Afleveringen
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This week on The Creator Spotlight Podcast we are joined by Jesse Feister, the Executive Director of the Webby Media Group. In the lead up to the 29th annual Webby Awards ceremony, Francis and Jesse reflect on the evolution of the Webby Awards and the creator economy, exploring the creator to business pipeline and three skills necessary to succeed as a creator.
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Links and References
Check out the Webby AwardsRead Jesse's AI and Creativity pieceFollow the Webby Awards on X/Twitter, Instagram and YouTubeFollow Jesse on LinkedIn and Instagram__
Timestamps
00:00 Introducing Jesse and the Webby Awards
00:47 Jesse's mandate as Executive Director
03:37 How the Webby's define a creator
11:35 Understanding the grind of the entrepreneurial creator
16:00 Being a musician in the MySpace era
21:19 The 3 most valuable skills as a creator entrepreneur
30:20 Sustainable business models for small creators
34:04 The evolution of brand building online
38:46 AI and creativity: Creativity always wins
42:08 The biggest opportunities in the creator economy
44:56 The instant feedback loop — use it wisely
48:15 Plans for the Webby's 30th year
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This week on The Creator Spotlight Podcast we are joined by Grace Ling, founder of the thriving Design Buddies community, which turns five years old this month, has over 150,000 members, and generates $1 million in annual recurring revenue. She is also a talented content creator and has found particular success on LinkedIn where she has nearly 50,000 followers. She is also the cohost of the How Creators Make Money podcast.
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Follow Grace on Instagram and LinkedIn
Check out Design Buddies and How Creators Make Money
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00:00 Introducing Grace Ling and Design Buddies
01:52 What is design?
03:30 What makes the Design Buddies community different?
05:46 The first 1,000 members
08:31 The first 150,000 members
12:00 Maintaining a healthy community at scale
15:46 $1M in revenue — what’s the breakdown?
18:18 Rizz as a service 20:39 Gatekeeping, use it wisely
22:40 How to spend $1M
24:49 LinkedIn’s untapped potential for growth
35:51 A lesson in diversifying your revenue as a creator
39:37 How Creators Make Money, the podcast
42:16 The two labor models of content creation
45:00 From creator house to party mansions
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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This week Francis is joined by podcasting Amanda McLoughlin, CEO of Multitude and co-host of the podcasts Spirits, Attach Your Resume, and Join the Party. Amanda began her journey as a creator vlogging on YouTube and has since spent over a decade in the podcast space.
Amanda's Podcasts:
Attach Your Resume
Join the Party
Spirits
All Multitude shows
Timestamps:
00:00:00 Introducing Amanda McLoughlin
00:01:29 Building a network through the early YouTube community
00:05:04 How the podcasting world has changed over the past decade
00:11:02 Forming Multitude
00:15:56 Building a top 0.1% without the algorithm
00:25:53 Podcast listeners are the most valuable audience
00:31:20 The most valuable thing you can do is say no
00:33:58 Diversifying your revenue streams
00:35:52 Sustainable creator-led businesses to model
00:38:53 Your podcast doesn't need to be profitable to be valuable
00:40:08 Never host your podcast with Spotify
00:45:58 All creators are a business
00:52:33 Platforms need creators, creators don't need platforms
00:56:13 Attach Your Résumé: stories behind seismic events in digital media
01:01:46 What NOT to focus on as a creator
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This week Francis is joined by Thomas Yeum, an ambitious video-first creator specializing in YouTube and Instagram. Thomas is well known for his Instagram series '125 days to make 10k/month'. Thomas shares his journey from software engineering to content creation, discussing the challenges and opportunities within the creator economy.
Follow Thomas:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thomasyeum/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Toemas
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yeumthomas/
00:00 Introducing Thomas Yeum and his creator journey
06:39 Challenges with modern consumption habits
10:03 The creator economy is the new American dream
15:48 Finding a career that fulfils personal values
19:22 125 days to make $10k/mo
26:07 The 3% rule: How to utilize inspiration
27:39 4 steps to making a great video
33:57 Balancing art and business as a solo creator
36:29 Making $100k/mo in 365 days
39:03 A bad video does not equal a bad concept
45:48 Building 12k+ subscriber newsletter from scratch
49:28 Bridging the gap between tradition media and the creator economy
53:15 Advice for aspiring creators
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This week Francis is joined by Kyle Sheldon, founder and CEO of Name and Number, a soccer specific marketing and creative agency. Kyle has worked within the US soccer world for two decades and held marketing roles at multiple MLS clubs. Kyle is also the founder and editor of Pathway, a newsletter aimed at helping individuals break into the soccer industry.
