Which business model of these 2? Why?

by Hersh
17 replies
Hello,

I need help deciding on which of the following 2 business models to start. I want to make sure that I make a good choice.

1. Curated Site

My idea here is to create a variety of curated content from different media types. There isn't really anything out there similar to my idea. It is niche focused and will be very well curated, entertaining, informative, and contain the newest content.

Monetization will be from ads, affiliate products, and sponsors. A podcast will be added later.

2. An Interview Podcast

I have been a part time tv and radio host in the past, so I have some experience. I want to create a podcast interviewing successful people in a variety of fields. I can't reveal my angle for the show but I can say it is somewhat unique.

Monetization will be from sponsors.


I am looking forward to reading your thoughts and advice.
#business #model
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  • Profile picture of the author Sarevok
    I like model # 02.

    First, you have experience doing interviews, so maybe you will have a little bit of an edge.

    Second, when you interview other people, you can maybe ask them to help promote each episode that you produce, which is something that can help. (If everyone you interview shares your Podcast episode on social media, that's some awesome potential right?).



    Most importantly, ask yourself which seems more fun for you personally?

    Also, would it be possible to combine these two models?

    Wishing you the best... No matter which road you take!
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve B
    Originally Posted by Hersh View Post

    A podcast will be added later.

    To me, this is a no-brainer. You need a web site anyway, as your home base in order to give your business a "face," set out your policies and terms, start gathering subscribers, answer questions . . . basically become the address and HQ for your business. Since you said you were going to add a podcast later regardless, why not start with your web site (option #1)?



    Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author Hersh
      Thanks Steve.

      With option#1, I would like to be behind the scenes...even the podcast would be somewhat anonymous and more of a means to get visitors to the site. There would be so much embedding of videos, infographics, etc that I prefer to be behind the scence.

      With option#2, I am the business. I will be totally out there, branding myself as the 'expert'. Different approaches I think. A website for this model would be more of a portfolio, perhaps with my book, podcasts, and a few affiliate links.

      I think your suggestion was to do option#1 with the podcast. I like the idea.
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      • Profile picture of the author Steve B
        Originally Posted by Hersh View Post

        With option#2, I am the business.

        Hersh, with either option (or by doing both if you choose), you are the business. Even if you envision staying behind the scenes (in option #1) - you are still the business as long as you are a solo, one-person operator. Every decision you make, every strategy you implement, every action you take in your business directly and solely affects how the business progresses and how profitable it becomes ... and that is entirely your responsibility. You are the business regardless!

        A lot of solo business people shun being in the limelight. I think that's usually a big mistake for a small online business, but the choice is theirs.

        The Internet really is anonymous and faceless in the sense that anyone can use it, sell on it, gather a following from it, and transaction business with it. By opening yourself and your personality up in this "faceless" environment, you reinforce the fact to your prospects that they can follow and do business with a human being with a personality - a potential friend and expert in the field. When you "humanize" your business, you reduce the risk that many people feel about being scammed by an unknown and faceless figure hiding behind obscurity.

        Just a thought to consider.

        Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author ryanbiddulph
    #2 Hersh definitely; your experience and passion shine thru here.

    But 1 thing buddy; release your fear of competition/stealing LOL, to accelerate your success. We are not prowling for ideas to steal and run with from new folks diving into the online world hehehehe....

    No need to share it but in the same regard, once you go live, there will be substantial creating and connecting with pros before you receive enough exposure to pop up on the radar.

    Sounds like an awesome podcast to me. All the best with it!

    Ryan
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    • Profile picture of the author Hersh
      Thanks Ryan.

      I didn't add in the details of my ventures because I didn't think they were relevant to the post. I'm happy to share if anyone wants me to.
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  • Profile picture of the author managepro
    Hello Hersh,

    I would recommend you to combine the two approaches:

    1. Curated Site - You will need to market your podcasts and interview podcasts, for this you can setup the curated site quicky with some base information and set the context of what is to come.

