Introduction
This guide walks you through everything from setting up your account to maximizing your earnings. Imagine getting paid just for sharing your thoughts and experiences. That’s exactly what Medium offers—an opportunity to earn money on Medium for writers to earn money through their words. Whether you’re a blogger, freelancer, or just someone who enjoys writing, Medium’s Partner Program (MPP) allows you to make money based on how much time paying members spend reading your content.
I’ve explored different ways to earn money on Medium, and in this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about making money on Medium, including strategies to maximize earnings, writing tips, and how to attract more readers.

1. How to Earn Money on Medium: Understanding the Medium Partner Program
Medium’s Partner Program is the platform’s main way of monetizing content. Here’s how it works:
1.1 Getting Started with the Medium Partner Program (MPP)
To join the program, you need to meet these eligibility requirements:
✅ Have at least 100 followers.
✅ Publish at least one story.
✅ Be located in an eligible country (U.S., Canada, U.K., etc.).
✅ Have a Stripe account to receive payments.
Once you’re in the program, you can start earning based on reader engagement.
1.2 How Earnings Are Calculated
Your earnings on Medium come from two primary sources:
- Member Reading Time: Medium pays you based on how much time paying Medium members spend reading your articles.
- Referral Program: If someone subscribes to Medium’s $5/month membership using your referral link, you earn 50% of their membership fee as long as they remain subscribed.
This means the more engaging your content is, the more money you make.
2. How Much Can You Earn on Medium?
Earnings on Medium vary widely. Here’s what you can expect:
- Some writers earn $50–$100 per month casually.
- Others make $1,000+ per month with viral content.
- Top writers earn over $10,000 per month.
The key to success? Consistent publishing, high-quality content, and strong engagement strategies.
3. How to Write Engaging Content on Medium
Success on Medium depends on how well your content grabs attention and keeps readers engaged. Here’s how to do it:
3.1 Write Attention-Grabbing Headlines
Your headline is the first thing readers see. Make it:
✅ Clear – Readers should immediately know what to expect.
✅ Curious – Create intrigue to make them want to read.
✅ Concise – Shorter headlines perform better.
Examples of High-Performing Titles:
- ✅ “10 Proven Ways to Make Money on Medium (Step-by-Step Guide)”
- ✅ “How I Made $1,000 Writing on Medium in One Month”
- ✅ “The Truth About Medium Earnings: What No One Tells You”
3.2 Hook Readers in the First 3 Sentences
Your first few lines determine whether someone keeps reading or scrolls away.
Use:
✅ A bold statement or question.
✅ A personal story or surprising fact.
✅ The reader’s pain point.
Example:
“I used to spend hours writing blog posts, but no one read them. Then I found Medium, and within a month, I was earning money doing what I love. Here’s what I learned.”
3.3 Structure Your Article for Easy Reading
Long paragraphs scare readers away. Follow these tips:
- Use short paragraphs (2–3 sentences).
- Break content into sections with H2 and H3 headings.
- Use bullet points, bold text, and images to improve readability.
3.4 Provide Real Value
Readers come to Medium for useful insights, not fluff. Ensure your content:
- Solves a problem (e.g., how to earn money, how to grow an audience).
- Includes actionable steps.
- Is backed by data or personal experience.
4. How to Drive More Traffic to Your Medium Articles
Even great content won’t make money unless people see it. Here’s how to get more readers. You must check out my post 10 Proven Ways to get more visitors.
4.1 Publish in Medium Publications
Publications on Medium have thousands of followers, so publishing in them gives you instant exposure.
Some popular Medium publications:
- Better Humans (Personal Development)
- Start it Up (Entrepreneurship)
- The Writing Cooperative (Writing Tips)
4.2 Optimize for SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
SEO helps your articles appear in Google search results, bringing in free traffic. Search results are produced based on multiple combination, in order get picked your post of earn money on Medium:
✅ Include relevant keywords in your title and content. Like for in this case, earn money on Medium
✅ Write a strong introduction (Google uses the first lines as a meta description).
✅ Use 5 relevant tags (Medium allows up to five).
4.3 Share on Social Media
Use platforms like:
- Twitter/X: Share insights from your article.
- LinkedIn: Great for professional and business-related content.
- Facebook Groups: Find writing or Medium-related groups.
5. Medium Referral Program: A Hidden Goldmine
Aside from writing, you can earn money through Medium’s referral program.
5.1 How It Works
- Medium allows you to share a special link where people can subscribe. This is an easiest way to earn money on Medium.
- If someone subscribes through your link, you keep 50% of their membership fee.
- The more referrals you get, the more passive income you earn!
Example:
If 100 people subscribe through your link, you can make $250+ per month just from referrals.
6. Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many new writers struggle on Medium because of these mistakes:
❌ Writing low-quality content: Avoid generic, AI-generated, or unoriginal articles.
❌ Ignoring headlines: If your title isn’t strong, no one will click.
❌ Not engaging with readers: Reply to comments and build a community.
❌ Inconsistent posting: Aim for at least 1–3 articles per week.
7. Final Tips for Long-Term Success on Medium
To consistently earn money on Medium, follow these best practices:
✅ Write consistently – Aim for at least 1–3 posts per week.
✅ Engage with other writers – Comment on similar articles to gain exposure.
✅ Experiment with topics – See what gets the most engagement.
✅ Track your performance – Use Medium’s stats to see what’s working.
Conclusion
Earning money on Medium isn’t instant, but with consistency, high-quality content, and smart promotion, it’s possible to generate a steady income.
“Have you tried making money on Medium? Share your experience in the comments! If you found this helpful, follow me for more writing insights!”