How to Make Money Writing on Medium: A 2025 Guide for Beginners

The dream to make money writing on Medium is what attracts millions of aspiring writers to the platform every year. It’s a compelling vision: a clean, minimalist space where you can write about your passions, build an audience, and get paid for your work without needing your own blog, a complex marketing strategy, or a book deal. It feels like one of the last true meritocracies for writers on the internet.

But as anyone who has published a story and watched it get only a handful of views knows, the reality can be a little more complicated. While the opportunity is very real, success on Medium isn’t accidental. It’s the result of understanding how the platform works, consistently delivering value to readers, and treating your writing not just as a hobby, but as a craft and a business.

If you’ve felt that frustration or are just starting your journey, you’re in the right place. This guide will demystify the process. We will walk you through everything you need to know to make money writing on Medium in 2025, from the mechanics of the Partner Program to the art of crafting stories that people actually want to read and share.

The Foundation: Understanding How You Make Money Writing on Medium

Before you write a single word, you need to understand the engine that powers your earnings: the Medium Partner Program (MPP).

When you join the MPP and place a story behind the “metered paywall,” you earn money based on a variety of engagement metrics from paying Medium members. In 2025, the calculation is more holistic than ever before. It’s not just about one thing; it’s a blend of:

• Member Read Time: This is still a cornerstone. The more time a paying member spends actively reading your story, the more you earn.
• Claps: These are the Medium equivalent of a “like.” A high number of claps from a diverse range of members is a strong positive signal.
• Highlights: When a reader highlights a powerful sentence or paragraph in your story, it shows deep engagement.
• Responses & Comments: Meaningful conversation in the comments section indicates your story sparked a reaction.
• New Follows: If a reader follows you directly after reading your story, Medium sees this as a high-quality interaction.

Essentially, to make money writing on Medium, you need to write stories that don’t just get clicked, but get read, provoke thought, and inspire a connection.

How to Join the Medium Partner Program (2025 Requirements): The eligibility criteria can evolve, but as of early 2025, they generally include:

1. Being at least 18 years old.
2. Residing in a country supported by Stripe, Medium’s payment processor.
3. Having published at least one story on Medium.
4. Maintaining a minimum of 100 followers.

The follower requirement is often the first hurdle for new writers, but we’ll cover how to overcome that.

The Four Pillars of a Successful Medium Strategy

Thinking you can just publish randomly and hope to make money writing on Medium is a recipe for disappointment. A successful strategy is built on four key pillars.

Pillar 1: Finding Your Niche (or Niches)

The advice to “niche down” is everywhere, and for good reason. Being a generalist on Medium is difficult. You need to become a trusted voice on a specific set of topics. When a reader knows what to expect from you, they are far more likely to follow you and eagerly await your next story.

• How to Choose Your Niche:
  • Passion: What topics do you genuinely love talking and learning about? You’ll need this passion to sustain you through the initial slow growth period.
  • Expertise: Where do you have professional experience, a unique skill, or deep personal insights? This is your “unfair advantage.”
  • Audience Demand: Are people on Medium actively reading about this topic? Do a search on Medium for your potential keywords. Are there popular publications and successful writers in that space?

Some of the most consistently popular and profitable niches on Medium include:

• Technology (especially AI, Programming, and Data Science)
• Personal Finance and Investing
• Productivity and Self-Improvement
• Entrepreneurship and Startups
• Health and Wellness

Pillar 2: The Power of Publications

Publications are collections of stories curated around a specific theme, much like a magazine. Getting your stories into major publications is the single fastest way to accelerate your growth and make money writing on Medium.

• Why Publications Matter: They give you instant access to a large, established audience of followers who are already interested in your topic. A story published on your own profile with 100 followers might get 10 reads. The same story accepted into a publication with 100,000 followers could get thousands of reads overnight.
• How to Get Into Publications:
  1. Identify Targets: Find the top publications in your niche. Read their stories to understand their tone, style, and quality bar.
  2. Find the Submission Guidelines: Most publications have a “Write for Us” or “Submissions” page. Read these guidelines meticulously. Failing to follow the rules is the number one reason for rejection.
  3. Submit Your Best Work: Draft a high-quality, polished story that is a perfect fit for that publication. Submit it exactly as they have instructed. Don’t be discouraged by rejection; learn from it and try again.

