Want to build your email list using Medium.com ?
If the answer is yes, then this guide will show you how.
My name is Matt Giaro, and I started writing on Medium back in November 2021.
Within a few months, I was able to successfully build an email list and sell an online course to this same list, resulting in a 5-figure revenue.
Here’s everything I wish I knew when I first got started.
How I Discovered Medium and Built an Email List from Scratch to Over 3,000 Subscribers in 90 Days
Discovering Medium was a game-changer for me.
You won’t believe how it all started. I was struggling to grow my YouTube channel, feeling stuck and frustrated. But then, a lightbulb went off.
I thought:
“Wait a minute. I already have all these video scripts. What if I transcribed them, polished the text, and published them on Medium?”
I dove right in. And guess what? The results blew my mind. Within just a few short weeks, my note-taking articles exploded on the platform. They started gaining traction like a rocket shooting through the sky. I’m talking serious engagement. The algorithms loved my content, and the views started pouring in.
Today, those note-taking articles have racked up over 120,000 views.
(That’s what I could fit a screenshot! I’ve over 130+ articles live and only a 13.3″ Macbook Air– haha. This limits the amount of articles I can see at once.)
That’s 10 times more than my YouTube videos.
But I had no idea this would happen. No clue whatsoever. But that’s the beauty of taking risks and trying new things. You never know where the magic will unfold. Sometimes, it’s the simplest ideas that have the biggest impact.
Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and test the waters. Embrace the unexpected. You have untapped potential within you, waiting to be unleashed. Medium might just be the key to building your email list, as it was for me.
Why Medium.com Is One of the Best FREE Ways to Build Your List This Year
External links
Ah, the beauty of building your list on Medium shines even brighter when compared to other platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
Here’s the secret: Medium doesn’t penalize you for including a link to your landing page. Can you believe it? Unlike those other social media giants that mercilessly throttle your reach when you dare to venture beyond their walled gardens, Medium embraces your desire to connect with your audience on a deeper level.
With Medium, you have the freedom to direct your readers to your landing page, where they can sign up for your newsletter.
Whether it’s signing up for your newsletter, downloading an exclusive guide, or exploring your products and services, Medium empowers you to drive traffic to your desired destination without the fear of being slapped on the wrist.
In this digital age where platforms often dictate the rules, Medium stands tall as an oasis of opportunity, allowing you to harness the full potential of your email list building efforts.
So, as you embark on this adventure, relish the fact that Medium offers you the chance to spread your wings, link by link, and nurture a community of loyal subscribers who are eager to join you on your quest for knowledge, inspiration, and connection.
SEO Traffic
You can rank your Medium articles on Google since Medium has a strong DA (Domain Authority).
Simply put, the higher the number (from 0-99), the more authority it has.
According to Semrush, Medium has a whopping 89 domain.
Which means that Medium holds significant authority in the eyes of search engines, especially the almighty Google.
This high domain rank can work wonders for your articles, propelling them to the upper echelons of search engine results pages (SERPs) and granting them prominent visibility to the vast online audience.
Here’s what this could look like for you:
3rd position for “digital zettelkasten”
When you publish your content on Medium, you tap into the platform’s established reputation and trustworthiness. Google recognizes the authority of Medium’s domain and rewards it with great rankings.
This means that your articles stand a higher chance of appearing on the first page of search results, drawing in organic traffic, exposing your content to a wider audience and the ability to gather more email subscribers to build your list.
Imagine the impact of having your carefully crafted articles showcased prominently among the top search results.
As users search for topics related to your niche, your thought-provoking insights, valuable advice, and captivating storytelling will have the opportunity to captivate readers and direct them to your content.
Not only does Medium’s high domain rank boost the discoverability of your articles, but it also adds credibility to your brand. When readers stumble upon your content through organic search, they see that it originates from Medium, a trusted platform known for its quality contributions.
This association lends an air of legitimacy and authenticity to your work, fostering trust and encouraging readers to engage with your content more deeply.
To fully leverage Medium’s high domain rank, it’s essential to optimize your articles for search engine visibility.
Employing effective SEO techniques such as incorporating relevant keywords, crafting compelling meta-descriptions, and structuring your content in a reader-friendly manner can enhance your chances of ranking even higher on search engine results pages.
All this is possible in Medium’s story options:
Medium has great SEO juice to get you some quick exposure to build your email list, fast!
Quality Leads For Your List
When it comes to building your email list, Medium readers are a treasure trove of high-quality leads.
Why?
Because they READ!
Unlike other platforms where users skim through content or simply scroll past it, building your email list on Medium will allow you to tap into a unique audience that values thoughtful, in-depth reading experiences.
This reading culture cultivated on Medium significantly increases the likelihood that these readers will engage with and appreciate the content you send them via email.
Also, remember that many Medium readers PAY to read articles on Medium.
That’s also another great sign: they’re not just freebie seekers.
Demographically, Medium appeals to a diverse audience, with a majority falling within the 25 to 34 age range. These individuals are often college-educated professionals, entrepreneurs, and enthusiasts in fields like technology, self-improvement, business, and personal development. This unique demographic composition, combined with Medium’s reading culture, creates an ideal opportunity for building your email list.
Attracting Medium readers to your email list means gaining access to an engaged audience that appreciates the value you provide through your writing. They are inclined to open your emails, read them thoroughly, and take action. This high level of engagement not only enhances the effectiveness of your email marketing but also fosters a loyal community that actively supports your endeavors.
In summary, by capturing the attention of Medium’s engaged readers, you can cultivate a thriving email list filled with individuals who eagerly anticipate your messages. In the upcoming sections, we’ll explore effective strategies to attract and convert Medium readers into loyal subscribers to fuel the growth of your email list.
