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What is the Medium Partner Program (MPP)? How does it reward writers and how can I join the Medium Partner Program from countries where Stripe is not available?

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Kristi writes about everything she finds interesting and helpful to share with people. She writes what you need, not what she just wants. She supports new talent. Using this link for Medium membership will support her directly, plus it will give you access to all of Medium’s great content. Use this link to receive an email ensuring Kristi’s latest stories come directly to your inbox.

Hello everyone! My baby is asleep and I’ve done all the housework, so it’s time to get to work. Aha! 😁.

Have you ever dreamt about making money from your love for writing? If you have, let me share with you an amazing platform that could turn your dreams into reality.

I’m talking about Medium, yeah — a place where ideas and words take flight, and if you’re lucky, might even fatten up your wallet a bit. Yes, you heard it right. Writing and earning, both in the same place! This magic happens through something called the “Medium Partner Program”. Now, isn’t that exciting?

But what is this Medium Partner Program, you might wonder? Well, think of it as a stage where writers, like you and me, can perform, showcasing our stories to an audience across the world.

The more applause we get, the more rewards come our way. And by rewards, I mean real cash! This program has become a trending online income generator, making the dreams of many writers come true.

So, are you ready to dive in and learn more about how this Program is rewarding writers? If your answer is yes, then keep reading, because we are just getting started!

Let’s get started

· How Medium Partner Program works? · How to join and what are the requirements? · How do we really make money on Medium? · How do I earn my first hundred followers on Medium? · Is Medium free? · Earnings from Medium Partner Program · How much does Medium actually pay for 1,000 views? · How do you make money with Medium referrals? · How to join the Medium partner program from countries where Stripe is not available? · My Opinion

How does Medium Partner Program work?

Have you ever wondered how Medium’s Partner Program really operates? It’s pretty simple, yet genius. Let me break it down for you.

Picture yourself as a reader first. You love to immerse yourself in captivating stories and insightful articles, right? Well, Medium offers you an opportunity to dive deeper into a world of unlimited quality content. All it asks for is a little support — $5 a month. It’s like buying your favorite author a coffee once a month, really!

By becoming a paid Medium member, you’re not only gaining access to all the great articles Medium has to offer but also a few extra perks. Have you heard about the Medium Mastodon server? Well, as a paid member, that’s your ticket in. Also, you'll be able to create your own publication.

Now, here’s the most wonderful part: when you enjoy a paywalled story, a slice of your membership fee travels directly into the pocket of the author who wrote it. Yes, you got it right! You’re supporting the writer directly, especially if they’re part of the Medium Partner Program (or MPP as we call it).

But what if you’re not just a reader? What if you’re a writer too? Well, the Medium Partner Program is like your personal cheerleader. It literally pays you when readers engage with your work. And here’s the catch — it’s not about how many people click on your story. No, it’s more about the time Medium members spend reading your work.

You see, it’s all about engagement and quality. It’s not a ‘views’ game but a ‘read time’ game. The longer a Medium member stays glued to your work, the more you earn.”

How to join and what are the requirements?

As of May 2023, there are only a few requirements to join the Medium Partner Program. I’ll list them here, as well as the rationale behind them (to the best of my knowledge).

