The Future Belongs to Creators

Latest Episodes:

Oversupply and Competition Between Creators Sep 01, 2021

Show notes

In today’s economy, it seems like everyone’s a creator. And in a bustling creator economy, making your voice heard can feel impossible. But is it actually impossible? And does success mean viewing fellow creators as competition?

In today’s episode, Charli, Haley, and Miguel discuss a recent article titled, The Creator Economy Is In Crisis, Now Let’s Fix It. Some say over-supply and unfriendly algorithms make the modern creator economy a challenging industry. With so many creators working for less (or nothing), many wonder if creators are undervalued.

Nonetheless, if you’re itching to go full-time with a side-hustle, there are always ways to break through the noise and create for a living.

“I think what we have to do as creators is not let the platforms and the brands put us in competition with each other. We can’t let that happen. I don’t think creators realize the power that they hold. If every creator decided to stop uploading to YouTube, YouTube wouldn’t make any money. Right? We do hold that power.” ~ @charliprangley

Main takeaways

[08:54] Oversupply makes it possible for niche content to exist instead of content that appeals only to the masses. Tools like filters and search buttons make it possible for smaller niche creators to be found.
[09:11] Because the market is filled with tons of creators doing similar content, creators must differentiate themselves or find their niche.
[11:02] Platforms add to the problem of oversaturation because algorithms reward creators who post frequently.
[15:14] Oversupply isn’t a death sentence for small creators. If people are interested in your niche, chances are they’ll find you. You can beat the algorithm by being hyper-specific or hyper-broad.
[25:18] Making money is a skill set. To solve the problem of underpaid creators, creators must make monetization their goal before anything else.

Connect with our hosts

Links

Got a story to tell on The Future Belongs to Creators podcast?
We'd love to have you on the show to talk about successes or failures you've experienced on your creator journey. Submit your story here!

Start building your audience for free
With ConvertKit landing pages, you can build a beautiful page for your project in just a few minutes. Choose colors, add photos, build a custom opt-in form, and add your copy. All without writing any code! Check out landingpages.new to get started.

Stay in touch

Changing Your Creator Business Name (And How to Do It the Right Way) with Hollie Arnett Aug 18, 2021

Show notes

As a constantly evolving creator, nothing is ever written in stone. Just ask Hollie Arnett, brand strategy coach for creators and founder of Maker & Moxie. A master of branding, Hollie passed the ultimate test by successfully rebranding a difficult client: herself.

Beginning her business as a designer and typographer, Hollie picked her original name quickly. But as she evolved from designer to brand strategist, it was clear the name no longer served her purpose.

The name was beginning to impact her SEO, her ability to stand out in a crowded marketplace, and her ability to share her story. So she took the plunge and started fresh.

If you’re a creator who's scared to start over, Charli, Haley, and Miguel talk with Hollie about navigating those fears, rebranding the right way, and picking the perfect name for your business.

“When you’re deciding between your personal name or a business name, it’s about what your goals are and how your name is going to fit in with those goals.” ~ @holliesgotmoxie

Main takeaways

[07:12] Your business name should speak to your audience. Your audience should be able to identify themselves in your name.
[21:36] Rather than shifting your brand one incremental change at a time, rebrand in one swoop. It’s exciting, quickly gets everyone on board, and makes everything easier for you and your audience.
[27:00] You have to find a way to future-proof your business while also making sure your business reflects who you are in the present moment.
[30:08] If you’re sharing your new name with a small community before making the rebrand official, share it with people who know you and your vision and who live in the audience of people you hope to work with.

Connect with our hosts

Links

Got a story to tell on The Future Belongs to Creators podcast?

We'd love to have you on the show to talk about successes or failures you've experienced on your creator journey. Submit your story here!

Stay in touch

Q&A: When to Monetize, When to Quit, Reaching Long-Term Goals, and More! Aug 11, 2021

Show notes

In today's Q&A episode, Charli and Miguel talk with ConvertKit product specialist, Ben Schoeffler, about thoughts and experiences turning hobbies into side hustles. They also answer questions about when to push through burn-out and when to quit, creating with a goal in mind, and why it’s OK to produce work without knowing where it’s going.

