Does Medium Pay Indian Writers in 2023?

The landscape of freelance writing and content creation has shifted significantly in recent years, with platforms like Medium emerging as prominent spaces for writers to share their work and monetize it. In 2020, Medium introduced its Partner Program, which allows Indian writers to earn money based on the engagement their content receives from Medium members. This guide will explore the details of the Medium Partner Program, the process of enrolling, and the earnings potential for Indian writers.

Introduction to the Medium Partner Program

Medium's Partner Program is designed to support writers by compensating them for the value they provide and encouraging high-quality content. However, it's important to note that earning from this program can be quite competitive and depends on various factors, such as the number of reads, engagement, and the quality of the content.

Earning Money with the Medium Partner Program

Indian writers can participate in the Medium Partner Program and earn money through member reading time and other engagement metrics. Here's a step-by-step guide on how this works:

1. Enroll in the Medium Partner Program

To join the Medium Partner Program, you must link your Medium account with a bank account or debit card via a third-party payment service called Stripe. Additionally, you need to provide your taxpayer information within 180 days to be eligible for payments.

2. Make Your Stories Eligible to Earn Money

Once you're enrolled, you can write your stories and put them behind a paywall. This means readers will need to make a small payment to access your content. You can also apply this to your already published stories to start earning revenue from them immediately.

3. Earn Money Based on Member Engagement

Your earnings are determined by member reading time. Member subscription fees are distributed proportionally to the stories that individual members engage with each month. You can check your payment estimates in your Partner dashboard, which provides transparency into your earnings and performance.

Pros and Cons of the Medium Partner Program

While the Medium Partner Program offers a unique opportunity for writers to monetize their content, it's worth considering both the advantages and potential challenges:

Advantages

Earning Potential: Writers can earn a steady income based on engagement and the perception of their content's value. Transparency: The Partner dashboard provides detailed information about your earnings and engagement metrics. Flexibility: Writers can choose which stories to put behind the paywall and control their content strategy.

Challenges

Competition: Entry into the program can be highly competitive, and only a select number of writers are chosen. Complexity: Setting up the Stripe account and other necessary payments can be complex for new users. Dependence on Reader Engagement: The amount you earn is directly related to how much your readers engage with your content.

Alternative Options for Writing and Earning

If you're finding the Medium Partner Program to be too competitive or complex, there are alternative options for monetizing your content. Freelance content writing can be an excellent choice, offering more direct control over your projects and scheduling.

Conclusion

The Medium Partner Program offers a viable path for Indian writers to earn money through engagement-based payments. While there are challenges, the potential rewards and flexibility make it a worthwhile option for those willing to invest the time and effort.