You ever pour your heart and energy into something… only to realize you’ve been playing in the wrong sandbox the entire time?
That was me. For three full months.
I committed to a platform that, in hindsight, wasn’t the right fit for my goals. And while it wasn’t a total loss — because mistakes always come with lessons — I want to break it down so you can avoid falling into the same trap.
Let’s rewind.
The Excitement of Starting Out
When you’re new to the creator game, everything feels like an opportunity. You’re fired up. You’re consuming content from people who say:
“Post here every day for 90 days and you’ll blow up!”
So, naturally, I picked a platform — let’s call it Platform X — that looked promising.
It had a sleek interface, lots of creators posting regularly, and a few success stories that gave me serious FOMO.
And I thought: This is it. My breakthrough moment starts here.
Spoiler alert: It wasn’t.
The Red Flags I Ignored
Looking back, the signs were there from Day 1.
1. No Real Discovery Engine
Unlike platforms like YouTube or Medium, Platform X didn’t push your content to new people. You had to do all the legwork — sharing links, begging for engagement, or hoping someone stumbled across your work.
My posts were decent. Some were even great. But they sat in silence because the platform simply didn’t help creators get seen.
2. A Creator-Hostile Algorithm
The algorithm wasn’t built for consistency. It was built for clout.
That meant people with pre-existing audiences always won.
And if you were starting from scratch? You’d have to scream into the void and hope someone heard you.
Spoiler: no one did.
3. No Monetization Strategy
After a month, I realized the platform offered no path to monetization.
No partner program.
No tipping feature.
No affiliate-friendly tools.
Nothing.
I wasn’t in it just for the money, but if I’m putting hours into research, writing, editing, and engaging — there has to be some return, right?
If you’re serious about content creation, you need to think long-term.
And Platform X wasn’t offering a future.
What I Did Instead
By the end of Month 3, I hit a wall.
I looked at my analytics (still flat), my growth (minimal), and my motivation (burned out).
That’s when I took a step back and asked:
“What do I actually want from this?”
- A place to share my ideas freely
- A platform that values quality over virality
- And yes, a way to monetize my knowledge in the long run
So I pivoted.
Enter Medium: A Platform That Actually Works
I wish I had started here.
Medium isn’t perfect, but here’s why it worked better from day one:
✅ Built-In Audience
People come to Medium to read — not just scroll.
That means if your content is good, you actually stand a chance of being seen.
My very first Medium post got more views than my top-performing post on Platform X after three whole months.
Let that sink in.
✅ Fair Monetization
With the Medium Partner Program, your articles can earn money based on read time — not follower count or likes.
It rewards depth, not hype.
If you’re a thoughtful creator who values substance over clickbait, this matters.
✅ Long-Term SEO Value
Medium ranks well on Google.
That means your posts aren’t just flashes in the pan — they live, breathe, and keep working for you months or even years later.
Platform X? Once your post was off the feed, it was gone forever.
What I Learned (So You Don’t Waste 3 Months)
Here’s the real takeaway from this:
1. Know Your Goals Before Picking a Platform
- Want quick growth? TikTok might be your thing.
- Want SEO and evergreen content? Consider Medium or YouTube.
- Want community engagement? Try Reddit or Discord.
Each platform has its strengths. But none of them are “one size fits all.”
Match the platform to your goals. Not the hype.
2. Pay Attention to Monetization Options Early
Even if you’re not in it for the money, time is an investment.
You deserve to be compensated if you’re adding value.
Platforms that offer monetization — or at least help you build an audience you can later monetize — are more creator-friendly.
3. Watch How Newbies Are Treated
Success stories are often outliers.
If you’re new and the platform gives you zero tools to grow — run.
Good platforms support you at every stage.
Final Thoughts: Start Smart
I don’t regret experimenting — it taught me what to look for.
But if I could go back, I’d focus on platforms that value creators, make discovery easier, and offer actual rewards for quality work.
So if you’re just starting out, here’s my honest advice:
Skip the hype. Start where your work is respected and your time is valued.