The 2 Ways To Get More Email Subscribers With Medium
Medium is one of the best ways to build your email list for a simple reason… People on Medium READ!
They have way higher attention spans than social media zombies, and enjoy taking time to inform themselves about what matters to them.
Step 1: How to Set Up Your Medium Account to Attract New Email Subscribers
Your journey to building an email list on Medium begins with setting up your account.
I discovered that I got people to sign up for my email list through various entry doors.
Here’s how to get started on the right foot:
- Personalize Your URL: Building a personal brand starts with claiming your personal name as your Medium URL. By choosing “yourname.medium.com,” you create a memorable and professional web address that reflects your identity and sets the stage for your online presence. This unique URL will serve as a direct gateway for readers to discover your content and access your opt-in opportunities.
- Profile Picture: A picture is worth a thousand words, and your profile picture speaks volumes about your credibility and approachability. Choose a high-quality headshot that represents your brand and resonates with your target audience. This visual representation will help readers connect with you on a more personal level, making them more likely to explore your content and opt-in to your email list.
- Craft an Engaging About Page: Your About page is your chance to introduce yourself, share your story, and highlight your expertise. Use this space to communicate your unique value proposition and provide readers with a compelling reason to opt-in to your email list. Share your passions, experiences, and the benefits readers can expect by joining your community. Consider including a call-to-action within your About page to direct visitors to your opt-in form or landing page.
- Utilize Your Bio: Your bio is a concise opportunity to grab readers’ attention and entice them to learn more about you and your offerings. Craft a captivating and keyword-rich bio that showcases your expertise, personality, and the value you bring to your audience. Don’t forget to include a link to your landing page or a specific opt-in incentive to encourage readers to take the next step and join your email list.
- Utilize the Pinned Article Function: You can pin an article at the top of your timeline, this is great to tell your story, share your best performing articles and also add a link to your email list.
By strategically optimizing your Medium account, you create multiple touchpoints that lead readers to your opt-in opportunities.
Your personalized URL, profile picture, About page, and bio serve as effective vehicles for including links to your landing page and providing readers with compelling reasons to subscribe.
Remember, your Medium account is not just a mere platform for publishing content; it’s an extension of your personal brand.
Each element you customize plays a crucial role in attracting and engaging your target audience, building trust, and ultimately converting readers into loyal subscribers.
Step 2: Pick Your Niche and Establish a Content Strategy
Medium works for specific niches.
Here are some niches where you can build an email list on Medium:
- Self-Development
- Health
- Relationships
- Money
- Tech
This will help you become a TOP writer within your category.
Step 3: Where to Publish to Get More Email Subscribers
Medium offers several features and publishing options that can greatly enhance your reach and engagement. Understanding how Medium works is crucial for building your email list effectively.
Tags: Categorizing Your Articles
When publishing on Medium, articles are organized and discoverable through the use of tags. Tags are descriptive keywords or phrases that you can assign to your articles, helping readers find content related to their interests.
Think of tags as the key that opens the doors to readers who are thirsty for content related to their interests. By carefully selecting relevant and popular tags, you can skyrocket the visibility of your articles, magnetizing a broader audience that craves the knowledge you possess.
You have the flexibility to add up to five tags to each of your articles. Carefully selecting relevant and popular tags can significantly boost the visibility of your content and attract a wider audience.
Publishing Options: Straightforward or Publications
Medium provides two main avenues for sharing your articles: publishing them directly or utilizing publications.
Publishing Straightaway
When you choose to publish your article immediately, it will appear on your personal Medium profile.
This approach allows you to have complete control over your content and enables you to quickly share your thoughts, ideas, and expertise with your existing audience.
Leveraging Publications To Get More Eyeballs
Think of publications as digital magazines within the Medium ecosystem.
Publications are curated collections of articles on specific topics or themes. They offer the advantage of potentially reaching a wider audience. However, it’s worth noting that many publications require approval before they accept your submissions.
To increase your chances of acceptance, it’s good to have some articles already published on your Medium profile. I’d recommend starting with a series of 15 articles to get your reps in before applying.
Once you have a solid body of work, you can start applying to relevant publications for broader exposure and access to their audience.
Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your journey on Medium is no exception.
Learning how to use tags the right way and using publications to get your foot into the Medium ecosystem is key to attracting readers who yearn to build your email list and fill it up with subscribers.
Step 4: Including CTAs into Your Medium Articles
Section: Harnessing the Power of Call to Action (CTA) in Your Medium Articles
A well-crafted Call to Action (CTA) at the end of your Medium articles can be a game-changer when it comes to growing your email list.
This is where most of my subscribers come from.
This strategic placement offers a prime opportunity to convert engaged readers into loyal subscribers. By implementing an effective CTA that is concise and directly related to your article’s content, you can maximize the number of opt-ins and nurture a thriving email list. Let’s explore how to make the most of this valuable real estate.
- Keep it Concise: With limited space available, your CTA should be concise and to the point. Aim for no more than two lines to deliver your message effectively. This brevity ensures that readers quickly grasp the purpose of your CTA without overwhelming them with excessive information.
- Direct Link to Your Landing Page: Make it as easy as possible for readers to take action by linking your CTA directly to your landing page. By eliminating unnecessary steps, you remove potential barriers that could hinder conversions. Ensure that the link is prominently displayed and easily clickable, so readers can seamlessly transition from your article to your opt-in page.
- Relate the CTA to the Article: The most effective CTAs are those that directly align with the content of your article. By tying the CTA to the specific topic or theme, you provide a seamless transition for readers who are already engaged and interested in the subject matter. This relevance enhances the likelihood of conversions as readers see the immediate value in subscribing to your email list for further insights or resources.