Kyle: https://x.com/kylesheldon
Name and Number: https://www.nameandnumber.com
Pathway: https://pathwayhq.com
00:00 Introducing Kyle Sheldon
01:05 The evolution of soccer and sports marketing
04:28 Becoming the driving force in growing soccer in the US
09:25 Growing careers in the soccer industry
12:22 Pathway's natural growth has led to extremely high engagement
17:32 The potential future growth of the soccer industry is massive
21:20 Navigating the soccer-creator industry requires expertise
24:49 The fashion culture within soccer
28:19 Empowering creators to thrive in the soccer space
32:22 US vs European football content culture
41:36 The shifting power dynamic between creators and traditional media
50:32 Partnership advice for creators and brands
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This week Francis is joined by award winning financial reporter, Phil Rosen. Last year Phil left his role as Senior Markets Reporter at Business Insider to pursue his independent newsletter-first media company, Opening Bell Daily. His flagship newsletter Opening Bell Daily, now has over 190k subscribers within its first year of operation.
Opening Bell Daily: https://www.openingbelldailynews.com
Phil's X: https://x.com/philrosenn
00:00 Introducing Phil Rosen and Opening Bell Daily
02:00 Building the foundation of a successful writer
05:27 Independent journalism's rise over established media
13:49 Navigating the business side of journalism
18:22 The freedom of building a new business model
21:40 Phil's ambitions to NOT scale the business
24:32 The death of objectivity in journalism
30:48 The untapped market for valuable growth
33:40 Overcoming the fear of posting video
39:30 Paywalls: The necessary evils of the media business
44:36 Advice for aspiring writers and creators
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This week Francis is joined by six-time author, cultural critic and book publishing coach, Leigh Stein. Leigh is also the creator of the newsletter Attention Economy.
Attention Economy: https://leighstein.substack.com/
Leigh's Website: https://www.leighstein.com/
00:00 Leigh's prolific content output
01:43 Is now the best time to be a writer?
04:38 Defining 'writing vs creating'
08:47 The art is the product
16:45 Does form come before content?
20:25 TikToks instability and the importance of BookTok
23:09 Leigh's journey through the literary world
27:25 We're influencing, not influencers
34:54 Writing 'Attention Economy'
40:52 How to make your content shareable
42:54 Destroying the stigma of self-publishing
45:55 The magical portal to likeminded people
48:54 Leigh's upcoming projects
52:27 Advice for other creators
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This week Francis is joined by Eric Silver, a podcaster, podcast producer and head of development at Multitude, a podcast studio and production company.
Multitude: https://multitude.productions
00:00 Introducing Eric Silver
03:14 Crafting your interview style
06:04 The details of teaching podcasting
11:56 Podcasting does not mean video
19:41 The future of audio-only podcasts
25:39 The intention behind the creator
28:24 What makes a good podcast guest?
31:46 The difficulties of guest-based podcasts
36:06 Building an ethical creator-first business
44:11 The rise of Actual Play podcasts
50:08 The future of worker-owned and independent media
52:57 Hank Green's best interview
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This week Francis is joined by Matt Brown of Extra Points. With a laser focus on writing high quality content, Matt is an independent sports journalist covering the world of college sports in America.
Extra Points: https://www.extrapointsmb.com
00:00:00 Introducing Matt Brown and Extra Points
00:01:47 The focus on producing quality content
00:05:26 The unique story of acquisition and reacquisition
00:13:11 Striving to make the internet a better place
00:19:36 Balancing creativity and business in the creator economy
00:22:53 The values and integrity of independent journalism
00:26:27 Vox Media: The bootcamp for independent journalists
00:35:28 Understanding your community
00:42:29 Providing value with high-ticket and low-ticket offers
00:55:41 Analytics are not money
00:59:59 Bridging the gap between communities through sport
01:04:09 The decentralization of media
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This week Francis is joined by essayist and culture critic, Alicia Kennedy. Alicia is primarily a food writer, however also has many refined takes on writing, the algorithm, and the attention economy.
Alicia's Newsletter: https://www.aliciakennedy.news/
00:00:00 Introducing Alicia Kennedy
00:01:38 Rejecting the idea of the creator
00:07:06 Declining media literacy in the digital age
00:12:36 The fragmentation of public intellectualism
00:17:09 Attaching value to greatest achievements
00:19:32 The creator economy tradeoff of freedom and instability
00:29:33 The need for publications that challenge food writing norms
00:35:08 The blurred line between influencers and creators
00:40:13 Building a like-minded diverse community
00:43:58 The key to consistent organic growth
00:47:10 The need for a more horizontal media ecosystem
00:52:32 Navigating platforms with limited audience engagement control
00:57:51 Experience of writing a book vs newsletters
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This week Francis is joined by Kofie Yeboah a versatile creator in the sports media landscape. Kofie does it all, social media, long-form, short-form, podcasts, research and writing. He's here to tell us how he does it all.
