Start a Blog on Medium

If you’re thinking of starting a blog for free, you might be wondering how to start a Medium blog and get paid for your writing skills. In this blog post, you’ll learn how to do it successfully, right from creating your Medium profile to making your first dollar.

Medium is a free blogging platform founded by Evan Williams, the co-founder of Twitter. It’s a great platform for content creators who want to share their thoughts, ideas, and knowledge and make money doing it. Medium has a Partner Program, which allows writers to get paid for their content based on engagement and membership fees.

Well, it’s important to note that having your own self-hosted WordPress blog is better for earning money in the long run. You’ll have more control over your blog and can use affiliate marketing and other digital marketing tactics to monetize your blog.

But how do you create a successful blog on Medium?

It all starts with creating quality content that resonates with your readers.

Of course, creating great content is only half the battle – you’ll also need to promote your articles to attract readers and build an audience.

In this blog post, we’ll go into more detail on how to start a blog on Medium, how to write on Medium, how to join the Partner Program, promote your content, and other ways to monetize your Medium blog content to get paid for your efforts.

So, without further delay, let’s get started…

What is Medium & How Does it Work?

Medium Homepage

While there are many blogging platforms out there, Medium is one of the best for writers looking to build their online presence. With a simple and user-friendly editor, Medium allows you to focus on creating great content without the hassle of dealing with website building or website maintenance. Plus, with a built-in audience and SEO tools of Medium, your content has the potential to reach a wider audience.

Is Blogging on Medium Worth It?

Whether blogging on Medium is worth it depends on your blogging goals and what you hope to achieve through your writing.

Potential benefits of blogging on Medium

  • Built-in audience: Medium has a large user base, so your posts (stories) may be seen by a wider audience than if you were to start your own blog from scratch.
  • Easy to use and navigate: Medium’s user-friendly interface makes it easy to publish posts or stories( as Medium calls it), format them, and add images.
  • Potential earnings: Medium offers a Partner Program that allows writers on Medium to earn money based on engagement with their posts.

Potential drawbacks of blogging on Medium

  • Lack of control: Because Medium owns the platform, you are subject to their terms and conditions, and they could change their policies at any time.
  • Limited branding opportunities: Because Medium is a platform that is used by many writers, it can be difficult to build a distinct brand.
  • Limited monetization opportunities: While the Medium Partner Program can be a source of income, it may not be as lucrative as other forms of blog monetization, such as running ads on your own website.

So, if you want to reach a wider audience fast, Medium could be a good platform to use.

However, if you want more control over your content and branding, or if you want to explore other forms of monetization, you may want to consider starting your own blog.

Medium Blog vs Self-hosted Blog

Both Medium and self-hosted WordPress are popular platforms for blogging. But they have some key differences that you should consider before choosing one.

Medium as a Blogging Platform

Medium is a popular free blogging platform.

Anyone can publish blog posts, also known as Medium stories, without worrying about the technical aspects of setting up and managing a website.

It has a simple and user-friendly interface and provides a built-in audience that can help you get your writing in front of more readers.

However, Medium does have some limitations when it comes to customization and control over your content. For example, you don’t have full control over your blog’s design, and you can’t install plugins or third-party tools to extend its functionality.

Self-hosted WordPress as a Blogging Platform

Self-hosted WordPress is a CMS that you can install on your own web hosting server. It gives you complete control over your blog’s design, functionality, and content, as well as the ability to customize your website as you wish using plugins and themes.

In short, by setting up a self-hosted WordPress blog, you can own your blog.

It’s like having your own website as the foundation of your blog.

While you can own everything, the process can be a little more complicated than using Medium, and you’ll need to manage things like backups, security, and updates yourself. Well, while it may sound difficult, it’s not, here’s a complete step-by-step guide.

In short, you’ll need to select a WordPress hosting provider, buy a domain name for your blog site, install WordPress on hosting, and configure the basic settings.

