Remarkable Regional Business Episode 17 - Tim Burrowes, Unmade

Remarkable Regional Business

Remarkable Regional Businesses - Episode 17
Guest: Tim Burrowes, Founder of Unmade
Business Name: Unmade
Website: www.unmade.media
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/timburrowes/

Topics Covered

/ The Evolution of Unmade:
Tim recounts the journey of Unmade, a platform launched on Substack that serves the media and marketing industry. He shares insights into its three-year growth, the development of a daily newsletter, and the strategic decisions behind organizing industry conferences.

/ Media Entrepreneurship and the Substack Experience:
Tim discusses leveraging Substack's Pro Program to establish Unmade, which provided funding, tools like audio editing support, and design resources to help build a foundation for the business.

/ Monetization Strategies in Media:
The episode explores Unmade’s multi-pronged approach to revenue, including advertising, paid subscriptions, event ticket sales, and sponsorships. Tim highlights the critical role of cultivating an engaged audience for monetization.

/ Scaling Challenges and Achievements:
From transitioning to a distributed team to surviving the initial years, Tim outlines the strategies employed to scale the business, including the challenges of funding, audience engagement, and maintaining profitability.

/ Insights on Media Trends and Industry Challenges:
Tim provides a deep dive into the evolving media landscape, emphasizing the role of niche content and value-driven journalism. He also shares the importance of storytelling that directly impacts readers' professional growth and career development.

/ Personal Reflections on Building a Media Brand:
Tim shares lessons from his career, including the tension in partnerships, the need for robust shareholder agreements, and the challenges of keeping a business independent while scaling.

/ The Role of Events and Conferences:
A significant part of Unmade’s success is attributed to its curated events, leveraging Tim’s journalistic background to create relevant and engaging content. He emphasizes the importance of repeatable processes in scaling event operations.

/ Looking Ahead: Innovation and Future Goals:
Tim talks about the need to balance personal branding with scalability, the future of niche media platforms, and the importance of adapting to market needs while maintaining journalistic integrity.

References:
- Mumbrella Awards - https://mumbrella.com.au/mumbrellaawards?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAx9q6BhCDARIsACwUxu7Awpf1slxXQp-BaUIpkXnyo70tCFK7x8-CyehvNNB7uSHU154icrEaAm84EALw_wcB
- Compass Conference - https://www.compassconference.net/
- Substack - https://substack.com/going-paid
- "Media Unmade" (Book by Tim Burrowes): https://www.amazon.com.au/Media-Unmade-Australian-Medias-Disruptive-ebook/dp/B094NQ21RS