Can I Earn Money on Medium Without a Subscription?
Introduction
Medium is a popular online publishing platform that allows writers to share their thoughts, stories, and expertise with a vast audience. Many aspiring writers and bloggers wonder if they can earn money on Medium without a subscription. The short answer is yes, but with some limitations. This article explores various ways to earn on Medium without a paid membership, providing a step-by-step guide, real-life examples, and actionable strategies to help you maximize your earnings.
How Does Medium's Partner Program Work?
Medium offers a Partner Program that allows writers to earn money based on the engagement their stories receive from Medium members. However, to join the Partner Program, you need to be a Medium member, which requires a paid subscription. Here’s how the program works:
Writers earn money based on reading time by Medium members.
Earnings come from Medium’s subscription revenue, distributed among writers whose content is read by paying members.
Non-paying users’ reads do not contribute to earnings.
If you don’t want to pay for a Medium membership but still want to make money, you’ll need alternative strategies.
Ways to Earn Money on Medium Without a Subscription
1. Leverage External Monetization Methods
Since non-paying users’ reads don’t contribute to Medium earnings, you can still make money by promoting external revenue streams:
Affiliate Marketing: Include relevant affiliate links in your articles (ensure they align with Medium’s guidelines).
Sponsored Content: Collaborate with brands to write sponsored articles.
Freelance Writing Offers: Showcase your skills and link to your portfolio to attract freelance clients.
Selling Digital Products: Promote eBooks, online courses, or guides within your Medium articles.
Drive Traffic to a Monetized Blog: Link to your personal blog where you earn through ads and sponsorships.
2. Publish Free Stories and Gain Exposure
Even without a subscription, you can still publish unlimited stories on Medium. This helps in:
Building a personal brand and gaining credibility.
Attracting new readers who may follow your external platforms.
Establishing connections with other writers and potential clients.
3. Submit to Medium Publications
Publications on Medium have a large, built-in audience. Submitting to them can help you:
Increase visibility of your content.
Attract more followers who may convert into clients.
Gain credibility in your niche.
4. Use Medium for Lead Generation
While you may not earn directly from Medium, you can use it as a marketing tool to drive leads to:
Your newsletter
Your YouTube channel
Your social media pages
Your online services
By creating valuable content, you can direct readers to platforms where you monetize directly.
5. Leverage Medium’s Referral System
If you know people interested in Medium, you can use Medium’s referral program (if available) to earn commissions when they subscribe through your link.
6. Engage with the Medium Community
Comment on other posts to increase visibility.
Follow other writers and engage with their content.
Join writing challenges to gain recognition and exposure.
Real-Life Example: How Ramesh From India Earned Without a Medium Subscription
Ramesh, a freelance writer from India, started publishing stories on Medium without a subscription. He focused on the following strategies:
✅ He wrote valuable articles about personal finance and freelancing tips. ✅ He included affiliate links to relevant products. ✅ He linked his Medium stories to his personal blog, which was monetized with ads. ✅ He engaged with Medium publications, gaining more visibility. ✅ He promoted his writing services, attracting high-paying clients.
Within six months, Ramesh started earning a steady income, not from Medium’s Partner Program but from external sources.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
🔴 Ignoring SEO – Optimize your articles with keywords to attract organic traffic. 🔴 Spamming with Links – Keep your affiliate links relevant and natural. 🔴 Not Engaging with the Community – Networking helps build relationships and credibility. 🔴 Expecting Quick Results – Building an audience takes time and consistency.
Conclusion
While earning directly from Medium’s Partner Program without a subscription isn’t possible, there are many alternative ways to generate income. By leveraging affiliate marketing, freelancing, sponsored content, and lead generation, you can still make money while benefiting from Medium’s vast audience.
Next Steps for You:
👉 Start publishing free stories today and explore external monetization methods.
👉 Engage with Medium’s community and submit to popular publications.
👉 Share your content on social media to increase exposure.
Have you tried earning from Medium without a subscription? Share your experience in the comments! 🚀
No comments:
Post a Comment