Medium exploded in popularity several years ago as a platform where writers could earn money directly from their readers.

But is Medium still a viable platform? Can you really make money on Medium, especially as a beginner with no following?

I wanted to find out if Medium is still worth it for new writers. So I dug into what Medium is, how it works, and how much money you can really make.

What Exactly is Medium?

For those new to Medium, here’s a quick overview:

Medium is a platform for reading and writing. It combines aspects of a blogging platform and social media.

Anyone can publish stories on Medium. You can write on any topic you want.

Medium also has an extensive library of stories written by others that you can read. There are stories on pretty much any topic you can think of.

Unlike a traditional blogging platform, writers on Medium have the potential to earn money directly from their readers.

Here’s how it works:

– Medium has paying members who pay a monthly fee to access stories.
– When these members read a writer’s story, the writer earns a share of that membership fee.
– The more paying members that read your stories, the more you can potentially earn.

This model provides an opportunity to earn income directly from your readers.

Is Medium Still Worth It For Beginners?

Short answer – yes, Medium absolutely can still be worth it for beginner writers.

Here are 3 big reasons why:

1. No Setup Required

To start writing on Medium, all you need to do is create an account.

There’s no need to buy a domain name, install plugins, optimize for SEO, or any of the other setup required for a traditional blog.

You can start writing instantly without any of the usual headaches. This makes it perfect for beginners.

 2. Get Paid to Explore Different Topics

Here’s one of the coolest aspects of Medium – you can earn money while exploring different topics and developing your writing skills.

Through Medium’s partner program, writers earn a share of membership revenue when readers view their stories.

The income likely won’t be much, maybe a few hundred dollars. Consider it a nice bonus.

But as a beginner, you can earn something while experimenting with different topics and styles to see what resonates with readers.

3. Connect with the Medium Community

Medium has a vibrant community of talented writers and engaged readers. Making connections can be hugely beneficial for a beginner.

You can interact with experienced writers in your niche, leave feedback on their stories, and potentially collaborate.

Building these relationships and your network pays dividends beyond any direct income from Medium.

How Do Readers Discover Your Stories on Medium?

As a beginner on Medium, you won’t have an existing audience. So how do you get readers?

Medium has a few built-in ways to expose your stories to interested readers:

1. Publications

Editors curate stories into publications focused on specific topics. If your story gets accepted to a publication, it can reach many readers interested in that niche.

2. Followers

Your existing followers will see your stories in their feeds. As a beginner this might not help much.

3. Curation

Medium’s editors actively curate quality stories to showcase to relevant audiences. So great writing can get promoted on its own merit.

This variety of discovery methods levels the playing field so beginners can get read and build an audience.

How Much Money Can You Actually Make on Medium?

This is the big question – realistically, how much money can you make on Medium?

Let’s start with some perspective:

– It is extremely difficult to earn a full-time living solely from Medium income. Only a tiny fraction of writers do this.

– For most writers, income directly from Medium is likely to be small – maybe a few hundred dollars a month at most.

– A handful of top writers make up to several thousand dollars per month. But this is rare, and achieving it takes a lot of work.

The key is not to expect or rely on Medium income to make a living, especially when starting out. Treat any money made as a nice bonus.

Focus instead on the benefits for exposure, building an audience, improving your writing, and making connections.

Over time, these benefits can open up opportunities that develop into earning a meaningful income from your writing. Just likely not solely from Medium.

How Does Medium Compare to Other Options for Beginners?

The two platforms I see most often compared as alternatives to Medium for beginners are WordPress and Substack. Here’s how Medium stacks up:

1. WordPress

Requires more technical expertise to setup and maintain a site. Medium simplifies everything so you can focus just on writing.

2. Substack

Primarily useful if you already have a dedicated audience. Harder to organically build an audience as a beginner.

Overall, Medium provides the easiest user experience while also giving you tools to reach interested readers as a beginner.

Is Medium Worth It for Beginners?

Hopefully this gives you a transparent look at what Medium can (and can’t) do for beginner writers.

In my opinion, Medium is absolutely still worth it:

– It allows you to instantly start writing online at no cost.

– It provides an unparalleled simplicity and focus on the writing experience itself.

– You can explore different topics and styles and earn a bit of income along the way.

– You can leverage the Medium community to improve your craft and make connections.

– It serves as a portfolio to demonstrate your skills to potential clients.

For all these reasons, I believe Medium remains the best place for any beginner to start writing online.

The viability will depend on your personal goals and expectations. But if used properly, Medium can be an invaluable platform to develop your skills as a writer.

What do you think? Is Medium worth it for beginners? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments!

Can You Really Earn Money on Medium as a Beginner in 2023? is a post from ShoutToWorld - Helping bloggers and developers around the world.