If you’ve ever wondered how to earn money from Medium, you’re not alone. Thousands of writers are turning their blogs into income streams—some making hundreds or even thousands per month—by combining writing on Medium with its powerful referral program. But here’s the catch: to get paid, you need a €5/month membership, a Stripe account, and an understanding of how the Medium Partner Program actually works.
In this complete guide, we’ll walk you through:
- How to join the Medium Partner Program
- The exact steps to set up your referral link
- Why a Stripe account is mandatory
- Tips to maximize your earnings
- Real examples of top earners
- And how to turn writing into passive income
Whether you’re a beginner blogger or a seasoned content creator, this is your blueprint to get paid for writing on Medium—and earn even more when others join through your referral.
What Is Medium and How Can You Earn From It?
Medium.com is a digital publishing platform where writers share articles on tech, self-improvement, finance, productivity, and more. Unlike traditional blogs, Medium rewards writers based on engagement, not just views.
But here’s what most people don’t realize:
You can’t just publish and expect money to roll in. To make money on Medium, you must:
✅ Be a member of the Medium Partner Program
✅ Have a paid Medium membership (€5/month)
✅ Connect a valid Stripe account for payouts
Only then will your articles start earning you money every time a paying Medium member reads your content.
🔗 Learn more about Medium’s monetization model: https://help.medium.com/hc/en-us/articles/115011694187
How the Medium Partner Program Works
The Medium Partner Program (MPP) is the engine behind writer earnings. When a paying Medium member reads your story, you earn a share of Medium’s subscription revenue—based on reading time and engagement.
Here’s how it works:
- Medium pools subscription fees from all paying members.
- That pool is distributed to writers whose content those members read.
- The longer someone reads your article (and the more they engage), the more you earn.
💡 Important: Only members of the MPP are eligible for payouts. And yes—you must pay €5/month to participate.
This might sound counterintuitive (“Why pay to earn?”), but think of it as a low-cost entry to a global audience with built-in monetization.
Step-by-Step: How to Join the Medium Partner Program
Follow these steps to start earning:
1. Sign Up on Medium
Go to medium.com and create a free account using your Google, Apple, or email login.
2. Upgrade to a Paid Membership (€5/month)
To join the Partner Program, you must have an active paid membership.
- Go to your Account Settings
- Click “Upgrade to Member”
- Enter payment details (credit card or PayPal)
- Confirm €5 monthly charge
💡 You can cancel anytime, but you won’t earn without an active subscription.
3. Apply for the Medium Partner Program
Once you’re a paying member:
- Navigate to Settings > Partner Program
- Click “Join the Partner Program”
- Agree to the terms
- Confirm identity (name and location)
No approval waitlist—your application is processed instantly.
4. Set Up Your Stripe Account
Medium uses Stripe to pay writers. You cannot get paid without it.
Why Stripe?
- Handles global payments securely
- Supports 135+ currencies
- Processes payouts automatically
How to Set Up Stripe:
- Go to stripe.com
- Create an account with your legal name, address, and bank details
- Verify your identity (ID/photo may be required)
- Link your bank account (payouts take 7 days)
🔗 Create your free Stripe account
Once connected, Medium will pay you monthly (around the 7th–10th) for the previous month’s earnings.
📚 High-Authority Source: According to Harvard Business Review, platforms like Medium are reshaping freelance writing by offering scalable, performance-based income. Read more here
How the Medium Referral Program Boosts Your Earnings
Here’s where things get exciting.
Medium doesn’t just pay you for writing. It also pays you when someone signs up through your referral link.
💬 How It Works:
- You share your unique Medium referral link
- When someone clicks and becomes a paying member (€5/month), you earn 50% of their first payment
- That’s €2.50 per successful referral
And the best part? There’s no limit to how many people you can refer.
📌 Example: Refer 20 people in a month = €50 extra income—just for sharing your link.
How to Find & Share Your Medium Referral Link
- Log in to your Medium account
- Go to Settings > Partner Program
- Scroll down to “Invite people and earn money”
- Copy your personal referral URL
Now share it anywhere:
- In your blog posts
- On social media (Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Facebook)
- In email newsletters
- As a call-to-action in your bio
💡 Pro Tip: Add your referral link to the end of every article you publish—on Medium or elsewhere.
How Much Can You Earn on Medium?
