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How to build your own media company - without VCs or billionaires
Nov 27, 2024
Jason Koebler, co-founder of 404 Media and former Vice Media tech head, shares his journey of launching a successful media company with just $4,000. He discusses the challenges of creating a sustainable model without relying on rich investors and emphasizes the importance of quality journalism. Koebler highlights the innovative strategies behind their subscriber-based funding and the impact of community-driven tech journalism. They also explore the dynamics of independent media and the need for diverse voices in tech reporting, bridging niche narratives with audience engagement.
54:08
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Quick takeaways
- 404 Media successfully launched with just $4,000 and operates on a subscription model, prioritizing journalism quality over traditional funding sources.
- The publication focuses on niche tech stories and ground-up reporting, directly engaging with communities to shape their editorial direction.
Deep dives
The Founding of 404 Media
404 Media was founded by four former Vice journalists, including Jason Kebler, aiming to create an independent publication focused on tech journalism without relying on venture capital or wealthy benefactors. Each founder contributed $1,000 to kickstart the operation, prioritizing journalism quality over business models from the outset. Their approach emphasizes building a sustainable journalism platform that generates revenue from subscriptions, which they activated from day one. This strategy reflects a shift away from traditional media financing, aiming to offer a new, independent alternative in the evolving media landscape.
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