The first thing Medium asks for is that you have at least 100 followers. Now, you might be wondering why. The reason is pretty simple — they want to see that you’re here for more than just a quick buck. You’ve got to show you’re a part of the community, you’re here to share your ideas, and your stories, and engage with others. It’s kind of like how YouTube requires 4,000 watch hours and 1,000 subscribers before you can become a YouTube Partner. It’s their way of saying “Hey, you’ve got to prove you’re serious about this.”
Next up, you need to have published at least one story in the past six months. That seems fair, doesn’t it? If you think about it, it’s a pretty good way to check that you’re still active. After all, why would Medium want to keep paying authors who aren’t contributing any content? It makes sense from a business perspective.
Here’s a bit of a tricky one: you need to be in a country that’s accepted by Stripe. Why Stripe, you ask? Well, that’s the service Medium uses to process payments. Sadly, they don’t use PayPal, Payoneer, or Wise, so you’ve got to be somewhere Stripe supports. This is a tough one for some of our fellow writers in the Global South, as Stripe currently only supports 46 countries. I can’t really justify this rule, and I truly hope Medium broadens its horizons soon. For a comprehensive list of the countries that Stripe does support, you can check it out here.
Just a quick side note: Stripe does support India, but currently, Medium’s Partner Program does not. The same goes for about 10 other countries that Stripe does cater to. So, if you’re from India or these other countries, unfortunately, the Medium Partner Program is off-limits for now. Fingers crossed they’ll change this soon!
Last, but certainly not least, you have to agree to the Medium Partner Program terms and conditions and follow Medium’s rules. Sounds intimidating? Don’t worry, it’s pretty straightforward. Be nice, don’t spam, no hate speech, respect others, and always, always keep your work original. In other words, be the decent human being I know you all are. Got it? Mwuah mwuah

How do we really make money on Medium?

Ok, so, let’s unravel the intriguing question: “How do we make money on Medium?” Remember, there is no magic potion that guarantees instant success.

The essence is this: write from the heart and pour your knowledge into your words. The path may seem unclear, with no shortcuts or ‘perfect’ topics promising big bucks. But trust me, Medium is a journey of discovery.

So, are you ready to take the plunge? Here are some pearls of wisdom to maximize your earnings through the Medium Partner Program:

Discover your rhythm. How often do you wish to write? As a busy mom and dad to my two little angels, twice a week works for me. Ok, three. Harhar😁. Medium values quality over quantity, that’s why every story I create is like crafting a precious jewel. You can judge it yourself. So, seek your rhythm, make it work for you, and let your readers witness the magic unfold.
Be a perfectionist. Medium is a space where we serve value to our readers. Therefore, a well-structured story with no typos, errors, or flow disruptions is key. If editing is not your forte, team up with a buddy, or use tools like deepl.com, my favorite grammar checker. Believe me, the devil is in the detail.
Unleash your expertise. Don’t be confined by career, education, or certificates. An expert is someone who has in-depth knowledge about something. I, for example, have become an expert in parenting my children. As for me, niches are overrated. I prefer to broaden my horizon, read widely, and share diverse topics. Remember, sharing is caring, right? So, dig deep. What’s your specialty? Build your community around it. If you want inspiration, I didn't finish college. So what, degree holders? I earn more than a typical office girl/boy now, mwuahahaha (devil laugh 😂)
Embrace experimentation. Do not confine your creativity to a niche too soon. As I always say, and it’s even in my bio, “I don’t believe in niche writing. For me, knowledge about everything is sexy.” So, keep your curious mind open.
Seek out publications. As a beginner, Medium publications can be your springboard to success. They’re like vehicles that transport your voice further. Find a publication in your chosen field and start sharing your stories. I’ve also curated a “List of Publications accepting new writers” for your convenience. You can find it here. https://medium.com/@kristimakusha/list/publications-accepting-new-writers-f7abc5b98e5a
Get into the Boost program. Medium’s new Boost program seems quite promising. It’s like a spotlight for the best articles on diverse topics. I’ve written a piece on “Publications with Boosting Power.” Check it out here. https://medium.com/@kristimakusha/list/publications-with-boosting-power-db78eb3d1430
Keep your passion for writing aflame, and remember, it’s the value you provide that will elevate your success.

How do I earn my first hundred followers on Medium?

So you’re scratching your head and wondering, “How do I earn my first hundred followers on Medium?” Trust me, I’ve been there, and I know that struggle all too well. It’s a hurdle we all have to jump over, especially now that Medium Partner Program has set it as a benchmark for membership since May 2023.

Well, there are two paths you could take.

