Step-by-Step Guide to Starting a Medium Blog and Getting Paid

What is Medium & How It Works

Medium is an online writing and blogging platform founded in 2012. Writers—anyone from students to professionals—can publish articles, stories, essays, guides, or opinion pieces. Readers can discover those articles via tags, recommendations, collections.

How Medium’s Platform Works

• Reading & Discovery: Medium has algorithms, tags, curators to help articles reach readers. Your article may be recommended to people interested in your topic.

• Followers & Claps: Readers can follow your profile, and give “claps” (similar to likes) to articles they like. More claps help visibility.

• Medium Partner Program: Writers who join can earn money. Earnings depend on how many Medium members read your story, engagement, reading time.

Why Nigerians Should Consider Blogging on Medium

Here are reasons why Medium could be a good path for Nigerians wanting to write and earn.

• Global audience: Your article may be read by people outside Nigeria. This increases exposure.

• Foreign earnings potential: If you are part of the Medium Partner Program, readers pay subscriptions; your earnings are in foreign currency (USD) or at least valued internationally.

• Low startup cost: No need to buy hosting or domain when starting; Medium gives you infrastructure.

• Skill growth: You learn writing, SEO, research, digital marketing, and personal brand building.

• Flexibility: Write from anywhere; fit with school, job, family.

Key Requirements Before Starting Medium Blog

Before you begin, ensure you have certain things in place. They will make your journey smoother.

Access to Internet & Device

• A computer or laptop helps, but good smartphone also works.

• Reliable internet access to write, publish, upload images.

Good Writing Skills & Language

• Clear English grammar, spelling. Medium readers expect readable, polished content.

• Ability to research, verify facts.

 Time & Consistency

• It helps to write regularly: weekly or bi‑weekly.

• A schedule or content calendar helps you stay consistent.

Topic Ideas & Niche

• Know what you care about or what knowledge you have: technology, health, stories, education, finance, culture, etc.

• Having a niche helps readers find you and helps Medium categorize your work.

 Understanding Medium’s Rules & Policies

• Medium has policies about plagiarism, copyright, adult content, spam etc.

• Partner Program has eligibility rules. You must follow to avoid issues.

Step‑by‑Step Guide: Setting Up Your Medium Blog

Now, the detailed step-by-step process to start a Medium blog and begin writing toward getting paid.

.1 Creating Your Medium Account

Step 1: Go to Medium.com and click “Get started” or “Sign up”.
Step 2: You can sign up using email, Google account, or social login. Use email or Google for easier verification.
Step 3: Verify email address. Confirm your account.

Make sure your username or profile name is something professional or memorable (your real name or brand name).

.2 Setting Up Profile & Bio for Readers & Followers

• Upload a clear profile picture (face, professional look).

• Write a bio: what you do, what you’ll write about, why people should read you. E.g. “Student writer exploring tech & education”, “I write about health tips for busy Nigerians”.

• Add links: your social media, website, if any.

A good profile builds trust. Readers more likely to follow authors whose profile looks real and interesting.

.3 Choosing Your Niche or Topics

• Brainstorm what you know, what you like, what people ask. For Nigerians, topics like education help, career tips, student life, tech tutorials, finances, culture, mental health etc are common.

• Research on Medium what topics are popular in your chosen niche. See Medium’s “Explore” page, trending tags.

• Pick 2‑3 topics to start. Don’t try to do everything.

Choosing a niche helps you build readership who expect your style and content.

.4 Writing Your First Articles: Structure, SEO, Titles, and Style

Structure & Clarity

• Start with an introduction: hook reader, tell what the article is about.

• Divide the article with subheadings (H2, H3), make content easy to read.

• Use bullet points or numbered lists when listing items.

• Conclusion: summary, or call to action (ask readers to follow, clap, share).

Titles & Headlines

• Titles should be interesting, clear, keyword‑rich. For example: “5 Study Tips Every Nigerian Student Needs” is better than “Tips for Students”.

• Use numbers (“5,” “10”) sometimes; people like list articles.

 SEO on Medium

• Use relevant tags (Medium allows up to 5 tags per article). Use tags that relate to your niche and topic.

• Use keywords in title and early in article. E.g. if topic is “job interview tips”, include that phrase.

• Use good meta description (Medium offers preview summaries) because when articles are shared, the summary matters.

Style & Voice

• Write in simple, clear English. Use short sentences. Avoid heavy or formal words unless needed.

• Use examples and stories. Local examples (for Nigerians) help connection.

• Be authentic; readers like genuine voice.

.5 Publishing on Medium: Tags, Images, Formatting

• Choose up to 5 tags. For example: #education, #student‑life, #productivity, #Nigeria, etc. Choose mix: niche tag + broader tag.

• Use attractive header image or cover photo. Medium offers free images; you can use your own. Visuals help draw attention.

• Format your article: use paragraphs, subheadings, bold for emphasis, block quotes if needed.

• Preview how it looks on mobile because many readers read via phone.

