How to Make Money with Medium in 2025

 

Medium isn’t new—but it’s evolved dramatically over the years. Once considered a platform for thought pieces and opinion essays, it has become a viable income source for writers, bloggers, and niche experts. In 2025, Medium’s Partner Program, new referral system, and monetization features make it easier than ever to earn money writing online - if you understand how the platform works today.

This comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know about making money with Medium in 2025. You’ll learn how to get paid through Medium’s Partner Program, grow your readership, and use Medium as a launchpad for your brand, email list, and even other income streams.

Why Medium Still Matters in 2025

Medium now has over 100 million active readers, according to recent platform metrics, and it continues to attract a mix of casual readers and professionals looking for insights. Unlike starting your own blog from scratch, Medium gives you instant access to an established audience and organic traffic.

Key reasons Medium remains relevant:

• Built-in audience: No need to learn SEO or social media marketing from day one.
• Monetization ecosystem: Writers get paid through reader engagement, membership revenue, and referrals.
• Authority and credibility: Articles published on Medium often rank well on Google and are shared widely on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Some top Medium writers earn thousands per month just from article reads, while others use it to funnel readers into higher-value products like courses, books, or coaching.

Understanding the Medium Partner Program (MPP)

The Medium Partner Program (MPP) is the main way to make money directly from the platform. Here’s how it works in 2025:

1. Eligibility and Sign-Up

• You must have a Medium account and be over 18.
• You’ll need to join the Partner Program by linking a Stripe account for payments (available in most countries).
• Your stories must be published to the Medium Partner Program to be eligible for earnings.

2. How Writers Get Paid
Medium now pays based on two main factors:

• Member reading time: The longer paying Medium members spend reading your content, the more you earn.
• Referred members: You can earn recurring income for each reader who becomes a paid Medium member through your referral link.

3. Payment Model in 2025
Medium’s payment algorithm continues to prioritize engagement quality over clicks. Stories that retain readers, spark comments, and encourage highlights tend to perform best.

Example: If 200 paying members spend 5 minutes on your story, you’ll earn more than a story that gets 2,000 views from non-paying readers.

Proven Strategies to Make Money on Medium

1. Write for Publications 
Publications act as distribution channels. In 2025, major Medium publications like Better Marketing, The Startup, and Mind Cafe still drive massive readership. Getting accepted into one boosts your visibility and can quickly 10x your views.

Tip: Each publication has submission guidelines—read them carefully before pitching. Most welcome new writers with a clear, value-driven article.

2. Focus on Topics That Pay
Medium readers gravitate toward specific topics that historically perform well. In 2025, the highest-paying categories include:

• Personal development and productivity
• Tech and AI trends
• Money, finance, and online business
• Freelancing and remote work
• Creativity, design, and storytelling

Data from Medium’s internal analytics (2024) shows that these topics consistently get higher engagement from paid members.

3. Leverage the Referral Program
Medium’s referral program allows you to earn a recurring commission (currently around 50% of each membership fee) when someone signs up for Medium through your unique referral link. This adds a true passive income layer if your articles consistently bring in new readers.

4. Repurpose and Cross-Publish
If you already write for a blog or LinkedIn, reposting your best content on Medium can double its reach. Be sure to add a canonical link (to avoid SEO conflicts) and edit for Medium’s style—short paragraphs, personal storytelling, and engaging headlines.

5. Engage with the Community
Medium rewards engagement. Comment on other writers’ posts, highlight insights, and build relationships with editors. The more you participate, the more visibility your profile and stories get.

6. Optimize Headlines and Hooks
Medium’s discovery algorithm uses reader signals like click-through rates and read-time. Crafting compelling headlines and opening paragraphs is key.

Example: Instead of “How to Be More Productive,” write “I Tried the 5 AM Rule for 30 Days - Here’s What Actually Happened.”

How Much Can You Really Earn on Medium in 2025?

Earnings vary widely, but let’s look at realistic numbers based on current Medium data and verified writer reports:

• Beginner Writers (0–3 months): $0–$50/month (mostly learning and building audience)
• Intermediate Writers (4–12 months): $100–$500/month from steady traffic
• Advanced Writers (12+ months): $1,000–$5,000/month+ from publications, referrals, and consistent readership

Proof: According to Medium’s transparency reports, thousands of writers earned money through the Partner Program in 2024, with top earners making five figures annually. Medium’s payout pool is tied to the number of paying members, which continues to grow steadily year over year.

Building Beyond Medium — Turn Readers Into Loyal Fans

While Medium’s built-in audience is powerful, true sustainability comes from owning your audience. Here’s how to turn Medium readers into long-term followers:

1. Add a Call-to-Action (CTA) in Your Bio or Footer
Example: “💌 Get my free guide on writing online: [link]” 
Use tools like Mailchimp or Beehiiv to collect emails.

2. Build an Email List
Start a simple newsletter and share deeper content, behind-the-scenes insights, or exclusive resources. Many successful Medium writers use email lists to sell digital products or courses later.

3. Promote Your Digital Products
If you sell eBooks, Notion templates, or online courses, link them naturally in your stories. Just ensure the focus remains on providing value, not hard-selling.

4. Collaborate with Other Writers
Cross-promotions, interviews, and guest collaborations help you reach fresh audiences.

Mistakes to Avoid on Medium

1. Writing only for clicks instead of depth. Medium’s algorithm favors stories that hold attention, not clickbait.
2. Ignoring formatting and visuals—break up long text, use headings, and include images.
3. Failing to engage with readers. Respond to comments to build trust.
4. Overlooking publication partnerships.
5. Neglecting consistency—publishing once every few months won’t build traction.

Real-World Success Stories

• Tim Denning: Over 100k  followers, transitioned Medium writing into full-time income and course sales. 
• Jessica Wildfire: Earns consistently through high-engagement essays on society and culture. 
• Nicolas Cole: Built his writing brand through Medium before launching a seven-figure ghostwriting agency.

Their secret? Consistency, niche expertise, and leveraging Medium to build authority beyond the platform.

Key Tools and Resources for Medium Writers

• Grammarly / Hemingway App – For clean, readable writing.
• Canva – To design custom cover images.
• Notion / Google Docs – Organize your content calendar.
• Mailchimp / Beehiiv – Capture reader emails and build a newsletter.
• Medium Stats Dashboard – Analyze reads, fans, and referrals to optimize future posts.

Making money with Medium in 2025 is not about luck—it’s about strategy, consistency, and connection. The platform rewards authentic voices, storytelling, and useful content that keeps readers engaged. Whether you’re looking to earn side income or build a writing-based business, Medium is still one of the best places to start.

The key takeaway? Treat Medium as both an income source and a marketing tool. Write for humans, not algorithms. Build relationships, learn from analytics, and reinvest your effort into compounding assets like email lists and digital products. That’s how you turn writing on Medium from a hobby into a long-term revenue stream.

References:

• Medium Partner Program Help Center (2025)
• Medium Transparency Reports (2024)
• Statista: Medium Traffic & Membership Data (2024)
• Better Marketing, The Startup, Mind Cafe (Medium Publications)