Apply to join Project C.
A private community for journalist creators and solo journalists building their own micro media venture. A place to get honest about revenue and find the people building alongside you.
Built for a specific kind of journalist
Project C isn't a general-purpose journalism Slack to lurk in. It's a working peer group for journalists actively building their own thing. We read every application, because the room is only as good as the people in it.
- You're running a newsletter, podcast, YouTube channel, or other independent media venture, or you've started building one in earnest.
- You're in the thick of going solo, or thinking seriously about it, and you want peers at your level.
- You want honest, off-the-record conversations about the unglamorous reality of building alone.
- You'll show up, introduce yourself, and participate. Not just lurk.
- You work inside a traditional newsroom and are just curious what creator journalists are up to.
- You're a publisher or platform scouting talent to cover or poach.
- You're a media reporter looking for story leads from inside a private community.
- You want a passive subscription rather than an actual community to participate in.
More than a Slack channel
Private Slack
200+ creator journalists sharing strategy, wins, and setbacks. Everything is off the record by default.
Members-only events
Subscriber drives, co-working sprints, and sessions with creator journalists and media entrepreneurs.
Resource library
Case studies, templates, media kits, and tactical guides from journalists actually in the work.
Going Solo discount
A meaningful price break on our workshop series for journalists going independent.
What members say
If you are a creator who is drowning in a lonely sea of bad blogger advice from girlboss/techbro AI search results, if you are struggling to find your audience or monetize your wonderful content, I highly recommend the anti-slop community at Project C. You will gain confidence, make new friends, and learn the skills you really need to succeed in indie media.
The Project C Slack has been a huge win for me. It's now the top Slack channel in my right rail.
Finally hit 100 paid subs! Didn't think I'd be here till next year. This group and trying things Project C put out, like the indie media drive, was huge.
Who's on the other side of the application
Project C was founded by Liz Kelly Nelson, a longtime journalist, editor, and strategist who spent years watching talented reporters leave legacy newsrooms and wonder what to do next. She started Project C to be the thing she wished existed when friends went independent: a place to trade real numbers and real encouragement without the performative edge of public social media.
It's co-moderated by Blair Hickman, a longtime digital strategist and coach who's been in the independent media trenches since before there was a word for it. She also leads the Project C coaching offerings for members who want hands-on help with their next move.
Liz and Blair read every application personally. Only one yes is required to get you in, and both of them are pulling for people serious about building something of their own.
From application to "you're in"
We built this to be honest and low-friction. Here's exactly what happens after you hit submit.
You apply
Fill out the form below, tell us about your work, and pick your tier. Takes about five minutes.
Card on file, not charged
We vault your payment method through Stripe but don't run it, like the hold a hotel puts on your card at check-in.
We review it
Every application gets a real read from a human moderator. We aim to respond within three business days.
Approved? You're in.
If yes, you're auto-invited to Slack and your card is charged. If no, you hear back gently and your card is never touched.
Coming in through a partner cohort like the Muslim Accelerator or ONA26? Enter your cohort code in the form below to skip the card step entirely.
Pick your tier and tell us about yourself
Every application gets a real read from a human moderator. We aim to respond within three business days, sometimes sooner.