Chapter 1: The Subscriber Advantage

When considering your reach as a writer, it's essential to recognize the difference between subscribers and followers.

I have been writing on Medium for several years and currently serve as an editor for multiple publications. Frequently, I receive inquiries about how Medium operates. While you can find answers through research, I remember my early days and the assistance I was offered. I appreciate those who helped me, and now it’s my turn to give back.

One common question among writers is: What separates a Follower from a Subscriber?

On Medium, following a writer means you'll see more of their content, but you'll still need to search for it actively. To easily access their stories, navigate to the Medium homepage and select "Following."

In the app, the "Your Daily Read" section showcases some of the writers you follow. However, there are drawbacks to this approach. Readers may not receive notifications about your latest posts, causing them to miss out on engaging content. It can be frustrating for them to seek out your work, and you lack a direct way to communicate with them.

The key difference between a Follower and a Subscriber is that subscribers receive an email notification each time you publish new content. This is a significant advantage. It keeps your audience informed and allows you to reach out directly to your subscribers with messages or questions.

An engaged subscriber is more likely to interact with your stories upon seeing them frequently. Subscribers develop a loyal following, establishing a deeper connection with your writing. In contrast to followers who may overlook your posts, subscribers eagerly await your updates. This fosters a dedicated readership that can contribute to your success.

Moreover, the distinction between followers and subscribers isn't just numerical; it reflects the quality of the relationship you cultivate with your audience.

Here's an insider tip: subscriber emails can be exported for your use. Followers are merely names on a list, lacking that personal touch.

To export subscriber emails, go to your settings and locate the Publishing section. Near the bottom, you’ll find the option to Export email subscribers.

Simply click this option, and a prompt will appear from Medium, ensuring you agree to their Terms of Service and will not misuse your subscribers. After confirming the export, Medium will generate a file and send it to your email for download.

Voila! You now have a copy of your current subscribers, safeguarding your connections even if Medium changes its policies. I make it a point to do this regularly to capture any new subscribers.

Note: This discussion does not consider that new followers can affect your earnings if they are part of the Partner Program. The impact of new subscribers on earnings is less clear.

Chapter 2: Leveraging Subscribers for Growth

In the first video, "4 YouTube Success Secrets to Gain an Unfair Advantage," discover essential tactics that can elevate your YouTube presence and subscriber count.

The second video, "6 Super Secrets to Getting to 200,000 Subscribers - YouTube," reveals insider strategies to help you grow your subscriber base significantly.