Ariel Helwani Is Building His Own ESPN. He Already Has 1m+ Follo…
About This Episode
Renowned MMA journalist Ariel Helwani discusses his transition from a corporate role at ESPN to building a successful independent media empire through various partnerships. The conversation explores the 'niches get riches' philosophy, the psychological challenges of monetizing a personal brand, and the importance of professional consistency in audience building.
Episode Description
Show Notes
- 05:30- Ariel's background
- 13:05- Leaving ESPN
- 20:24- How Ariel drives revenue at his new operation
- 28:50- How Ariel originally decided to do MMA
- 40:00- Why Ariel gives away his Substack revenue
- 48:05- Audience building techniques
- 58:50- Leaning into controversy
- _____
Links
- * BreakingT
- * Ariel Helwani YouTube channel
- * Helwani Nose (Substack)
Key Takeaways
Focus on becoming the 'Howard Cosell' of a specific niche rather than a generalist to stand out in a crowded media landscape.
Build long-term professional relationships by being a 'human' who checks in on contacts without asking for anything, ensuring they are happy to help when you do need something.
Creators can leverage their audience to launch event-based virtual restaurant brands that operate during peak interest times like pay-per-view events.
Business Ideas Mentioned
Virtual Event-Based Ghost Kitchens
E-commerce
Niche Journalism Professional Course
Content & Media