Nov 27 2024 74 mins
This week we're talking worker-owned media with people from three of our favorite worker-owned publications — Defector, Hell Gate, and 404 Media. They're very transparent about what it takes to run a modern, subscription-based media business — it's a great conversation.
This is from our live pod earlier this month in support of the National Writers Union's legal fund for media workers. You can still donate here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-us/fundraising/donate-to-the-media-freelancers-legal-fund
00:00:00 Introducing guests
00:04:30 The Business of Worker Owned Media
00:06:30 The Biggest Trials and Errors of Being a Founder
00:11:19 The Media Landscape's Monetization Uncertainty
00:19:13 The Future of Public Funding for Local News
00:21:59 The Diverse Ad Tolerance of Audiences
00:28:56 Audience Taste Shift Post Election
00:35:37 The Messaging Behind Different Payment Options
00:43:52 Making Editorial Choices as a Writer-Owner
00:50:02 Saturation in the Creator Economy
00:59:24 Transparency and Accountability in Worker Owned Media
Q&A From Audience
01:02:02 Content Creators Creating Competition?
01:06:09 The Value of Print Media
01:11:08 Expanding Ownership to Readers
01:13:34 Final Thoughts