The old digital media strategy of rapid scaling via social platforms failed because those audiences were not truly owned. They belonged to Google and Facebook, exhibiting no loyalty to the media brand itself. The new focus is on building direct, dedicated audiences.

Instead of centralizing all content on one brand account, ClickUp creates an ecosystem of pages like "ClickUp Comedy" and "ClickUp Memes." These niche accounts build their own dedicated audiences and can grow faster than the main brand page, creating multiple entry points into the ClickUp universe.

As AI democratizes content creation, the sustainable strategy for creators is to build an IP framework—a world with rules and a vibe—that empowers their community to co-create within it. This shifts the focus from top-down content to fostering a creative ecosystem, as exemplified by Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto.

To succeed today, product companies must also be media companies. Instead of solely relying on buying advertising, brands need to create and distribute their own content through owned channels. This strategy builds a direct relationship with the community, fosters loyalty, and creates a more sustainable marketing engine.

To diversify revenue, Puberty Group built an in-house "studio" that functions as a creative agency. They leverage their platform expertise to offer services like running a brand's social media, creating bespoke content, and managing events, moving up the value chain from simple ad sales.

Kit Chilvers intentionally positioned Puberty Group to fill a market gap for positive, wholesome social media content. He sourced undiscovered heartwarming stories from niche Reddit communities, repackaged them for Instagram, and built a massive brand around universally understood, uplifting narratives.

Gaining millions of views is a vanity metric if the audience isn't engaged or aligned with business goals. Instead of pursuing fleeting viral moments, focus on consistent content that cultivates a real community. That engaged community, not a passive audience, can eventually be converted into customers.

To foster deep loyalty, media brands should cultivate a sense of belonging that transcends mere content consumption. The goal is to make readers feel like they are part of an exclusive club or movement—an identity they are proud to associate with and share publicly.

With predictions that 90% of online content will be AI-generated by 2027, authentic human connection becomes the ultimate differentiator. Building a strong community through live streams, groups, and direct interaction is the only sustainable strategy to maintain trust.