The New Medium Partner Program: A Month After Its Introduction
My earnings after a month of the new Partner Program
In August 2023, Medium made significant changes to its Partner Program, revolutionizing the way writers are recognized and rewarded for their craft. This innovative initiative focuses on the intrinsic value of high-quality human writing, creating a dynamic environment where writers are nurtured, incentivized, and empowered to craft compelling narratives that captivate and resonate with readers worldwide.
New Medium Partner Program
Below, the changes introduced by Medium in its new Medium Partner Program are detailed.
Emphasizing Quality over Quantity
One of the key highlights of the revamped Partner Program is its emphasis on quality over quantity. Unlike conventional content platforms that prioritize superficial clickbait, Medium recognizes the significance of well-crafted, insightful content that enriches the lives of readers. This shift ensures that writers are encouraged to produce meaningful pieces that leave a lasting impact.
The program encourages writers to delve deeper into their passions, explore diverse topics, and share personal insights. By fostering an environment where creativity knows no bounds, Medium enables writers to curate pieces that are both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant.
Rewarding Engagement
In the new Partner Program, Medium acknowledges the power of engagement and fosters a vibrant ecosystem where writers are rewarded based on the depth of reader interaction. This approach creates an opportunity for deeper connections between creators and their audiences.
Reader engagement plays a pivotal role in determining earnings. Medium recognizes that the impact of an article goes beyond mere clicks. Instead, the depth and quality of engagement are key factors. Earnings are influenced by metrics such as the amount of time readers spend engaging with the content, the number of claps (Medium’s equivalent of likes), the frequency of responses, and the overall resonance the piece generates.
Claps and responses from the audience are tangible ways for readers to express their appreciation. These interactions directly contribute to the writer’s earnings. Thoughtful and meaningful responses signal a strong connection and can positively influence earnings.
Nurturing Creativity and Collaboration
The Partner Program grants writers the freedom to explore a wide spectrum of topics, genres, and formats. Medium’s philosophy champions the art of writing over arbitrary metrics, fostering an environment where creativity can thrive. Writers are encouraged to push boundaries, experiment with new styles, and engage in thought-provoking discussions.
Moreover, the Medium community itself plays a vital role in nurturing creativity. The program encourages collaboration and knowledge-sharing among writers, fostering a sense of camaraderie. Writers can connect with like-minded individuals, exchange ideas, and support each other’s growth.
Transparent Compensation
Medium remains committed to providing transparent and fair compensation to writers. The Partner Program ensures that valuable contributions are duly acknowledged and rewarded. Writers can trust that their efforts will be recognized and compensated appropriately.
The earnings in the new Partner Program are calculated through a combination of factors that emphasize the value of high-quality human writing and reader engagement. Let’s take a closer look at how earnings are computed.
Calculating Earnings
Earnings in the new Partner Program are influenced by multiple factors that reflect the quality and impact of the content. These factors include reader engagement, claps and responses, member reading time, content quality, curation and distribution, and consistency in content creation.
Reader Engagement
Medium acknowledges that an article’s impact extends beyond mere clicks. Instead, the depth and quality of engagement are crucial. The amount of time readers spend engaging with the content, the number of claps, the frequency of responses, and the overall resonance of the piece all contribute to earnings. This emphasis on engagement ensures that writers are rewarded for creating content that truly resonates with readers.
Claps and Responses
Claps and responses are vital indicators of reader appreciation and connection. The number of claps an article receives directly contributes to earnings, as it reflects the level of reader engagement. Similarly, meaningful responses from the audience signal a strong connection and can positively influence earnings.
Member Reading Time
Medium values the time members invest in reading articles. The amount of time members spend reading a writer’s content reflects the depth of engagement and the value the writing brings to the platform. Earnings are affected by the member reading time, as it indicates the level of interest and engagement generated by the content.
Content Quality
The Partner Program places a premium on high-quality writing that resonates with readers. Articles offering insightful perspectives, well-researched information, and authentic storytelling are more likely to garner higher earnings due to their positive impact on reader engagement. By focusing on quality content, Medium ensures that writers are rewarded for their dedication to excellence.
Curation and Distribution
Medium’s curation process plays a role in exposure and, subsequently, earnings. Articles selected for curation benefit from increased visibility, potentially leading to higher reader engagement and earnings. However, earning potential is not exclusively tied to curation. Non-curated pieces can also thrive based on their merit, ensuring that every writer has an opportunity to succeed.
Consistency in Content Creation
The new Partner Program encourages writers to maintain consistency in content creation. Regularly contributing quality articles can establish a loyal readership, resulting in sustained engagement and earnings over time. By rewarding consistency, Medium motivates writers to consistently deliver valuable content to their audience.
My earnings in August 2023
After a month of the new Medium Partner Program, I noticed a decrease in my earnings on the platforms. Take a look at some of my articles: Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) in NumPy. This article provides me with some $ each month (2–3$), for example, in July I earned 2.80$, as shown in the following photo:
However, with similar views (or even an increase in views) in August, the article only earned 0.18$
And this is the situation in almost all my articles…
However, there are some articles where the situation is the opposite, such as this one: Python Course. In this case, the earnings in July were 0.64$.
While in August, its earnings increased to 5.15$.
Conclusions
Visits have increased for both articles, however, earnings have decreased for the first article while having increased for the second one. The reason for this difference is the engagement that every article obtains. While the first article has no engagement at all:
The second one gathers some clappers, replies, and followers:
Therefore, our goal as Medium writers after the new Partner Program should be to obtain as much engagement as possible.
And you? What is your situation after the changes in the Partner Program? Have you experienced a decrease or an increase in your earnings? Are your conclusions the same as mine? Please, write a comment to explain your case, it will help everybody to understand the new Partner Program!
Have you spent your learning budget for this month, you can join Medium here: