Ever wondered how some people manage to grow their online communities to tens of thousands of followers? Meet Dave Schools, the founder and editor of Entrepreneur’s Handbook, a thriving Medium publication with over 70,000 followers and counting. What started as a side hustle has blossomed into a powerful platform for entrepreneurial advice, helping budding entrepreneurs from around the world.
In this article, we’ll dive into Dave’s journey, how he built Entrepreneur’s Handbook from scratch, and the lessons he learned along the way. Plus, we’ll share his top tips for anyone looking to grow their own online community or Medium publication. Let’s get started!
The Birth of Entrepreneur’s Handbook
Dave’s entrepreneurial spirit has always been evident, from selling chocolates as a kid to earning a degree in entrepreneurship. But the real turning point came after a lunch with a millionaire who ran 10 businesses while sailing the world. Inspired by this encounter, Dave wrote a Medium article about it, and to his surprise, it skyrocketed to the top of Medium’s front page!
This single story sparked a wildfire of traffic, and soon, Entrepreneur’s Handbook went from a small side project to getting over 100,000 views and adding 125 new followers per day. His success even caught the attention of Business Insider and Quartz, leading to republished stories across major platforms.
How Dave Grew Entrepreneur’s Handbook
Growing a Medium publication to 70,000 followers didn’t happen overnight. Here are some strategies that helped Dave grow his audience:
- Networking with writers: Dave reached out to talented Medium and Twitter writers, inviting them to contribute to his publication. Securing writers like Nicolas Cole and Paul Jarvis was key to building credibility.
- Quick response times: When great writers submitted content, Dave ensured a quick turnaround. In one instance, he accepted a piece from a Stanford student about Snapchat’s founder within an hour!
- Unique content: Instead of rehashing common topics, Dave focused on unique entrepreneurial stories. He sought out fresh perspectives that weren’t being covered elsewhere.
- Offline networking: Many of his best stories came from networking events, where Dave would approach entrepreneurs after their talks and pitch his writing skills.
Navigating Medium’s Rollercoaster
Running a publication on Medium has its ups and downs. While the platform gave Dave instant access to a massive audience, changes to Medium’s features—like removing custom domains—created challenges for customization.
However, Dave remains grateful for the opportunities Medium has provided, especially for boosting his career as a writer. Despite some setbacks, the platform has been a pivotal part of Entrepreneur’s Handbook’s success.
Monetization: The Road to Full-Time Writing
In 2017, Dave made a bold move—he quit his full-time job in real estate to pursue writing full-time, with the support of his wife, a travel nurse. From launching a paid membership program called Brew Projects to partnering with brands for sponsorships, Dave explored various monetization strategies.
One of his partnerships even brought in $1,000 per month for a three-month deal. Today, Dave charges editorial fees for advertorials—paid placements that add value to his readers—allowing him to generate revenue while maintaining the integrity of his publication.
What’s Next for Entrepreneur’s Handbook?
With 50,000 unique monthly readers, Dave’s goal for Entrepreneur’s Handbook is to focus on quality over quantity. He prefers publishing a few in-depth stories rather than churning out multiple short pieces, ensuring that his content resonates with readers.
Top Resources that Shaped Dave’s Journey
Dave attributes much of his success to the knowledge he’s gained from influential books and podcasts:
- Podcasts:
- How I Built This by Guy Raz (Dave has listened to every episode!)
- The Tim Ferriss Show
- The GaryVee Audio Experience
- Books:
- Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
- The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
Dave’s Top Tips for Growing a Medium Publication
Looking to grow your own Medium publication or online community? Here are Dave’s best tips:
- Action creates clarity: You’ll learn more by doing than by over-researching. Start taking action, and the path will become clearer.
- Focus on quality: Don’t churn out content for the sake of it. Well-crafted, thoughtful pieces will keep your readers engaged and coming back for more.
- Don’t be afraid to reach out: Whether it’s to your favorite writers or potential collaborators, networking is key to building a community.
Final Thoughts
Dave’s story is proof that with passion, persistence, and a bit of luck, you can turn a small project into something much bigger than you ever imagined. Entrepreneur’s Handbook has become more than just a publication—it’s a thriving entrepreneurial community where people come to learn, share, and grow.
Ready to take your own Medium publication to the next level? Follow Dave’s lead, and you just might find yourself inspiring thousands of readers along the way!
