Medium is a popular online publishing platform that provides a space for writers to share their thoughts, ideas, and stories with a global audience. If you’re new to the platform and looking to get started, this beginner’s guide will take you through the process of creating a Medium account.
The 5 steps to make a Medium account are:
- Go to Medium.com
- Fill out your information
- Sign up
- Verify your email address
- Start writing
It’s that easy! Below, we’ll go into more detail on these steps and answer some of the most common questions about the platform to help you decide if it’s worth writing on Medium.
5 Steps To Create A Medium Account
1. Go To Medium.com
Go to Medium.com and click on the “Get Started” button in the top right corner of the page.
2. Fill Out Your Information
Fill out the required information, including your name, email address, and password. You can sign up to Medium using your Google account, or using Twitter (now X) or Facebook.
3. Sign Up
Click on the “Sign up” button to create your account.
4. Verify Your Email Address
Verify your email address by clicking on the link in the confirmation email that Medium sends you.
5. Start Writing
Once your email is verified, you can start writing and publishing your own articles on Medium!go
Is It Free To Make A Medium Account?
Creating a Medium account is completely free. This means that anyone can sign up and start publishing their own stories or reading others’ articles without having to pay any fees. However, you’ll only get access to 3 free stories per month as a reader with a free account.
If you want to read more than 3 articles, you’ll need to sign up for a paid account. However, there are some ways to read more articles for free, and not all Medium articles are behind the paywall. You can learn more about these ways in our article all about using Medium for free.
Can Anyone Publish On Medium?
Anyone can publish on Medium. Whether you’re a professional writer or just someone who wants to share their thoughts and experiences, the platform is open to everyone. With that said, Medium does have a few guidelines in place for the quality and content of articles that are published on the site.
It’s a good idea to review these guidelines before you start writing to make sure your content meets the platform’s standards. But in general, you can write about almost anything! This makes it an attractive choice for many writers that haven’t yet found their niche.
The main Medium guidelines to bear in mind include:
- No hateful content
- No threats or violence or incitement
- No writing about their restricted categories
- No graphic content
- No spam
I’ll detail some other important guidelines below.
Medium Guidelines To Follow As A Writer/Reader
Guidelines For Writers
Quality Content
Medium expects all articles published on the platform to be high quality, well-written, and informative. Articles should not be plagiarized, contain offensive material, or be written with the sole intention of promoting products or services (but you can do this naturally within the content).
Respectful Discourse
Medium encourages respectful discourse and discourages hate speech, harassment, and bullying. When writing articles, it’s important to maintain a level of professionalism and avoid using language that could be considered insulting or inflammatory.
Original Content
Medium values original content and expects writers to only publish articles that are their own original work. If you’re writing about a topic that has been covered extensively elsewhere, make sure to put your own unique spin on it and add new insights and perspectives, rather than just rehashing other people’s work.
Guidelines For Readers
No Spam / Self-Promotion
Medium does not tolerate spam or self-promotion. This includes posting comments that are irrelevant to the article or are written purely to promote a product or service. Unfortunately, this is quite common on the platform, but it’s best to avoid this if you don’t want to get your account suspended.
Respectful Discourse
As with writers, readers are expected to engage in respectful discourse and avoid hate speech, harassment, or bullying. Comments should be constructive and add value to the conversation, not detract from it.
Be Courteous
Medium encourages a positive and supportive community, so it’s important to be courteous and respectful when interacting with other users. Avoid posting negative or critical comments simply for the sake of being critical, and instead focus on providing helpful feedback and insights.
By following these guidelines, writers and readers can help create a positive and supportive community on Medium that values high-quality content and respectful discourse.
Is A Medium Subscription Worth It?
A Medium subscription is worth it if you’re someone who wants to frequently read stories and/or write your own on the platform. With a subscription, you’ll have access to exclusive content that is not available to non-subscribers, as many writers put their stories behind Medium’s paywall.
For Readers
A Medium subscription is worth it for both readers and writers as it offers access to thousands of new stories every day and a wealth of knowledge and entertainment. For readers, Medium is a great source of research material and entertainment, with top writers providing novel ideas and insights on various subjects.
You are also supporting your favorite writers on the platform with your Medium subscription, as a portion of your subscription fee can go to them if you read their stories that are behind Medium’s paywall.
However, there is also some inconsistent quality on the platform with some poor writing and opinion pieces disguised as factual sources. As with any online platform relying on user-generated content, you need to be vigilant when reading anything and bear in mind that content could be incorrect or out of date.
For Writers
Medium is also a worthwhile platform for freelance writers and bloggers. A Medium subscription gives you access to all stories on the platform, allowing you to learn from successful writers and gain inspiration for your own content. Writing on Medium is free, and the subscription effectively pays for itself if a writer makes just $5 a month.
Medium also provides an opportunity to hone your writing skills and build a portfolio, with the potential to earn money on the platform as well. Making money on Medium requires consistent effort, and while many people make more than $1,000 a month, your early posts may not earn much at all.
To make money on Medium, it’s important to be consistent with posting content. But it can be a viable way to earn and learn while you write!
Final Thoughts
Overall, Medium.com is a great way to improve your skills as a writer, possibly make some money in the process, and learn from others that are succeeding too. It’s easy to make an account and start benefitting from thousands of new stories every day!
Chris is the creator of Freelance Ready. He originally started freelancing (on Fiverr) while at university, writing and editing website content. He created this website to share his freelancing experience and help others on their own self-employed journeys. He is now a freelance SEO consultant and content editor. You can learn more about Chris here.
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