Comparison Table for Medium vs WordPress Blog

FeatureMediumSelf-hosted WordPress
Ease of useEasy to use, user-friendlyMore technical, requires some technical skills to set up and manage
Design CustomizationLimited customization optionsComplete control over design, can use themes and customize with HTML and CSS
Plugin supportNo plugin supportSupports plugins to extend the functionality
Monetization optionsLimited monetization optionsMore monetization options, can use ads, affiliate marketing, etc.
Content OwnershipMedium owns the contentYou own the content
CostFree to useRequires web hosting and domain name, cost varies from $50/yr to $500+/mo
Audience reachBuilt-in audience, can help you reach more readersRelies on SEO, content marketing, and social media to reach readers

So, if you’re looking for a simple and hassle-free way to share your writing and reach a wider audience, Medium may be the best choice for you. But, if you want full control over your blog and are willing to build a sustainable business online, choose WordPress.

Who is Medium Blogging Good for?

Medium is a versatile platform that can benefit anyone looking to share their ideas, knowledge, and insights with a wider audience, regardless of their intention to earn money from the Medium Partner Program.

While it’s a profitable business model such as blogging on your own website, writers with great writing skills can earn a few hundred dollars per month on medium.

Keep in mind that only 6-7% of Medium writers earn any decent income. The vast majority of writers on Medium don’t earn any significant income from the program. So, if making money is your primary purpose, it’s a smart choice to start a blog of your own.

Simply, choose a domain and hosting, install WordPress, and start blogging.

That being said, Medium is for people who are passionate about writing.

Getting paid for their writing skills is an additional bonus. So, if you are truly interested in starting a blog on Medium, follow the step-by-step guide below.

Create a Medium Account

First, go to the Medium website. Once on the Medium homepage, click on the “Get started” button located in the top right corner of the page.

Get Started with Medium

Next, you’ll be prompted to sign up with Google, Facebook, or an email address. Choose the option that works best for you and enter the necessary information.

If you opt to sign in with Facebook or Google, you will need to provide your email address, name, and desired username, which will be the URL for your profile.

After signing up, you will receive an email from Medium to verify your account. Simply follow the steps in the email to verify your account. Medium will then ask you to select your interests and recommend a few top people and publications to follow.

Keep in mind that the recommendations may vary based on your interests. Once you have made your selections, you will be taken to the homepage.

Congratulations! You’ve just created your Medium account.

Complete Your Medium Profile

Completing your Medium profile can help you build credibility and trust with your potential readers. When people come across your articles or stories, they’ll be curious about who you are and what expertise you have on the topic you’re writing about. Your profile can provide that information. People will more likely take your writing seriously.

Here’s Why You Need to Complete Your Profile:

  • Credibility and trust (build authority)
  • More visibility and exposure
  • Establishes your expertise on the topic
  • Increased readership and followers
  • Better Potential for monetization
  • Differentiate from hobby bloggers

Step 1: Add a Profile Picture

Your profile picture is the first thing that people will see when they visit your Medium profile. Therefore, it’s essential to choose an image that represents you and your brand accurately. Whether it’s a professional headshot or a casual snapshot, make sure the photo is high-quality and clearly shows your face. A profile picture is an opportunity to create a personal connection with your readers, so choose wisely.

Understand that your profile picture should ideally feature your face, as this will make it easier for people to recognize you across various writing and networking platforms.

In fact, I recommend using the same profile picture across all networks.

It can help you build a strong personal brand and increase your visibility online. Of course, there are many other long-term content marketing strategies you can explore once you’ve got your profile picture set up correctly – but we’ll save those for another time!

Step 2: Write an Attractive Bio

Medium only allows 160 characters for the bio, so you must be concise and creative. Your bio should convey your expertise, interests, and the value you bring.

Think of it as a mini-pitch that tells people who you are and what you write about. Your bio should be compelling enough to make people want to read your work.

