Prominent Medium Writers Walked Through the Valley of Death, Too
That’s why I left Medium for 2 years. The Valley of Death dips every Medium writer’s motivation.
I’ve been deep in the world of blogging and boosting my website traffic through off-page SEO for almost 5 years now.
I left Medium 2 years ago because, honestly, I focused on Facebook and Pinterest.
I was in the valley of death, too. Like you, like any other Medium writers and content creators.
But now, I am returning to Medium and restarted 2 months ago.
That’s why I also need to create content for my Medium blog post. I have interests in and have chosen psychology, relationships, marriages, and personal development as my niches before because these topics are often the first and last niches for a Medium writer’s journey.
They have problems with any of these that we do not know.
“First” in the sense that a successful Medium writer has a developed personality, mindset, and desire to succeed on the platform.
“Last”, because once a writer fails on Medium, they can always reset their mindset and bounce back by writing again about personal development. Or maybe in another niche.
With my limited years of experience online, let me tell you, I’ve seen writers and content creators succeed and fail on Medium.
And one of the most heart-wrenching, yet commonly faced phenomena?
The infamous Valley of Death.
Understanding the Valley
Imagine you’re hiking up a mountain. You start on a high, full of energy and motivation, but suddenly, there’s a steep decline into a valley.
It’s where your motivation dips, your views and reads drop, and that exhilarating high of publishing and sharing your writing fades.
Sound familiar? This, my friend, is the Valley of Death for Medium writers. It’s when, after putting so much effort and soul into your articles, the return feels meager.
Views decrease, earnings dwindle, and motivation starts packing its bags.
But here’s the twist — valleys are surrounded by peaks. After that dip, there’s another high waiting for you. The challenge? Pushing through and getting to it.
The Emotional Rollercoaster
Now, I understand that our motivation isn’t just about the views or the money.
Writing on Medium is an emotional journey. It’s only natural to feel demotivated when the fruits of your labor don’t seem to match your effort.
But remember every writer on Medium, even the biggest names you admire, has been through this valley.
Related: The Traffic Bombing Trio: Medium, Quora, and Pinterest
Finding the Motivation
So how do we move through the valley and back up to the peak?
Here are some tips:
Remember Your Why
Why did you start writing on Medium? Was it to share a message, connect with people, or express yourself creatively? Was it to build an audience or make money? Hold onto these core reasons that got you started. They are anchors that can pull you through the tough times.
Small Wins, Big Motivation
Did someone leave an appreciative comment about how your story made their day?
That’s a win! Did you hit a new milestone for views or earnings?
Celebrate it! Did you learn a new writing technique or improve your workflow? Mark that as progress!
Engage With Your Readers
Your loyal readers aren’t just anonymous viewers — they are supporters who believe in you and your work. Reply to their comments, ask for feedback, and feature their stories. Strengthening those bonds will lift you up.
Take a Break
It’s okay to step back, recharge your creative batteries, and then return to writing with renewed energy.
Forcing yourself to write when burned out will only prolong the valley.
Get Inspired
Read articles by writers you admire, take an online writing course, or attend a virtual conference — reignite your passion for the craft of writing. Surrounding yourself with inspiration will rekindle motivation.
Redefining Success
Sometimes, Medium’s monetization metrics aren’t the best benchmark for success.
Relying solely on views reads, and earnings from the Medium Partner Program can be a slippery slope, especially when you are not eligible. Instead, think bigger and broader about what success means to you.
Diversify Your Income Streams
What about leveraging your Medium following to create a product or service that resonates with your readers?
Consider an ebook, online course, merchandise shop, or even in-person workshops.
You’ve already built an audience that values your work — offer them something more. Diversified income streams mean you’re not dependent on Medium alone.
Measure Impact Rather Than Views
Aim to create content that meaningfully impacts people’s lives. A message that resonates with a smaller engaged audience is sometimes more valuable than content that gets lots of cursory views. Quality plus quantity equals intensity.
Develop Your Skills
Success isn’t a number on a screen, it’s the progress you make on your craft and abilities as a writer.
Getting better at writing, researching, marketing, and connecting with readers are all marks of success.
You’re Not Alone In This
Just about every prominent writer on Medium has been through their own Valley of Death at some point.
Even the writers you look up to have faced that dip in motivation and views. Know that it’s a rite of passage, not a reason to give up.
Stay focused on your long-term vision, diversify your income sources, and engage with your local audience.
With renewed resilience, you’ll be able to push through the valley and continue pursuing your definition of success on Medium.
Related: How To Earn on Medium Without the Medium Partner Program (Link to Medium Blog Post)
Final Thoughts
The Valley of Death is a challenging but normal part of a Medium writer’s journey.
Staying motivated, redefining success, and learning from those who’ve been through it before are keys to crossing the valley and reaching the next peak.
With commitment to your craft and purpose, the highs and lows smooth out into a rewarding writing journey.
