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

Subscribe to the Monetize Media newsletter

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)

Subscribe to the Monetize Media newsletter

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

Kyle Scott discusses the evolving landscape of SEO in the context of AI advancements. He outlines the essential strategies for creators and marketers to adapt, including the use of structured data, intent-based phrases, and tagging across various content types. He also highlights the importance of optimizing for both digital and physical searches as AI technology continues to develop.

Takeaways

AI is transforming SEO, not eliminating it.

Structured data helps AI understand content better.

Natural language processing is key for future searches.

Tagging content improves visibility across platforms.

Implementing LLMS.txt can enhance AI crawling.

Physical search optimization is becoming crucial.

Links referenced in this episode:

• schema.org
• mintlify.com
• firecrawl.com

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• DraftKings
• Mintlify
• Firecrawl
• Meta

In this conversation, Michael Kauffman, founder of Catskill Crew, shares insights on building a successful local newsletter, focusing on community engagement, monetization strategies, and the importance of authenticity in content creation.

He discusses the growth of his newsletter, the role of polling and feedback in shaping content and product, and the various revenue streams he has developed, including events and partnerships with local businesses.

Kauffman emphasizes the significance of building a trusted brand and the potential for local newsletters to fill gaps left by traditional media.

00:00 Introduction to Michael Kauffman and Catskill Crew

03:05 The Media Landscape in the Catskills

09:04 Growth Strategies and Content Creation

15:05 Targeting the Right Audience

21:18 Building Trust and Relationships with Advertisers

29:54 Building Community Through Events

36:39 Brand Development and Merchandising

42:18 Exploring Real Estate Opportunities

52:07 The Value of Local Newsletters and Community Engagement

58:16 The Future of Catskill Crew and Community Growth

Links

Visit Catskill Crew

Follow Michael on X (@MikeyPesto)

Start your own local newsletter on Beehiiv

Subscribe to the Monetize Media newsletter

Follow Kyle on X (@KyleScottL)

Kyle's brands

AccessGMT.com

WalkingTheBoards.com

Tip.News

OnPattison.com

Kyle Scott discusses the current landscape of local newsletters, particularly focusing on the platform Beehiiv. He highlights the mistakes many operators make and the significant opportunities available in the local newsletter space.

It is exceedingly difficult to earn substantial local advertising revenue. The solution for this is scale. But that's only half measure.

The real way to succeed with local newsletters is by partnering with high-value services, particularly in real estate. Or, better yet, launching a local newsletter for your local business.

Here's how to do. it.

Takeaways

• Local newsletters are a growing trend with significant potential.
• Honeypot Labs aims to explore monetization strategies for digital audiences.
• There is a high demand for local news, but dwindling supply.
• Building a local newsletter requires careful planning and strategy.
• Monetizing local newsletters can be challenging without scale.
• Partnerships with high-value businesses can enhance revenue opportunities.
• Real estate transactions present lucrative partnership possibilities.
• Community engagement is key to building a loyal subscriber base.
• Understanding local businesses' advertising needs is crucial for success.
• Effective monetization requires a blend of creativity and sales skills.

00:00 Introduction to Local Newsletters

12:06 The Rise of Local Newsletters

17:34 Challenges in Monetizing Local Newsletters

26:14 Strategies for Success in Local Newsletters

On today’s episode we speak with Joe Pulizzi, the “godfather” of Content Monetization, who literally wrote the book, “Content Inc.” Joe is an accomplished digital media expert who is a best selling author, podcaster, speaker, and so much more.

Joe is one of the world’s top content marketing authorities. He’s founded three companies, including the Content Marketing Institute, launched dozens of events, and is the recipient of the 2014 John Caldwell lifetime achievement award for content marketing from the content counsel.

Hard to be more distinguished than that in this space. Listen now as Joe walks us through his content marketing journey, what trends he is seeing today, and the importance of building your email list.

Onto the interview.

● (0:01) Episode introduction with Kyle and Jason.

