You Can Help Them Earn More by Reading Wisely
Have you ever read a really cool story or article on Medium and wondered how much money the writer gets? You might think that if you clap a lot, highlight parts you like, or leave nice comments, the writer will earn more money. But it’s not always that simple! Let’s break down how Medium’s payment system works in a way that’s easy to understand.
How Does Medium Pay Writers?
Medium is a place where lots of people write and share their stories and ideas. Some people do it for fun, but others write to earn money. The more people who read their stories, the more money they can make. However, it’s not just about how many people read a story.
Medium uses a system called “paid reading time.” This means that writers get paid based on how long Medium members (people who pay to read on Medium) spend reading their articles. If someone spends a lot of time reading an article, the writer gets more money. If a reader quickly clicks away or doesn’t spend much time reading, the writer earns less, even if the story is good.
What About Claps, Highlights, and Comments?
Claps, highlights, and comments are ways to show a writer that you really liked their story.
- Claps: These are like virtual applause. You can clap up to 50 times for a story to show how much you enjoyed it.
- Highlights: This is when you mark parts of the text that you find interesting or important.
- Comments: These are messages you leave under the story to share your thoughts or ask questions.
While these are all great ways to interact with a story, they don’t directly pay the writer. They can help a story become more popular, and more popularity can lead to more people reading it. But if those new readers are not paying Medium members, or they don’t spend a lot of time reading, the writer still won’t make much money.
Why Doesn’t Your Favorite Writer Make Much Money?
Let’s say you read a story from your favorite writer, and you love it so much that you clap, highlight, and leave a comment. If you are a paying member and spend a lot of time reading, that does help a bit. But if you’re not a paying member or if you quickly scroll through without reading much, your favorite writer won’t earn much from that interaction.
How Can You Help Writers Make More Money?
If you really love a writer’s work and want to help them earn more money, here are some things you can do:
1. Read Slowly and Carefully: Make sure to read the stories all the way through. The more time you spend reading, the better for the writer.
2. Become a Medium Member: If you are able to, becoming a paying member on Medium can help writers get paid for their work.
3. Share Their Work: If you share a story with your friends or family who are also Medium members, it can lead to more people reading and spending time on the story.
4. Support Them in Other Ways: Some writers have other ways to support them, like Patreon or buying a book they’ve written. Check their profile to see if there are other ways to help.
In Conclusion
Writers on Medium love sharing their stories with readers like you. By understanding how the payment system works, you can better support your favorite writers and help them continue doing what they love!