Here are some great examples of Medium bios

  • “Writer, editor, and lover of all things creative. Passionate about exploring the intersection of culture, identity, and technology.”
  • “Life-long learner and lover of stories. Writing about personal development, creativity, and the pursuit of a meaningful life.”
  • “Entrepreneur, marketer, and storyteller. Helping businesses grow through digital marketing and compelling storytelling.”
  • “Aspiring writer, poet, and dreamer. Sharing my journey and reflections on life, love, and the pursuit of happiness.”
  • “Researcher, educator, and advocate for social justice. Writing about the intersection of race, gender, and education.”

Remember, your bio should be concise and creative.

But, It should also be accurate and reflective of your expertise. It’s an opportunity to make a first impression on your readers, so take the time to craft a bio that effectively communicates who you are and what you write about.

Medium also allows you to redirect your profile URL to your own custom domain. But, in order to do that, you’ll need to upgrade your Medium account.

Step 3: Design Your Medium Profile

Designing your Medium profile that stands out is an essential step towards establishing a professional online presence. The design of your profile is the first impression that users will get when they read your posts or visit your profile.

So, it’s important to get it right.

Here are some tips to design a Medium profile that stands out:

First and foremost, click on “Design Your Profile” option.

You’ll find it after clicking on the three dots to the right of your profile name.

Design your Medium profile

It will take you to a menu where you can start designing your Medium profile. Among the design and editing options are colors, fonts, header, and blogroll.

When choosing colors, select a background color that aligns with your brand and select an accent or header color that stands out. Remember that color can create a certain mood and plays a significant role in the psychological aspect of your profile design.

Selecting the right fonts is also crucial for readability and user experience. Use Sans-Serif 1 font as it is the easiest to read and one of the best fonts for blogs.

The header section is where you will add your professional Medium profile cover image. Use an image with a dimension of 1925 x 300 in the PNG format.

Be creative and ensure the image position is aligned in a central position. This is crucial when it comes to profile display on mobile devices.

Under the “Blogroll” option, make sure that it is checked. It will allow writers who have most recently published posts to show up at the top of your feed.

Once you have designed your profile, pay attention to how it displays over all devices by clicking on the three little icons at the top to preview how your profile will appear on the desktop, tablet, and mobile devices. Ensure that any text with image design is concentrated at the center of the image to maintain visibility across all devices.

Completing your Medium profile is essential in building your blog on Medium. So, don’t take it lightly. Your profile needs to stand out and leave a lasting impression on your audience. Remember that your Medium profile is an extension of your personal brand, so take the time to design it thoughtfully and intentionally.

Choose Topics to Write on Medium

If you’re just starting out on Medium and wondering what to write about, the key is to not focus on what’s trending or popular. Instead, write about what you’re passionate about. Medium readers care about the “why” and “how” of a topic, and writing about what you love allows you to answer those questions effectively.

To be frank, there’s no shortage of topics on Medium, with everything from politics and science to lifestyle and entrepreneurship.

There are many good topics to choose from when writing on Medium, and the possibilities are virtually endless. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Some Ideas to Write on Medium

  • Personal stories or experiences: Writing about your own experiences can be a powerful way to connect with readers and share valuable insights.
  • How-to guides: Sharing your knowledge and expertise on a particular subject can be a great way to provide value to your readers and establish your authority.
  • Opinion pieces: You can express your thoughts and opinions on a particular topic. It can be a great way to start conversations and engage with other members.
  • Book reviews: If you love to read, writing reviews of your favorite books can be a great way to share your enthusiasm with others.
  • Travel stories: Whether you’re sharing your own adventures or providing tips and advice for others, writing about travel can be a fun and engaging topic.

The most important thing is to choose a topic that you’re passionate about and that will resonate with your readers. So, you can browse through the list of available topics on Medium and decide what speaks to you and aligns with your interests and expertise.

It’s important to remember that writing about a topic you truly care about will make the writing process more enjoyable and will also help you to create content that engages and inspires your readers. Don’t be afraid to dig deep into a subject that you feel strongly about, as this can often lead to some of the most impactful and memorable writing.

