Hi Susan, if a story hooks readers, and large numbers are reading, the post, regardless, will get an organic boost. The web feeds people what they want to read. Medium's algo will pick where the people are, engaged, on their radar. Then, you have an in-house boost.

I want to know HOW writers actually monetize their stories. As paying members, we get the button to monetize behind the paywall. So, how do they actually do it if non-members? That is annoying. We could all do this and not pay. Then what? What if we all decided not to pay. How will MEDIUM pay us?