How I Made My First $100 Writing on Vocal Media – And How You Can

I didn’t think it would actually work.

When I first stumbled across Vocal Media, I thought it was just another content site where writers publish for free, maybe get a few likes, and walk away with nothing more than “exposure.” But the idea of getting paid per read? That caught my attention.

A few months later, I made my first $100 — not by going viral, not by being an expert writer, and not with any paid promotion — just through consistent effort, smart topics, and sharing my story in a way that connected.

If you're curious how I did it and how you can too, here's the full story.


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What Is Vocal Media, Anyway?

Vocal Media is a platform that pays writers for their stories. It’s open to everyone — no pitching editors, no need for a personal blog, and no tech skills. You just create an account, write your story, hit publish, and start earning based on the number of reads.

You can write about:

Personal experiences

Advice

Pop culture commentary

Reviews

Fiction and poetry

Travel stories

True crime and more


There are different “communities” (like Motivation, FYI, Confessions) where your articles can live — each one tailored to different audiences.


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How the Payment System Works

Vocal pays $3.80 per 1,000 reads on the free plan, and $6.00 per 1,000 reads if you upgrade to Vocal+. There's also the opportunity to enter writing challenges with prize money ranging from $100 to $20,000.

At first, that might not sound like a lot. But here's the thing — once your stories are up, they keep earning passively. Some of mine still get views months later.


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Step 1: I Picked the Right Kind of Story

The first article that made me money was titled:
“Why I Quit Instagram for 30 Days – and What It Did to My Brain.”

Why did this work?

It had a relatable hook (everyone’s addicted to social media).

It promised a transformation.

The title created curiosity.


People love stories that offer value and vulnerability. I wasn’t trying to be an expert — I just shared my experience, the ups and downs, and what I learned.

Think about what you’ve been through that others can connect with:

Did you try a side hustle?

Learn a life-changing habit?

Deal with burnout, anxiety, or success?


Turn that into a story with a lesson.


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Step 2: I Formatted It Like a Pro (Even Though I Wasn’t)

Vocal’s editor is super beginner-friendly — no coding, no complex formatting.

Here’s how I structure my articles:

Catchy title

Strong intro (tell the reader what they’ll get)

Subheadings to break up sections

Short paragraphs (2–4 lines max)

A call to action at the end (ask a question or invite feedback)


Readers online scan — so clean formatting keeps them engaged longer.


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Step 3: I Shared It in the Right Places

Vocal doesn't have a built-in social feed, so getting reads is up to you — especially in the beginning.

Here’s what worked for me:

I posted in relevant subreddits (like r/selfimprovement and r/simpleliving)

I shared it in Facebook groups focused on digital wellness

I dropped the link in my Instagram bio with a short teaser

I asked friends to read and share (some did — most didn’t, but that’s okay)


I didn’t spam. I just genuinely shared it where it fit.

💡 Tip: Tailor your article to a community before writing it, so you know where to promote it later.


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Step 4: I Joined Vocal+ (Optional But Worth It)

After my first $30, I realized that if I joined Vocal+ ($9.99/month), I’d make nearly 60% more per read. It paid for itself in about two articles.

Plus, Vocal+ members get access to exclusive challenges with cash prizes — one of the best ways to earn more quickly if you’re consistent.


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Step 5: I Kept Writing and Let the Views Add Up

My first article earned me around $18 in the first two weeks. My second article — a listicle about productivity hacks I learned in lockdown — earned around $12. Then another post brought in $22.

Before I knew it, I had hit the $100 mark.

What surprised me most? Even older posts kept earning over time. Some were slow burners that picked up weeks later after being shared or discovered by new readers.


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Final Thoughts: Can You Make Money on Vocal? Absolutely.

No, it won’t make you rich overnight.

But if you:

Have stories or advice to share

Are willing to put in consistent effort

Learn what resonates with readers

Promote smartly…


…you can absolutely start earning. Whether it's $100 or your first $1,000, it’s totally possible.

You don’t need a journalism degree. You don’t need 10k followers. You just need a story and the guts to hit “publish.”


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Your Turn

Think of one story you could write right now.
It doesn’t have to be perfect — just honest and helpful.

When you're ready, go to Vocal.Media, sign up, and share it with the world.

💬 Got an idea but not sure how to shape it? Drop it below — I’ll help you outline it!