.6 Joining the Medium Partner Program (How to Get Paid)

What is Medium Partner Program (MPP)?
It is a program where writers earn money based on how much time paying Medium members spend reading their stories. Also, new member referrals and engagement matter.

Eligibility & How to Join

• Must be a Medium member (free).

• Must have at least 100 followers on Medium (sometimes this requirement varies or Medium may update) OR meet some minimum audience/read time threshold.

• Must have bank account/payment method able to receive USD or payments from Medium’s payout system. In Nigeria, you’ll need something like Stripe or other supported payout options. Check current Medium payment policy for Nigeria.

How Earnings are Calculated

• Based on reading time: how long paying readers read your article.

• More claps, more read time = more pay.

• Some bonus systems or member referrals.

.7 Promoting Your Medium Posts to Gain Readers

Writing is not enough: people must find and read your articles. Promotion helps.

• Share your articles on social media: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram stories.

• Use WhatsApp: send link to friends, study groups.

• Join Medium publications: there are Medium publications (group blogs on Medium) that accept stories. Getting in those increases visibility.

• Use relevant tags and trending tags. Sometimes Medium distributes articles via tags.

• Engage with other writers: leave thoughtful comments on other Medium stories; follow them. Sometimes readers check your profile from comments.

.8 Using Stats & Feedback to Improve Your Content

• Medium gives stats: views, read ratio, read time, claps. Use them. Know which articles readers like more.

• Read comments; listen to feedback (maybe someone says they want more practical tips, or simpler expressions).

• See drop‑offs: if many readers start but stop reading early, perhaps introduction or structure is weak.

.9 Consistency, Scheduling, and Content Calendar

• Plan ahead: maybe write 1 article/week, or bi‑weekly.

• Make a content calendar: topics, dates, drafts, publishing. Helps avoid gaps.

• Consistency builds audience trust. If you publish regularly, readers expect more.

.10 Scaling Up: Multiple Posts, Series, and Cross‑Promotion

• Once you get comfortable, write more. A series of articles on a topic can keep readers coming back.

• Repurpose content: convert blog posts into shorter Medium posts or vice versa.

• Collaborate or guest write in other places; include Medium link to drive traffic.

• Use email newsletters or other personal platforms to send readers to Medium.

How Medium Monetization Works: Earnings, Claps, Reads & Subscriptions

To make money, you need to understand Medium’s monetization process.

Medium Partner Program Earnings Explained

• You get paid depending on paying Medium members reading your stories. Read time is weighted: the more time members spend, the more earnings.

• Claps help because they often signal engagement; but read time matters more than mere applause.

Subscription & Member Read Access

• Some Medium content is behind paywalls for non‑members; paying members can read these. If your article is “member‑only”, and readers are subscribers, you earn more.

• Some stories are free; those still help with audience growth but earn less.

Payment Methods & Payouts

• Medium usually uses payouts via Stripe or other payment processors. Check whether Stripe is available in Nigeria. Sometimes alternative payout methods work.

• Payments are often in USD (or other foreign currency) and converted or withdrawn via your payment account.

 Medium’s Rules on Monetization

• Must follow Medium’s terms: no plagiarism, no spam, no clickbait.

• Medium may reject stories for Partner Program if they violate policies.

Comparison: Medium Blogging vs Other Blogging Platforms

It helps to know how Medium compares with self‑hosted blogs or other platforms when it comes to start‑up cost, reach, control, earnings etc.

Pros & Cons of Earning Through Medium in Nigeria

Here are the advantages and disadvantages for Nigerians who want to earn via Medium.

Pros

• Low barrier to entry: easy to start, no need for hosting or domain.

• Access to global readers; potential foreign income.

• Medium audiences often trust the platform; easier audience reach via tags/publications.

• Allows niche writing, stories, educational content etc.

• Builds writing portfolio and reputation.

Cons

• Earnings depend a lot on Medium members reading; if few subscribers in your niche, income may be low.

• Payment method limitations in Nigeria: some payout processors may not fully support Nigerian banks or accounts.

• Competition: many writers globally; some topics saturated.

• Medium’s policies and algorithm changes may affect exposure or earnings.

• Less control: design, monetization options are limited compared to self‑hosted blog.

Common Mistakes Nigerian Bloggers Make on Medium and How to Avoid Them

Knowing mistakes helps avoid them. Below are common pitfalls and how to avoid.

Mistake: Publishing Poorly Formatted Articles

• No subheadings, big blocks of text, missing images.

• Avoid by using Medium’s formatting tools: headings, quotes, images, spacing.

 Mistake: Ignoring the First Paragraph / Hook

• If your intro is weak, readers may leave immediately.

• Avoid by starting with interesting question, story, benefit; promise what readers will get.

Mistake: Using Irrelevant or Too Many Tags

• Wrong tags mean wrong readers; using too many tags that are off‑topic hurts discovery.

• Avoid by choosing 3‑5 tags max, relevant to your topic and niche.

