I need to be real with you — I didn’t come into this looking to become a blogger or content creator.
I came into this burned out.
Tired of the side hustle hamster wheel. Tired of trying everything from affiliate marketing to Etsy printables, and feeling like nothing ever truly worked — or worse, nothing ever truly felt like me.
And just when I was about to give up on making money online altogether, I stumbled into something different. Something quieter. Something honest.
It started with two free tools: Medium and ChatGPT. No course. No funnel. No audience.
Just me, writing what I’d already lived through — and using AI not to fake it, but to find my voice faster.
That combination? It finally worked.
And in this blog, I’m going to walk you through the exact way I made money (my first $186) with nothing but my stories, my experiences, and a little structure.
If you’re looking for a real path to income that doesn’t require becoming someone you’re not — this is for you.
💬 1. Why I Gave Up on Every Other Online Income Method
If you're anything like me, you’ve probably typed “how to make money online” into Google or YouTube more times than you’d like to admit.
I’ve done it all.
– Tried affiliate marketing with zero clicks.
– Started a faceless YouTube channel that got buried in the algorithm.
– Designed digital products for Etsy that no one ever downloaded.
– Signed up for so many platforms that I forgot half my passwords.
Every time I tried something new, I felt that same spark of hope — like this might finally be it.
And every time… nothing really happened.
Sure, the advice sounded good. The tutorials looked promising. But once I actually got into it, I either burned out, hit a wall, or realized the method required a huge audience, paid ads, or a skill set I didn’t have.
I wasn’t lazy. I was just… exhausted.
From chasing strategies that didn’t feel like me.
And then — almost by accident — I started writing on Medium.
Not to get rich. Just to get my thoughts out. And when I combined that with a little help from ChatGPT?
That’s when everything clicked.
For the first time, I wasn’t forcing myself into a system that didn’t fit. I was expressing myself.
And Medium paid me for it.
🧠 2. The Two Free Tools That Changed Everything
Let’s keep it simple:
Everything I’m doing right now to make money with zero stress involves just two things:
👉 Medium — the platform
👉 ChatGPT — the writing assistant
That’s it.
No website. No Canva addiction. No camera. No complicated setup.
Medium is where I share my ideas, stories, and helpful content — and get paid for every minute someone spends reading them.
ChatGPT is how I think clearer, write faster, and stay consistent — without staring at a blank screen wondering what to say next.
Together, they became the method that finally felt doable, aligned, and real.
Because here’s the truth:
I didn’t want to become a social media manager.
I didn’t want to spend hours making reels or waiting for an Etsy sale.
I just wanted to help people, write honestly, and feel like my time meant something.
These two tools — completely free to start — helped me build that.
And now I’m going to show you how they can do the same for you.
📖 3. Wait… What Even Is Medium?
Okay, let’s break it down like I’m explaining it to a friend over iced matcha.
Medium.com is a blogging platform where people like you and me share articles, stories, lessons, tutorials — anything from how I overcame burnout to 5 tips to stay organized as a new mom.
But here’s the real magic:
Medium actually pays you when people read your articles.
Unlike social media where you have to build followers for months or fight against algorithms, Medium brings the readers to you. Why? Because Medium already has a built-in audience — 100+ million monthly visitors — looking for content that educates, entertains, or inspires.
And you don’t need to be a “writer” to succeed. You just need to:
Solve a problem people have
Share something personal with a clear takeaway
Write in your own voice
Once you join the Medium Partner Program, you earn money based on how long paying Medium members spend reading your stories.
The longer they read → the more you earn.
And trust me, the first time I earned $3.47 from an article I wrote in my pajamas?
I felt something click.
Not because of the money, but because it meant someone read what I wrote and stayed until the end. That’s connection. That’s real.
So yes — Medium is the platform. But it’s also a doorway to getting paid for your words, ideas, and lived experience. And that’s powerful.
🤖 4. How ChatGPT Became My Silent Writing Partner
Now, let’s talk about the game-changer: ChatGPT.
When I started writing, I had ideas — but turning them into structured, thoughtful articles was overwhelming. I’d spend hours tweaking my intro. I’d get stuck halfway through a post and abandon it. I questioned everything.
Then I started using ChatGPT — not to cheat, but to collaborate.
It’s not about letting AI do the work. It’s about letting it help you get unstuck.
