Don’t read a story; if its title contains — $ — and numbers. Why?

Especially if you’re looking to make money online

I find so many stories (mostly new writers) telling how much money they made by doing this, doing that within this many days, blah, blah, blah.

Some are boasting. Some are boosting/motivating. whatever the intention, the content is highly irrelevant to you.

If someone is bragging about their wealth, assume they possess only half of what they say.

Have you ever seen a top-class writer sharing his/her earnings in public?

Some share, because they are teaching/coaching people in writing. To sell their work, they need to show proof. Yet, most good coaches share their participants' income proof, instead of their own.

No one will share their top secret for earning money — at least for free. Either they’ll keep it or sell it.

Some folks are genuinely good-hearted. But most of the time they won’t share half-baked ideas with a short-term result.

Most of these stories are similar to a post on Reddit. They share it with their peers. But with no authority or promise.

There are 1000 ways to earn money online — quick. But there are only very few ways to earn steadily for long-term.

Don’t fall into the trap of constantly looking for a promising — shortcut — for winning — quicker.

I have told my readers this many times. Earning money through online writing (or anything similar) is a long game. So does any business of earning money steadily.

Some people are lucky (despite they are talented) to get there to catch the tide. Right time, right place. It doesn’t have to be the same for everyone.

This is called “Survivorship Bias”.

Reasons why should not read that kind of story

1. It spoils your confidence. Makes you doubt yourself. (say “yes” if it is true — in comments)
2. It will make you switch your plan and path. You will be in an endless loop of chasing different success formulas.
3. Every proof/success story looks more promising than your commitment and plan. Just because that looks greener, you’re not in the green land. Your plan is awful only because you’re not executing it with confidence. (and not having that little longer patience to see the result).
4. Curiosity makes the cat lose — if it doesn’t kill. But, eventually kills it. Don’t be curious about your fellow writers' earnings and follower counts. Even though curiosity/comparison is the common nature of all human beings, don’t do that. This will defuse your confidence in you.
5. It will feed your dreams and aches of yearning for money. But it doesn’t help to move the needle. This kind of thought spoils your willpower to keep yourself on track.
6. It will show ways that you’re not naturally good with. Because you know what you’re good at. If you already know, you should be working on it.
7. It will induce the cancer of craving for money by any means. You’ll eventually forget that serving (selling) others what they want is the primary way to a good, steady income. It’s time to stop seeing people as money spitters. I see many new writers losing their ethics when they follow this kind of path.

I acknowledge some so many good writers do this (write) out of altruism. No offense or disrespect to any of those writers. But I wrote this for aspirants who want to make money — steadily and exponentially later.

Stick to one plan of yours; even if it takes time. Refine your process.

Correct the path and course based on the feedback you get. Follow the numbers in your “stats”. Double down on what's working. Reduce the mistakes.

Instead of reading these kinds of stories, read more stories on your niche.

Money doesn’t determine how much successful you are. If you follow this money instead of following the potential exponential growth you will end up with a mediocre writing career.

Don’t get attracted by $$$ in story titles or anywhere.

Quick money goes quickly.

For a steady income, play steadily. Play that 1 game you’re good at or trying to be good at.

Some writers are going to hate me for writing this. As a reader, if you have a different opinion, then it is all okay to me. If this helped you to shift your paradigm, then you know what to do. Put that extra effort to ‘clap’ and ‘comment’.