Medium is a platform where anyone with a story to tell can publish, connect with millions of readers, and—yes—make money. With over 100 million monthly readers, Medium offers a unique opportunity for writers to monetize their work through the Partner Program, build an audience, and even drive traffic to other ventures. But it’s not a get-rich-quick scheme—it takes strategy, consistency, and quality to succeed. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to make money on Medium, sharing proven tips from top writers and practical steps to get started in 2025.
1. Join the Medium Partner Program
The primary way to earn money on Medium is through the Medium Partner Program, which allows you to monetize your articles by placing them behind a paywall. Here’s how to get started:
- Eligibility Requirements: You need at least 100 followers and one published story on Medium. You must also live in a country supported by Stripe for payments.
- Sign-Up Process: Create a free Medium account, publish a story, and gain 100 followers (more on building followers later). Then, apply for the Partner Program via your Medium settings. Once approved, you can make stories “members-only” to earn revenue.
- How Earnings Work: Writers earn based on reading time by paying Medium members ($5/month or $50/year subscription). Engagement metrics, such as claps, highlights, replies, and follows, also boost earnings. If a reader signs up for a membership within 30 days of reading your story, you get a portion of their fee.
Pro Tip: While you don’t need to be a paying member to join the Partner Program, subscribing ($5/month) lets you read unlimited stories, study successful writers, and engage in “read-for-read” exchanges to boost your visibility.
2. Write High-Quality, Engaging Content
Medium rewards quality over quantity. To maximize earnings, your articles need to hook readers and keep them reading. Here’s how to craft stories that pay:
- Choose the Right Topics: Write about what you know and love, but align it with reader demand. Evergreen topics, such as personal development, productivity, history, or true crime, often perform well due to their high engagement. For example, Sinem Günel earned $11,000 in a month by focusing on structured, actionable personal development articles.
- Craft Compelling Headlines: Your headline is your first impression. Make it specific, intriguing, and value-driven. Instead of “How to Write Better,” try “7 Proven Writing Tips to Double Your Medium Earnings in 2025.”
- Hook Readers Early: Medium only counts reading time after 30 seconds, so your opening paragraph must grab attention. Share a personal story, surprising stat, or bold statement to draw readers in.
- Keep It Readable: Use short paragraphs, subheadings, and bullet points. Aim for a 5–7 minute read, as these tend to have higher read ratios.
Pro Tip: Avoid clickbait or low-quality, AI-generated content. Medium’s algorithm prioritizes authentic, well-researched stories. One writer noted that “churning out generic content” won’t cut it anymore—focus on unique insights or lived experiences.
3. Get Published in Medium Publications
Submitting your stories to Medium publications (think of them as online magazines) can significantly boost your reach and earnings. Publications like The Startup or ILLUMINATION have large audiences, increasing the chance of your story being seen.
- Find Publications: Search Medium for publications in your niche (e.g., “personal finance submission guidelines”). Check their guidelines for submission rules.
- Submit Your Story: After writing, click the three-dot menu in the Medium editor, select a publication, add relevant tags, and submit. Editors may request edits before publishing.
- Benefits: Publication stories reach subscribers directly, driving more views. For example, one writer’s article on “How to Make Money Fast in NYC” earned significantly more after being picked up by a money-focused publication.
Pro Tip: Build relationships with publication editors by commenting on their stories or engaging on social media. This can increase your chances of acceptance.
4. Grow Your Audience for More Views
Your earnings depend on how many paying members read your work, so building a following is crucial to your success. Here’s how to grow your audience:
- Engage with the Community: Follow other writers, clap for their stories, and leave thoughtful comments. Many writers reciprocate by reading your work, boosting your reading time.
- Promote on Social Media: Share your Medium stories on platforms like X, LinkedIn, or Reddit. One writer used Medium as a lead-generation tool, growing an email list of 25,000 subscribers by including a call-to-action (CTA) in every article.
- Leverage Referrals: Medium pays you half of a new member’s subscription fee (minus payment processor fees) if they sign up via your referral link. Promote your personalized referral landing page on social media or in your bio.
- Be Consistent: Top earners like Egor Howell, with over 1.5 million views, regularly publish (1–3 articles per week) to keep their audience engaged.
Pro Tip: Don’t obsess over follower count—focus on engaging paying members. A “rare” reader who reads only your story allocates 100% of their subscription fee to you, unlike active readers who split their fee across multiple writers.
5. Diversify Your Income Streams
While the Partner Program is the primary way to earn, Medium can also indirectly drive income. Here are additional strategies:
- Sell Your Products: Use Medium to promote eBooks, courses, or services. For example, one writer earned over $ 25,000 on Medium and used the platform to sell eBooks and attract SEO clients.
- Affiliate Marketing: Include affiliate links in your stories (following Medium’s rules). This approach works well for niches such as technology or finance.
- Drive Traffic to Your Blog: Republish Medium stories on your blog or use Medium to funnel readers to your website, where you can monetize through ads or services.
- Referred Memberships: As mentioned, referrals can add up. Promote your Medium profile on X or newsletters to convert readers into paying members.
Pro Tip: Repurpose your Medium content into eBooks, Substack newsletters, or even books to monetize the same writing multiple times.
6. Understand the Challenges and Set Realistic Expectations
Making money on Medium requires effort and patience. Here are key realities to keep in mind:
- Earnings Vary Widely: Only 6–8% of Medium writers earn over $100/month, and top earners (making $10,000+/month) are rare. Most writers start small, with articles earning pennies or dollars.
- It Takes Time: Many top writers, such as those earning $ 1,000 or more per month, took 1–2 years to build their audience and refine their strategy.
- Algorithm Changes: Medium’s payment model has shifted (e.g., moving from claps to read time in 2019), and competition will be fiercer in 2025. Quality matters more than ever.
- Viral Hits Are Rare: One writer made $5,000 over 2–3 years, with nearly half from a single viral article. Don’t bank on going viral—focus on consistent output.
Pro Tip: Treat Medium as a long game. Publish weekly, analyze your stats (via the Partner Program Dashboard), and experiment with topics to find what resonates.
7. Tips for Success from Top Medium Writers
- Write What Readers Want: Ayodeji Awosika, a top Medium writer, emphasizes solving readers’ problems with actionable advice—study trending topics on Medium or Google to find what’s in demand.
- Get Curated or Featured: Medium editors may “curate” or “feature” high-quality stories, boosting visibility. Write well-researched, error-free articles with fresh perspectives to catch their eye.
- Experiment and Iterate: Test different headlines, formats, and niches. One writer found “hidden champion” topics like history outperformed generic listicles.
- Avoid Common Mistakes: Don’t churn out low-effort, AI-written posts or focus solely on personal stories that lack broad appeal. Engage readers with value-driven content.
Final Thoughts: Is Medium Worth It?
Medium isn’t a quick path to riches, but it’s a powerful platform for writers who are persistent and strategic. By joining the Partner Program, writing engaging stories, submitting to publications, and building an audience, you can earn anywhere from a few dollars to thousands per month. Plus, Medium’s built-in audience and SEO benefits make it a great tool to grow your brand or drive traffic to other ventures.
Start small: publish your first story, engage with the community, and experiment with topics. As one writer put it, “Medium is truly where ideas are born, shared, and spread.” With patience and effort, your words can turn into income.
