Medium Partner Program: How to Monetize Your Writing on Medium [In 2024]​

Are you a writer looking for opportunities to monetize your work? Look no further than the Medium Partner Program. Medium, a popular online publishing platform, offers writers the chance to earn money based on the engagement and activity of Medium members. 

This program allows you to turn your passion for writing into a source of income while reaching a wider audience.

How does the Medium Partner Program work

The Medium Partner Program operates on a simple principle: when Medium members read, listen, and engage with your stories, you receive a portion of their membership dues. The more engaged your audience is, the more money you can earn. It’s a win-win situation that rewards high-quality content.

To join the Partner Program, there are a few requirements:

1. Publish a story within the last 6 months on Medium.
2. Be located in one of the eligible countries.
3. Be at least 18 years old.

Once you meet these requirements, you can apply to the Partner Program and enroll. Currently, the program is available in several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and many more.

To start earning money, you need to make your stories eligible by putting them behind the paywall. This can be done for each story, allowing you the flexibility to choose which ones you want to monetize.

Medium provides a Partner Program Earnings Dashboard where you can track your earnings for each story behind the paywall. This dashboard allows you to monitor your progress and estimate your revenue. You can also access detailed stats pages for each post to track member engagement.

It’s important to note that Medium requires you to connect your bank account via Stripe in order to receive payouts. You will also need to submit your taxpayer information to comply with tax regulations.

By participating in the Medium Partner Program, you not only have the opportunity to earn money but also to build a community of readers around your work. Writing high-quality, engaging stories and staying active on Medium are key to maximizing your earnings.

So, if you’re a writer looking to monetize your writing and reach a larger audience, consider joining the Medium Partner Program. It’s an excellent platform that values quality content and rewards writers for their hard work and creativity.

Eligibility and Requirements

Who can join the Medium Partner Program

The Medium Partner Program is designed for writers who want to monetize their content on the platform. To join the program, there are certain eligibility requirements that need to be met. Here are the key criteria:

1. Be a Medium member: To participate in the Partner Program, you need to be a Medium member. This means you will need to sign up for a Medium account and become a member.
2. Have at least one published story: In order to apply to the Partner Program, you need to have at least one story published on Medium. This shows that you have some writing experience and can create content that resonates with readers.
3. Reside in an eligible country: The Partner Program is available to writers residing in specific countries. These countries include Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the United States.

Steps to apply and enroll in the program

If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can follow these steps to apply and enroll in the Medium Partner Program:

1. Publish your stories: Start by publishing your stories on Medium. Make sure to create high-quality content that engages readers and encourages them to spend time reading your work.
2. Apply to the Partner Program: Once you have published your stories, you can apply to the Partner Program. Click on the “Apply Now” button on the Medium website and fill out the application form. Provide information about yourself, your Medium profile, and verify your eligibility.
3. Wait for approval: After submitting your application, you will need to wait for Medium to review and approve your application. This process may take a few days. If you meet all the requirements, you are likely to be accepted into the program.
4. Enrollment and account setup: Once your application is approved, you will receive an email confirming your acceptance into the Partner Program. Follow the instructions in the email to complete your enrollment and set up your account. This may involve creating a Stripe account and providing necessary tax information.
5. Start earning: Once you have completed the enrollment process, you can start earning money through the Partner Program. Your earnings will be based on factors such as member reading time, engagement with your stories, and the number of followers you have.

By meeting the eligibility requirements and following the steps outlined above, you can start monetizing your writing on Medium through the Partner Program. It provides an opportunity for writers to earn income from their work while reaching a wide audience of Medium members. 

Setting Up Payouts

If you’re a writer looking to monetize your work on Medium, the Medium Partner Program provides an opportunity for you to earn money based on member engagement with your stories. To start earning, you’ll need to follow a few simple steps to set up payouts.

Linking your Medium account with a Stripe account

The first step in setting up payouts is to link your Medium account with a Stripe account. Stripe is a third-party payment service that facilitates the transfer of funds for the Medium Partner Program. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Go to the Medium Partner Program website and sign up for the program.
2. Create a Stripe account by visiting the Stripe website.
3. Provide the required information to activate your Stripe account, including your legal name and contact details.
4. Choose to create a Stripe Standard account, which is recommended for most users.
5. Follow the prompts to complete the account setup process.

Submitting taxpayer information to Medium

To comply with tax regulations, Medium requires writers in the Partner Program to submit their taxpayer information. This information is used to issue a 1099-MISC tax form for your earnings. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Once you’ve been accepted into the Partner Program, Medium will provide a link for you to submit your taxpayer information.
2. Complete the taxpayer information submission process within 180 days from the first day that you earn nonzero earnings on the Partner Program dashboard.
3. Make sure to use your legal name when creating a Stripe account and submitting taxpayer information to Medium.
4. Failure to provide the required taxpayer information within the specified timeframe may result in the forfeiture of your earnings.

