Media is changing for the better

by Justin Goff

www.JustinGoff.com

 

I wrote an article a while ago about the changing face of media.� I posted it on the forums here at PAW and didn�t get a response.� Maybe it wasn�t news to anyone.� Maybe I didn�t go into enough detail.� I�m not really sure if that matters anyway.� If you aren�t aware of how media is changing, then you better catch up, or you�ll be left behind.

 

We all understand the Internet has started a huge shift in media.� Without it, none of us would be producing poker related content.� The beauty of the Internet, is that no one cares what you�ve done, who you know or how much money you have.� If you have the drive and knowledge to do it, you can make it happen.� Just as recent as ten years ago, this was not the case for most people.� If you didn�t know someone with connections or startup money, you were doomed from the start.� Now, anyone can get online at the public library and start a blog for free, or put up a website that costs less than $100 a year to run.

 

As it gets easier for people to make their own media outlets, I think it will become more apparent that users are attracted to two important qualities in a website; specific niche information and user based communities. Now what do I mean by all this? Since people are looking for specific things these days, niche marketing is the way to go. Look at what Jeremy has done with PokerAffiliateWorld. This is a great example of taking a niche and turning it into an industry leading portal. The affiliate business was booming and there was no websites where webmasters could discuss strategies, industry information and other affiliate news.� Finding a niche which needs to be filled, and has a lot of potential is the best way to make money.

 

The second new idea, which I think is the most important is making the site for the users.� Look at the hottest things on the web right now.� What are they? ; YouTube, MySpace, Wikipedia and blogging.� These applications all focus on the user.� Everyone wants to have a webpage as a way to express themselves, MySpace made this easy for the masses.� Most people are very visual and love to watch and make videos.� YouTube made iot so your average user can watch and upload videos instantly.� Wikipedia is a bit different, but it follows the same formula.� Users send in their info on a topic, and in the end Wikipedia has built the most comprehensive, detailed database of information on any topic you could imagine.

 

All of this is part of a new wave of online users that personalize everything for themselves. If you don�t like the information ESPN is sending you, you can start your own site, or your own webcast of sports information.� In the much bigger picture, it�s almost like a revolution of the masses.� People are finally realizing they don�t have to settle for mediocrity anymore.� They can do something about it.

There�s a lot of good information that we can take from this and use as webmasters. Start focusing more on your users, and less on the revenue you�re trying to make. In a week your user will have 1,000 more options other than your site to get their information from, so keeping someone a loyal reader is more important than ever. Focus on creating your own unique community, and your users will develop an emotional attachment to your brand. It�s the best solution for both you and the users in the long haul.��

 

Justin Goff just started his first business related blog, and it can be found at www.JustinGoff.com

 

 

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