My disappointment comes from strong stories that are declined, because even with excellent engagement and heavy reads, unBoosted stories don’t pay well. I have found the solution, though — share those on Substack. One story that was declined here (to my absolute shock) has brought me more than a hundred new subscribers and a flood of comments there. Both platforms have their pros and cons, but I’ve had several instances of pieces rejected here doing great there. You never know why a curator turns you down, but you aren’t subject to curation on Substack. I still make more money here, for now, but ultimately both platforms are worthwhile.