About Simon Owens
Simon Owens is a DC-area journalist who covers the media industry. His newsletter follows trends in both the Creator Economy and traditional media, and he also hosts The Business of Content, a podcast about how publishers create, distribute, and monetize their digital content.
Simon got his start as a newspaper reporter covering government and schools in Virginia. He later held editor positions at PBS’ Mediashift and US News & World Report. His writing has appeared in The Atlantic, New York Magazine, Politico, Scientific American, Forbes, Harvard’s Nieman Lab, The Next Web, Daily Dot, PBS.org, and US News & World Report.
In addition to his journalism work, Simon’s conducted PR, content marketing, and social media strategy for dozens of organizations that include Fortune 100 companies, startups, and trade associations.
You can also find him on Threads, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.
Email him at simonowens@gmail.com
Want to pick my brain on your content strategy?
At this point I’ve probably interviewed over 1,000 media entrepreneurs about how they built their businesses.
I also spent over a decade consulting with organizations ranging from small nonprofits to Fortune 100 companies on their content strategies.
For this reason I get a fair number of people who reach out to me to see if I offer consulting calls so they can ask me questions related to their own content strategies.
Currently, there are three options for booking consulting calls with me:
Become a paid subscriber to my newsletter: When you subscribe, you automatically receive an email with a Calendly link that allows you to book a half-hour introductory call with me. Many of my subscribers use these calls to ask me questions related to their own businesses. Use this link and get 20% off for your first year:
Book an hour-long consulting call: Substack has a cool tool that allows you to directly book a call with me. Paid subscribers automatically get a $50 discount for these calls: [Book a meeting here]
Book a series of calls: Sometimes people want to book multiple calls with me. I can offer a significant discount for three or more calls. I also sometimes take on more bespoke consulting engagements. Reach out to me for details.
Want to advertise in this newsletter?
Details for sponsorships can be found over here.
What media entrepreneurs are saying about me
"To keep up with trends that affect our company, I read a number of newsletters and publications that cover the business of media. Simon Owens' Media Newsletter is consistently the most useful for me, as evidenced by how often I pass along his pieces to my colleagues. Simon doesn't just pay attention to the big players. He covers the entire media ecosystem, including those small but rising players that may not be household names, but which are quietly building large, profitable businesses on new media platforms, from Substack to YouTube and beyond. And his coverage demonstrates the savvy and deep knowledge he has gained over years of following the media business closely."
—Hampton Stephens, publisher, World Politics Review
“What I like about Simon Owens is that you get a unique combination of insights into the latest media trends, really useful tips on how to monetize your work (if you are prepared to do it consistently of course), plus a feeling of community because you realize you aren’t the only one out there. I have learned so much from him.”
—Fiona Mullen, founder of Sapienta Economics
“Simon's podcast and newsletter have become one of my go-to reads to stay up-to-date on trends in the industry and my appearance on his podcast led to great feedback and several collaborative conversations with publishers across the country.”
—Keith Pepper, publisher of Rough Draft Atlanta
“Simon always has salient, timely, practical and thoughtful insights about our digital landscape. Subscribing to his newsletter gives me peace of mind that I am staying on top of "need to know" developments.”
—Diane Salvatore, executive director of the MedShadow Foundation
"Simon stands out for being willing to explore corners of the new media world that others, to their detriment, tend to ignore. His newsletter is also great for its useful advice and practical analysis. It's a must read for myself and lots of media entrepreneurs I know."
—Scott Brodbeck, founder and CEO, Local News Now LLC
“Simon's newsletter and podcast are my favorite for the media industry. He often surfaces sources who aren't interviewed everywhere else, and he's really good at teasing out practical insights I can use in my own business. His work is one of the few I read and listen to consistently.”
—Alexis Grant, founder of They Got Acquired
“In every issue of Simon Owens’ Media Newsletter, I find at least one insight or an example — and usually more — that I can use to improve my business. If you’re a digital media entrepreneur, you really need to subscribe.”
—Taegan Goddard, Publisher of Political Wire
“I always look forward to Simon’s in-depth interviews with media entrepreneurs for one-of-a-kind looks at how successful products capitalize on new markets. His emails are always full of actionable intelligence and insights that help chart the rapid changes in our ever-shifting media landscape.”
—Chris Schroder, founder of The 100 Companies
“I read Simon's content because it gives me a pulse of what's happening across a fairly broad spectrum of emerging and innovative / next generation media companies. I find this saves me a lot of time and gives me insights I don't find on a lot of other outlets.”
—Ben May, managing director of The Code Company
"I read every issue of Simon Owens’ newsletters and listen to all of his podcast episodes because as the founder of a small local news start-up in Charlotte, N.C., I am constantly on the lookout for insights on how the industry is changing and, frankly, for inspiration and ideas to replicate. His interviews with creators help me compare my experience with people in a similar position, and he asks the right questions and also shares his expertise. At a time when everyone is bombarded with information, I make time for Simon Owens’ newsletters and podcasts because they deliver.”
—Tony Mecia, founder, The Charlotte Ledger
"Simon's newsletters and podcasts provide unparalleled insights on the business models of media solopreneurs and content creators, insights that I've used time and again to build my own media enterprise. His succinct round-ups of the latest media business goings-on are also a huge timesaver, and always high value."
—Louie Woodall, founder of Climate Proof