Newstex Blog
Today's media landscape is dominated by a small subset of companies, leaving the consumer with fewer options and worse choices.
Perhaps you, a person with a passion for writing and a very specific knowledge base, also harbor dreams of writing. If you’re anything like most beginning writers (myself included over a decade ago) it can be difficult to know where to start. Given the nature of the internet, a Web strategy is a critical component for success—but again, where should you start?
I recently discussed how creators can provide value to their audience by engaging in content arbitrage. In order to do that, you’re going to have to find suitable material. Now you may think this is no big deal–after all, you probably perform dozens of searches each day. But while your regular search engine can certainly help you find worthwhile material, it needn’t be the only tool in your arsenal. Information databases such as LexisNexis and ProQuest can be an excellent way for you to discover high-quality opportunities for content arbitrage.
The other day, I stumbled upon a pop culture relic entitled “The Kids’ Guide to the Internet.” Produced in 1997, the video follows Peter and Dasha Jamison as they introduce their friends Andrew and Lisa to the joys of cyberspace. The sites they visit are static affairs filled with low-resolution images and text in Times New Roman. They’re relentlessly utilitarian and often devoid of interactivity (though Peter does send an email to President Clinton at one point!). Fast forward almost 30 years later, and the Internet looks very different. And it’s not just a matter of aesthetics, either. The modern Internet is a far more collaborative place where engagement and interactivity reign supreme.
A few months ago, I wrote about the endless cycle of technological disruption. But something that often gets overlooked is that disrupted technologies don’t always fade away. On the contrary, they can often have unexpected afterlives. In this post, I’ll be looking at products that have proven to be surprisingly popular despite the fact that they were once considered obsolete.
Research is one of the most important parts of the writing process. Readers are looking for authoritative, people-first content, and incorporating thorough research into your content can help you meet that need. We’ve written a lot about research over the years, so we thought it could be helpful if we consolidated these insights into a single place for ease of reference.
Content research is a vital part of creating high-quality, people-first content. This differs from the kind of specialist research my colleague Jason has written about. Content research is concerned with the bigger picture. In other words, it’s the process of coming up with topics to write about in the first place. But it goes beyond simple brainstorming. You’re also trying to choose the best approach for your audience.
Some of the biggest record labels in the world made headlines recently when they filed a lawsuit against two companies which provide music-related AI tools. They allege that Suno, Inc. and Udio AI committed copyright infringement by using the labels’ songs to train their AIs, even if those AIs are used to generate original material. But the training of AIs has long been an ethical minefield, and in this post, we’ll explore why this can be such a fraught topic.
Building successful online personas requires several key elements working in harmony. First, finding your unique voice and perspective helps differentiate your content in crowded digital spaces. Second, maintaining consistency in subject matter and posting cadence builds audience expectations and trust. Third, engaging genuinely with your audience transforms passive followers into an active community. Fourth, setting clear professional boundaries protects your reputation while allowing authentic connection. Finally, treating self-promotion as a tool for sharing valuable expertise rather than mere bragging helps overcome the psychological barriers many content creators face. This article demonstrates how these principles can develop organically into a powerful digital presence that remains true to your authentic self.
For many content creators, Facebook is an invaluable tool in their marketing arsenal. Consequently, there’s a good chance they’ll need to use Facebook’s brand assets at some point. This post will provide some tips on how to use them properly.
The other day, a colleague of mine was telling me about a conversation he had with a friend who works in higher education. She lamented the fact that more and more of her students are turning to AI for help with their assignments. Unfortunately, their use is often highly problematic. Sometimes, they’re simply too trusting, resulting in work that’s riddled with misinformation. But in other cases, they’re passing AI-generated content off as their own material. It doesn’t help that the world of AI is a lot like the Wild West at the moment. In a world where formal restrictions are few and far between, it’s up to individual creators to ensure that they’re using AI in an ethical manner.
