How Do Beginners Make Money on Medium?

Writing online offers more options than ever — but one question many beginners ask is: can you actually make money by publishing articles on Medium? If you've ever scrolled through quality essays, personal stories or expert deep-dives on Medium and wondered "Could I do this?", you're not alone. The good news: yes, it is possible. The trick is doing it with strategy and consistency.

In this article we'll walk you through how beginners can start monetizing on Medium: what the platform pays, how payments work, how to join, how to get traffic and earnings, how much to expect, plus extra tips to maximise your results. We'll also include how tools like AdsPower can help (if you decide to scale).

Can You Really Make Money on Medium?

Yes, you can. But not everyone will.

Medium's payment system rewards writers based on how much time paying members spend reading their stories. So, the more engaging your writing is — and the longer readers stay on your page — the more you can earn.

However, it's not a "get-rich-quick" platform. Some beginners might make only a few dollars in their first months. Others who publish consistently and build loyal audiences can earn hundreds or even thousands of dollars per month.

Think of Medium as a long-term investment. It's both a way to make extra income and to build your portfolio, reputation, and audience as a writer.

How Does Medium Pay Writers? (Understanding the Medium Partner Program)

The Medium Partner Program (MPP) is the system that allows writers to get paid. Here's how it works in simple terms:

• Medium has paid members who subscribe each month to read stories behind the paywall.
• When those paying members spend time reading your articles, a portion of their subscription fee goes to you.
• Your earnings depend on how long they read and how engaged they are — more time means more money.
• Medium pays writers once a month, and you can see detailed stats in your Partner Dashboard.

Only stories marked as "members-only" are eligible for payment, so you'll want to make sure your best content is behind the paywall.

Step-by-Step: How to Join the Medium Partner Program

Here's a beginner-friendly walkthrough:

1. Create your Medium account

Go to Medium.com, sign up, and set up your profile. Add a profile photo, short bio, and a clear description of what you write about.

2. Publish your first story

You'll need at least one published story before you can join the program. Don't worry about perfection — just start writing and hit publish.

3. Become a Medium member

You'll need to have an active membership yourself to qualify for the program.

4. Apply to the Partner Program

Once you've published and become a member, go to your settings and apply for the Medium Partner Program.

5. Set up your payment account

Medium works with Stripe (or similar services depending on your country). Connect your account so you can receive monthly payments.

6. Mark stories as "members-only"

When publishing, toggle the option to make your story part of the paywall. This makes it eligible for earnings.

7. Track and improve

Check your dashboard regularly. Look at stats like read time, claps, and engagement — then adjust your writing strategy based on what performs best.

As a beginner, your key focus in this phase is: get active, write at least one decent story, apply, get set up, and then move into the earning phase.

How to Make Money Writing on Medium

Once you're part of the Partner Program, it's time to focus on creating stories that people want to read — and that Medium wants to promote.

Here are some proven strategies:

Write about topics you care about

Authenticity sells. Whether it's productivity, personal growth, or creative writing — if you care deeply about it, readers will feel it too.

Write for engagement, not just clicks

Your goal isn't to get someone to click, it's to get them to stay. Structure your article clearly, break it into short paragraphs, use headings, and keep a natural flow.

Publish regularly

Consistency helps the algorithm notice you. Even one strong article per week is enough to start building traction.

Submit to publications

Publishing under popular Medium publications can give your stories an instant boost in visibility. It's a shortcut to reaching thousands of readers early on.

Promote your stories

Share your work on social media, newsletters, or relevant communities. The more people who see it, the higher your chances of getting member reads.

Interact with other writers

Clap for others, leave thoughtful comments, and follow writers in your niche. Medium rewards engagement - and networking helps you grow faster.

Scaling Your Medium Growth with AdsPower

If you're serious about growing your Medium presence — or managing multiple writing profiles or promotional accounts — using a tool like AdsPower can help.

What is AdsPower?