“I noticed over the past few months when I’ve been doing things for my own mental health, I’ve thought, ‘oh, I should share this on my podcast’ or ‘I had this interesting experience I want to share this with people’ and then going, ‘wait, no this is just for me, no one else has to know this, I can just do this for me.’ It’s been interesting to realize how I’ve programmed my brain for content production.” ~ @BenSchoeffler

Today’s Questions

[04:26] How do you decide when and how to monetize a side hustle?
[07:54] How do you push through creative burnout?
[14:34] How do you know when to push through that creative burnout or leave your side hustle by the wayside?
[20:04] How important are long-term goals and how often do you think about them?

Connect with our hosts

Links

Stay in touch

Navigating Procrastination and ADHD as a Creator with Noah from ProvocaTeach Aug 04, 2021

Show notes

With ADHD, it’s incredibly difficult to focus on one task at a time. For creators with a lot to do, an ADHD diagnosis can make an already uphill climb feel like Mt. Everest. But, as Noah from ProvocaTeach tells us, there are ways creators can overcome their diagnosis and turn ADHD into a creative advantage.

Growing up, Noah always felt like he was better at explaining lessons than his teachers. When he eventually started college for education, he noticed that his curriculum glossed over concepts that he felt were the most important issues for teachers to understand and solve. And when March 2020 hit, Noah decided it was finally time to share his education opinions with an online audience and he began his creator journey.

In this episode, Charli, Haley, and Miguel talk with Noah about managing ADHD as a creator, why systems and support are the secret sauce, and how ADHD can be your greatest creative asset.

“There was so much that I could potentially do for this project at any given time. I could be writing, I could be learning about marketing, I could be fixing some bug on my website. There was so much that could potentially be happening at any one time, and in some sense I think part of the journey was learning how to compartmentalize.” ~ @ProvocaTeach

Main takeaways

[11:49] When there are too many tasks on your list, compartmentalize your to-dos and build systems that hold you accountable.
[13:27] Lean on external resources to help you figure out what your regulated creator process should look like. Learn from podcasts, research, and creators who came before you.
[14:15] Surround yourself with supporters with whom you can talk things through when problems arise.
[22:34] With ADHD, it’s tempting to give up when you don’t see an immediate payoff. But you have to give something a couple of tries before you can abandon the idea. It takes consistency to gain traction and results.
[32:22] Presenting an audience with immediate value is essential. Everyone needs a reason to stop their scroll. Otherwise, your content gets lost in the mix.

Connect with our hosts

Links

Got a story to tell on The Future Belongs to Creators podcast?

We'd love to have you on the show to talk about successes or failures you've experienced on your creator journey. Submit your story here!

Start building your audience for free

With ConvertKit landing pages, you can build a beautiful page for your project in just a few minutes. Choose colors, add photos, build a custom opt-in form, and add your copy. All without writing any code! Check out landingpages.new to get started.

Stay in touch

Overcoming the Overwhelm of Getting Started With a New Side Hustle with Romane Dagain Jul 28, 2021

Show notes

The hardest part of accomplishing anything is taking the first step. Whether you’re nervous about sharing work for the first time or fear you’ll never find success, most big-time creators have felt the same.

How do you push through those tough early stages when there’s no guarantee of success or profit? ConvertKit Product Manager, Romane Dagain, knows what it’s like to navigate the early days of being a creator while balancing a 9-5 and resisting burnout and self-criticism.

In this episode, Charli and Miguel talk with Romane about the hardest obstacles to overcome when you’re starting, reframing your mindset on monetization, and avoiding the pressure of outside perspectives.

