Are you curious about how much it costs to blog on Medium? As avid Medium users, we were also curious about this topic. After doing some research, we found that the cost of blogging on Medium is quite reasonable. In fact, it’s free to create a Medium account and start publishing your own content.
However, if you want to access all of Medium’s features, you can choose to become a member. Medium membership costs $5 per month or $50 per year, and it gives you unlimited access to all of Medium’s content. As a member, you can also support your favorite writers by clapping for their articles and leaving comments.
Overall, the cost of blogging on Medium is quite affordable, especially considering the platform’s popularity and the opportunity to reach a large audience. Whether you choose to use Medium for free or become a member, it’s a great platform to share your thoughts and ideas with the world.
Understanding Medium’s Monetization Model
Medium has a unique monetization model that allows writers to earn money from their content. As a writer on Medium, we have the opportunity to earn money through the Medium Partner Program.
The Medium Partner Program is an umbrella program that allows creators to get paid for their work. Once we join the program, we can begin earning money in two ways. The first way is through Medium’s Clap system. Readers can clap for our stories, and each clap counts as a small payment towards our earnings. The second way is through Medium’s membership program. Readers can become members of Medium for $5 per month and have access to exclusive content. As a writer, we can earn a portion of the membership fee when members read our stories.
Medium calculates earnings based on two components: the number of claps received and the number of reads from Medium members. Medium’s payment model is constantly evolving, so it’s important to keep up-to-date with the latest changes.
In addition to the Partner Program, Medium also offers writers the ability to earn money through the Medium Partner Program Bonus. This bonus is awarded to writers who have consistently published high-quality content and have built a following on Medium.
Overall, Medium’s monetization model provides writers with a unique opportunity to earn money from their content. By understanding how the Partner Program works, we can take advantage of this opportunity and potentially earn a significant amount of money from our writing.
Cost of Starting a Blog on Medium
Starting a blog on Medium is relatively affordable. There are two types of fees that you should consider: Membership fees and Publication fees.
Membership Fees
Medium offers a membership program that allows you to read unlimited articles and access exclusive content. As a blogger, you can also become a member to get additional benefits such as:
- Eligibility for the Partner Program that allows you to earn money from your writing
- Access to exclusive writing tools and resources
- Ability to create your own publication and add other writers to it
The membership fee is $5 per month or $50 per year. However, if you are just starting out, you can sign up for a free trial to test out the platform and see if it is right for you.
Publication Fees
If you want to create a publication on Medium, there are no upfront costs. However, there are some fees that you may incur:
- Custom domain: If you want to use your own domain name for your publication, you will need to purchase it separately. The cost of a domain name varies depending on the provider, but typically ranges from $10 to $20 per year.
- Custom logo: If you want a custom logo for your publication, you may need to hire a designer. The cost of a logo design varies depending on the designer, but typically ranges from $50 to $500.
- Editing and proofreading: If you want to ensure the quality of your content, you may need to hire an editor or proofreader. The cost of editing and proofreading varies depending on the provider, but typically ranges from $0.02 to $0.10 per word.
Overall, the cost of starting a blog on Medium is relatively low compared to other platforms. With a membership fee of $5 per month and no upfront costs for creating a publication, it is a great option for bloggers who are just starting out or looking for a new platform to publish their content.
Potential Earnings on Medium
If you’re considering blogging on Medium, you’re likely wondering what kind of earnings you can expect. While there’s no guaranteed income, there are several ways to earn money from your writing on Medium.
Partner Program Earnings
One of the primary ways to earn money on Medium is through the Partner Program. As of September 2020, Medium pays out 50% of their subscription revenue to writers based on engagement from Medium members. This means that the more engaged members are with your content, the more money you can earn.
According to Blogging Guide, the highest amount earned for a single story as of January 2019 was $4,290.43, while the highest amount earned by a single author was $8,390.033. However, as of September 2020, the highest amount earned for a single story was $16,685.50, and the highest amount earned by a single author was $49,705.40. These figures suggest that the earning potential on Medium has increased over time.
