About Shawn Gossman

Howdy, I’m Shawn Gossman. I build media brands around what I love – and I teach other to do the same.

I’m a Southern Illinois native, an outdoor enthusiast, and a full-time content creator after hours.

By day, I work in surveillance and investigations. By night (and early morning and weekends), I blog, film, write newsletters, run communities, and help creators turn their ideas into real, profitable media brands.

This site is my personal headquarters – a place where I share everything I’ve learned (and continue to learn) about building blogs, newsletters, online communities, and digital products that actually make an impact.

What You’ll Find Here:

You’ll find straightforward, actionable guidance on how to:

1. Build a media brand from scratch, even if you’re starting at zero
2. Grow your audience using blogs, newsletters, social, and community
3. Monetize with digital products, memberships, and smart partnerships

I don’t promise overnight success. But I do show you what’s working for me – and how you can apply it to your own path.

A Bit More About Me

I run several niche media brands, including Hiking with Shawn, Serious Bloggers, Around the Shawnee, and Beginner Cycling Tips.

I’ve grown social followings, YouTube channels, and online communities to thousands of followers and millions of views with no big ad spend or viral hacks.

I’ve built newsletters, launched memberships, earned affiliate and ad income, and organized real-world events – all as a regular guy with a computer and a lot of curiosity.

I believe the most powerful media brands are often small, scrappy, and build with a purpose.

This Isn’t Just a Blog – It’s a Playbook

Everything I publish here is based on what I’m actively doing – no theory, no fluff.

If you’re trying to build something real, I’m here to help you stay focused, get unstuck, and move forward.

Copyright © 2025 Shawn Gossman.