Is Medium.com Worth It for Freelance Writers?
If you’re a freelance writer, chances are you’ve heard about Medium.com. It’s a platform where anyone can publish their writing and potentially make money.
But is Medium worth your time and effort? Like anything in the freelance world, it’s not a one-size-fits-all answer. Let’s dig into the pros and cons to help you decide if Medium is the right fit for your writing journey.
The Pros of Writing on Medium
1. Easy to Use and Accessible
Medium is ridiculously user-friendly. Setting up an account takes just a few minutes, and you can start publishing right away. The editor is intuitive, distraction-free, and gives your content a polished, professional look.
This simplicity makes it an excellent option for writers who want to focus on creating rather than fiddling with website design or SEO settings. You don’t need any technical expertise or coding knowledge, which can be a major advantage for those who find platforms like WordPress overwhelming.
Additionally, Medium’s clean interface ensures that readers focus solely on your content without unnecessary distractions.
2. Built-in Audience
Unlike starting a personal blog, Medium provides access to a built-in audience. With over 60 million monthly readers, the platform’s ecosystem offers the chance for your work to be discovered by people who wouldn’t otherwise stumble across your content.
The platform’s algorithm curates content for readers based on their interests, meaning that your articles have the potential to reach a targeted and engaged audience. This is especially beneficial for writers who don’t have an established following elsewhere.
Plus, Medium’s tagging system allows your articles to appear in relevant topic feeds, increasing the likelihood of discovery.
3. The Medium Partner Program (MPP)
Medium’s Partner Program allows writers to earn money based on member reading time. In theory, this means that the more engaging your content is, the more you can earn.
While payouts can vary, some writers report making hundreds—even thousands—of dollars monthly through the program. The program is particularly attractive because there’s no upfront cost or subscription fee to join.
However, success in the Partner Program often depends on consistent publishing and building a loyal readership, which may take time. Writers who excel at storytelling or creating in-depth guides tend to perform well financially under this model.
4. Great for Building Your Portfolio
If you’re just starting as a freelance writer, Medium can be a solid way to build a portfolio. The platform’s polished design makes your articles look professional, and sharing links with potential clients is a breeze. Plus, being published on Medium can add a layer of credibility to your work.
Having your articles available on a respected platform can be a conversation starter with clients and might even help you land gigs. It’s also a great space to experiment with different writing styles and topics to see what resonates with your audience.
5. Networking Opportunities
Medium’s community includes writers, editors, and publishers from diverse backgrounds. Engaging with other writers by commenting on their work or collaborating on publications can help expand your network and lead to new opportunities.
Medium publications, which function like online magazines, often accept guest submissions, providing a chance to get your work in front of even larger audiences. By actively participating in the community, you can build relationships that might lead to collaborations, mentorship, or job offers.
Networking on Medium can also be a less intimidating way to connect with professionals compared to cold outreach on platforms like LinkedIn.
6. Focus on Writing, Not Marketing
If you’re not a fan of social media marketing or SEO, Medium might feel like a breath of fresh air. While promoting your work can still help, the platform’s algorithm and curation features allow your content to gain traction even without heavy promotion.
This means you can focus on honing your craft instead of spending hours trying to decipher Google’s latest SEO update.
For writers who prefer to let their words speak for themselves, Medium’s emphasis on quality content over keyword stuffing can be incredibly liberating.
The Cons of Writing on Medium
1. Unpredictable Earnings
One of the biggest criticisms of Medium is its unpredictable payout structure. Earnings are tied to how much time paying members spend reading your work, which can vary widely depending on your niche, followers, and the platform’s ever-changing algorithm.
Some writers only make a few cents per article, especially when starting out. This inconsistency can be frustrating for those looking for a steady income.
While some writers do manage to earn significant amounts, it often requires a combination of high-quality content, regular publishing, and an engaged audience.