Look for Topics with High Engagement

In addition, you can look for topics with a high engagement rate on social media platforms, forums, or other online platforms to get an idea of what people are currently interested in and what kinds of content are resonating with them.

Additionally, consider conducting keyword research to identify popular search terms and topics in your niche, which can help you to target your writing and make it more discoverable to potential readers. Ultimately, the key is to choose a topic that you are not only passionate about, but that also has an audience that is interested in reading about it.

There are many free or premium keyword research tools that can be used to find keywords or topics that people are searching for. Some popular options include:

  • Google Keyword Planner: This is a free tool offered by Google that provides data on search volume, competition, and suggested bids for keywords.
  • SEMrush: SEMrush is a paid tool that offers keyword research, as well as other SEO features such as backlink analysis and competitor research.
  • Ahrefs: Ahrefs is another popular paid tool that provides keyword research, as well as other SEO features such as content analysis and rank tracking.
  • Moz Keyword Explorer: Moz is a paid tool that offers keyword research, as well as other SEO features such as site auditing and link analysis.
  • Answer The Public: This is a free tool that provides keyword suggestions in the form of questions that people are searching for on the internet.
  • Google Trends: This is a free tool from Google that allows you to see the popularity of a keyword over time and compare it to other keywords.

All of these tools can help you to identify popular keywords and trending topics in your niche, which can be useful for creating content that performs well on Medium.

Select Topics with a Potential Audience

Choosing topics with a potential audience is particularly important for a Medium blog because Medium is a platform that is designed to help writers and creators reach a wider audience. When you publish on Medium, your content is exposed to a large and diverse audience of readers who are interested in a wide range of topics.

By choosing topics with a potential audience, you can increase the likelihood that your Medium blog will be discovered by readers who are interested in your content. This can help you attract more followers, get more claps (which are a form of social validation on the platform), and potentially earn money through Medium’s partner program, which pays writers based on the engagement their content receives.

Furthermore, because Medium has a built-in algorithm that suggests content to readers based on their interests and reading history, writing about topics with a potential audience can help you get featured in Medium’s recommended reading lists.

In short, choosing topics with a potential audience is essential for a Medium blog because it can help you attract readers, increase engagement, and potentially earn money through the platform’s partner program or through affiliate links in your blog posts.

Write Blog Posts or Stories on Medium

Writing blog posts essentially means creating stories on Medium. The individual blog posts or articles on Medium that users publish are known as Medium Stories.

So, writing a blog post on Medium means creating a story.

Create a Story on Medium

Once you’re logged in, you’ll see the Medium dashboard. Click on your profile picture and navigate to the “Stories” page. Now, click on the “Write a Story” button located in the top corner of the page. This will open the Medium editor.


Write a story on Medium

The Medium editor allows users to add images, videos, and other multimedia to their stories, which can help break up the text and make the story more engaging.

Write a Compelling Headline

Start by writing a compelling headline that will grab the reader’s attention and make them want to click on your post and read. Here are some examples:

  • The Ultimate Guide to Starting a Successful Blog on Medium
  • 10 Surprising Benefits of Using Medium as Your Blogging Platform
  • How to Use Medium to Grow Your Personal Brand and Boost Your Career
  • The Power of Medium Publications: How to Get Your Writing Noticed
  • Why Medium is the Best Platform for Writers and Content Creators
  • The Top 10 Medium Writing Tips from Successful Medium Writers
  • From Zero to Medium Hero: How to Build an Engaged Following on Medium
  • How to Make Money Writing on Medium: The Ultimate Guide
  • How to Optimize Your Medium Stories for Search Engines

You get the point, right? That’s how you craft an interesting headline for your Medium stories and capture your reader’s attention from the get-go.

Remember, your headline is the first thing your potential readers will see, so make it clear, concise, and intriguing. Use strong verbs, numbers, and powerful words to create a sense of urgency and curiosity. And, don’t forget to keep your target audience in mind and use relevant keywords for SEO purposes. With a compelling headline, you’ll be able to attract more readers and drive more traffic to your Medium stories.