That’s it! Once you’ve set up payouts and submitted your taxpayer information, you can start putting your stories behind the paywall to earn money based on member engagement. Remember to regularly check your Partner Program dashboard for payment estimates and other relevant information.

In conclusion, the Medium Partner Program offers writers an opportunity to monetize their writing on the platform. 

By following the steps to set up payouts and submitting taxpayer information, you can start earning money based on member engagement with your stories. 

Take advantage of this program to earn revenue from your work and connect with a wider audience on Medium. 

Making Your Stories Eligible

To start earning money from your writing on Medium, you need to make your stories eligible for the Medium Partner Program. Here’s how you can put your stories behind the paywall:

How to put your stories behind the paywall

First, you need to make sure you have joined the Medium Partner Program. If you haven’t, you can apply by fulfilling certain requirements such as having at least 100 followers and publishing at least one story on Medium in the past.

Once you have been accepted into the Partner Program, you can start putting your stories behind the paywall to make them eligible to earn money. This step needs to be done for each story individually. You can choose to put some stories behind the paywall while keeping others freely accessible.

Options for monetizing your writing on Medium

When it comes to monetizing your writing on Medium, there are two main ways to earn money:

1. Member Reading Time: Medium now uses member reading time as the primary metric for earning money. The more time paying Medium members spend reading your stories, the more you can earn. Higher-quality stories with insightful content and engaging narratives are likely to attract more readers and generate higher earnings.
2. Medium Subscriptions: Medium generates revenue through user subscriptions, with members paying $5 per month or $50 per year. As a writer, you can receive a portion of the membership dues based on how much time Medium members spend reading your stories.

By making your stories eligible and engaging readers, you can earn a portion of Medium’s monthly revenue.

This makes Medium a unique platform that allows writers to monetize their content without the need for ads or affiliate marketing.

Earnings Dashboard

If you’re a writer on Medium looking to monetize your writing, the Medium Partner Program is an excellent option. This program allows you to earn money for your articles based on member engagement and reads. Let’s take a closer look at how you can track and optimize your earnings through the Earnings Dashboard.

Accessing and navigating the Earnings Dashboard

The Earnings Dashboard is your go-to tool for monitoring your payment estimates and earnings history. To access it, simply log into your Medium account and navigate to the Partner Program Earnings section. Keep in mind that the Dashboard can only be accessed on desktop and not on mobile apps.

Once you’re in the Earnings Dashboard, you’ll find a comprehensive overview of your earnings for the current period. If you have less than 100 paywalled stories, all of your stories will be listed. If you have more than 100 paywalled stories, only those that earned more than $0.00 in the current period will be displayed.

Tracking your earnings and member engagement

The Earnings Dashboard provides detailed insights into your earnings for each story. For each story, you can see how much it earned in the current period. By clicking “See more,” you can also view the lifetime earnings for that specific story and gather more information.

At the bottom of the Dashboard, you’ll find your total earnings for a specific time period, along with the payout date and other relevant information. This helps you keep track of your overall earnings and helps you plan accordingly.

To optimize your earnings on Medium, it’s important to focus on creating high-quality content that resonates with readers. Medium considers factors like the read ratio, engagement (such as claps, highlights, and replies), and number of followers. The more your stories are read and engaged with, the higher your earnings potential.

It’s also worth noting that Medium rewards long, thoughtful reads and stories that have been boosted or shared with the Medium community. So, investing time in creating fewer, but high-quality articles can help you reach the earning potential.

In conclusion, the Medium Partner Program offers a fantastic opportunity for writers to monetize their content. By utilizing the Earnings Dashboard and understanding the factors that impact your earnings, you can optimize your writing to maximize your earning potential on Medium. So, start sharing your unique ideas and stories with the world and get rewarded for your creativity and expertise. 

Remaining Active and Inactive Accounts

To monetize your writing on Medium through the Partner Program, it’s important to remain active and meet the publishing requirements. Here are the key details to keep in mind:

Publishing requirements to maintain monetization

To stay eligible for the Partner Program and continue earning money from your articles, you need to meet the following requirements:

1. Publish regularly: It’s encouraged to publish at least once every six months to maintain active participation in the program.
2. Eligible country: You must be located in one of the supported countries to join and earn money through the Partner Program. The list of supported countries can be found on Medium’s official website.
3. Age requirement: You must be at least 18 years old to participate in the Partner Program.
4. Eligible stories: To earn money, you need to make your stories eligible by putting them behind the paywall. This can be done for each individual story.

