Medium operates the Partner Program (MPP) as a system that pays writers according to their ability to produce compelling content which draws in readers. But how does it work? Writers on Medium earn money through payments which directly correlate to the total time subscribers from their audience spend reading their articles.
Your payment through the Medium Partner Program increases according to how much time subscribers spend reading your articles. Multiple elements explain the method behind payment calculation within the system.
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Here’s a breakdown of how Medium’s Partner Program works >>
- Medium Memberships: Medium operates a subscription model where readers pay $5 per month or $50 per year for unlimited access to all stories on the platform. Only paying Medium members contribute to writer earnings.
- Reading Time Matters: The amount of time paying members spend reading a writer’s story determines how much the writer earns. If more members read your story and spend significant time on it, you’ll make more money.
- Claps (Engagement): While claps are not directly tied to earnings, they do signal to Medium’s algorithm that a story is resonating with readers. High engagement can lead to more visibility and, therefore, more paying members discovering and reading your content.
- Revenue Pool: Each month, Medium collects the subscription fees paid by its members and pools them together. A portion of this pool goes to Medium for platform maintenance, and the remaining amount is distributed among writers in the Partner Program.
How Much Can You Actually Earn on Medium >>
Your earnings potential on Medium depends on multiple variables which include the quality of your content, the number of stories you create, reader demographics and the duration of their time spent reading your stories. Monthly earnings on Medium span across a wide spectrum from several cents to numerous thousand dollars.
Here’s a breakdown of what earnings might look like >>
- Low-Earning Writers: Many new or less-established writers on Medium make anywhere between $0 to $100 per month. This is typically because they are still building their audience, and their stories may not yet be receiving significant engagement from paying Medium members.
- Moderate Earners: Writers who have built a small to medium-sized following and consistently publish quality content can expect to make anywhere between $100 to $1,000 per month. These writers tend to have some stories that perform better than others, attracting more reader engagement.
- Top Earners: There are writers on Medium who consistently make $1,000 to $5,000 (or more) per month. These writers usually have a large following and produce highly engaging stories that resonate deeply with their audience. Top-performing stories can bring in hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
- Outliers: On rare occasions, certain writers on Medium have earned over $10,000 in a single month. These cases are rare but possible, often happening when a story goes viral or when a writer consistently delivers high-quality, engaging content.
Factors That Influence Your Earnings on Medium >>
While the Partner Program is straightforward, many factors determine how much money you can make on Medium. Here are the most critical factors >>
- Consistency: Regularly publishing on Medium can increase your visibility and chances of building a following. The more stories you publish, the higher the chance of engagement from paying members.
- Quality of Content: Medium rewards quality content. If you write well-researched, insightful, and engaging stories, you are more likely to attract readers. Pay attention to readability, formatting, and ensuring your stories are thought-provoking or useful to your target audience.
- Niche: Some niches tend to perform better than others on Medium. For example, stories in categories like personal development, productivity, technology, relationships, and entrepreneurship often see high engagement. However, writers in less mainstream niches can also succeed if they provide unique perspectives or content.
- Story Length: The length of your story can influence how long readers spend reading it, but balance is key. Medium readers appreciate concise, well-structured content. A too-long story may lose readers' interest, while too-short content may not provide enough depth to keep readers engaged.
- Engagement: Getting readers to clap, highlight, and comment on your stories can increase your visibility. The Medium algorithm promotes stories that generate a lot of engagement, which means more readers could discover your work.
- Publication vs. Solo Writer: While some writers succeed by publishing independently on Medium, others benefit from submitting their stories to Medium publications. Publications can help expose your stories to a larger audience, which could increase your earnings potential.
How Medium Distributes Payments to Writers >>
- Medium pays its writers on a monthly basis through Stripe, a secure and widely used payment processing platform. Here’s how payments work:
- Minimum Payout Threshold: Writers must earn at least $10 in a given month to receive a payout. If a writer earns less than $10, the amount is rolled over to the next month.
- Payment Timing: Medium pays writers around the 8th of each month for the previous month’s earnings. For example, if you earn $100 in October, you will receive that payment by November 8th.
- International Writers: Medium’s Partner Program is available to writers worldwide. However, if you live outside the U.S., make sure Stripe operates in your country. Stripe is available in many countries, but it’s worth checking before relying on Medium for significant income.
Other Medium Payment Methods
In addition to the Medium Partner Program, writers have a few other ways to monetize their work on Medium.
- Medium’s Referral Program: Writers can also earn money by promoting Medium’s membership program. If someone signs up to become a Medium member using your referral link, you earn a portion of their membership fee. This can be an additional source of income for writers who have a dedicated following.
- Self-Publishing or External Monetization: While Medium’s Partner Program is a great way to earn passive income from your writing, many writers also use Medium as a platform to promote external income streams. For example, you could use Medium to promote a book you’ve self-published or drive traffic to an external blog or website where you offer products or services.
- Sponsorships and Partnerships: Some writers have successfully partnered with brands for sponsored content. This can be a viable option if you have a large following and your niche aligns with the interests of specific brands or companies.
How to Maximize Your Medium Earnings >>
While earning a living solely from Medium can be challenging, many writers have found ways to maximize their earnings on the platform. Here are some tips to help you boost your income on Medium:
- Write for Publications: Medium’s publications are collections of stories on specific topics. Getting published in a popular Medium publication can expose your story to a broader audience, increasing your chances of earning more money.
- Network with Other Writers: Engaging with other Medium writers can help you learn new strategies for increasing your visibility and earning potential. Participating in the Medium community by reading, clapping, and commenting on other writers’ work can also help build your own following.
- Focus on Evergreen Content: Writing content that remains relevant over time, rather than only focusing on trending topics, can help you earn money in the long term. Evergreen content attracts readers for months or even years after publication, meaning continued engagement (and earnings) on those stories.
- Track Your Performance: Medium provides analytics to help you track the performance of your stories. Pay attention to which types of stories attract the most engagement and earnings, and try to replicate that success by writing similar content.
Is Writing on Medium Worth It? >>
Your potential earnings on Medium increase based on your commitment level to develop your online presence on the platform. The majority of writers who use Medium earn money as an additional source rather than their main income source although making thousands of dollars per month is achievable. Writers at any experience level can generate income through their writing interests by using this platform effectively.
Conclusion
Medium provides writers with a distinctive monetary opportunity through its Partner Program which attracts authors passionate about writing. The Partner Program on Medium allows writers to earn money based on audience engagement, content quality and niche but performance levels determine whether writers will generate supplemental or primary income. Writers who maintain dedication alongside their commitment to publish frequently and create compelling articles will eventually receive financial gains from Medium.