“Even if I can show something that’s imperfect, maybe I can show something that is approachable as well, and then more people will want to try it. Maybe more people will see it. And then if I can just get more people just picking up a pen and just writing a few words and just enjoying this activity once in their lives, then I’m happy. That’s what I was meant to achieve.” ~ @romanedgn

Main takeaways

[04:38] Sometimes, the hardest part of starting a side hustle is accepting that you’ll have to share your work and that it’s good enough to share.
[09:50] Creating in public is a great way to hold yourself accountable, stay motivated, and connect with other passionate creators.
[12:28] You are always your toughest critic. Don’t be too hard on yourself or let perfectionism stop you from sharing.
[20:37] Before jumping into a monetization strategy, you have to build up the habit of creating as well as an audience. Take advantage of that time before monetization and the freedom in creating just to create.
[24:31] Part of the fun of becoming a creator is building something you love. Don’t let other people’s pressure and advice distort your passion project into something you dislike.

Connect with our hosts

Links

Stay in touch

Measuring Growth as a Creator Jul 21, 2021

Show notes

Many companies have regular performance reviews for their employees. If done well, reflecting on your work is a great way to improve and refresh your professional momentum. Even though it’s not mandated by a higher-up, we should still take similar time as creators to reflect on our work and performance.

When there’s no boss behind your shoulder or fear of firing, we as creators and solopreneurs need systems in place to hold us accountable and keep our aspirations on track.

In this episode, Haley and Miguel break down the beats of purposeful and intentional reflection. It’s a system embraced at ConvertKit, and a system we encourage everyone to implement as their creator journeys evolve.

“Honesty is a really big part of measuring your growth as a creator, or professional, or anything else. Because you’re not going to grow from something that you’re not even acknowledging is a problem.” ~ Miguel Pou

Main takeaways

[07:28] Purposeful and regimented reflection holds you accountable. Because as creators, no one else is there to do it for you. Start by breaking up lofty goals into small pieces.
[11:17] If you approach tasks with the mindset that you’re a learner rather than the expert, then nothing you do is wrong and everything you do is teaching you something valuable.
[17:27] Learning from your mistakes is great, but don’t forget to celebrate the wins too.
[18:00] To improve your areas of weakness, you have to be honest about them and aware of what they are.
[28:21] You can’t succeed as a creator if you’re not growing personally. Don’t just track professional milestones and metrics like subscribers, clicks, and revenue. If you’re learning a lot, that’s just as much of an accomplishment as gaining 1,000 subscribers or earning $1,000.

Connect with our hosts

Links

Stay in touch

Launching Your First Newsletter with Daniel Beasley Jul 14, 2021

Show notes

Taking a leap of faith is never easy. If you’ve ever thought about starting a newsletter, what’s holding you back? Whether it’s your grueling 9-5, the daunting task of building a website, or starting with zero followers, there always seems to be something standing in the way.

But, as Daniel Beasley says, take it one small step at a time. Director of Customer Experience at ConvertKit and former business owner, Daniel has always juggled lots of ideas. When he came up with the idea to create content about remote work and traveling post-pandemic, he knew that starting small and focusing on adding value would allow his side hustle to grow without becoming overwhelming.

In this episode, Charli, Miguel, and Daniel discuss steps for starting a newsletter, overcoming the hurdles of a side hustle, and the features that make newsletters fun and valuable resources for your subscribers.

“Most people have a thousand ideas, and all the ideas equal, ‘how do I make money from it?’ And so what I want to do with this is actually switch that mindset and say, ‘how do I create value?’” ~ @danielbeasley

Main takeaways

[10:32] If you’re thinking of starting a newsletter, curating content is a great place to start. Newsletters with curated lists are invaluable because they cut through the information-saturated web.
[16:28] Make your newsletter something you would click on and something you would be excited to engage with, not just what you think people want.
[23:01] You don’t need lofty goals when you’re first starting a newsletter. Your initial goals should be to stay consistent and to slowly try new things with a growing audience.
[27:01] All you need to get started with a newsletter is a landing page. Don’t worry about creating an entire site right out of the gate.

Connect with our hosts

Links

Stay in touch

Building Your Network by Sharing Your Process with Teddy Williams Jul 07, 2021

Show notes

How do you go from casual listener of a show to colleague of a creator all in the comment section of a live stream? Ask Teddy. A staple of The Future Belongs To Creators podcast, Teddy’s here (almost) every week to ask questions and keep the conversation fun.