Notification and consequences for inactive accounts

Medium reserves the right to disable monetization from accounts that have been inactive for six months or more. If you receive a notification about potential inactivity, it’s essential to take action to remain eligible for the Partner Program and avoid any negative consequences.

Writers who are at risk of being disabled will be notified before any action is taken. It’s important to check your notifications regularly and stay engaged with the Medium community to maintain your monetization status.

Remember, by staying active, publishing high-quality content, and engaging with your audience, you can maximize your earnings through the Medium Partner Program. 

Tips for Maximizing Earnings

Monetizing your writing on Medium can be a rewarding endeavor, and the Medium Partner Program provides a unique opportunity to earn money for your content. Here are some tips to help you make the most of the program and maximize your earnings:

Writing high-quality and engaging content

One of the key factors in earning money on Medium is writing high-quality and engaging content. Here are some best practices to keep in mind:

• Focus on quality: Ensure that your articles are well-researched, informative, and provide value to your readers. Aim to deliver thought-provoking content that resonates with your target audience.
• Craft catchy headlines: Grab your readers’ attention with compelling headlines that entice them to click and read your articles.
• Break up your content: Use subheadings, bullet points, and images to make your articles easy to read and visually appealing.
• Optimize for readability: Keep your paragraphs short and use simple language that is easy to understand. Utilize headings, subheadings, and bullet points to make your articles skimmable.

Building a community and promoting your stories

Building a community and promoting your stories can help increase your readership and boost your earnings. Here are some strategies to consider:

• Engage with your readers: Respond to comments, ask for feedback, and interact with your audience. Building a strong connection with your readers can help create a loyal following.
• Promote on social media: Share your Medium articles on your personal social media accounts to reach a wider audience. Join online communities and collaborate with other writers to expand your network.
• Offer exclusive content: Take advantage of Medium’s paid membership feature by offering exclusive content and perks to your paid members. This can incentivize readers to support you financially.

By implementing these tips and consistently delivering high-quality content, you can increase your chances of maximizing your earnings through the Medium Partner Program. 

Conclusion

The Medium Partner Program offers writers the opportunity to monetize their writing and earn money based on member engagement. By publishing stories behind the paywall, writers can receive a portion of the membership dues paid by Medium members. However, it is important to note that the program is not a guaranteed source of income and success may vary depending on the quality of the content and engagement from readers.

To participate in the Medium Partner Program, writers need to meet certain requirements, including having published a story within the last six months, being located in an eligible country, and being at least 18 years old. Currently, the program is available in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and many others.

Once enrolled in the program, writers can set up their Stripe account to receive payments. It is also necessary to submit taxpayer information to Medium, as they are required to issue a 1099-MISC tax form for earnings in the Partner Program. It is important to keep an active Medium account, connected Stripe account, and valid tax form to continue receiving payouts.

Making stories eligible to earn money involves putting them behind the paywall, and writers can choose which stories to monetize. Medium Partners can track their earnings and member engagement through the Partner Program Earnings Dashboard, which provides detailed insights and revenue estimates for each story.

While the Medium Partner Program can be a great opportunity for writers to earn money from their writing, it is important to approach it with realistic expectations. Not all writers will achieve significant earnings, and success on the platform depends on factors such as the quality of the content, engagement from readers, and the writer’s consistency in publishing.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: How can I join the Medium Partner Program?
A: To join the program, you need to meet the eligibility requirements and apply through the Medium website. Once accepted, you can set up your Stripe account to receive payments.

Q: How can I make my stories eligible to earn money?
A: You can make your stories eligible by putting them behind the paywall. This step needs to be done for each story individually, and you can still publish stories outside of the paywall.

Q: Can I track my earnings and member engagement?A: Yes, Medium Partners have access to the Partner Program Earnings Dashboard, where they can track earnings for each story and view member engagement metrics.

Q: Is participation in the program guaranteed to earn me money?A: Participating in the program does not guarantee a certain income. Earnings depend on various factors such as the quality of the content and engagement from readers.

Q: Are there any requirements to maintain eligibility for payouts?A: To continue receiving payouts, you must maintain an active Medium account, connected Stripe account, and valid tax form. Failure to meet these requirements may result in the forfeiture of accumulated earnings.

The Medium Partner Program can be a valuable opportunity for writers to monetize their writing on the platform. By understanding the requirements, setting up a Stripe account, and making stories eligible to earn money, writers can have the chance to earn income based on their content’s engagement. However, it’s important to keep realistic expectations and continue focusing on creating high-quality content to maximize earning potential.