Ashley Cisneros Mejia:
That’s fantastic, Tony. I appreciate your time so much today. Thank you for sharing an update on what’s going on with Medium and why freelance writers like me should definitely consider writing on the platform. [00:20:52] Tony Stubblebine:
Great. I appreciate the opportunity to talk to people. I learned a lot as well. This was great. I have so much appreciation for you and what you do to educate freelancers. [00:21:03] Ashley Cisneros Mejia:
Thank you.
