Being active as I am in social media, as well as keeping tabs on the hot topics out there on the internet and in the media for entrepreneurs and original content infopreneurs, I’d say that the two most common questions are:
- How do I publicize my business on a limited budget?
- How do I get more traffic to my site?
Well, one of the least expensive ways to accomplish both is to simply have your own media properties. What do I mean by a media property? I’m referring to:
1. A blog—whether it be a traditional text blog, v-log or hybrid of the two.
2. A podcast or internet radio show—whether it be an audio podcast like my What You Know Is Worth More Than You Know(TM), The Podcast, or a live show hosted on sites like BlogTalk Radio or TalkShoe; or a video podcast, or an internet TV show like one you host on sites like UStream.
3. Your own TV channel—whether it be your YouTube Channel or one you set up on a proprietary basis on
your own website.
Right now I have 2 out of the 3 (my podcast and multiple blogs), which according to singer Meatloaf, isn’t bad, but by year-end, I’ll have all 3 types of media properties going for me. Why do I focus so hard on my media properties? Because it’s one of the lowest-cost, most unique ways to get my message out there, and to drive traffic that builds my lists and brings in sales.
All three types of media properties range from no-cost to low-cost (which alone is a key benefit that puts this within the reach of anyone—you can see the resources I use at infotoolsforyou.com), and because my media properties are mine all mine, there are some really important benefits:
First, unlike when I regularly pitch the media, or answer a media query, in a type of “ooh, ooh” pick me Mr. Kotter” (yeah, there I go dating myself again), when I want to say something, I already have the media in place to do it. I don’t have to ask myself for permission to be on my podcast, I just plug in my microphone. I don’t have to hope I get in print, I hit publish on my next blog post, and I am in print. And I don’t have to pitch the network to get a pilot for my show, I’ll simply shoot a video and upload it to YouTube.
Next, I am in complete control of my message—and that’s in terms of content, scheduling and frequency. I don’t have to get anyone’s OK, I don’t have to build consensus with my peers, I don’t have to be worried about being quoted out of context by a reporter, or having a key point I was hoping to get in left out, and no one edits my message but me. If I want to have multiple pieces of new content at a certain time, I can do it, and when I release them is solely up to me. I don’t have to wait for a time slot, or space to open up.
Another benefit of your own media properties is that your own style and personality will come shining through. People will check out your content because they find value in what you are sharing, and because they like your style—maybe even your voice or image.
This point is SO important for entrepreneurs and infopreneurs, because, quite frankly, it’s rare that you’re going to be the only one that is offering services or products on your topic. In fact, it’s pretty much a guarantee. So what sets you apart is the fact that you bother to have media properties at all. You bother to communicate with prospects for your products and services in ways that most of your competitors do not.
Also, while I love to create content in my down-to-earth, infotainment style, I’m also deadly serious about it having a business purpose. If it’s not serving a business purpose, then it’s a passion project or hobby. Which is OK, but if you’re like me, you’re not on The Forbes Richest People in America list—at least not yet, so you do want to make sure that you work in calls to action throughout your media—especially when you provide your programming for free.
It’s why I ask you to please join my list, give my Facebook page a like and comment, and why I hope if you love what I do, you’ll help me spread the word by sharing my podcasts, blog posts and videos with a friend or colleague. And, yes I will plug specific products and services where appropriate from time to time as well.
Having my media properties helps me get my message out there (publicizing my business and my information products and services), and having one or more calls to action each podcast episode, blog post or video is what brings the traffic to my sites and builds my lists.
But there’s still another benefit to having your own media properties—just like any other media mogul, you can monetize your content beyond your own marketing and traffic building purposes. You can take advertising, ad links, sponsors, selectively be an affiliate and participate in publisher programs like Google AdSense where possible.
The decision to further monetize your media properties beyond indirectly doing so by publicizing your own business and offerings can be done on a case-by-case basis. On some of my media properties you will see one or more of these additional monetization techniques in place, and on others, you won’t see them at all, or very minimally. And it’s definitely another very reliable income stream for me now that I have several media properties in place.
This is what I refer to in my book What You Know Is Worth More Than You Know as leveraging the media you create to share what you know. It’s just one of the 6 components of my infopreneur business model I discuss. So if developing and owning your own media properties intrigues you, please grab a copy of What You Know Is Worth More Than You Know and get all the details and then some!
So the next time you start thinking how do I promote my business and drive traffic to my site? Think of adding one or more media properties to your marketing efforts, and if you already have one, make sure you’re getting the most out of it, and then add another, and another! I haven’t stopped adding new media properties yet, so neither should you! Because besides solving a marketing dilemma, it could also make you some nice money!
I now invite you to learn everything you need to know, step-by-step, about infopreneuring and marketing! Get a FREE 3-chapter excerpt from my 5-star Amazon rated book What You Know Is Worth More Than You Know™ - Achieving The Life You Were Meant To Have By Making Money From What YOU Know! and access to my 60-minute author interview teleseminar CLICK HERE
Happy Infopreneuring!
--Melanie R. Jordan, The Expert At Making Money From What You Uniquely Know, Author of What You Know Is Worth More Than You Know™ - Achieving The Life You Were Meant To Have By Making Money From What YOU Know! and Host of infopreneur podcast What You Know Is Worth More Than You Know(TM), The Podcast Available 24/7 at: http://www.WhatYouKnowIsWorthMorePodcast.com
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