Kofie's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KofieWhy
00:00 Introducing Kofie Yeboah
01:25 Kofie's early introduction to sports
05:35 The evolution from long-form to short-form
10:21 TikTok's endless opportunities and constant insecurity
14:37 Balancing roles as a content creator and producer
19:43 Successful strategies for repurposing content
26:56 The best and the worst of social platforms
29:57 Fostering a positive and engaged community
32:23 Revenue reinvestment strategies
43:24 Balancing a full-time job with content creation
46:55 Kofie's relationship with different sports leagues
48:33 The path to 100k subscribers
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This week Francis is joined by Jenna Stoeber, a video essayist and content creator known for her deep dives into video game and media culture.
Jenna's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@the_jenna/
Jenna's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thejenna.bsky.social
00:00:00 Laying the content creator foundation
00:07:00 The art of constructing informative videos
00:09:20 If I create, am I a creator?
00:14:36 The dichotomy of creating and consuming
00:17:19 Beating the algorithm with one simple video
00:20:55 Balancing creativity with optimization
00:29:13 Building diverse and sustainable revenue streams
00:34:25 Sacrificing salary for freedom and autonomy
00:39:27 Knowing your strengths and how to use them
00:46:07 The joys and challenges of podcasting
00:59:02 The art of researching and scripting a video essay
01:05:47 The boss fight: Goals for 2025
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This week, Francis is joined by Henry Winslow, founder and writer of Tricycle Day, a newsletter focused on psychedelics research, policy, and business. Francis interviewed Henry exactly one year ago, and this conversation is centred around Henry's growth over the past year.
Tricycle Day Newsletter: https://www.tricycleday.com
Tricycle Day Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tricycleday
00:00 Sustaining a creator-led business following rapid growth
06:27 The key to growing your first 1000 subscribers
09:23 Understanding your audience and utilizing data
12:44 Hiring an successful team as a creator
16:47 Scaling to a $250k business in year two
18:53 The benefits of advertising to a niche audience
23:27 The struggles of operating in a controversial space
28:03 Building an audience around trust
35:21 Expanding your business beyond the newsletter
38:09 Community is a buzzword, but not this time
41:42 Goals for 2025
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This week Francis is joined by Matt McGarry, also known as the Newsletter Guy. They discuss his agency Growletter, the nuances of newsletter-only businesses, the challenges of monetization, and the evolving role of creators in the media landscape.
Newsletter Marketing Summit: https://newslettermarketingsummit.com
FOR $200 OFF, USE CODE: CS200
Newsletter Operator: https://www.newsletteroperator.com
Growletter: https://growletter.co
Write Grow Sell: https://writegrowsell.com
Matt McGarry: https://x.com/JMatthewMcGarry
00:00:00 Introducing Matt and his businesses
00:01:12 Breaking down Matt's multiple income streams
00:04:52 Newsletters are NOT a business model
00:08:24 CPA is not as important as you think
00:16:06 Creating a winning ad to grow your newsletter
00:19:24 Why you should not start a newsletter only business
00:23:21 Do not paywall your best content
00:29:19 The key to monetizing your audience
00:36:10 The devolution from media founder to creator
00:41:36 The difficulties of marketing a podcast
00:47:13 Maximizing reach and engagement by repurposing content
00:52:55 The must-haves for a growing newsletter
00:56:30 The most saturated areas in the newsletter world
00:59:46 Newsletter trends for 2025
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This week Francis Zierer speaks with Lindsey Stanberry, creator of The Purse, a newsletter focused on money, motherhood, work, and relationships. Lindsay shares her journey from working in corporate media to becoming an independent creator/entrepreneur.
The Purse: https://thepurse.substack.com/
00:00 Introducing Lindsey and The Purse
01:25 Transitioning from Corporate to Independent Creation
06:16 Developing a Blog into a Sustainable Brand
09:30 The Biggest Detriment to Journalists in Media
14:26 Defining Identity: Creator, Journalist, or Entrepreneur?