AdsPower is a multi-login, anti-detect browser designed to manage multiple online accounts safely. It allows you to create separate browser profiles, each with unique fingerprints, proxies, and cookies — meaning each profile behaves like a different device.

How can it help Medium writers?

• Manage multiple author profiles: Some writers run multiple Medium accounts focused on different topics (for example, one for tech, one for personal finance). AdsPower helps you switch between them without risking bans or fingerprint overlaps.

• Automate social promotion: You can use AdsPower's RPA automation to share your Medium stories on various social media platforms, schedule posts, or engage with readers more efficiently.

• Collaborate with teams: If you manage a content team, AdsPower helps everyone work from their own secure profile while maintaining consistent branding.

• Experiment safely: You can test different promotion strategies across accounts without mixing cookies or session data.

For a solo beginner, you don't need this right away. But if you plan to grow into a professional writer, marketer, or publication owner, AdsPower can help you scale safely and efficiently.

How Much Can You Earn on Medium?

Earnings vary widely. Some writers make only a few dollars per month, while others make thousands.

For most beginners, realistic expectations look like this:

• First few months: $0–$20 (as you learn and experiment).
• 3–6 months: $50–$200/month if you publish regularly and gain some followers.
• After a year: $300–$1000/month or more if you have viral stories and consistent readership.

Your actual results depend on:

• How often you publish
• How long paying members read your stories
• How engaging your content is
• Whether you get featured by Medium editors or Boosted

The key takeaway? Focus on improving your craft and building a loyal audience. The money will follow naturally.

Extra Tips to Maximize Your Medium Earnings

Here are additional tactics to raise your earnings potential:

1. Choose a clear niche

It's better to be known for something specific than to write about everything. Pick 1–2 themes you can explore deeply.

2. Craft powerful headlines

Your title determines whether people click. Use curiosity, clarity, or a promise of value — but avoid clickbait.

3. Format for easy reading

Break your article into sections, use bullet points, and keep paragraphs short. Medium's readers like a clean, minimalist style.

4. Write longer, higher-value stories

Stories between 5–10 minutes tend to earn more because they keep readers engaged longer.

5. Add personal stories

Even in professional or educational topics, personal experience makes your writing more relatable and memorable.

6. Encourage interaction

Ask readers to leave comments, highlight their favorite lines, or share the story. Engagement boosts your visibility.

7. Keep updating your old posts

If you have evergreen content, update it every few months to stay relevant and attract new readers.

8. Use Medium analytics wisely

Check which articles perform best, note the word count, tone, and topic — and do more of what works.

9. Build an email list

Use Medium to grow your personal audience. You can invite readers to subscribe to your newsletter or follow your writing elsewhere.

10. Be patient

Success on Medium rarely happens overnight. Treat it as a marathon — not a sprint.

Conclusion

Making money on Medium is simple in theory but takes effort in practice. You write great stories, get readers to engage, and Medium pays you based on their reading time. Start small: focus on one good story a week, learn what resonates, and grow from there. Over time, you'll not only make extra income but also build a valuable writing portfolio and personal brand. And if you ever decide to manage multiple accounts or scale your writing business, tools like AdsPower can help you automate, organize, and protect your work more efficiently.

Medium rewards writers who stick with it — so start today, publish your first story, and let your words work for you.

FAQ

1. Is Medium Still Worth It in 2025?

Absolutely. Medium remains one of the easiest ways for new writers to get exposure, learn what readers like, and make money without handling the technical side of blogging. The platform now focuses heavily on rewarding quality, original stories. If you're consistent and genuine, it's still one of the best places to start building your online writing career.

2. How Long Does It Take to Make Money on Medium?

That depends on your consistency and niche.

• Month 1–2: You're setting up, applying to the Partner Program, and publishing your first stories. Don't expect earnings yet.
• Months 3–6: If you publish regularly, one or two articles might start earning, leading to your first payouts.
• Months 6–12: By now you'll know what works. If you stay consistent, you can earn steady monthly income.

The key is to keep writing, improving, and engaging with your readers. Every successful Medium writer started as a beginner who didn't give up.