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Every so often, people ask me: “Why do you publish your work on Medium rather than only on your own blog?”
It’s a good question.
For years, I ran my own blog on WordPress. And I published everything there, on Medium, and on Substack. WordPress was my very first blogging platform back in 2007. Stuck with me for a long time. And I am fond of WordPress.
But recently I moved all my content from WordPress. Now I publish on Medium and Substack. But that’s not at all set in stone.
But why Medium and not a blog?
The Medium Edge
Medium gives writers an advantage in several key areas:
- Audience: Medium has a huge built-in readership. Readers don’t (just) need to find you via Google or social media. They’re already on the platform, browsing and discovering new voices daily.
- Curation & Discovery: Editors and algorithms help surface high-quality content, allowing good work to get seen, even if you have zero followers.
- Simple Publishing: You can focus on writing and storytelling, rather than the technical details of building and maintaining a website.
- Social Features: Claps, comments, highlights, and follows are integral to Medium, creating a good ecosystem to build upon.
If your writing resonates, it can be discovered organically, amplified by Medium’s recommendation engine and community features.
Unlike operating your own website, you aren’t starting at zero and fighting for every view.
That is a huge plus for many many writers.
But There Are Risks
Nothing’s perfect.
Publishing on Medium has a big downside: control.
You’re building your audience and portfolio on someone else’s platform. The classic “rented land” problem.
Medium has changed hands, made algorithm and payout changes, and will change again. That’s a given.
You don’t fully own your list anymore (which is a shame), your layout, or your monetization model. Your content can be put behind a paywall, removed, or deprioritized by the platform’s algorithm. Your connection with readers might be mediated by Medium’s rules or changes.
So Keep Your Own Blog?
If it’s not too much of a technical (and legal) hassle, it’s always a good idea to keep a separate platform. Because:
- Ownership: Your blog, your domain, your rules. No one can pull the plug or change your terms overnight.
- Flexibility: Customize the design, add plugins, integrate external tools, and experiment with different styles. Options Medium doesn’t offer.
- Security & Backup: If Medium disappears or pivots, you have a safety net.
- Diversified Strategy: Relying on one platform puts your creative business at risk. Successful writers often use multiple platforms (Medium, Substack, WordPress, Ghost, etc.).
A Hybrid Approach
I like many writers have adopted a dual strategy: publish on Medium to tap into its audience and ecosystem, while maintaining a personal blog as well.
For beginners, Medium is a fantastic launch pad. It helps you grow, build credibility, and connect with readers quickly. But if you want to build a lasting business or portfolio, a place of your own with a custom domain (ideally open source and controlable) is the way to go.
That’s why I will be jumping back onto WordPress. I love tinkering with all this stuff anyway.
The Bottom Line
Medium is excellent for growing your audience, testing ideas, and building a writing habit. No doubt!
And you should utilize this power.
If you’re just starting, jump on Medium. But for the long run, develop your independent home as well. You’ll thank yourself later.
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