Not to mention that (solid, non-clickbait) viral articles sometimes get un-distributed/un-curated on this platform.... ;)

I didn't hear about this latest development until reading your piece here, Carlyn, because I've been too busy with my day job to do much writing. It seems every time I've actually had the time to devote myself more to Medium, Medium has just tweaked the algorithm again, such that writers get paid less — always a right place, wrong time situation. It amuses me that, 5 years ago, I could consistently earn several hundred dollars on an article here, and somehow now — years later when I've improved my skill and grown more of an audience — I earn much, much less. I'd welcome the opportunity to write more on Medium, but if it won't pay my bills, it's just not practical. It'll be interesting to see how the newest changes shake out.

As for diversifying, I also recently decided to try learning the ropes of TikTok. And I'd like to start on YouTube. I've realized I care more about telling stories (if those stories can offer insights that help others) than I do about the storytelling format itself. (And I sort of welcome the opportunity to have my personality shine through in video format, since my academic-focused day job makes me sound blandly intellectual when I write.) As long as I can get into a consistent, sustainable groove of telling stories that mean something to me and can help others (...provided I can also earn enough to support that, of course), I like to think I'll be happy.

I wish you luck with TikTok and hope the newest shift in Medium won't hurt you!