As the age of digitalization rapidly evolves, the fundamentals of marketing, advertising, media, and journalism have equally transformed to cater to the current consumer demands. While traditional media haven’t completely gone extinct, the manner in which audiences consume content has drastically changed. From standard publications, the marketplace is now transitioning into more decentralized platforms where the content creator is the king without titan overlords who control the narrative.

If you’re planning to build your own media empire, feel where the wind is going and adapt to the new age of modernization. The first step is to hop onto a platform that supports your publishing requirements whilst having complete control and ownership of your content. The good news is that platforms like Substack offer a holistic way for independent writers and podcasters to publish directly to their audience and get paid via subscriptions and monetizations.

Here are some tips on how you can build your own media empire this 2023:

Be the Boss of Your Content

The future of publishing lies in decentralized platforms that offer creators total authority over their content. Simply put, you create it, you own it. From intellectual property, mailing lists, subscriber payments, to editorial control, you get to be the boss of what you create from end to end.

This revolutionary movement is ideal for Gen Zs as it gives them two benefits that traditional publications don’t: value and access. The youngest generation doesn’t care about tech vendor reports that cost $20,000. Not only is it excessively expensive, but it’s also too rigid for their creativity. Modern publishing emphasizes flexibility, transparency, and profitability.

These benefits are the main reasons why digital natives opt to publish their content on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram to name a few. Not only do they get full credit for their work, but they are also in charge of what comes out and when it comes out. There’s no dictated structure for them to follow – they create their own. They march at their own beat and produce content according to trends, demands, and personal desires. On top of that, they get direct monetization. In fact, these platforms have become Gen Z’s main source of profit, launching a multitude of media empires regularly.

Build Your Audience

Having the right platform is just winning half the battle. The other half relies on a network of subscribers that serve as your wheels in taking this boulder up the mountain. 

Every content creator can attest that gaining subscribers is one of the most daunting tasks you have to face in building an empire from the ground up. The trickiest part? It’s a slow process. When it comes to gaining followers, nothing is an overnight success.

Nowadays, it’s easy to go viral – however, relying on one uncertain and unpredictable event to catapult your brand is a waiting game to catch a bolt of lightning in a bottle. You need to have the right knowledge about your niche, closely follow industry trends, optimize your SEO, repurpose your content for multichannel distribution, and rigorously adopt a content planning schedule for consistency.

Create a System

Building a system is just as vital as having the right platform. From strong audience engagement, effective scheduling, to consistent and structured content distribution, these systems are your tools to take your brand to the next level. This is particularly imperative for up-and-coming media moguls – your systems are your building blocks to protect you from the storm. And as your brand grows, it’s your system that unifies you and takes every component of your empire on the same page.

But you need to follow up on that system tirelessly, again and again. Make sure there’s no stone left unturned, and that every process and procedure is well-oiled, flawlessly functioning, and up to par.

Hire an In-House Writer

Building an empire is one thing, but operating an empire is another. The reality is you can’t handle all the facets of your brand alone. It’s true what they say – two heads are better than one. It’s a cliche for a reason, and that’s because it’s a fact. 

If you’re a writer who’s building your own media empire, there will come a point where you need to let go of the frontline work and go up to the next level, which is managing, overseeing, and leading. As your brand grows, you will need more help than you think you do. But always start with the producer of fuel: an in-house writer. 

Content creation pumps the blood of a media brand. Without content, there’s no thread to reach your audience; hence, there’s no engagement to boost profitability. Investing in in-house writers is key to keeping the ball rolling. What’s more, it offers consistency in content generation and an opportunity to explore more nuanced topics. This serves as a chance for your brand to expand in other niche territories.

Conclusion

Just remember these 3 words: adapt, optimize, and modernize. Mix up your marketing playbook and invest in cutting-edge solutions that will not just build you a bulletproof media channel, but will also bring you an abundance of opportunities to take your brand to greater heights.