Mistake: Not Paying Attention to Medium’s Rules or Partner Program Guidelines

• If you violate rules, you may be disqualified from Partner Program or have article removed.

• Avoid by reading Medium’s policy often; don’t plagiarize; avoid spammy content.

Mistake: Impatience — Giving Up Too Early

• Many writers write few articles, see low earnings, give up.

• Avoid by being consistent: it takes time for audience to grow and earnings to build up.

Mistake: Not Promoting Your Articles Externally

• Relying only on Medium’s discoverability is risky.

• Avoid by sharing your articles on social media, forums, WhatsApp groups, etc.

Real Examples & Case Studies of Nigerians Making Money on Medium

Here are plausible examples (based on what many Nigerian writers share publicly) to illustrate paths to success.

• Example 1: Student Writing About Study Tips & Education
  Chidera is a university student who writes about study tips, exam hacks, and student life. She started by writing 2× per month. Shared her articles via WhatsApp and social media. After some months, she gained 100 followers, her articles got good claps. She joined Partner Program, earned small but growing income. Now she writes weekly and earns enough for part of her school expenses.

• Example 2: Tech & Tutorials Niche
  Emeka knows programming basics. He writes tutorials about “how to build simple apps with Python”, “tech tools for remote work”. Because few people write those for Nigerians locally, his articles attracted both local and international readers. He kept his articles well formatted, with code blocks, images. That got him more reading time, more earnings.

• Example 3: Stories & Life Lessons
  Aisha writes about life in Lagos: culture, societal issues, mental health. Her authentic voice connected with many readers. She published stories that resonated. Her articles got shared across social media. Because of that, even articles without huge SEO become popular and generate earnings via claps.

Summary Table Before Conclusion

Here is a summary of steps, good practices, pros/cons, and what to watch out for.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are more than 10 common questions you may have, with clear answers.

1. Do I need to pay to start a Medium blog?
   No. You can create a free account, publish articles. But to get paid you must join the Partner Program, which has some eligibility criteria, not necessarily direct payment cost.

2. How much can I earn on Medium in Nigeria?
   It varies widely. Some writers earn a few dollars per month initially; others with many articles and high read time earn more. The amount depends on how many paying Medium members read your work, read time, number of good articles, niche and promotion.

3. Is Medium available / is Partner Program supported in Nigeria?
   As of writing, Medium supports many countries. You should check current policy to confirm if Partner payouts via Stripe or other payment methods work in Nigeria. Medium sometimes changes availability.

4. What payout method does Medium use?
   Medium uses payment processors like Stripe in some regions. You need a bank account, payment method compatible with Medium’s payout system. Make sure your bank supports receiving payments from Stripe or the processor used.

5. How many articles per month should I write?
   It depends on your time. If you are free a lot, maybe 4‑8 articles/month. If busy, start with 1‑2 reliably. Quality is more important than quantity. Better to have fewer high quality articles than many poor ones.

6. Should I write long articles or short ones on Medium?
   Both have value. Long, deep, helpful articles can get more reading time, which is good for monetization. Shorter articles may be easier to write but may get less read time. It can help to mix: some long guides, some short posts.

7. Can I write in Nigerian English or voice (with local references)?
   Yes. Being authentic often helps. Local examples make articles more relatable to Nigerian audience. But keep clarity so non‑Nigerian readers can also understand. Be careful with overly local slang if you aim for global audience.

8. Do images cost money? Can I use free images?
   You can use free stock images (from sites like Unsplash, Pexels) that allow safe usage. Or use your own photos. Avoid using copyrighted images without permission.

9. Is plagiarism a big risk?
   Yes. Copying text, ideas, or structure from others without credit can lead to article removal or account issues. Always write original content, cite sources, or paraphrase properly.

10. How do I get people to read my Medium articles?
    Promote them: share on social media, link to them on your blog or WhatsApp, ask friends to claps or recommend, publish in Medium publications, use good titles and tags.

11. What are tags on Medium, and how many should I use?
    Tags are labels you choose when publishing article, up to 5. They help Medium show your article to readers interested in those topics. Use tags relevant to your article theme, niche, and some broader tags.

12. What is a Medium Publication? Should I join one?
    A publication is a collection of articles, like a magazine on Medium. Articles published under a popular publication may reach more readers. If you can get accepted into a good one, it helps with visibility.

13. How long until I start seeing earnings?
    It depends on how much reading time paying members give your articles. Could be a few weeks to months. Don’t expect fast high earnings immediately; growth is gradual.

Conclusion

Starting a Medium blog and getting paid is a promising path for Nigerian students and working class individuals who like writing, sharing ideas, and teaching or entertaining. The steps are clear:

• Create your Medium account and profile well.

• Choose niche topics you care about.

• Write high‑quality, well formatted articles with strong intros, good headings, relevant tags.

• Apply to Medium Partner Program and set up correct payout method.

• Promote your work, use feedback and stats to improve.

• Be consistent over time and avoid common mistakes.