    2. Marketing - You can run your launch campaigns while you create the podcasts interviews.

    3. Once your Podcast Interviews are ready, you can upload them to the site, and setup either individual podcast payments for podcasts or a membership website for monthly payments
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    • Profile picture of the author Hersh
      Thanks for the input managepro.

      But,

      If I am going to do the interview podcast, I only want my own content on the site. With this model, "I" am the product, so too speak. Having other people's content, in my opinion, will not achieve the goal.

      Regarding the curated site, well, it would be curated videos, graphics, and articles in a specific niche, from a variety of people.
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  • Profile picture of the author HowToWritePro
    Created the curated content website first, you can always use the podcast to drive traffic to it.
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  • Profile picture of the author dioni
    Hi Hersh!

    I think #2 sounds really great.

    I think with interviewing people for different episodes on your podcast will help a lot in gathering audience traffic since you plan on having people from a variety of fields.
    Monetization though is limited to sponsors.

    I think it comes down to which is your priority, are you after how great your content will be, or how much your can profit from it, or both?

    Either of the models, I believe you can really work well on based on how you relate it to us, seems like you have already made plans for both whichever you would like to pursue.

    I wish you all the best!
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  • Profile picture of the author Chris-
    Do both, see which works best, then focus on that.

    The real answer is "it depends", on factors like your personality, your niche, and a LOT of other things, so the only real answer is to test in practice.

    Chris
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  • Profile picture of the author AndreiMorariu
    #2 in my opinion is better. Now podcasts are the best way to create something of real value, interviewing people you admire that share the same passion as you.

    The best thing about podcasts is that even from the very beginning you can interview important/authority people in your niche because it's a win/win situation. Basically you are offering them a platform on which they can share their expertise and passion with a fellow member of the industry. So go get them buddy
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  • Profile picture of the author Hersh
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author OptedIn
      Originally Posted by Hersh View Post

      The site is
      Posting a link to your site violates the rules against, 'self-promotion.'
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      "He not busy being born, is busy dying." - Bob Dylan • "I vibe with the light-dark point. Heavy." - Words that Bob Dylan wishes he had written.

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  • Profile picture of the author ChrisBa
    I don't see why you can't do both?
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve L
    Originally Posted by Hersh View Post

    Hello,

    I need help deciding on which of the following 2 business models to start. I want to make sure that I make a good choice.

    1. Curated Site

    My idea here is to create a variety of curated content from different media types. There isn't really anything out there similar to my idea. It is niche focused and will be very well curated, entertaining, informative, and contain the newest content.

    Monetization will be from ads, affiliate products, and sponsors. A podcast will be added later.

    2. An Interview Podcast

    I have been a part time tv and radio host in the past, so I have some experience. I want to create a podcast interviewing successful people in a variety of fields. I can't reveal my angle for the show but I can say it is somewhat unique.

    Monetization will be from sponsors.


    I am looking forward to reading your thoughts and advice.
    I'd do both! Create and curate content via a blog and use that to promote your podcast and vise versa.
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  • Profile picture of the author Profit Expert
    Do what ever adds value to the user and you are comfortable doing it in long run.
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  • Profile picture of the author Hersh
    Ok,

    So I read through all the great advice given here.

    I decided to just start a men's interest site because I'm interested in this. It's more of a self-development site but I think I've added a different angle to what's already out there.

    I recently started the site and have added about 20 or so posts. I still have to add my monetization to it. The only thing I've found so far is that I think I'm giving good advice but is advice enough to warrant people to come back.

    The advice is embedded in the entertainment/information component of the article. So, I think my site's posts have several parts that add value.

    My main concern is that my site is not a niche site like 'Everything about fish tanks', or 'How to invest'. That is, there's no concrete advice/solutions, rather it's more abstract. I'm not sure if I'm really solving a problem.

    Does a problem always have to be solved?

    Is this a concern for me?
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