Path one: the shortcut. It’s tempting, I admit. It’s the old “I’ll follow you, you follow me” trick. And yes, this route will get you those hundred followers, quickly and easily. But here’s the problem. They’re just numbers.

They don’t really care about what you write or who you are. They won’t engage with your content, applaud it, or comment. Sure, you’re in the MPP club now, but will you make any money? Nope. All because your followers don’t actually count. They’re there, but they’re not really there, you know?

Now, let’s talk about path two. It’s the slower one, the less glamorous one. It’s about rolling up your sleeves and writing good stuff. REGULARLY. CONSISTENTLY. It sounds dull, I get it.

But here’s the kicker: it actually works. It’s the real deal in acquiring a hundred followers, and more importantly, keeping them.

This path paves the way to a community that genuinely cares about your words. It creates a bond with people who will read, clap, and engage with your work. And the best part? When you finally step into the MPP circle, these authentic followers will help you break that $10 mark.

How am I so sure, you ask? Just take a look at my own stories and you’ll see why I believe in this approach.

Is Medium free?

Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Is Medium free?” Let’s dive into that, shall we? In essence, yes, it is. You can freely read up to two articles hidden behind a paywall each month. And guess what? If the articles are not paywalled, there’s no limit! You can read as many as you want, whenever you want. Isn’t that fantastic?

Still, I want to let you in on a little secret. I strongly suggest if you’re an avid reader like me, to think about joining the Medium membership. It’s a small investment of $5 a month, and I’ll tell you why it’s a good idea.

First off, Medium is bursting with remarkable pieces of writing, with gems waiting to be discovered. There are stories that will make you laugh, articles that will make you think, and guides that will teach you something new every day.

Secondly, it’s a wonderful way to show your support for writers. We all pour our hearts into our words, and your membership acts like a tip jar. It lets you make little donations to your favorite articles, kind of like giving a high five to the authors for a job well done.

And before I forget, here’s a little offer. If you’re thinking about becoming a paying Medium member, why not sign up using my link? It won’t cost you anything extra. But, it does mean I get a small token of appreciation. It’s like you’re saying, “Thanks for the tip-off,” and it would make my day. 😁

Earnings from Medium’s Partner Program

Medium has always been a captivating platform for writers, and many of us were initially drawn to it by the potential of monetary rewards. Back in the day, Medium was more open about sharing the earnings of its writers. But things changed in December 2020. They stopped publicizing this info. I know, I was a bit disappointed too.

To give you a sense of the earning landscape back then, about 10% of the Medium Partners were earning over $100 each month. That’s quite a nice extra bit of pocket money, don’t you think? And get this — approximately 68% of Partners were earning something! Not too shabby, right?

Now, you might be wondering about the high end of the scale. The maximum earnings I’ve ever seen a writer make through the Medium Partner Program in a month is over a whopping $20,000! Yes, you heard it right. More than 20 grand in a single month. Unbelievable, but true!

Now, let’s talk a bit about my own journey. Last month, my earnings clocked in at around $142. Not quite $20,000, but hey, every bit counts, right? I joined the Medium Partner Program on May 20, 2023, and wasted no time in getting my articles behind the paywall.

Fast forward to today, July 16, 2023, and I’ve already accumulated $132 for this month. Fingers crossed, my earnings continue to climb! I’m hoping this could eventually turn into a full-time venture, complementing my other side hustle.

Who knows what the future holds? Maybe one day, I’ll join the ranks of those who earn $20,000 in a month. Wouldn’t that be something?

How much does Medium actually pay for 1,000 views?

Okay, here it goes. Roughly speaking, Medium shells out around $24 for every 1,000 views. That translates to about $0.024 for each individual view. Just last month, my words reached 7,000 eyes and brought me a neat sum of $120, all thanks to Medium’s Partner Program. But, don’t rush to conclusions yet, there’s more to the story.

Now, let’s get a little deeper. The way Medium calculates payment is a bit like trying to solve a puzzle.