19:44 The Value of Collaboration and Partnership in Entrepreneurship
24:43 Choosing Your Niche for a Content Franchise
30:54 Growing an Organic Newsletter Audience
32:14 The Challenge of Paid Subscriptions
35:22 Fostering a Community Through Events
38:18 Creator's Concern of Financial Sustainability
42:24 The Evolution of the Newsletter Format
45:05 The Value of Transparency and Trust as a Creator
47:08 The Value of Quality Writing Amongst Abundant Free Content
54:29 Take Yourself Seriously
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In this episode of Creator Spotlight Francis is joined by Daisy Alioto, CEO, editor and writer of Dirt Media. They explore the evolution of Dirt Media, its unique approach to content and community, and the challenges faced in the current media landscape.
Daisy: https://x.com/daisandconfused
Dirt: https://dirt.fyi
Tasteland: https://www.tasteland.fyi
00:00 Introducing Daisy Alioto and Dirt Media
04:00 Treating Subscribers as Collectors
06:35 The Primordial Soup of the Media Environment
11:49 Running a Media Company Like a Streetwear Brand
16:49 Understanding Your Audience is Crucial
21:29 The Importance of Being Future Focussed in Business
24:56 Collaboration is Key for Growth
30:41 The Growing Responsibilities to Your Audience and Team
34:51 The Internet is Nothing Without Contribution
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This week Francis is joined by Michael Kauffman to discusses his journey building a local newsletter business, Catskill Crew. He shares insights on audience engagement, growth strategies, and the importance of branding in the creator economy.
Catskill Crew: https://catskillcrew.com
Newsletter Club: https://thenewsletter.club
00:00 Building a Community-Led Newsletter
05:57 Local Relationships are Crucial for Newsletter Success
12:29 Building Businesses Around a Local Newsletter
14:28 Why You Must Begin With Organic Growth
17:50 The Importance of Branding and Identity
24:41 The Internal Desire to Create
28:55 Building a Sustainable and Authentic Revenue Model
38:43 The Local Holding Company Model
41:50 Revenue Breakdown and Business Structure
43:12 The Importance of Community Engagement
47:12 Financial Realities of Starting a Newsletter
50:48 The Newsletter Club: A Community for Creators
53:41 The Future of Local Journalism
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This week Francis is joined by content creator and entrepreneur John Hu, also known as Jayhoovy. John is the founder of Stan, an all-in-one monetization tool for creators. He shares insights on the challenges creators face in the business landscape and how his platform, Stan, aims to empower them.
Check out Stan: https://www.stan.store/
John's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jayhoovy
00:00 Introducing John and his company, Stan
01:24 Building an Audience and Personal Brand
05:05 The Artist to Entrepreneur Spectrum
07:45 Allocating Time as a Content Creator vs CEO at Scale
11:18 Celebrating Creator Success Stories
14:40 The Importance of Consistency in Content Creation
17:49 All Humans Will Be In the Creator Economy
21:30 The Value of Systems Thinking as a Creator
25:33 Scaling a Team and Hiring a Professional Memer
29:00 The Opportunities in Creator Led Digital Products
32:07 Attention Economy: The Limited Resource
33:56 Navigating Different Social Platforms for Success
36:25 Is Building in Public a PsyOp?
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This episode is with one of the best business minds in the newsletter world, Adam Ryan of workweek.com
Workweek: https://workweek.com
Adam: https://x.com/adamry_n
00:00 Introducing Adam Ryan and Workweek
03:44 The Balance of Creativity and Sales
06:21 Key Levers for Audience Growth
08:53 Content Trends and Audience Engagement
10:03 Current Projects and Initiatives at Workweek
12:39 The Difficulties of Balancing Creativity and Entrepreneurship
15:59 The Importance of Consistency as a Creator
20:40 From Campus Rep to Brand Builder
27:59 The Evolution and Future of Newsletters
38:04 Advising the Next Generation of Newsletters
44:59 Vision for the Future of Workweek
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This week Francis is joined by creative entrepreneur, Lex Roman. Lex is a freelance growth marketer with two newsletters, Journalists Pay Themselves and Revenue Rulebreaker.
Journalists Pay Themselves: https://journalistspaythemselves.com/
Lex's Website: https://lexroman.com/
00:00 The Multi-Hyphenate Journey of Lex Roman
04:00 Defining Creators and Creative Entrepreneurs
10:53 Monetization Strategies for Creators
15:43 The Boutique Creator Model
19:00 Revenue Streams and Success in the Creator Economy
23:33 The Role of Journalists in the Creator Economy
26:22 Virtual Events and Controversial Takes
33:27 Understanding Subscription Fatigue
40:44 The Overvaluation of Social Media for Growth
45:19 The Future of Internet Columnists
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