I started writing poetry as a kid. I loved getting an idea onto the page, finding the words for it, and sharing it with someone. That’s still what draws me to publishing.
From a New York magazine to the early web
Right out of college, around 1989–90, I began working on my first magazine in New York. I built it up, sold it, and went on to build a business publishing company.
Then the internet arrived. In print, every extra page meant more paper, and paper was expensive. On the web, I could give a story as much space as it needed and get it to people far beyond our print distribution. I sold my print publishing business in 1994 and went all in on the internet.
Years later, I built the Knowledge@Wharton Digest for the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. In 2013, Wharton reported that the broader Knowledge@Wharton network had more than two million subscribers worldwide. I still think about what made that work meaningful. People could get ideas they cared about directly, wherever they lived.
Give the following you’ve built a place to go
Today, a creator can build a following that would have taken an entire publishing company to reach. Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and other platforms can help people find you. A change to the rules, the algorithm, or your account can change how many of those people you can reach tomorrow.
When someone visits your site and chooses to join your list, become a member, or buy something, you can build a direct relationship with them. You decide what to publish, how often to get in touch, and what to offer. Selling directly also gives you more control over your prices, costs, and margins. Over time, the work you publish and the business you build around it become assets you can keep developing.
A publishing platform you can run from your phone
I built PublishShow so you can speak an idea into your phone, turn it into a draft, and publish it as text, audio, or video. You can send a newsletter, run a membership, and sell from the same site. I’ll work with you to decide what to launch, tailor the platform to your brand, and show you how to run it. It lives on your domain, in an account you control. You get the source code and own 100% of the custom IP we create for your business.
More than 35 years into my publishing career, I’m more energized about it than ever. It’s easier now to start with what you need and build as your audience grows. That gives creators more time to make the work people come back for.
Let’s talk about what you could build
If you’re an influencer, content creator, speaker, or publisher, or you manage someone who is, book a call with me. I’d like to hear what’s already working for you. We’ll talk about how we could work together to reach more of your audience directly, make publishing easier, and build something that can earn and grow under your name.