Advantages

• Your reading becomes more impactful.
• You can finally back the writers you admire. (This is my favorite benefit.)
• You may influence poor-quality writing by neglecting it. (It’s a straightforward notion.)
• If your reads hold more weight than those of average members, your popularity on Medium may increase. Other writers will likely want you to engage with their content to benefit from your higher payments.

This could lead to an uptick in your followers and subscribers. With insights from my new Friend on Medium, Mr. Plan B, I see potential for growth in my follower count and possibly in my subscriber base as well.

Disadvantages

• The cost is higher—three times more. For someone whose earnings have plummeted, justifying this expense is challenging.
• As my mother used to say, “Don’t throw good money after bad.”
• There’s no guarantee that increased followers and subscribers will translate into higher earnings from joining the Friends program.

The Theory of Money Grabbing

Some writers have labeled this move as a cash grab by Medium, attributing it to corporate greed. However, that might not be the full story.

My friend Linda has done the math and concludes that the total earnings for writers exceed the sum of all Medium memberships, even under the previous $5 plan.

Of course, this doesn’t factor in wages or investor contributions, which could balance out, but the point stands. Medium needs to find ways to increase revenue, and this new tier is part of that strategy.

However, it is not simply a case of corporate greed; it’s a business decision.

I can appreciate a business rationale. It makes sense that they need to generate enough revenue to compensate the writers on their platform. As they expand to include more writers from various countries, their financial needs will grow.

The Secret Club Concept

I’ve given this a lot of thought and believe that some members are eager to support talented writers even more than they currently do. They are interested in fostering community and helping fellow writers thrive.

So, to all the incredible writers out there, here’s my perspective.

If we all subscribe to each other’s accounts, we will be notified of new articles, allowing us to read each other's work and stay engaged on Medium.

By disregarding subpar articles, we can prevent those writers from benefiting fourfold from their low-quality content.

I truly value the community here and want to see it flourish.

You might not see an increase in your earnings unless you join the 'Friends of Medium' network.

Here’s the reason:

Subscribers cultivate a dedicated audience, establishing a deeper connection with your writing. Unlike followers, who can easily overlook your work in a sea of content, subscribers eagerly await your posts. This creates a loyal readership that can contribute to your success.

And if those devoted readers are part of Friends of Medium, you’ll enjoy the reciprocal benefits from their enhanced payment structure.

It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement.

After reflecting on this article, I’ve decided to take the leap and become a Friend of Medium.

I also plan to subscribe to as many Friends of Medium as possible.

I’m not suggesting everyone should follow suit; I understand that times can be tough for many. This choice works for me since I can manage the additional cost, and I’m renewing my membership partway through the year, so it’ll be a pro-rated increase.

My Core Motivation is Community

I’ve always valued the friendships I’ve formed here and the support I receive from the community when needed. I hope to pay it forward by assisting new writers as well.

Now, I’m not claiming this will definitely benefit me. There are no guarantees—no one knows if it will positively affect my earnings or if future changes will alter the program again. However, I think it will be enjoyable to belong to an exclusive group for a relatively small fee.

And I’ll positively influence every writer whose work I engage with. Every single one.

A heartfelt congratulations to my new Friends and familiar faces from the past. We can make this work.

Thank you to everyone listed, and a special shout-out to Lanu Pitan for helping with the list.

If anyone wishes to be removed from the list, just send me a message, no problem. And if you’d like to be added, feel free to reach out!