nitchCraft: Lesbian online dating and some digital strategy on the side with Seeking Simone

In this installment, nitchCraft switches gears from beer-swilling hockey card nuts to… well… lesbians.  Today we’re talking to the co-creators of the now-internationally renowned web series for the lesbian community, Seeking Simone.  In an exciting twist, Simone (the star of the show if you couldn’t put that together) is actually played by co-creator, Renée Olbert.  Along with her creative cohort, Rosemary Rowe, they’re going to give us insights into engaging an under-served niche with new technology.  Let’s get to it! Brand:...

nitchCraft has a beer on the couch with the boys from “The Hockey Card Show”

In our inaugural edition, nitchCraft takes a look at The Hockey Card Show, an Ontario-based podcast that dives into one of my favourite childhood past times.  I learned about them through their active presence on twitter and had the chance to pick the brains of the hosts of the show, Justin (the creator) and Darrin (the comic relief).  I’d encourage everyone who loves or once loved hockey cards or even hockey to check out the show, and of course, read the interview below (which might be the least G-Rated content in the history of the blog!). Brand: The Hockey...

Introducing nitchCraft: Exploring how entrepreneurs connect with niche audiences through media and content

It’s an exciting day today at the nitchblog as I’m introducing a new feature this week that I’m calling ‘nitchCraft’.  Personally, I think it’s a clever title, but the jury’s still out! The idea behind this series is to explore the “craft” of niche as it relates to content in the digital and social media spaces.  To do this, I’ll be conducting (hopefully) fun and (potentially) informative interviews with a diverse collection of business owners, content creators and entrepreneurs who are using the interwebs to...

The Spoke Theory: To drive an audience, every marketing wheel needs a “hub”

A lot of the time, I’m a pretty big nerd.  I’m also, at times, a relentless critic.  One of my favourite past times that unites both of these truths about my personality is wandering around and critiquing the marketing tactics of the many thousands of businesses that advertise in one form or another around downtown Toronto.  From bands that flyer telephone poles all the way through to the monstrous concoctions erected in Dundas Square – I’m not picky.  I just really like to try and get into the marketer’s head. That said, in my aimless...

Digital content brings out our creative best – why can’t digital content business models?

I’ve been frustrated lately.  Over the last month I’ve sat on 3 panels filled with incredibly creative professionals.  I’ve traveled back and forth across the country meeting with some of the biggest players in digital in Canada and some of the coolest niche brands you may never have heard of.  I’ve worked as an industry analyst for two different industry funds, reviewing project concepts from some of the top digital concept producers in Canada.  Still, in the midst of all this incredible inspiration, at times, it’s been a frustrating...