Pillar 3: Consistency is Your Superpower

The Medium algorithm rewards consistency. Publishing one great article every six months won’t build momentum. You need to show up regularly for both the algorithm and your readers.

• Set a Realistic Schedule: You don’t need to publish every day. For most people, a goal of 1-3 high-quality articles per week is a fantastic and sustainable target. Quality always trumps quantity.
• Build a Content Pipeline: Don’t wait for inspiration to strike. Keep a running list of ideas, outlines, and drafts. When it’s time to write, you can pull from this pipeline instead of staring at a blank page.

Pillar 4: Engaging With the Community

Medium is a social platform. You cannot expect people to read and engage with your work if you are not doing the same for others.

• Read and Respond: Dedicate 15-30 minutes each day to reading stories in your niche. Leave thoughtful, insightful comments (more than just “great post!”). This puts you on the radar of other writers and readers.
• Follow Thoughtfully: Follow writers whose work you genuinely admire. Many will follow you back. This is the most organic way to build your initial 100 followers and beyond.

Crafting the Perfect Medium Story: An Anatomy of Success

Once you have your strategy, it’s time to focus on the craft of writing articles that are optimized to make money writing on Medium.

• The Headline is Everything: Your headline is the gatekeeper to your article. It must be compelling, clear, and promise a specific benefit to the reader. Use headline analyzer tools to test the strength of your titles.
• The Introduction Must Hook the Reader: The first few paragraphs determine whether a reader will commit to the rest of your story. Start with a relatable story, a shocking statistic, or a provocative question that creates immediate intrigue.
• Formatting for Readability: No one wants to read a giant wall of text.
  • Use short paragraphs (2-4 sentences).
  • Use headings and subheadings to break up your text.
  • Use bolding and italics to emphasize key points.
  • Use bullet points and numbered lists for clarity.
  • Include a high-quality, relevant featured image.
• Deliver on Your Promise: Your story must deliver the value that your headline promised. Provide actionable advice, unique insights, or a powerful personal story. This is how you build trust and earn loyal readers.
• The Call to Action (CTA): At the end of your story, include a gentle CTA. This could be asking a question to encourage responses, or inviting readers to follow you for more content on the topic.

Conclusion: Your Journey to Make Money Writing on Medium

The path to make money writing on Medium is not a get-rich-quick scheme; it’s a marathon, not a sprint. It requires patience, a commitment to quality, and a genuine desire to provide value to a community of readers.

By focusing on the four pillars—finding your niche, leveraging publications, maintaining consistency, and engaging with the community—you build a strong foundation. By mastering the craft of writing compelling, well-formatted stories, you give yourself the best possible chance of success.

The opportunity is real. The platform rewards quality and persistence. Start today, stay consistent, and treat your writing journey with the seriousness it deserves. The financial rewards will follow.

# FAQ

1. How long does it take to start making money on Medium? This varies greatly. Some writers start earning a few dollars in their first month, while for others, it takes 3-6 months of consistent effort to see meaningful income. The key factors are the quality of your writing, your niche, your consistency, and your ability to get into publications. A realistic goal is to aim for your first $100 month within 6-12 months.

2. How much can you realistically earn on Medium? The income potential is vast but highly skewed. A small percentage of top writers earn over $5,000 or even $10,000 per month. A larger group of consistent writers earns a respectable side income of $100 – $1,000 per month. The majority of writers earn less than $100 per month. Your earnings are a direct reflection of your effort and strategy.

3. Do I need to be a professional writer to make money writing on Medium? No. You don’t need a formal degree or professional background. Medium values clear, authentic, and valuable writing above all else. Many successful writers are simply experts in their professional field (like programming or marketing) who have learned to communicate their knowledge effectively.

4. Is it better to publish on my own profile or in publications? When you are starting, you should aim to get into publications almost exclusively. Publications provide the audience and visibility you need to grow. Once you have built a large following of your own (e.g., 10,000+ followers), you can consider publishing more on your own profile, as your followers will provide an initial boost.