2. Highly Competitive Environment
With millions of writers on the platform, standing out on Medium isn’t easy. While the built-in audience is a plus, it’s also a crowded space where it can be challenging to gain visibility, especially if you’re writing in popular niches like self-help or productivity.
The competition means that even well-written articles can sometimes go unnoticed. Writers need to consistently produce engaging content and experiment with headlines, formatting, and topics to capture readers’ attention.
This competitive nature might discourage those who are new or lack confidence in their writing.
3. Lack of Ownership
When you publish on Medium, you don’t own the platform or control how it operates. If Medium changes its policies or disappears one day, your content—and any revenue streams tied to it—could be at risk.
For writers looking to build a long-term brand, this lack of control can be a drawback. Additionally, Medium’s terms of service grant the platform certain rights to your content, which may not sit well with writers who value full creative ownership.
If building a self-hosted blog or website is part of your plan, relying solely on Medium might not be the best strategy.
4. Limited Creative Freedom
Medium’s audience and algorithm favor certain types of content, often leaning toward listicles, how-to guides, and personal development stories. If your writing style or topics don’t align with what performs well on the platform, you might struggle to find an audience.
This pressure to conform to trending topics can stifle creativity, making it harder to write about niche subjects or experiment with unconventional formats. Writers who prefer to push boundaries may feel constrained by the platform’s preferences and reader expectations.
5. Paywall Restrictions
Most Medium articles are behind a paywall, which means non-subscribers can only read a limited number of stories each month. This can limit your reach, especially if your target audience isn’t already on Medium.
While the paywall helps generate revenue for writers in the Partner Program, it can also be a barrier to entry for readers who aren’t willing to pay for a subscription. Writers who value widespread accessibility or rely on ad revenue may find this model restrictive.
6. Dependency on the Algorithm
Like most platforms, Medium uses an algorithm to decide which articles get promoted. While this can work in your favor, it also means your success is largely out of your hands. A small tweak to the algorithm could result in a significant drop in views and earnings.
Writers who depend solely on Medium may find themselves at the mercy of these changes, which can be stressful and demotivating. Diversifying your writing platforms can help mitigate this risk, but it requires extra effort.
When Medium Makes Sense
Medium is an excellent option if:
- You’re a beginner looking for an easy way to start publishing and building a portfolio. It’s a low-risk environment to test your skills and gain confidence as a writer.
- You enjoy writing about topics that perform well on the platform, such as personal development, tech, or storytelling. These niches tend to attract loyal readers on Medium.
- You’re okay with treating Medium as a supplementary income source rather than a primary one. It’s a good side hustle but may not replace a full-time income.
- You want to test the waters and see how your writing resonates with a larger audience. Medium’s feedback mechanisms, like claps and comments, can provide valuable insights.
When to Think Twice About Medium
You might want to look elsewhere if:
- You’re looking for a stable, predictable income. The platform’s earnings model isn’t ideal for those who need financial consistency.
- You want full control over your content and brand. Building a self-hosted blog or website offers more independence and long-term security.
- Your niche doesn’t align with what typically performs well on Medium. If your audience isn’t already on the platform, gaining traction can be tough.
- You’re averse to competing in a crowded marketplace. Medium’s large user base means you’ll need to put in extra effort to stand out.
Final Verdict: Is Medium Worth It?
The answer depends on your goals as a freelance writer. For beginners, Medium offers a low-barrier entry point and the potential for exposure and income. However, seasoned freelancers looking for consistent earnings or more control over their content may find Medium limiting.
If you decide to give it a shot, approach Medium strategically. Publish consistently, engage with the community, and experiment to see what works for your audience. At the same time, consider diversifying your writing efforts by maintaining a personal blog, pitching to publications, or exploring other freelance opportunities.
In the end, Medium is a tool—and like any tool, its effectiveness depends on how you use it. So, is Medium worth it? The decision is yours, but now you’re equipped with the insights to make it wisely.
