Hey there! Thanks for your questions. Let me break it down for you:

Earning as a Non-Member:
You can still earn through the Medium Partner Program. Writers get paid based on the amount of time Medium members spend reading our stories. So, even if I’m a non-member myself, I can still benefit from members reading and engaging with my content. I don’t earn directly from non-member readers, but their engagement helps increase visibility, which can lead to more member readers.

Yes, I’ve tried writing on other topics, and it’s possible to earn well with articles outside the “how to earn” niche! Many successful writers on Medium focus on areas like personal development, relationships, and technology. However, it’s important to focus on quality and engagement regardless of the topic. As long as the content resonates with readers and keeps them engaged, you can earn well.

Claps vs. Reads:
Great question! You might think that claps equal reads, but that’s not always the case. Someone can open your article, skim through it, and give a clap without fully reading it. On the other hand, someone could read the entire article but forget to clap. I’ve noticed this inconsistency too, and it’s definitely an interesting topic! It’s possible that claps reflect a mix of engagement signals rather than just full reads.

Please do let me know if this answers your questions. Please refer to my metrics article to gain clarity on reads vs. views how the system works and the ratio of a balanced engagement