The Secret Advantage of Subscribers
Medium made easy
Consider how much further you’ll go with them versus followers
I’ve been a writer at Medium for a few years, and I’m an editor for several different publications as well. I‘m often asked questions about Medium and how things work here.
I know it’s possible to find answers if you search, but I remember what it was like when I first arrived.
I was so thankful when someone would take pity on me and help me figure things out. (You know who you are. )
Well, here’s me, paying it forward.
One question that bothers a lot of writers is:
What is the difference between a Follower and a Subscriber?
On Medium, if you ‘Follow’ a writer, you’re going to see more of their stories. But you still have to do a bit of work to find them.
If you want to find their stories, here’s an easy way to do it.
Go to the Medium main page and click on Following.
You’ll see recent stories of everyone that you follow.
If you’re using the app, then the “Your Daily Read” section is going to feature some of the writers you follow.
There are a couple of disadvantages to this method. Your readers won’t always know when you post a new story. And they might miss something really interesting.
It’s awkward for your readers to have to hunt you down and find your stories. You also have no way to connect with your readers or send them a message.
What’s the main difference between a Follower and a Subscriber:
Subscribers get an email every time you publish
That’s a huge advantage.
It keeps your readers informed, and you can send out a message to subscribers if you want to ask them something. An informed and engaged reader is more likely to click on your stories if they see them often.
Subscribers become a dedicated audience, forming a more meaningful connection with your writing. Unlike followers who might easily overlook your content in the vast sea of information, subscribers anticipate your posts. That creates a loyal readership that can help you succeed.
The distinction lies not just in numbers but in the quality of the connection you build.
Here’s a secret
There’s another secret advantage if you pay attention. Your subscriber emails are available for you to download if you want them. Followers are simply names on a list.
How to export subscriber emails
In your settings, look for Publishing. Down near the bottom of the screen, you can see Export email subscribers.
Just click on this and you’ll see a message from Medium, confirming that you agree to follow the Terms of Service and you won’t sell or spam your subscribers (duh, why would you do that?).
When you Confirm the export, Medium will create a file and send it to your email for download.
Voila! Even if Medium changes this access, you have a copy of your current subscribers. I do this periodically, to capture any new subscribers, just in case.
Note: This article doesn’t take into account the fact that new followers DO make a difference to your earnings if the reader is a member of the Partner Program.
A version * of this article originally appeared on Medium.
*This is a Friend link, so it’s free to read, even if you’re not a Member.