Claps and Their Impact
Another way to earn money on Medium is through claps. Claps are a way for readers to show their appreciation for your content. The more claps your story receives, the more likely it is to be recommended to other readers on Medium, which can increase your earnings.
However, it’s important to note that claps don’t directly translate to earnings. While claps can increase your visibility on the platform, your earnings are primarily based on engagement from Medium members. Additionally, Medium has made changes to the way claps are calculated, which can impact your earnings. As of September 2020, Medium calculates earnings based on a combination of claps and reading time, which means that longer stories have the potential to earn more money.
Overall, while there’s no guarantee of earnings on Medium, there are several ways to potentially earn money from your writing. By focusing on engagement from Medium members and optimizing your content for the platform, you can increase your chances of earning money through the Partner Program and claps.
Comparing Costs: Medium vs Self-Hosting
When it comes to blogging, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make is where to host your blog. You can either use a platform like Medium or self-host your blog. Here, we’ll compare the costs of using Medium versus self-hosting.
Hosting Costs
Medium is free to use for writers. You can create an account and start publishing your content right away. However, if you want to use some of the more advanced features, like the ability to add your own custom domain name, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid membership. Medium’s membership costs $5 per month or $50 per year.
On the other hand, self-hosting your blog means you’ll need to pay for web hosting. The cost of web hosting can vary depending on the provider and the plan you choose. For example, Bluehost offers hosting plans starting at $2.75 per month, while SiteGround’s plans start at $6.99 per month. Keep in mind that you’ll also need to pay for a domain name, which typically costs around $10 to $15 per year.
Maintenance Costs
When you use Medium, you don’t need to worry about maintaining your website. Medium takes care of all the technical aspects of running a website, including security, updates, and backups. This means you can focus on creating content instead of worrying about the technical details.
However, when you self-host your blog, you’ll need to take care of all the maintenance yourself. This includes installing updates, backing up your website, and ensuring your website is secure. If you’re not comfortable with technical tasks, you may need to hire a developer or pay for a maintenance service, which can add to your costs.
Overall, the cost of blogging on Medium versus self-hosting will depend on your specific needs and budget. If you’re just starting out and want a simple, hassle-free platform, Medium may be the way to go. However, if you want more control over your website and are comfortable with technical tasks, self-hosting may be a better option.
Other Costs to Consider
When it comes to blogging on Medium, there are some other costs to consider besides the basic expenses we discussed earlier. These costs are related to the time and effort you put into creating and promoting your content.
Time Investment
Blogging on Medium requires a significant time investment. You need to spend time researching topics, writing high-quality articles, and promoting your content on social media. Depending on how often you publish, this can take up a considerable amount of your time.
Content Creation Costs
Creating high-quality content also comes with a cost. You may need to invest in tools such as grammar checkers, image editors, and content planning software. Additionally, you may need to hire a freelance writer or editor to help you create content if you don’t have the time or expertise to do it yourself.
Overall, while the basic costs of blogging on Medium are relatively low, the time and effort you put into creating and promoting your content can add up quickly. It’s important to consider these costs before starting your blog to ensure that you can commit the necessary resources to make it a success.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Medium is a great platform for bloggers who want to reach a wider audience and share their thoughts and ideas. It offers a free option that comes with many features, including the ability to publish unlimited articles, join publications, and engage with readers.
For those who want to support the platform and gain access to additional features, such as audio versions of articles and curated content, the Medium membership is a great option. At $5 per month, it is an affordable way to get more out of the platform and support the writers who contribute to it.
Overall, the cost of blogging on Medium is very reasonable, especially when compared to other platforms that charge fees or require users to pay for hosting and other services. With its user-friendly interface, supportive community, and wide range of features, Medium is an excellent choice for bloggers who want to share their ideas with the world.