Should I Launch a Public Publication on Medium as a Freelance Writer?

As a seasoned content strategist and owner of multiple public publications on this platform, I answer this frequently asked question transparently with nuances covering pros and cons concisely.

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Dear Freelance Writers, 

Countless freelance writers who read my previous story about private publications keep asking me whether they should create a public publication, too. For those unfamiliar, the key difference is that a private publication only includes your own stories. A public one publishes stories from other writers.

As the owner and chief editor of multiple publications with several years of experience on Medium, I will share my insights transparently, independently, and with the nuances you may consider.

At the highest level, my answer is that there is no one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on your goals, lifestyle, time, resources, and priorities. 

In this story, I provide insights only for freelance writers as the pros and cons differ for entrepreneurs, which I will cover in another story. I shared my perspectives on freelancing and entrepreneurship in a previous story within a community-building context. 

In this short post, I aim to provide a balanced, informative, and constructive perspective to help you make an informed choice, showing its pros and cons. This is a generic story intended for a broad audience, so if you have specific questions, you may leave a comment on this piece, and I will respond. 

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Pros of Creating a Public Publication

Establishing a publication allows you to build a community around your interests and passions. Managing a virtual space where like-minded people engage, share ideas, and support each other’s growth can be fulfilling.

Running a public publication can increase your leadership, editorial, communication, and organizational skills. It teaches you to manage contributors like writers, volunteer editors, content curators, and administrators who maintain consistent quality and engagement in your publication. 

The sense of accomplishment and recognition that comes from creating and managing a successful publication can boost your confidence and provide personal satisfaction. It might enhance your online presence with a robust portfolio to add to your CV.

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Cons of Creating a Public Publication

Maintaining a publication demands significant time and effort. The workload can be overwhelming, from recruiting volunteers and managing writers to editing and promoting content, especially if you are juggling other commitments.

Publications on Medium do not generate income. If your primary goal is to earn money through writing, dedicating time to a publication may detract from opportunities to create content that contributes to your income.

Unlike some perceptions, creating publication-related content such as editorial bulletins or curated collections brings minimal income as the time and effort invested in them do not cover the cost. 

Most importantly, the stress of running a public publication can adversely affect your physical and mental health. Balancing deadlines, managing expectations, and dealing with potential conflicts can lower your quality of life.

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Strategic Considerations

If you are a freelance writer and your main objective is to generate income on the platform, you may focus on writing high-quality, engaging stories that can be curated by Medium and earned through the Partner Program. 

Investing time in building a publication may not be an optimal strategy for monetary gain. If an immediate financial return is your priority, you may concentrate on writing and leveraging other income streams.

However, it might be worthwhile if you value building a brand, enhancing your personal/professional reputation, and creating a legacy. A public publication can be a valuable intangible asset in the long term. 

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Conclusions and Takeaways

Creating a public publication on Medium can be a rewarding experience. It offers intangible benefits and opportunities for personal/professional growth and community building in the long run. 

However, managing the workload of public publications requires significant time and effort without financial returns. 

As a new writer, you can carefully evaluate your personal/professional goals, lifestyle choices, and resources before starting this challenging journey. 

By understanding the pros and cons, you can make a strategic decision that aligns with your aspirations and effectively enhances your writing career.

To conclude, I chose creating public publications after my retirement from the corporate world as a giveback activity, as building a supportive community and helping others to achieve their goals gives me joy and life satisfaction by enhancing my quality of life. 

Thank you for reading my perspectives. I wish you a healthy and happy life. You are welcome to join the ILLUMINATION Community on Medium and Substack. Here is How I Architected a Charity Organization & Why I Will Run It Like a Business.

I recently identified an opportunity for freelance writers. If you are looking for another platform with potential monetization options, you may consider X premium, which I briefly introduced in a recent story. 

Why I Upgraded to X Premium as a Content Developer, Curator, and Marketing Strategist
A Content Strategist’s Perspective on Elon Musk’s Twitter Transformation and explaining the opportunity for writers to…medium.com

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I wrote numerous stories about writing and content strategy to guide new writers. You may find some relevant ones from the attached list. I will distill all these stories in my Content Strategy, Development, & Marketing Insights soon.

Writing, Content Development & Marketing Strategy Guides
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To inform my new readers, I wrote numerous articles that might inform and inspire you. Some of my topics include brain, mental health, cognitive function, significant health conditions, longevity, nutrition/food, valuable nutrients, ketogenic lifestyle, self-healing, weight management, writing/reading, including 100+ Insightful Life Lessons from My Circles for the Last 50+ Years.

I publish my health and wellness stories on EUPHORIA and share distilled versions on SUBSTACK. My posts do not include professional or health advice. I only document my reviews, observations, experiences, and perspectives to provide information and create awareness.

If you are a writer, you are welcome to join my publications by sending a request via this link. I support 30K writers who contribute to my publications on this platform. I also have another profile to write and curate tech stories. Friend Links to My Sample Boosted Stories for Non-Members of Medium. This story was also shared on Substack.

Get an email whenever Dr Mehmet Yildiz publishes. He is a top writer and editor on Medium. dr-mehmet-yildiz.medium.com

Importance and Value of Medium Friendship for Writers and Readers