Premier Graphics
& Animation
Work with us
Menu
Studio
OverviewServicesCapabilitiesThe Collection
Institute
OverviewProgrammesCourse libraryHow we teachCareersGuidesFor universities
Journal About Contact Work with us
Journalism · MS elective · 3 credit hours · 16 sessions

Creator Economy & Independent Journalism

Journalism is unbundling from institutions. This course is a business accelerator for the independent journalist. It teaches students how to build a direct relationship with audiences using platforms like Substack, Patreon, and YouTube. The curriculum covers the “1,000 True Fans” theory, newsletter monetization, niche community building, and the operational skills to run a one-person media empire.

§ 01 By the end you can
  1. Analyze the shift from "Ad-Supported" to "Reader-Revenue" models
  2. Launch a monetized Newsletter (Substack/Ghost) or Membership site
  3. Apply the "1,000 True Fans" theory to niche reporting
  4. Master "Community Management" to reduce churn and retain subscribers
  5. Diversify revenue streams: Merch, Courses, and Affiliate links
§ 02 Sixteen sessions

The whole semester.

  1. 01The Unbundling of Media: Institutions vs. Individuals
  2. 02The "1,000 True Fans" Theory (Kevin Kelly)
  3. 03Identifying a Niche: "The Riches are in the Niches"
  4. 04Platform Deep Dive: Substack & Newsletters
  5. 05Platform Deep Dive: Patreon & Membership
  6. 06Building an Email List: The Owned Audience
  7. 07Personal Branding for Journalists
  8. 08 · MidtermMidterm Examination
  9. 09Pricing Strategy: Monthly vs. Annual
  10. 10Content Strategy: Free vs. Paywalled
  11. 11Community Building: Discords & Comments
  12. 12The YouTube Journalist Model
  13. 13Diversification: Podcasting & Merch
  14. 14Burnout Management for Solopreneurs
  15. 15Legal: Liability & Insurance for Freelancers
  16. 16Final Project: Launching the Independent Media Brand

Midterm around session 8. Final project briefed at session 8 or 9 and developed in stages until the juries.

§ 03 Final project

Final Project: Launching the Independent Media Brand

How it’s judged

Recommended reading
  1. The Substack Guide (Online Resources)
  2. Content Inc. by Joe Pulizzi
  3. Superfans by Pat Flynn
  4. Traffic Secrets by Russell Brunson
  5. Company of One by Paul Jarvis
More in Journalism
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in JournalismAlgorithms are the new assignment editors. This course explores the integration of AI into the newsroom, from "Automated Journalism" (robot reporters writing sports/finance recaps) to machine learning for investigative data crunching.
Broadcast Journalism"30 seconds to air." This high-pressure course simulates a working TV newsroom. Students will learn to write for the ear (simple, conversational scripts), shoot news sequences (B-Roll and SOTs), and edit fast-paced packages.
Data Journalism & Visualization"In God we trust; all others must bring data." This technical course merges statistics, coding, and design to uncover stories hidden in spreadsheets.
Digital Journalism & Online MediaThe newspaper is dead; long live the feed. This course explores the transformation of news from static print to dynamic digital interactivity.
Disinformation and Media LiteracyIn an era of "Alternative Facts" and Deepfakes, this critical thinking course equips students with the tools to verify truth.
Drone Journalism & Aerial StorytellingThe view from above changes the story on the ground. This course certifies students in the ethical and technical use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for news gathering.