Create an Engaging Introduction

Create an engaging introduction that will keep the reader interested and wanting to keep reading. It’s important to hook the reader in the first few sentences.

The introduction can be a question, a personal anecdote, a startling fact or statistic, or a bold statement that captures the essence of your story.

You can also use humor, suspense, or emotion to create a connection with your reader and make them feel invested in your story. The key is to set the tone and the context for your story and to give your reader a reason to keep reading.

Remember, your introduction should be concise, clear, and compelling, and it should lead naturally into the rest of your story. With a strong introduction, you’ll be able to engage your reader and keep them hooked throughout your Medium story.

Write Informative and Well-structured Content

Make sure to write informative and well-structured content.

It should also provide value to the reader. I personally recommend using the inverted pyramid style of writing, where you start with the most important information and then gradually move on to the less important details. This helps to keep your reader engaged and ensures that they get the key takeaways from your story, even if they don’t read the entire thing.

You can also use subheadings, bullet points, and short paragraphs to break up your content and make it more readable. And don’t forget to use examples, case studies, and research to back up your claims and provide additional value to your reader.

With informative and well-structured content, you’ll be able to establish yourself as a credible and trustworthy Medium writer and build a loyal following of readers.

Medium provides all sorts of formatting options that

Use Images, Videos, and Other Multimedia

To enhance your post, use images, videos, and other multimedia. This will help break up the content and make it more visually appealing to the reader. Plus, it can help with search engine optimization (SEO) and make your post more shareable on social media.

SEO Settings for Medium Stories

Once you are done writing your post, you can SEO optimize your Medium post by clicking on the 3 dots sign on the top right side of the screen. It will take you to the “Story Settings” page and then move to the “SEO Settings” section.

Here you can customize your post’s meta title, and description, and add topics (up to 5) so readers know what your story is about.

Make sure to include relevant keywords in your title and description, and keep them concise and compelling. You can also add a Canonical Link to your story from here. Simply, navigate to the “Advanced Settings” option to change your canonical link.

Finally, you can use tools like Google Keyword Planner or SEMrush to research relevant keywords and optimize your post for search engine rankings.

With SEO-optimized content, you’ll be able to drive more traffic to your Medium post and increase your visibility as a content creator.

Medium Content Promotion

When you publish a post on Medium, it is automatically distributed to your followers, as well as through Medium’s algorithms that recommend relevant content to readers. So, if your post is high-quality, useful, and informative, it has the potential to gain organic reach and attract more readers to your stories and your profile.

You can also promote your Medium content through social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn. By sharing your Medium posts on these platforms, you can attract more readers to your content and increase your visibility as a content creator.

Utilize Medium Curation

As a new blogger on Medium, you should focus on getting your stories curated by Medium curators and reaching a wider audience.

Medium curation is a process in which Medium curators select and feature high-quality content on the platform’s homepage and in topic-specific publications.

The purpose of curation is to showcase the best content on Medium and help readers discover new and interesting stories.

The curation process involves Medium curators manually reviewing and selecting posts based on several criteria, including:

  • Quality of writing: Posts that are well-written, informative, and engaging.
  • Relevance to the topic: Posts that are relevant to a particular topic or theme are more likely to be curated for that topic’s publication.
  • Engagement: Posts that have high levels of reader engagement, such as comments and recommendations, are more likely to be curated.
  • Originality: Posts that offer a unique perspective or take on a topic.

Once a post is curated, it will be featured on the Medium homepage, in topic-specific publications, and in email digests sent to Medium users who have expressed interest in that topic. This can lead to increased visibility and traffic for the author and their post.

There is no set formula for getting curated. However, by focusing on writing high-quality, engaging content that is relevant to a particular topic, writers can increase their chances of being curated and reaching a wider audience on Medium.

