How to Use Medium and Substack to Build Passive Income in 2025
Welcome to my article “How to Use Medium and Substack to Build Passive Income in 2025” In a world where people are earning passive income from cat memes, AI-generated bedtime stories, and dance tutorials filmed in their kitchen, it’s time to ask: Why not you? If you’ve got ideas, opinions, expertise—or even just a knack for writing words that don’t make readers fall asleep—then platforms like Medium and Substack might just be your golden ticket to earning online without having to sell your soul (or your toenail clippings on TikTok).
Welcome to 2025, where building passive income doesn’t require a garage full of inventory or 10 hours a day managing dropshipping chaos. Instead, you can get paid to write about topics you love—whether it’s tech trends, personal development, productivity hacks, or your controversial take on pineapple pizza. With Medium, you get exposure and payment based on reader engagement through their Partner Program. With Substack, you’re basically running your own mini media empire—emails, subscriptions, and all.
In this post, we’ll break down how to leverage both Medium and Substack to start earning steady (and potentially passive) income from your writing. From picking the right platform to monetizing smartly and growing your audience without begging your mom to sign up again, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or someone who’s just now realizing your hot takes could be profitable, let’s explore how you can write your way to online income in 2025—one post, one subscriber, and one sarcastic joke at a time.
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Let me know if you’d like to adjust the tone further or move on to the first section!
Absolutely! Here’s an expanded version of the section “Understanding the Platforms: Medium vs. Substack in 2025”, written in the same informative style with a sprinkle of humor:
Understanding the Platforms: Medium vs. Substack in 2025
Before you dive into the writing life expecting dollar bills to rain down like confetti, it’s crucial to understand where you’re publishing—and why it matters. In 2025, both Medium and Substack are thriving, but they’re as different as coffee and energy drinks. They’ll both get you wired, but in their own special ways.
Let’s start with Medium. Think of it as the bustling coffee shop of the internet—full of readers, thinkers, and the occasional person loudly typing their memoir. It’s a platform where articles are discoverable by the community and curated by editors and algorithms alike. With the Medium Partner Program, you earn money based on how much time paying members spend reading your content. It’s ideal for writers who love SEO, storytelling, and watching their read-time stats like it’s the stock market.
Now, enter Substack—the more indie, boutique vibe. Substack is basically the email newsletter version of “I’m starting a blog, but make it profitable.” You create content, grow a list of email subscribers, and then charge a monthly or yearly fee for premium access. You’re in control of your audience, your branding, and your pricing. It’s like being the boss… except you also make the coffee and clean the floors.
In short:
- Medium = Built-in audience, SEO-friendly, more hands-off monetization.
- Substack = You build your audience, own your email list, and monetize through subscriptions.
So which is better? That depends on your style. If you want to plug in and start writing without worrying about marketing, Medium’s your playground. If you’re ready to build a community around your voice and turn subscribers into superfans, Substack might just be your new digital home. Or hey, why not both? In 2025, content creators are multitasking machines.
Want the next section? I can expand on “Creating Content That Attracts and Converts” next in the same tone!
Of course! Here’s the expanded section for “Creating Content That Attracts and Converts”, with that same informative tone and a dash of humor:
Creating Content That Attracts and Converts
Okay, so you’ve picked your platform—Medium, Substack, or both if you’re feeling ambitious (or just really enjoy juggling digital to-do lists). Now comes the part where you write stuff people actually want to read. And not just read, but engage with, subscribe to, and ideally, throw money at. Easier said than done? Not really—if you understand what works in 2025.
🧠 First: Choose Your Niche (But Make It Interesting)
In 2025, generic content is about as appealing as a soggy sandwich. Readers are bombarded with content every minute, so your niche needs to pop. Are you a productivity guru with ADHD hacks? A finance nerd with a flair for memes? A Gen Z philosopher who explains life through Taylor Swift lyrics? Perfect. The more specific and authentic, the better.
✍️ Second: Write Like a Human (Even If You Use AI)
AI tools like ChatGPT are fantastic writing assistants, but remember: your readers want you, not a robot quoting a robot quoting another robot. Use AI to brainstorm, outline, or fix typos—but inject your personality, humor, and real-life takes to keep people hooked. Be informative, yes, but don’t be afraid to sound like you’re actually enjoying yourself.
