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Media Industry: Where to Start to Build a Business or Career

Updated: Jul 17

The media industry for entrepreneurs and media professionals.


If you're considering a career or launching a business in media, you probably already understand this:

Media is not just about content - it’s a powerful business model and a strategic communication tool.


First, Understand the Media Ecosystem


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Building a sustainable career or business in media starts with understanding the ecosystem that powers communication, culture, commerce, and public engagement: its channels, formats, key players, and the diverse paths available. Whether your passion lies in storytelling, design, performance, production, or strategy, there’s space for you in media.


Media functions as both a product and a service.


  • As a Product: Films, shows, music, podcasts, games, books, and interactive experiences

  • As a Service: Advertising, storytelling, reputation management, public information, learning tool

  • As a Platform: Social media, website, news channels, digital streaming, radio, and TV channels


Media spans entertainment, journalism, marketing, education, culture, and public discourse. It functions through traditional outlets and digital platforms alike, from broadcasting and publishing to podcasts and social media.



Educational Pathways into Media


To thrive in media, professionals often combine formal education with hands-on, real-world experience like internships, freelance work, or projects. Formal studies help launch your media career. Consider degrees or certifications in these fields of study:

  • Journalism

  • Film and media production

  • Photography

  • Creative and digital communications

  • Advertising or marketing

  • Business & Strategic Communications

  • Graphic design

  • Linguistics or Languages

  • Creative writing


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Core Skills That Matter

Media demands a lot of creative collaboration for bigger projects. It requires a balance of creative thinking, strategic planning, and technical execution. Some of the most valuable skills across roles include:

  • Writing & Editing: Editorial, screenwriting, copywriting, journalistic, or creative writing

  • Design: Print and web graphics, product development, branding

  • Speaking & Hosting: Broadcasting, presenting, teaching, entertaining, or moderating

  • Photography & Videography: Visual storytelling, camera work, lighting, directing

  • Post-Production & Audio Engineering: Editing, color grading, sound design, music composition

  • Tech & IT: Admin, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, platform management

  • Programming & Production: Planning, creative direction, execution, team coordination

  • Event Planning: Logistics, planning, guest coordination, production execution

  • Business & Marketing: Brand strategy, communications, analytics, partnerships

  • Public relations: media relations, influencer marketing, reputation management


To Kickstart Your Career in Media:

1. Build Your Skills and Portfolio: Media is creative and relies on expressive talent

  • Showcase your skills with writing samples, videos, designs, projects, or social media content. 

  • Collaborate with friends on creative projects

  • Join small competitions and local or international contests in your field

  • Volunteer, get an internship, and practice your skills in a team environment


2. Network and Connect: Media is a very social and collaborative industry

  • Attend industry events: Conferences and networking events provide opportunities to meet professionals

  • join groups, clubs, associations with other media professionals, journalists, filmmakers, photographers, podcast hosts, comedians, documentarians

  • Apply for fellowships and special programs organized by industry leaders


3. Stay Current and Adapt: Media is driven by tech and communication trends

  • Join online communities: subscribe to newsletters and industry publications because communication trends are constantly changing

  • Attend industry events: Conferences, workshops, to meet professionals and learn about industry trends. 


  1. Remote freelance or local work: Media is digital, but first, it is very local

Find local stories and work with local talent

  • Local news networks

  • Newspapers

  • Photography studios

  • Video producers and media technicians


Engage in creative expressions and business communications

  • Radio channels, TV channels

  • Magazines, Literary agencies

  • Communications, advertising, and marketing agencies

  • Marketing and communications departments


Start a Small Media Enterprise

You don’t need to work for a large media house to make an impact. Small businesses are the lifeblood of the media industry.


Conduct some market research, develop a business plan, look into funding opportunities, consult on legal structure and registration, then get into operations and marketing. Many creative and influential voices today come from independent creators and small businesses.


The industry thrives on independent creators and niche businesses:

  • Musicians and music producers

  • Independent artists and entertainers

  • Freelance photographers, videographers, and designers

  • Boutique communications and advertising agencies

  • Audio-visual production agencies

  • Book publishers and literary agents,  magazine publishers

  • Podcast and video content creators

  • Fashion and costume designers, make-up artists, and stylists

  • Event planners and cultural producers

  • Multimedia studios and creative venues


These small businesses often serve niche audiences, bringing fresh perspectives, cultural relevance, innovation, and authenticity to the forefront and into larger media projects or productions.


In short,

The media industry is fast-paced, vast, and constantly evolving, which makes it exciting. Whether you’re aiming to build a creative career or launch a media-centric business, success begins with understanding the media landscape and identifying where your interests and skills intersect.




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