(Even if you’re starting with zero subscribers)
Starting a newsletter as a healthcare professional can completely change your life. Here's the thing: doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals spend years accumulating incredible knowledge and experiences in medicine, but they're often stuck in this one-to-one model of helping people.
But what if you could scale your impact 10x, 100x, or even 1000x? That's exactly what a newsletter can do. Not only does it become an amazing creative outlet (let's face it, medicine can get pretty routine sometimes 😅), but it also opens up countless opportunities you might never imagine - speaking gigs, collaborations with other healthcare creators, and even passive income streams.
The best part? You're already an expert in something people desperately want to learn about. Whether it's breaking down complex medical concepts for patients or sharing productivity hacks for burnt-out doctors, your unique perspective is incredibly valuable.
And the cherry on top? You'll build this incredible community of like-minded people who geek out about the same things you do!
How to start
When I first started my newsletter, I had no clue how to get people to sign up. The concept of growing a subscriber list from scratch seemed daunting, like shouting into the void. But over time, I figured out a simple system that not only grew my list but turned it into a highly engaged community.
Today, I’m going to share that system with you. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to level up your newsletter game, this guide will help you grow your subscriber list using actionable strategies, lead magnets, and platforms like ConvertKit. Let’s dive in 👇
Step 1: Create an Irresistible Lead Magnet
If you want people to join your newsletter, you need to give them a reason. Enter the lead magnet—a free, valuable resource that solves a specific problem for your audience.
Here’s how to create one:
Identify a Pain Point: What’s one small but significant challenge your audience is facing?
Example: If you’re a doctor, it could be “How to Stay Productive During On-Call Shifts.”
Keep It Simple: Your lead magnet doesn’t have to be a 50-page eBook. A checklist, template, or short guide works just as well.
My first lead magnet? A one-page checklist on personal branding. It brought in hundreds of subscribers!
Package It Well: Use tools like Canva to make your lead magnet look polished and professional. Remember, presentation matters.
Step 2: Write Engaging Newsletter Content
Getting subscribers is only half the battle. Keeping them engaged is where the magic happens.
Here are my top tips for writing a newsletter people actually want to read:
Start with a Hook: The first few lines should grab attention. Use a personal story, a bold statement, or an intriguing question.
Example: “Here’s how I wasted 6 months trying to grow my newsletter—and what I learned.”
Provide Value: Think of each email as a mini blog post. Share practical tips, interesting insights, or lessons from your own journey.
Be Relatable: Write the way you talk. Don’t overthink it—just be yourself. Your authenticity will keep readers coming back.
Add a Call-to-Action (CTA): Always encourage your readers to reply, share, or check out something else you’ve created. This builds engagement and spreads the word organically.
Step 3: Use ConvertKit to Automate and Scale
I’ll let you in on a secret: managing a newsletter doesn’t have to be time-consuming. Platforms like ConvertKit make it ridiculously easy to automate and scale your efforts.
Here’s how I use ConvertKit:
Set Up Automated Welcome Emails: The moment someone signs up, they get a warm welcome email with my lead magnet. It’s like rolling out the red carpet.
Segment Your Audience: Not all subscribers are the same. Use tags to organize your list based on interests, so you can send targeted content.
Track Performance: ConvertKit’s analytics show you which emails get the most opens and clicks. Use this data to improve your content over time.
Step 4: Promote Like a Pro
You’ve got a killer lead magnet, engaging content, and ConvertKit in your corner. Now it’s time to promote your newsletter.
Leverage Social Media: Post snippets from your newsletter on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Twitter. End each post with: “Want more tips like this? Subscribe to my newsletter!”
Add Sign-Up Forms Everywhere: Your website, email signature, and even your Instagram bio are prime real estate for newsletter sign-ups.
Collaborate: Partner with others in your niche. Offer to guest-write for their newsletters or share each other’s content.
Bonus Tip: Consistency Is Key
Growing your newsletter is a marathon, not a sprint. Aim to send emails regularly, whether that’s weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Consistency builds trust, and trust keeps subscribers loyal.
Final Thoughts
If you’re starting from scratch, remember this: your subscriber list doesn’t have to be massive to be impactful. Focus on delivering value to every single person who joins, and they’ll stick around—and tell their friends.
If you found this helpful, you’ll love my free “How to Build a Personal Brand as a Healthcare Worker.”
What’s stopping you from starting your newsletter? Let me know by replying to this email. I’d love to help you get started!
Thanks,
Ehab