In today’s episode, Teddy chats with Charli, Haley, and Miguel about his success working from the comment section and finding his audience as an emerging creator. They discuss everything from overcoming the fear of asking that first question to a creator and if building in public is really worth potential scrutiny. They also discuss the acceptability of shameless networking.

Stepping into the spotlight can be nerve-wracking. But for people like Teddy, the professional benefits have outweighed the potential downside.

“If your favorite YouTuber for fashion is like, ‘Hey I’m doing a live stream,” don’t just show up and watch it. Show up and ask a question. Participate in the chat and get that started.” ~ @TeddyWilliamsW

Main takeaways

[09:28] When it comes to perfectionism, sometimes you have to get out of your own way. Finishing something and creating it in public will lead to more opportunities. Don’t wait around for the work to be perfect.
[19:33] Even a small interaction can mean a lot to a fan or follower. Networking doesn’t have to be a huge gesture to be successful. A series of small connections is a fantastic way to build relationships.
[23:45] There’s no shame in intentional networking. Plan for who you’re going to connect with at a networking event or elsewhere to make the most of your time.
[28:46] When you engage with creators, you’re actually serving them. Interacting with and applying their content helps show that they are accomplishing the mission they set out to.
[37:11] As a creator with an audience, remember to recognize the fans or followers that show up repeatedly.

Connect with our hosts

Links

Stay in touch

The Impact of Twitch on the Creator Economy Jun 30, 2021

Show notes

While an app filled with live streaming gamers may be the last thing you associate with 2021’s highest-paid influencers, much of what makes up our modern creator economy originated on Twitch.

At least according to a recent article, Twitch Turns 10, and the Creator Economy Is in Its Debt. In this episode, Charli, Haley, and Miguel dig into live streams, the game craze, opportunities from the app, challenges Twitch perpetuates, and why creators today should take a page from the gaming space for a healthy career doing what they love.

“Streamers have huge, very very passionate audiences because of the live component of the content that they create, more so than perhaps an influencer on Instagram who is posting very curated photos of their space or their outfit or whatever. I think people really like the reality of seeing someone live and their live reactions.” ~ @charliprangley

Main takeaways

[10:54] Are gamers considered creators? They create content for an audience, which is exactly what artists and YouTubers do.
[23:11] Don’t rely on third-party tools to build a relationship with your audience, whether that be YouTube, Instagram, or Twitch. You should always be steering your audience to a platform that you own.
[25:59] Given its emphasis on unedited live streams, some may argue that Twitch has contributed to the rise in “relatability” and authenticity.
[28:33] At the very least, Twitch is another opportunity for your audience to find and interact with your content. In that sense, platforms like Twitch add to the accessibility of becoming a full-time creator.
[34:01] If you’re a creator, try out live. Live streaming can strengthen the bond you have with your audience and add authenticity and humanity to your online persona.

Connect with our hosts

Links

Got a story to tell on The Future Belongs to Creators podcast?

We'd love to have you on the show to talk about successes or failures you've experienced on your creator journey. Submit your story here!

Start building your audience for free

Stay in touch

Q&A: Income Transparency, Podcasting Lessons, Creative Inspiration, and More! Jun 23, 2021

Show notes

In today's Q&A episode, Charli, Haley, and Miguel share secrets and insights from their experience balancing work, life, side passions, and, of course, hosting a creator podcast. Stay tuned for answers on charging for sponsorships, knowing your limits as a freelancer, recovering from creative ruts, and more.

“You have to know your audience so well to understand your value. Because if you have an unengaged audience, then your value is not going to be there.” ~ @HaleyJanicek

Today’s Questions

[03:45] Why is Charli so transparent about her income?
[12:05] What are the biggest lessons you’ve learned from doing this podcast?
[20:06] What do you do when you’re feeling creatively uninspired or unmotivated?
[26:37] How do you handle growth and momentum on your side gig when you can’t give it the attention it needs?

Connect with our hosts

Links