The Medium’s Writer FAQs Moment!
Debunking myths about @Medium and sharing key information to help you as a writer achieve the best out of the platform.
This post is an archive of a JFF thread I wrote on X fka Twitter.
Question 1: My readers can only access 3 of my “Member-only” articles per month. Should I stop writing?
Answer: Non-members on Medium are restricted to reading up to 3 “Member-only” articles per month. However, articles that are not designated as “Member-only” are available to everyone hence if you’re not a member and with not to summon the Medium’s paywall alerts, skip stories marked ‘Member-only post’. If you’re a writer, to maximize your reach, consider making some of your content accessible to all readers.
Question 2: How can I access all articles without limitations?
Answer: Simple! To enjoy unlimited access to all articles, including those behind the “Member-only” paywall, you need to become a Medium member. Membership grants you unrestricted entry to both exclusive content and non-member articles.
Question 3: What type of paywall does Medium use, and how does it affect me?
Answer: Medium employs a soft paywall model. Non-members can access a limited number of “Member-only” articles each month, while non-member-only content remains freely accessible. Medium uses this model to balance content accessibility with the sustainability of the platform.
Question 4: Why do some writers stop publishing on Medium, and how can I avoid this?
Many writers feel discouraged by the lack of understanding about the paywall restrictions and lack of readership on what they write.
> The inability to monetize content due to country restrictions(partner Program) also discourages some of the writers on the platform.
If your sole purpose is sharing knowledge while earning and you’re in an area not supported by Medium’s partner program, the best thing to consider is diversifying your content and exploring other monetization avenues.
> Or use the tip feature available on the profile’s Settings → Publishing Section (e.g use a link from Buy Me a Coffee by @buymeacoffee)
Question 5: How can writers increase the visibility of their content, and what can readers do to discover more articles?
Answer: Engage with the community, network with other writers, and actively promote your work. Sometimes, it’s not about the content quality but about visibility and engagement, hence share those links and utilize post tags which will make it easier for readers to discover your writings.
Question 6: How does Medium’s algorithm affect the visibility of your article?
Medium’s algorithm prioritizes articles in the platform based on engagement (I know that doesn’t sound right for new writers or those with smaller followings), hence writing engaging content and promoting it on e.g., social media with relevant tags is very crucial for achieving a higher visibility.
Having answered those questions, I believe now your key drive, whether you’re a new writer or a seasoned one, should be a passion for storytelling and sharing knowledge. The medium writing platform should be seen as a platform to express your unique voice and reach a diverse audience, and the intrinsic rewards of impacting your readers should always come before thoughts of any monetary gain. But if your sole purpose is earning a living out of your writings, and you’re not in a territory not supported by the Medium Partner Program, consider doing a quick search for alternative means that will fulfil your goal, like for example doing video content of your writings or product informations and link them to your articles by farming engagement done in an ethical and good way leading to a win-win situation.