Here’s exactly how I use it:
Idea Brainstorming
I type: “Give me 10 Medium article ideas about self-improvement for women in their 20s.” Boom — fresh ideas I hadn’t even thought of.
Outlining My Thoughts
I say: “Turn this paragraph into an outline.” ChatGPT helps me organize my messy brain dumps into structured sections.
Writing Assistance (Not Replacement)
If I’m struggling with a sentence or want a more engaging hook, I ask ChatGPT to rephrase or give 3 alternatives. Then I tweak it until it sounds like me.
SEO Support
I even ask it: “What keywords would help this blog rank for people searching about burnout?” And it gives me terms real people are typing in.
The best part? It never judges me. It’s available 24/7. And it helped me finally stay consistent — which is 90% of success on Medium.
So no, ChatGPT isn’t a crutch.
It’s my quiet, behind-the-scenes writing partner who makes sure I keep showing up.
✍️ 5. The Kind of Stories That Actually Earn Money
Let’s get one thing straight:
Just posting a ChatGPT-written blog full of “10 tips for productivity” isn’t going to make you money. I tried that. Everyone tries that.
And guess what?
It feels soulless — and readers can tell.
What really works on Medium is something much deeper and surprisingly simple:
Tell the truth, and make it useful.
Here’s the formula that finally clicked for me:
💬 Your personal story + 🎁 a lesson someone else can apply = 💸 a post that earns money
Think about the real stuff you’ve been through.
The things you learned the hard way.
The gentle reminders you give your friends over coffee.
That’s where the magic is.
For example:
I wrote about my burnout recovery and how I rebuilt my mornings.
I shared how I used ChatGPT to help me manage decision fatigue.
I wrote one about getting comfortable being alone, and it surprised me how many people said “this was exactly what I needed.”
These aren’t clickbait. They’re not trying to go viral.
They’re real. Grounded. And written to help, not impress.
Because here’s the truth I’ve learned:
Readers don’t care if you’re an expert.
They care if you’re honest, relatable, and helpful.
So stop trying to be perfect.
Start writing like you’re helping your past self — or your best friend.
That’s what people stay for. And that’s what gets rewarded
💸 6. What I Earned in My First 30 Days (No Audience Needed)
I promised I’d be transparent, so here it is:
In my first full 30 days of writing on Medium — with zero followers, no email list, no social media promotion — I made $186.43.
It felt like a small miracle.
This wasn’t “post and pray” money.
It was income from real readers, spending real time with words I wrote on my couch in pajamas.
Here’s how it happened:
I published 3 stories a week
I focused on topics I had lived through (not things I Googled 5 minutes ago)
I used ChatGPT to brainstorm, clean up my grammar, and stay consistent
I ended each post with a simple “here’s what helped me — maybe it’ll help you too”
By the end of the month, I had:
A small but growing Medium follower base
Multiple stories ranking on Google
A few readers who emailed me just to say “thank you — this helped”
And you know what? That meant more to me than the money.
But the money mattered, too.
Because for once, I had proof that you can make money online by just being yourself.
No hustle. No pretending. No gimmicks.
Just honesty, consistency, and tools that make the process lighter — not faker.
And from there?
The earnings only went up.
🛠️ 7. How to Start Writing on Medium — Step by Step
Let me be super clear:
You don’t need to be a professional writer.
You don’t need a niche figured out.
You don’t even need a logo or a plan.
You just need to start.
Here’s exactly how I got my first post up — and how you can too:
✅ Step 1: Create Your Free Medium Account
Go to medium.com, click “Get started,” and sign up with your email or Google account.
Take 5 minutes to:
Upload a profile photo
Write a short, human-sounding bio (e.g., “Sharing simple tools for calm, clarity & self-trust”)
Link a social media or newsletter if you have one — if not, skip it
✅ Step 2: Write Your First Story
Click “Write a story” and don’t overthink it.
Start with something simple like:
“How I’m Learning to Prioritize Myself Without Guilt”
“3 Ways I’m Creating More Peace in My Morning Routine”
“What I Learned From Failing at 5 Side Hustles (Before This One Worked)”
If you have a rough draft or journal entry, great.
If not? Open ChatGPT and say:
“Help me create an outline for a Medium post about rebuilding my confidence after burnout.”
Now fill in the blanks with your own story. Keep it honest, keep it helpful.