● (1:07) Kyle tells a story to Joe regarding his self-narrated audio book, “Content Inc.”

● (2:03) Joe discusses the process of creating his first audio book “Epic Content Marketing”, the challenges he faced with recording it, and the other books he authored that followed.

● (6:59) How Joe monetizes his events, the benefits of launching projects after building an audience first, and streams of revenue.

● (13:40) What makes Joe’s podcast successful and the importance of having a set format.

● (18:23) Joe expands on the benefits of having a dedicated audience in order to achieve success with a book or content media platform.

● (19:08) Joe introduces his strategic model for creating value on a platform.

● (22:39) Making time for your business, utilizing your time efficiently in order to build your assets for financial freedom, and setting goals.

● (27:24) Joe talks about finding your content tilt and the reasons content marketing fails for some people.

● (28:58) A discussion about Compound Growth.

● (30:42) The current state of Content Marketing in 2023

● (33:10) Focusing on one or two platforms to diversify your media company and bring value to your audience.

● (37:19) Why do most start ups not make it? The downside of starting with your product first instead of building the audience first.

● (40:25) Getting feedback on your product from your audience.

● (42:28) Do you need to go to college to build a business?

● (44:49) Joe reviews useful tools for content creators.

● (47:09) Kyle and Jason elaborate on various topics brought up during their interview with Joe.

Anything mentioned in episode :

Creator Economy Expo: (https://cex.events/)

The Tilt: (https://www.thetilt.com/)

The Orange Effect Foundation: (https://theorangeeffect.org/)

Justin Welsh: (https://www.justinwelsh.me/)

Red Bull Media House: (https://www.redbullmediahouse.com/en/about-us)

Morning Brew: (https://www.morningbrew.com/daily)

Milk Road: (https://milkroad.com/)

MrBeast: (https://www.youtube.com/user/mrbeast6000)

Apple Car: (https://appleinsider.com/inside/apple-car)

Software and tools mentioned:

HabitBull (

On today's episode, we speak with Drew Smith, founder, and editor of the Liberty Line of Philly Sports Block. In just a few short years, Drew has built an audience of tens of thousands by creating a media brand off of his t-shirt sales. He has deep experience in how creators monetize their audience through the sale of merchandise.

Listen now as Drew walks us through the process of building his site, creating and selling third-party unlicensed sports t-shirts, and how the Eagles winning the Super Bowl in 2018 was his launching point.

• (1:05) Introduction to Drew Smith and how his previous work as Marketing Director for RushOrderTees and creating a successful hyper-specialized t-shirt for Eagles fans kicked off his entrepreneurial journey.
• (2:46) Creating shirts that went viral and shifting the business model to creating merch for bloggers and influencers.
• (5:04) Leveraging apparel to create cash flow for your business and building an audience for The Liberty Line.
• (6:47) How a viral shirt from topical events increased brand exposure.
• (12:22) Any niche can take an inside joke in their space or topical moments and turn them into revenue.
• (16:44) Creating products will bring an audience to a website but the quality of the content makes them come back and become engaged fans.
• (18:04) Don’t be afraid to ask others for help and have people to share ideas with. Also how adding Google Adsense to your high-traffic website can boost your revenue.
• (24:02) Partnering with others to create exclusive products and leveraging audiences.
• (34:26) Work-life balance for a creator-based business and how going full-time right away is often not the best idea.
• (43:21) The constant creation of content means being willing to drop what you’re doing and do something about what is topical to stay relevant.
• (49:41) Tools that Drew uses to build and grow The Liberty Line.
• (53:16) Closing thoughts with Kyle and Jason.

Guest Social Media Links:

The Liberty Line: (https://thelibertyline.com/)

Twitter:( https://twitter.com/LibertyLinePHL)

Instagram:( https://www.instagram.com/libertylinephl/)

Facebook:( https://www.facebook.com/LibertyLinePHL)

Twitch TV:( https://www.twitch.tv/thelibertyline)

Follow us on Social Media -----

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Twitter: (https://twitter.com/monetizemediahq)

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