Farewell Medium: Embracing New Horizons

Navigating the ever-changing landscape of content platforms, I embark on a fresh journey away from Medium. Join me as I explore why and where this path leads next.

Liz Hamburger
3 min readDec 17, 2023

When I first joined Medium in 2018, it was a new chapter in my journey through various platforms — from Wordpress for in-depth blogging, to Tumblr for quick thoughts, and Twitter for timely updates. Now, I’m turning a new page, and it’s important to share why I’m bidding farewell to Medium.

The Shifting Sands of Medium

Over the years, I’ve noticed a significant shift in Medium’s environment. The writing, editing, and posting process became increasingly challenging, particularly with the emphasis on paywalled content. This change, subtly pushing creators towards a monetisation model, seemed to impact my engagement levels. While it’s not always clear if such changes directly cause a drop in engagement, it’s worth pondering whether creators are inadvertently penalised for not aligning with the platform’s growth strategies.

Writing to Inspire, Not Just to Earn

My core motivation in writing has always been to inspire and help others. Through the wisdom and knowledge I’ve gained from various writers and creators, I’ve always aimed to pay it forward. This is where Medium’s focus on paywalled content started to diverge from my vision. I write to make a difference, not solely for monetary gain.

Why Substack Feels Like Home

And this leads me to Substack. What a breath of fresh air! Here, there’s a real sense of community over competition. Writers collaborate, supporting one another to reach wider audiences and hone their craft. Unlike Medium’s often repetitive and trend-driven content, Substack thrives on genuine connections and heartfelt writing.

Join Me on a New Adventure at Substack

With these thoughts, I warmly invite all 282 of my Medium followers to join me on Substack. I’ve already kickstarted my Substack journey with a fair few posts I’ve not shared here, but particularly my first every post that contains free Figma portfolio template — a hit with over 487 users! It’s my most successful piece to date, and I’d love for you to check it out and share your feedback.

As we move into the new year, I’m eager to enrich my Substack offerings with more valuable resources and guides. Whether you decide to subscribe or just drop by, I cherish the thought of our paths crossing again.

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Liz Hamburger

Writing about design and some other bits in between | Digital Product Designer Contractor | Event organiser for Triangirls | Formally at studio RIVAL