SEO and Email Marketing

Aside from Medium curation, you can optimize your Medium posts for search engines by using relevant keywords and phrases in your headlines, subheadings, and throughout your post. This can help your posts to rank higher in search engines.

As a result, your Medium posts will attract organic traffic.

If you have an email list, you can promote your Medium posts to your subscribers by including links to your latest posts in your email newsletters.

Email marketing tools like GetResponse, Moosend, or Constant Contact make it easy to manage your email list and send out newsletters to your subscribers.

By leveraging the power of email marketing, you can increase the visibility of your Medium posts and drive more traffic to your blog. It’s a great way to build your audience and establish yourself as an authority in your niche. Just make sure to provide value to your subscribers with each email and avoid spamming them with too many promotional messages.

Monetize Your Medium Content

Finally, it’s time to see how to monetize your Medium content.

The first thing to consider is the Medium Partner Program.

Medium Partner Program

It is a revenue-sharing program offered by Medium to eligible writers who want to earn money from their content. Through the program, Medium pays writers based on the engagement of their articles with Medium members, as measured by member reading time. The more engagement your articles get, the more money you can earn.

Eligibility Criteria for the Medium Partner Program

  • You must publish at least one story to apply to the Partner Program.
  • You need to have at least 100 followers to apply.
  • You should publish at least once every six months to keep earning.
  • You must reside in a country where Stripe, Medium’s payment processor, is available.
  • Your account must not be in violation of Medium’s rules or policies.

The average earnings per month for writers in the Partner Program is around $100. However, some writers earn significantly more, with top earners reportedly making thousands of dollars per month. So, as a new blogger on Medium, you must give it a try.

Well, there is another way to make money from a blog on Medium.

Earn Commissions through Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is simply the process of earning a commission by promoting another company’s products or services to your audience or network. It typically involves sharing a unique affiliate link or code, which allows the company to track sales generated from your referrals and pay you a percentage of the revenue earned.

Affiliate marketing can be a great way to monetize a blog on Medium.

You can include affiliate links within your Medium stories and get paid when any of your readers make a purchase through your link.

Additionally, it’s important to choose affiliate programs and products that align with your niche and provide value to your readers, rather than simply promoting any product for the sake of earning a commission. With a strategic approach, affiliate marketing on Medium can be a lucrative revenue stream for bloggers.


Read – Learn How to Make Money with Affiliate Marketing


Drive Traffic Back to Your Own Blog

If you are running a blog, you can use Medium as a platform to promote your own blog. Put ads on your blog and indirectly drive traffic to your blog.

You can easily include links to your blog in your Medium stories.

By creating high-quality content that resonates with Medium’s audience and including relevant links to your blog within that content, you can attract new readers to your blog and potentially increase your blog’s revenue from ads or other strategies.

Additionally, by engaging with Medium’s community and building relationships, you may be able to increase your visibility and reach a wider audience for your blog. It can improve your potential of earning more from your blog.

Final Words and Thoughts

You’ve made it to the end of this blog post. By now, you should have a good idea of what Medium is and how you can use this platform to start a successful blog.

As a Medium writer, you have access to a powerful platform with a built-in audience of millions of users. One of the benefits of blogging on Medium is the social media-like features that allow you to connect with your readers and build a following.

Finally, if you decide that Medium isn’t the right blogging platform for you, consider creating a self-hosted WordPress blog instead. WordPress is the most popular blogging platform in the world and offers a wide range of features and customization options that can help you create a blog that truly stands out from the crowd.

Well, by following the tips and ideas mentioned in this blog post, you can create a blog on Medium and grow your following on this platform.

Don’t forget to share this article with others who may find it helpful.

Remember, writing is an art, and the platform is just a means to showcase your creativity. So, start writing today and let the world hear your story!

Tamal Kr. Chandra

I am Tamal, a passionate blogger and the creative mind behind Digital Millions. From blogging and affiliate marketing to e-commerce and SEO, I write easy-to-follow guides and give honest advice about the best tools to build a business online and get financially free.