14: Future-proof by Owning your Content

Summary:

In this podcast episode, Meredith's husband discusses the importance of owning your digital presence instead of relying on third-party platforms like Patreon. He explains that while platforms like Patreon offer convenience, they also carry potential downsides like fees, changing policies, and loss of control. By directly managing subscriber interactions through a personal website, website owners can retain autonomy, avoid unexpected costs, and build a stronger connection with their audience.

Blog Post:

Taking Control of Your Digital Presence: Why You Shouldn’t Build on Rented Land

In a digital world filled with platforms promising easy monetization, it’s tempting for website owners to jump on services like Patreon, YouTube, or social media to build an online presence. But as Meredith's husband insightfully explains, relying on third-party services can be risky and costly in the long run. To safeguard your business and maximize control, it’s crucial to own your online content and build a direct relationship with your audience.

The Risks of Relying on Third-Party Platforms

Platforms like Patreon, while user-friendly, come with several disadvantages:

• Transaction Fees: Platforms like Patreon take a percentage of subscription fees, which can add up over time. For example, Apple’s podcast subscription service takes around 30-40% of revenue.

• Policy Changes: Third-party platforms can change their rates, terms, or features anytime. This was seen with Google Ads, where initial low rates skyrocketed over time, putting pressure on businesses that relied on these ads for growth.

• Uncertainty in Platform Longevity: Digital platforms may lose popularity, get acquired, or close down, as was the case with Friendster and MySpace. Relying too heavily on a single platform could jeopardize your reach if the service falters.

Building a Direct Relationship with Your Audience

Instead of depending on platforms like Patreon, Meredith's husband advocates for engaging directly with your audience. By using your own website, email list, or content management system like Kajabi, you can control interactions, retain more revenue, and avoid losing access if a platform changes. This approach also allows for stronger relationship-building since you own the communication channel rather than the platform.

Key Points from the Episode:

• Fees and Changing Policies: Patreon’s cut can increase, and they might adjust terms unfavorably.

• Loss of Control: Platforms may close or change policies suddenly, affecting content visibility and engagement.

• Limited Customer Data: Using Patreon or similar services means you don’t fully own your audience's data, limiting future outreach potential.
  

Aligning with Google’s Objectives for SEO

The episode also touches on Google’s ever-evolving algorithms. Instead of attempting to “game” the system, it’s better to create a website that aligns with Google’s goal of providing a high-quality user experience. This involves developing original, valuable content that will perform well on search engines and avoid penalties when algorithms change.

Leverage Social Media with a Strategy

While social media platforms can drive traffic, they shouldn’t be your primary content hub. Instead, use them to direct traffic back to your website or email list. By keeping your content on your own domain, you maintain control and ensure your work won’t disappear if a social platform changes policies or becomes less popular.

Resources

For website owners interested in starting a subscription model or building online courses, Meredith's husband recommends Kajabi as a reliable, multifunctional platform.

Owning your digital presence is about more than independence—it’s about ensuring the longevity and stability of your content. So, before jumping on the latest platform, consider the advantages of creating a space you fully control. It’s an investment in the future of your brand, and one that could ultimately save you time, money, and energy.