Medium Partner Program Bonus and How to Get Picked on the Next Round

I got picked twice, and here are the few Medium tips that help me get to the winning circle of the top Medium writers.

Holy Guacamole — The $500 Bonus in April.

If success has a smell, it is the smell of money. So it was a very welcome surprise, the $500 Medium bonus for its top 1,000 writers in April. At first, being the self-deprecating me, I questioned myself for being on the list. When in fact, I have worked hard in April and wrote at least 50 stories.

I am Medium’s top 1,000 writers, OK! That was in April. Like many, I thought it was a one-time thing. But, in the fairness of Medium, it is full of surprises that they decided to double the number of writers who will receive a May bonus. So from 1,000, they made 2,000 writers very happy.

In May, my ‘rank’ is down from being one of the top 1,000 writers to being one of its top 1,500 writers. Instead of getting $500, I received $100, and I am very thankful. I can only say Arigato Money, Arigato Medium.

And because there was “confusion,” or was it jealousy coming from some Medium writers as to the criteria how the top 1,000 writers were chosen. Medium listened, and now in the email that I received, this is what Medium has to say:

Screenshot of the email I received from Medium.

This past month, you were in the top 1,500 writers in the Partner Program. Congratulations! To celebrate your achievement, we’re rewarding you with a $100 bonus.

When we awarded bonuses in April, we heard from writers that the criteria for qualifying wasn’t clear. We listened, and for May, we simplified how we picked. Now, bonuses are based solely on the top writers in the Partner Program in a specific month.

Medium members are drawn to thought-provoking writing from a diverse array of voices. So to remain a top Partner Program writer, we recommend regularly publishing unique stories for members to explore, read, and love. In other words, keep doing what you’re doing!

– Your friends at Medium

Now that the rules are clear, can you handle the truth?

Now, bonuses are based solely on the top writers in the Partner Program in a specific month. — Medium.

Top Writer Badge

I have three top writer badges in photography, social media, and this happened to me.

If you don’t know about Medium’s Top Writer badge and how to get them, J.J. Pryor wrote about it. If you think before they are bragging rights, now it can get to the next round of the Medium Partner Program bonus.

I have yet to write a viral article, the ones that pay your mortgage. I am sharing this to inspire you that you need not many views to be “seen” by Medium. I am living proof of that. In April, my take-out pay was $71. In May, I have breached the $100 Medium Partner Program earnings.

Chosen for Further Distribution

What You Need to Know About “Chosen for Further Distribution” in 3 Minutes

Did it boost my most-read article of the year?

medium.com

In the past, I have written stories on being Chosen for Further Distribution or Medium curation. It gives you bragging rights, and it validates your writer-self that you can write good stories. Now is the time to double your efforts to write stories that will be Medium curated.

Update?

I need to update my story on Medium Curation. While it still doesn't guarantee virality, you still don’t need to be published in a major publication. However, it could help bring in the money.

It can be your ticket to the Medium Partner Program bonus.

Here comes my Grandma’s Secret Recipe — OK! It’s the Blogging recipe to help you get to the Medium Top 2,000 writers in June 2021.

Now that we know, Medium rewards the top writers. The only way to make it to June 2021 — Medium Partner Program Reward Extravaganza is to secure those top writer badges. To help you happen while unproven is to get the Chosen for Further Distribution tags on your stories. This is not foolproof, but if you are curated under these tags, you could stand out as a top writer on that topic.

The goal is to receive the top writer badge. If money is your measure of success as a Medium writer, then stop wasting your time trying to get published in major publications. Instead, spend that time writing for your Medium publications or choose the friendly ones. They get you published fast. They are your ticket in securing the Medium Partner Program bonus next month.

When a Medium Publication Editor Tells You to Write a 1,000-Word Article, Say No!

Medium is changing if you haven’t noticed it yet.