In this episode, Kyle Scott discusses the current state of newsletters, responding to Sam Parr's claims that the medium is dead and saturated. He argues that while some areas may be competitive, there are still ample opportunities in niche markets and local newsletters. He compares the newsletter space to blogging and podcasting and how those platforms took decades to reach normal people. He concludes by encouraging listeners to think about newsletters as owned audience, and not just a single format, comparing Beehiiv to Shopify.

Sam's posts:

https://x.com/thesamparr/status/1866565501012545597

https://x.com/thesamparr/status/1761433621447979122

Chapters

00:00 The State of Newsletters: Are They Really Dead?

02:27 Understanding Market Saturation in Newsletters

13:41 Opportunities in Niche Newsletters

22:14 The Future of Newsletters and Owned Audiences

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Follow Kyle on X (@KyleScottL)

Kyle's brands

AccessGMT.com

WalkingTheBoards.com

Tip.News

OnPattison.com

In this episode, Kyle Scott talks to Geoff Sharpe, founder of Lookout Media, who brings a refreshing approach to local journalism by focusing on in-depth civics news rather than the typical lifestyle content that dominates many local newsletters. With publications in Ottawa and Vancouver, Sharp emphasizes the importance of quality journalism, which has allowed him to command premium subscriptions, with over 75% of his revenue coming from dedicated members.

This conversation delves into the challenges of monetizing local media, the significance of building trust through consistent and insightful reporting, and the potential for niche local newsletters to thrive. Sharp also shares insights on audience engagement and the balance between hard news and lighter content, stressing that a well-rounded approach can create a strong community connection. As the media landscape evolves, his strategies offer valuable lessons for anyone looking to build a sustainable local news brand.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

04:16 Challenges and Strategies in Local News Monetization

06:45 Local News Dynamics

12:13 Marketing Strategies for Local News

18:02 The Role of Opinion in Local Journalism

23:47 Business Model Insights and Revenue Streams

33:21 Challenges in Local Business Marketing

38:42 Niche Opportunities in Local Newsletters

44:22 Building Community Through Local Newsletters

50:08 Tools and Strategies for Success

Links

Lookout Media

Ottawa Lookout

Follow Geoff on X (@Geoff_Sharpe)

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Follow Kyle on X (@KyleScottL)

Kyle's brands

AccessGMT.com

WalkingTheBoards.com

Tip.News

OnPattison.com

In this episode, Kyle Scott discusses 7 digital media trends expected to dominate in 2025.

He highlights the resurgence of local media, the importance of AI search optimization, the rise of online communities, the growth of live and social shopping, the emergence of prediction markets, the potential of Beehiiv as a content platform, and the trend of businesses acquiring audiences.

Takeaways

Local media is experiencing a resurgence due to underserved markets.

AI search optimization will become crucial for visibility.

Online communities will provide a sense of belonging and engagement.

Live shopping will transform how brands sell products.

Prediction markets will offer new ways to gauge public sentiment.

Beehiiv is set to revolutionize content creation and distribution.

Businesses will increasingly seek to acquire and engage their audiences.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Digital Media Trends

01:11 Resurgence of Local Media

08:08 AI Search Optimization

11:13 Communities

13:18 Live and Social Shopping

17:02 Prediction Markets

18:52 Beehive: The Shopify of Content

21:43 Businesses Acquire Audiences

Subscribe to the Monetize Media newsletter

Follow Kyle on X (@KyleScottL)

Kyle's brands

AccessGMT.com

WalkingTheBoards.com

Tip.News

OnPattison.com