✅ Step 3: Add a Catchy Title and Tags
Your title should speak to a real problem. Something like:
“How I Finally Got Out of My Own Way”
“Why You Don’t Need Confidence to Start, Just This”
Then add 3–5 tags like:
Self Improvement
Life Lessons
Productivity
Mental Health
Writing
✅ Step 4: Publish It — Then Breathe
Don’t sit on it. Hit that green “Publish” button. It’s not meant to be perfect. It’s meant to be real.
You don’t need applause.
You just need to start building momentum.
✅ Step 5: Join the Medium Partner Program
To earn money, you’ll need:
At least 100 followers (you can build this in a few weeks)
1 published story
A Stripe account for payouts
Once you're eligible, apply here.
Until then, just focus on writing stories that help one person at a time. That’s all you need to do.
🤝 8. How to Use ChatGPT the Right Way for Medium Writing
Let me be real for a second:
If you use ChatGPT to write generic, soulless articles, readers will scroll right past them.
But if you use it like a quiet co-writer — a brainstorm buddy — it becomes the most powerful tool you’ve ever used.
Here’s how I use ChatGPT without losing my voice:
🧠 To Generate Ideas (When I’m Blank)
Prompt:
“Give me 10 unique blog post ideas in the personal growth + self-reflection niche for women in their 20s/30s.”
I don’t copy them word-for-word.
I pick one that feels true to me, then add my own twist.
🗂️ To Create Structure
Prompt:
“Turn this paragraph into a blog outline with 4 clear sections.”
Or:
“Suggest a better intro for this story about recovering from burnout.”
This helps me stop spiraling and start shaping.
✍️ To Rewrite Without Losing My Tone
Prompt:
“Rephrase this paragraph in a warmer, more conversational tone.”
“Make this sentence more emotional but not dramatic.”
ChatGPT never takes over my writing.
It just polishes the rough edges.
🔍 To Add Keywords for Medium Readers
Prompt:
“What are 5 popular Medium tags I should use for a story about rebuilding self-worth?”
Or
“Suggest an SEO-friendly title for this post about minimalist living and mental clarity.”
The results? Higher reach, more reads, and eventually… more income.
So no — I don’t let ChatGPT speak for me.
I let it help me speak more clearly.
And that difference? It’s why this method still feels like mine.
🔄 9. Why This Works Long-Term (And Doesn’t Burn You Out)
Let’s be honest — most online income ideas sound amazing… until you’re three weeks in and you feel like quitting again.
I’ve been through that cycle more than I care to admit.
I’ve stayed up until 2 AM editing videos that got 12 views.
I’ve bought Canva templates for digital products that never sold.
I’ve built websites that no one visited — because I thought I had to do it all to be “successful.”
But writing on Medium with help from ChatGPT?
It’s different. And here’s why:
☁️ 1. It’s Creative but Not Overwhelming
I get to share stories that matter to me. Not pretend to be someone else.
No heavy editing. No branding stress. Just writing that flows.
📈 2. It Builds Over Time
Your posts don’t disappear like Instagram stories or reels.
They stay online. They get picked up by search.
I’ve had stories I wrote two months ago still making money today.
⏳ 3. You Can Do This in Pockets of Time
I’m not glued to a laptop. I don’t need 5 hours a day.
Sometimes I write during my morning coffee.
Sometimes I write on my phone in bed before sleep.
And the best part? I feel calmer, not more stressed.
💬 4. It Feels Good to Share Things That Help Others
You’re not manipulating people into buying something.
You’re not chasing likes.
You’re simply helping… and getting paid for it.
And I think that’s a beautiful way to build income.
💖 10. Final Thoughts: This Isn’t Just a Side Hustle — It’s Self-Expression
I didn’t come into this looking to become a blogger.
I came into this tired. Tired of pushing. Tired of faking. Tired of being sold another $97 course that never really gave me clarity.
I just wanted something that felt like mine.
Something I could do honestly, slowly, with joy — and still earn.
Medium + ChatGPT gave me that.
So if you’re standing where I stood — full of potential but drowning in information — I want you to know this:
You don’t have to chase every method.
You don’t have to be an expert.
You just have to show up and tell the truth.
Write one story.
Put it out there.
Let ChatGPT help you shape it — not fake it.
And let the world meet you as you are.
This isn’t about becoming internet famous.
It’s about becoming seen — by the right readers, in your own words, at your own pace.
And if you earn $3 or $300? That’s just a bonus.
You already have what you need.
Let’s just get it written.
With honesty & heart,
Shara Amore
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