What is a Media Company?
Content is all around us.
A large part of our perceptions is based on the content that we have consumed.
We often heard: You become what you eat.
That’s true.
And to add to that: You become what you consume.
What exactly are you consuming?
Your subconscious mind cannot tell the difference between imagined and reality.
Instead, it sees both as the same.
The power of information forms our reality to a large extent.
Information was originally defined as ‘molding the mind.’
This is why media companies have so much power in our world.
They shape the narratives which eventually craft our reality.
What would you say if I told you that you can use modern technology to build your own media company?
Back in the day’s, that would have seemed ridiculous.
You needed a bunch of funding, a large team, building space to make that happen.
But today, I want to share with you what exactly a media company is.
The fundamentals aren’t that complex.
When you understand that, you will realize a lot more about what stories that you can disperse into the world.
What is a Media Company?
A media company comes down to 2 elements.
- Information
- Information technology.
But before I talk too much about that, let’s rewind a lil’.
There are 5 levels of communication:
- Intrapersonal – Communication with self.
- Conversation – 1 on 1 communcation.
- Group– Talking in a group format.
- Public speaking – Communication from one to many.
- Mass communication – Communication + Technology.
Media companies fall within the 5th level of communication.
This is very significant when you think about it.
Mass communication, aka media companies cannot exist without technology.
Therefore, from the grand scheme of things, media companies are rather new.
You can say that it started with the printing press, where large volumes of information were able to be dispersed.
But yea, at the core level, a media company is:
Information + Information technology.
- Information is your content.
- stories, pictures, movies etc.
- Information technology is how you disperse that content.
- books, Twitter, Tv etc.
Now you know the fundamentals.
Traditional Media vs New Media
Traditional media is when there was a 1 to many setup.
Picture a television station that broadcasted the same shows to multiple TVs around the area.
The shows were fixed in certain time slots & you could only pick from what was being broadcasted.
New media got started with the rise of the internet.
It’s best to view it as interactive media.
Picture, Twitter, Youtube, Instagram etc.
‘What do you mean by interactive bro?’
So let’s say you like a tweet for example.
You can like & retweet it.
If you like a certain video on YouTube, then you can leave comments for the creator.
Pretty dope.
With traditional media, the same luxury isn’t there.
If you are watching a TV show which was being broadcasted, there was no way you can immediately interact with the creators.
And if you wanted to leave feedback, then you had to go thru some loopholes.
Like finding the contact information for the publisher, writing them an email, and praying that they responded back.
With traditional media, what was being broadcasted was what was being broadcasted.
For example, radio.
When a certain radio program is on, you consume it as is.
No fast-forwarding, pausing rewinding etc.
Compare that with its new media counterpart, the podcast.
With the podcast, you can consume it at your own time, and rewind, pause, fast-forward as needed.
New media gives the consumer more choice.
Traditional media is often what we have been used to with the larger corporations.
Which Media Style is Right For You?
So let me give a little summary of what I noticed.
- YouTube is the new Tv.
- Podcast is the new Radio.
- Blog is the new Newspaper.
If you were to ask me, which media is right for me, I’d be biased.
Considering the ArmaniTalks brand has a Podcast, YouTube channel, Blog etc.
So I’d say new media.
Unless you’re thinking about working your way up by getting some high-level degree in mass communications & joining a traditional media company, I recommend new media.
New media is very dynamic and allows for flexibility.
Flexibility is a currency in itself in the world of low attention spans.
And if you were to ask me, new media is the future.
New media companies are the lifeblood of plenty of personal brands.
Personal brands allow for a more human connection.
The era of a faceless logo is dwindling down.
Is it done? Not really. Mega corporations via media companies have been around for a long time.
But with the rise of the internet, digital brands are powerful.
Digital technology is very dynamic & can make you a global brand once you have shown consistency for a long period of time.
Most people are already media companies.
If you own a social media account, then you are technically a media company.
You are dispersing information & you are operating on information technology.
The question is, what exactly are you talking about?
What do you Talk About?
The ability to have a media company in the palm of your hands is very powerful.
Unfortunately, most people spoil this power.
I often wonder how old school legends would have leveraged media if they had easy access to it?
- Imagine if Benjamin Franklin had a Podcast.
- Or if Abraham Lincoln had a YouTube channel.
- What about Genghis Khan’s Twitter?
I joke..
But just imagine…
The information technology part is your second concern.
Most people start off thinking, ‘which platform do I use?’
Instead, ask yourself: what you are good in or want to become great at?
The lifeblood of new media companies is creativity.
Creative individuals hold the gateway towards the future.
Luckily, creativity can be exercised.
It comes from pursuing your genuine interests.
So to answer your question about what to talk about…
Talk about what interests you.
‘Gossiping about others me! Can I talk about that?’
That’s up to you.
But there’s one thing I want you to ponder.
What you have on the internet can last for the rest of your life.
It can become your legacy.
Remember, information is not subject to natural laws.
It does not die.
Your great-great-great grand children can see you at your prime.
They can see you making your impact on the world.
Do you really want to be known for the person who could simply talk about others?
If that’s your interest though, then go for it.
I’m not demeaning gossip radio hosts.
However, I am asking you to think BIG picture.
Not just what interests you at the moment to pass time.
Think about what you enjoy now & can also enjoy in the future.
Therefore, introspection is needed on your end to leverage the technology that you have been gifted.
Are you a Solo Media Empire?
I remember Jay-Z saying in a song:
I’m not a businessman… I’m a BUSINESS man…
And that line didn’t stick out at first.
As I’ve gotten older, it makes much more sense.
Jay Z is the business.
Just like the name Coca Cola is worth much more than the cola itself.
Thinking big picture allows you to view life in a different way.
The fact that solo individuals can become a media company shifts up the entire game.
Storytellers are going to thrive in the upcoming years.
The beauty is that we are all storytellers to the core.
Our ancient ancestors were creating cave art.
Not because they read it in a book.
But because the act of telling a story was ingrained in them.
The question is, what kind of story are you telling?
In a world full of darkness, ask yourself if you have what it takes to be the light.
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