🧲 Third: Hook ‘Em, Help ‘Em, and Hit ‘Em With a CTA
Great content follows the “Triple H Rule”: Hook them with an irresistible headline or intro. Help them by solving a problem or entertaining their brains. Then Hit them (gently!) with a call to action: follow, subscribe, clap, comment, or buy your eBook on “How to Train Your Cat to Respect Office Hours.”
💡 Bonus Tip: Formatting Matters More Than You Think
Wall-of-text articles? Still terrifying in 2025. Use short paragraphs, bolded subheadings, bullet points, and images if available. Make your content scannable, skimmable, and snackable. Readers love it—and so does Medium’s algorithm.
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Want to move on to the next section: Monetization Strategies for Passive Income? Let’s keep the flow going!
Absolutely! Here’s the expanded section for “Monetization Strategies for Passive Income”, in the same informative tone with a humorous twist:
Monetization Strategies for Passive Income
Let’s be honest—writing for fun is great, but writing that pays your internet bill and your Friday-night takeout? Even better. The dream is passive income: money that rolls in while you sleep, nap, or binge-watch documentaries you’ll forget by Monday. With Medium and Substack, this dream is surprisingly achievable—if you play your monetization cards right.
💰 Medium’s Partner Program: The Lazy Writer’s Income Stream (Kinda)
Medium’s Partner Program is the simplest way to start earning. You write. People read. You get paid based on how long they stick around. It’s like being paid to hold someone’s attention—without resorting to juggling flaming batons.
In 2025, Medium also rewards engagement: claps, highlights, shares—they all count. So, aim for quality AND relatability. Write stories that inform, inspire, or make readers say, “Ugh, that’s so me.” Bonus points if you sneak in a relatable meme reference.
Pro Tip: Use internal linking to your own articles. Keep readers bouncing around your content like it’s a Netflix marathon.
📬 Substack Subscriptions: The Newsletter Goldmine
Substack is your direct-to-reader revenue machine. You build an audience, and once they’re hooked on your content, you introduce paid subscriptions. Think of it as a Netflix series—but instead of episodes, it’s your thoughts, advice, or spicy takes landing in inboxes every week.
You can offer:
- Free tier: for lead generation and goodwill.
- Paid tier: for premium insights, early access, exclusive rants, or even behind-the-scenes chaos.
In 2025, Substack also supports podcasts, video posts, and community chats, so you can diversify how you deliver value (and justify that subscription fee).
🤝 Affiliate Links & Sponsorships: Because Why Not Monetize Twice?
Both Medium and Substack allow you to sprinkle in affiliate links—just keep it ethical and relevant. No one wants to read an article about mindfulness that randomly links to chainsaws (unless it’s a really dark metaphor). You can also attract sponsors or promote your own products.
In short: write great content, build trust, and offer value. Then let the platforms do their magic—and enjoy watching your inbox say things like “You’ve got a new subscriber!” or “You’ve earned $24.73 this month!” (Hey, passive income has to start somewhere.)
Ready for the next section? We can jump into “Building and Growing Your Audience” next!
Of course! Here’s the next section: “Building and Growing Your Audience,” expanded in the same informative-yet-humorous tone:
Building and Growing Your Audience
You’ve picked your platform. You’re writing killer content. Your mom loves it, and even your dog seems impressed (he stared at the screen for a solid 3 seconds). Now comes the real challenge: getting actual humans to read your stuff who aren’t related to you. Welcome to the wild world of audience building in 2025.
🚀 Step 1: Make SEO Your Best Friend (Even If It’s a Frenemy)
If you’re on Medium, SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is your golden ticket to visibility. Use keywords your ideal reader is typing into Google, but don’t go full robot-mode. For example, instead of “money online how 2025 earn best,” try “How to make money online in 2025 without losing your sanity.” Write for humans, optimize for search engines. It’s a delicate dance—like trying to moonwalk on a balance beam.
On Substack, while SEO matters less, newsletter titles and email subject lines are your best shot at catching attention. Write ones that spark curiosity or promise value—just don’t clickbait your way into the unsubscribe zone.
📱 Step 2: Promote Like a Pro (Without Being Annoying)
Post your articles and newsletters on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Threads, Reddit, or wherever your target audience hangs out in 2025 (spoiler: it might still be Facebook for some). Join niche communities. Answer questions. Share insights. Become the person people want to hear from—not the one who just drops links like digital litter.
Bonus move: repurpose your posts into infographics, quote cards, or short-form videos. One article can become 10 pieces of content if you get creative (and caffeinated).