Let’s dive deep into this. Imagine you’re a Medium member and you read just one story a month. Once Medium has taken its share, the rest of the pot, every last cent, goes to the writer of that one story you enjoyed.

But what happens when you read five stories? That’s where things get tricky. Your membership fee is now shared among five authors. If you become a reading machine and power through 100 stories, your fee becomes quite diluted indeed.

This is why estimating the value of 1,000 views on Medium can be as challenging as catching smoke with your bare hands. If your 1,000 views are coming from readers who gobble up tons of stories on Medium, the reward might be less than you’d expect. But, if those views are from folks who only stop by once a month, you might be surprised by how the numbers pile up.

And that’s not all, there’s another way to earn with Medium — referrals. It’s high time we talked about the Medium Referrals, don’t you think?

How do you make money with Medium referrals?

A few years back, Medium introduced this feature which I’ve found quite fantastic, where you can refer Medium members. Let’s say you choose to be a paid Medium member and you decide to do it through a unique link that I’ve got, like this one here: https://medium.com/@kristimakusha/membership.

What happens next is pretty cool — every month, out of your $5 subscription, I get a small portion, precisely $2.17. You’re not paying anything extra for this, mind you, it’s just that some part of the money is going directly to me rather than Medium.

What’s even more interesting is that last month, I managed to earn $124 through this partner program. But there’s more! I had also managed to bring in some members through my referral link and that added another $17.90 to my earnings. So, in total, my income from Medium for the month of June was a sweet $142.

Here’s the most exciting bit — these member referrals are not a one-time thing. They accumulate over time and continue as long as the person stays with the program. You’d be surprised how quickly it adds up.

Every single view on my page is a chance for me to get a new member referred, and with every new member, I see an additional $2.17 as recurring income every month.

To be honest, this is one of the most generous affiliate programs I’ve ever come across. It’s like they’re splitting the money right down the middle with me, handing over 50% of what Medium makes after they’ve taken care of their processing fees.

Isn’t it amazing how one platform can provide such an opportunity? You get to write, you get to share, and you also get to earn — all at the same time!

How to join the Medium partner program from countries where Stripe is not available?

Joining the Medium Partner Program is tricky when you’re based in countries where Stripe, the platform Medium uses for payment, is not available. I know, I’ve been there.

The truth is, I’ve not yet discovered a foolproof, risk-free method. There are some people who use a connection — a friend or a family member — in a country where Stripe is operational. They link up to this person’s bank account to transfer their earnings. However, this is about the only solution that seems to work.

Now, I do need to tell you this — attempting to sidestep the system carries a risk. You may end up breaching Stripe’s policies, and this could potentially result in your Medium account being banned permanently.

But don’t let that deter you! Writing on Medium still has its advantages, even if monetization isn’t currently available in your country. You can sign up, start sharing your thoughts and ideas, build an impressive body of work, and grow a following.

No, you won’t earn directly from Medium for now. It’s not the best scenario, I agree. I too feel it’s unfair that this situation affects those in the global South predominantly. Here’s hoping Medium and Stripe soon broaden their horizons to include more countries.

In the meantime, Medium can still be a goldmine for you. There are alternative methods to make money. For instance, you can use Medium to drive traffic to your personal blog, use affiliate marketing links, or even attract clients who like your work.

With a bit of luck, Medium and Stripe might just expand their services to more countries, and when that happens, you’d already be well-established on the platform.

I’m constantly exploring different solutions as this issue affects a considerable number of people. I firmly believe that every writer should be rewarded for their craft, but as of now, the perfect workaround remains elusive.

My Opinion

In my humble opinion, Medium truly stands apart as a splendid partner program for writers. It’s not just about chasing clicks or crafting ad-centric content — it’s an innovative platform that encourages us to pen our thoughts and earn from them based on their quality and impact, creating a unique bond with our readership.

I just love the simplicity and brilliance of it all! What are your thoughts on this? I’d love to hear from you!