Earnings vary widely—but here’s a realistic breakdown:
| Type | Earning |
|---|---|
| Writing (per 1,000 views) | €5 – €25 (based on engagement) |
| Referrals (per sign-up) | €2.50 (50% of €5) from each new refferal |
| Top Writers (monthly) | €500 – €5,000+ |
Real-World Example:
Sarah, a personal finance writer:
- Publishes 2–3 articles per week
- Gets ~50,000 views/month
- Earns ~€600 from writing
- Referred 40 new members
- Earns €100 from referrals
- Total: €700/month
🌐 High-Authority Source: A 2024 study by Oxford Internet Institute found that micro-monetization platforms like Medium are enabling new forms of digital entrepreneurship. Read the full report
🚀 8 Tips to Maximize Your Medium Earnings
Want to go from €50 to €500+ per month? Follow these proven strategies:
1. Write for Engagement, Not Just Traffic
Medium pays for reading time, not clicks. So:
- Use short paragraphs
- Add subheadings and bullet points
- Tell stories and ask questions
- Encourage readers to stay longer
2. Publish Consistently
Aim for 1–2 high-quality posts per week. Consistency builds audience trust and algorithm favor.
3. Pick Profitable Niches
Some topics earn more than others. Top-performing categories:
- Personal development
- Tech & AI
- Finance & investing
- Mental health
- Productivity
4. Use SEO Smartly
Include keywords like “how to make money on Medium” naturally in your titles and content.
Tools like Ubersuggest or SurferSEO can help.
5. Cross-Promote on Social Media
Share your Medium articles on:
- Twitter/X (especially in writing communities)
- LinkedIn (great for professional topics)
- Reddit (r/FreelanceWriters, r/Blogging)
Always add your referral link in your bio or pinned post.
6. Repurpose Old Content
Turn blog posts, newsletters, or tweets into full Medium articles. One idea = multiple stories.
7. Engage With the Community
Clap for others’ stories, leave thoughtful responses, and follow top writers. The Medium algorithm rewards engagement.
8. Joining Publications to Boost Visibility & Earnings
Joining popular Medium publications is one of the fastest ways to get your articles in front of thousands of readers. Publications like Better Marketing, The Startup, or Mindful Momentum have tens of thousands of followers who receive new stories in their inbox. When your article is accepted, it gets shared with their audience—dramatically increasing your views, claps, and earning potential. More engagement = higher payouts from the Medium Partner Program. Plus, growing visibility can lead to more clicks on your Medium referral link, boosting your passive income.
🔗 Pro Tip: Search “Medium publications + your niche” (e.g., “personal finance”) and submit your best work. Many accept writers via Google forms or direct messages.
💳 What If You Don’t Have a Stripe Account?
You cannot receive payments from Medium without Stripe.
But don’t worry—it’s free to set up and works in over 40 countries.
Countries Where Stripe Is Supported:
- USA, Canada, UK, EU nations
- Australia, New Zealand
- Japan, Singapore
- South Africa, Nigeria (limited)
🔗 Check full list: https://stripe.com/global
If your country isn’t supported, consider using a virtual business address or partnering with a friend in a supported region (though this has legal implications—consult a professional).
🌍 High-Authority Source: The World Bank reports that digital payment platforms like Stripe are increasing financial inclusion worldwide. Learn more
FAQs: Your Top Medium Earnings Questions Answered
1. Do I need to pay €5/month to earn money on Medium?
Yes. Only paying members can join the Medium Partner Program and earn from writing or referrals. It’s a small investment for access to a global monetization platform.
2. How do I get paid from Medium?
Medium uses Stripe to transfer funds. You’ll need to create a Stripe account and link your bank. Payouts occur monthly (7th–10th) for the prior month’s earnings.
3. How much do writers earn on Medium?
Most writers earn between €50–€300/month. Top performers with consistent content and strong engagement can make €1,000–€5,000+. Referrals add extra income.
4. Can I use my referral link on other blogs or YouTube?
Absolutely! In fact, that’s the best way to grow your referral earnings. Add your link to your website, YouTube descriptions, or email signature.
5. Is Medium worth it?
Yes—if you write regularly and focus on quality. With low entry costs and global reach, Medium remains one of the easiest platforms to start earning from writing.
Conclusion: Start Earning from Medium Today
If you want to earn money from Medium, the path is clear:
- Sign up on Medium and upgrade to a €5/month membership
- Join the Medium Partner Program
- Set up your Stripe account to receive payments
- Start writing high-engagement articles
- Share your referral link and earn €2.50 per sign-up
It’s not a get-rich-quick scheme—but it is a real, scalable way to earn from writing.
And the best part? You can start today with nothing but a laptop and an idea.
✅ Ready to begin?
👉 Join Medium and start earning now
👉 Set up your free Stripe account
📌 Internal Link: For more ways to earn online, explore our list of the best passive income tips .