📩 Step 3: Grow That Email List Like It’s a Rare Houseplant
Especially for Substack, your email list is your lifeline. Offer lead magnets—free guides, mini courses, exclusive content—that tempt people to give up their precious inbox space. Treat your subscribers like VIPs. Make them laugh, teach them something, or just show up consistently like that one friend who always brings snacks.
Access My Proven Tested Formula for $50-$100 Daily Income – Watch This FREE Video Now >>>
Remember, building an audience takes time. But with the right mix of value, voice, and visibility, you’ll go from “just another online writer” to “digital content wizard with a loyal fanbase and passive income.” Which, let’s be real, sounds pretty awesome.
Let me know when you’re ready for the final section: “Automating and Scaling for Long-Term Passive Income”!
Absolutely! Here’s the expanded section for “Automating and Scaling for Long-Term Passive Income”, keeping the same informative yet humor-laced style:
Automating and Scaling for Long-Term Passive Income
So you’ve been writing, publishing, promoting, and maybe even earning your first few passive-income dollars. Congrats! You’re officially on the path to online writer greatness (and maybe even affording guac at Chipotle without guilt). But now it’s time to ask: how can you keep this income flowing without becoming a full-time content hamster on a wheel?
The answer: automation and scaling—aka, working smarter, not harder, so you can earn while binging your favorite shows, sipping coconut water on a beach, or just sleeping like a legend.
⏱️ Automate the Boring Stuff
Let’s start with the soul-sucking tasks. Posting links, scheduling emails, formatting newsletters—these should not eat up your creative time. Tools like Buffer, ConvertKit, Zapier, or even Substack’s built-in automation can handle this stuff while you focus on writing (or debating if your latest headline is genius or garbage).
Set up:
- Email sequences for new subscribers (“Welcome, here’s why I’m worth your inbox real estate…”).
- Auto-scheduling for articles and posts across platforms.
- Evergreen content recycling—resurface old but gold posts every few months with a fresh spin.
🧱 Build a Content Engine, Not Just a Blog
Scaling means creating a system, not just random bursts of genius. Build a content calendar. Group your content into series or themes. Turn one blog post into:
- A Twitter/X thread
- A YouTube short (if you’re camera-brave)
- A carousel post on Instagram or LinkedIn
- Bonus content for your paid Substack tier
This way, you multiply your reach without multiplying your workload (or losing your mind).
🤝 Collaborate and Outsource Like a Boss
When the time is right, consider outsourcing. A VA can help with scheduling. A graphic designer can polish your visuals. An editor can catch those sneaky typos you keep overlooking. You’re the talent—delegate the rest like the CEO you are.
In 2025, passive income isn’t about doing nothing—it’s about setting up systems that keep working even when you’re not. So build smart, automate well, and scale like you’re planning an online empire (because, honestly, you are).
Want help writing the conclusion next? I can wrap this whole post up with a strong, witty finish!
Absolutely! Here’s your expanded “Conclusion” in the same informative style with a light dose of humor:
Conclusion: Your Words, Your Wealth, Your Way
If you’ve made it this far—first, congrats. You’re officially more committed than half the internet’s attention span. But more importantly, you’re now armed with the tools, tips, and mindset to start turning your ideas into income on platforms like Medium and Substack in 2025.
Let’s recap:
Medium is great if you want to tap into an existing reader base, earn money through read-time, and not worry about building an email list from scratch. Substack, on the other hand, is your go-to if you want to build a loyal community, offer premium content, and feel like the newsletter version of Beyoncé (complete creative control, baby).
You don’t have to be a Pulitzer-winning author or a productivity-obsessed robot to succeed. You just need:
- A niche (preferably one you care about)
- Consistent, valuable, and authentic content
- A little SEO charm and social media magic
- Some light automation (so you can, you know, live your life)
- And a sprinkle of patience (like, the good kind—not the “waiting in line at the DMV” kind)
Whether your goal is to make a few extra bucks on the side, fund your iced coffee addiction, or build a full-blown writing empire, the tools are in your hands. Or more accurately, in your keyboard.
Access My Proven Tested Formula for $50-$100 Daily Income – Watch This FREE Video Now >>>
So stop second-guessing. Start writing. Hit publish. Share your work. Rinse. Repeat. Because in 2025, the internet doesn’t just consume content—it pays for it. And your unique voice? It just might be someone’s next favorite read.
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Thanks a lot for reading my article on “How to Use Medium and Substack to Build Passive Income in 2025” till the end. Hope you’ve helped. See you with another article.
Source : How to Use Medium and Substack to Build Passive Income in 2025
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