Is This You?

Do You Love Your Community?

Our program is designed for those who are deeply connected to their community and driven by the desire to make a positive impact. It's for individuals who want to own their narratives and be the primary source of local news and insights, crafting stories that matter most to their residents.

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Let Me Help You Launch Your Dream

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Hey! What Do I Know?

Welcome to the MainStreet Media Academy! I'm Audrey Bell-Kearney, and I've spent 24 years navigating the diverse landscapes of the media industry. My journey began in 1997 with my first newsletter—back when our only option was paper. Since then, I've expanded my repertoire to include publishing a newspaper and a magazine, hosting shows on two different radio stations, and even running a TV show dedicated to spotlighting women in business. Currently, I'm the host of the Good Morning Gwinnett podcast where I've produced over 1,000 episodes, the publisher of the Good Morning Gwinnett news site which has over 700 pages of content, the publisher of the Gwinnett Morning Spark which is a daily newsletter, and I also publish Thrive Magazine bi-monthly.I didn't share all of that to impress you, but impress upon you that I can help you launch your local media venture.I'm thrilled that you're interested in starting your own local media company. In this academy, I'll guide you through the steps to get started and share insights on what has worked (and what hasn't) from my own experiences. I look forward to joining you on this exciting journey and learning about the media venture you plan to create. Let's make it successful together!

Module: One

Podcasting

Introduction:
Discover the power of voice in community engagement through podcasting. Learn to plan, produce, and publish podcasts that capture and reflect the unique stories and voices of your community.Outline:*Podcasting Basics: Overview of podcasting, necessary equipment, and software.
*Content Creation: Crafting your podcast theme, researching topics, and scripting episodes.
*Technical Setup: Setting up recording equipment and software, basic audio editing.
*Publishing and Distribution: Best practices for publishing your podcasts and getting them on platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
*Engagement Strategies: Techniques to engage with listeners and encourage community participation.

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Module:Two

Newsletter

Introduction:
Learn how to connect with your community directly through impactful newsletters. This module covers everything from content creation to distribution strategies.Outline:*Designing Your Newsletter: Choosing the right layout, fonts, and colors.
*Content Strategy: Generating engaging content that resonates with your audience.
*Email Platforms: Introduction to popular email marketing platforms and their features.
*Distribution Tactics: Building an email list and improving open and click-through rates.

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Module: three

News Site

Introduction:
Establish a credible local news site. This session will guide you through setting up a professional and engaging news website that serves as a trusted source of local information.Outline:*Website Basics: Choosing a domain, website platform, and hosting.
*Design Elements: Creating an appealing and navigable layout.
*Content Management: Writing news articles, blogs, and feature stories.
*SEO for News: Techniques to optimize your site for local search relevance.
*Community Interaction: Integrating social media, comment sections, and feedback mechanisms.

Module: Four

Amazon

Introduction:
Expand your reach by launching channels on Amazon Fire TV and Alexa. This module will teach you how to create and manage content for these platforms.Outline:*Understanding the Platforms: Overview of Amazon Fire TV and Alexa’s capabilities.
*Content Development: Adapting your media for streaming and voice interaction.
*Technical Requirements: Learning the technical specifications for each platform.
*Launching Your Channel: Steps to launch your media on Amazon Fire TV and Alexa.
*Maintaining Engagement: Techniques to keep your audience returning and interacting.

Module: five

building an audience

Introduction:
Attract and retain a dedicated audience for your media business. This module focuses on strategies to build and expand your listener, viewer, and reader base.Outline:*Target Audience Identification: Defining and understanding your audience.
*Content Tailoring: Creating content that appeals directly to your audience's interests.
*Community Engagement: Engaging with your audience through social media, events, and direct feedback.
*Partnerships: Leveraging local businesses and influencers to broaden reach.
*Promotional Strategies: Using promotions and incentives to attract new followers.

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module: six

monetizing your business

Introduction:
Turn your media into a profitable venture. This final module covers various monetization strategies that can help sustain and grow your media business.Outline:*Advertising: Exploring different advertising models and finding suitable advertisers.
*Sponsorships: Attracting sponsorship deals from local businesses.
*Subscriptions and Memberships: Setting up subscription models for exclusive content.
*Merchandising: Selling branded merchandise as an additional revenue stream.
*Events and Workshops: Organizing paid events and workshops for community engagement and profit.

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