I wrote this to you on Twitter, but I wanted to post here as well.

Right now, this is a confusing dynamic. I’m trying to even articulate what all of the options are:

1. Post for free with no publication attached.
2. Post for Medium members, no publication.
3. Post for free, with publication.
4. Post for members, no contract, with publication.
5. Post for members, under a contract, with publication.

It will remain to be seen what other authors with vastly larger follower lists do, but I think the main benefits of each are:

1. Minimal exposure (depends on follower list & engagement).
2. Large likelihood of small payment, small chance of large payment.
3. Guaranteed exposure, more than #1.
4. No chance of payment, higher exposure than #2 but less than #3.
5. Guaranteed payment, no chance of large payment, guaranteed exposure.

If I write something that is not likely to be a huge hit, I may try #1 or #3. If I think I have a great piece that I worked for weeks on, I may try #2 or #5. As of right now, I don’t see the any value to the author in #4.