Thoughts from a Content Creator

Today, I'd like to talk about… my interview with Leo Gonzalez. He's a humble guy but he's kinda a big deal: He has 2.9 Million followers on TikTok & 900k followers on IG. He has a Streamy Award, which is basically an Oscar for content creators. He's worked with other celebs like George Lopez. In our interview, he broke down the following: How we went from working a regular job to becoming a full-time Creator. Managing success as an immigrant in the United States.

In today's episode, I connected with Toya to share my experience at Podcast Movement, I also tell you about a new podcast feature from YouTube. Hope you enjoy.

Today we'll be discussing the benefits of podcast networks for independent creators like ourselves, and how they can help us grow faster and reach new audiences.  But before we delve into that, we'll touch on the challenges of being a small creator and the pressure to produce high-quality content without the necessary resources. We'll explore how working with what we have and using available tools can make a big difference.  We'll also talk about the power of great audio and how it can be repurposed for social media clips, attracting more listeners and creating a stronger online presence.  Krystal shares their enthusiasm for podcast networks and how they can provide mutual recommendations and opportunities for growth, even for a group of friends in the same niche with similar audiences. As we navigate the rapidly changing podcast industry, we'll also explore the importance of authenticity and accepting ourselves as creators.  Lastly, we'll address questions from our listeners who are interested in transitioning into the podcast industry from nontraditional backgrounds, and share some advice and tips. So sit back, relax, and join us on this insightful journey through the world of podcast networks, as we uncover the potential for growth, the challenges we face, and the importance of staying true to our creative passions. Let's get started on this episode of Cre8tor Hub!

Welcome back to Cre8tor Hub, the podcast that brings you all the insights, tips, and inspiration you need to thrive in the world of content creation. In today's episode, we have a special treat for you as we sit down with the incredible Imran, the mastermind behind Great Pods, a groundbreaking platform that revolutionizes the way we discover and evaluate podcasts. Our host, Lloyd, met Imran on LinkedIn and was immediately captivated by his vision and expertise. With Great Pods, Imran has created a platform that aggregates critic reviews for podcasts, providing an invaluable resource for those seeking to explore new shows and make informed listening decisions. In this conversation, Lloyd and Imran dive deep into the power of reviews in the podcasting landscape. They discuss whether audio-only podcasting is still relevant in a world dominated by video and how the two mediums can complement each other. They also explore the effectiveness of podcast conferences as a growth strategy, with Imran underscoring the importance of networking and collaboration. Imran reveals the motivations behind starting Great Pods and how he noticed a lack of trust and transparency in the podcasting realm when it came to recommendations. By championing trusted critic reviews, Imran believes that we can cut through the noise and find the shows that truly resonate with us. He sheds light on the impact of social media in podcast growth and offers insights into the challenges of creating engaging social content. But the episode doesn't stop there. Lloyd introduces a game-changing tool that aims to make content creation effortless. Riverside, the virtual recording podcast platform, has introduced magic clips. Powered by AI, these clips automatically generate social snippets from podcast episodes, saving creators valuable time in the content creation process. And listeners of Cre8tor Hub get an exclusive 15% discount to try out this exciting new feature. So, whether you're a seasoned podcaster, an aspiring creator, or simply someone who loves consuming great audio content, this episode is for you. Join us as we explore the world of podcast reviews, social media growth strategies, and the future of audio content creation. So grab your headphones and let's dive into this captivating conversation on Cre8tor Hub.

Learn more about Riverside's new Magic Clips. You'll also get 15% off when you use the code Creatorhub _ _ _ As creators that heavily rely on social media, we're constantly being told who we should be following and how we can grow our following, but I'd like to take a moment to tell you who you should be BLOCKING. Granted, there aren't many instances in which I'd tell you to block someone, but there are quite a few instances when blocking people has had a net positive impact for me. I'm going to share three instances when blocking people could do wonders for your professional career and your self-care.

The Creator Hub podcast is joined this week by Kashif, film and tv director, Co-founder of Donya and Muslims in Media. In his younger years, Kashif would make stop-motion shorts featuring all of his toys and be in awe of the impact that tv and media had on his point of view. That same intrigue in creating films and telling stories only grew as he got older. Around 2016, Donya production company was born with the mission of centering marginalized peoples' stories. Kashif wanted to flip the script on the usual trauma-filled experiences of people of color that are shown and portray a more diverse range of emotions and journeys. Previously he worked as a video editor, then feature visual FX designer in the industry until he took a sabbatical that led him to watch Hasan Minaj's comedy set in New York City. For the first time, Kashif felt connected to the show through Minaj's cultural references and directness, and he wrote a positive review on Medium. Fast forward to the start of Donya and creating film content and media, Kashif tried his hand at producing live events – some of which were Minaj's 2017 Vancouver Tour and 2021 Kings Gesture comedy special. Film Creator to TikTok Creator While Kashif is very attuned to directing movies and commercials, he (like many other professionals may feel) was most intimidated by the TikTok app itself. He had been making shorts before YouTube even started, and over the years has come to learn the ways in which we falsely use terms like filmmaker, editor, or director interchangeably. As Youtube continued to grow with the addition of Shorts, Instagram with Reels, and TikTok, Kashif decided it was his chance to get ahead of the curve and learn what was really going on. While he's still figuring out exactly what it is about his content that people respond to, his goal is to continue being as authentic as possible. As the algorithm remains ever-changing and slightly abusive, the content Kashif shares over TikTok is aimed at sharing stories of value rather than self-promotion or over-production. Transparency There's something so interesting to audiences about getting a behind-the-scenes look at content creation, securing brand deals, and the ins and outs of how Creators…well, create. It may seem odd and as if the content can't be just that, but Kashif begs to differ. Often those same videos showing the types of DMs sent to brands and securing deals are the same ones that lead to more deals with others. Don't discount the insights and entertainment that your personal journey holds.  Desi Standard Time Travel The short film tells the story of a young Indian father who just lost his dad, and gets the chance to travel back in time and fix their last conversation. Through twists, and turns the main character learns to understand his parents with more grace in this British sci-fi comedy-inspired short film. Timing, Prioritization, Brand Collaboration, and Personal Partnerships First thing first, realize that good things take time. Like a student becoming a master, give yourself time without the expectation of something perfect to come from it. Giving yourself permission and the patience to find the balance between slowing down and speeding up will get you further, without burnout. Some of the responsibilities and pressures that come with growing a brand or company are helpful in prioritizing what projects to say yes or no to, and how to accurately value($) your time. Take note of how the big companies and ad agencies are doing regarding partnership, and get creative in how to scale that down for personal projects. Enjoy more of Kashif's content on his TikTok @kashifpasta

Check out Riverside.FM - Use promo code Creatorhub Creative Juice - Learn More _ _ _ On this episode of the Creator Hub podcast, Lloyd is joined by Diamonde Williamson - arguably one of the most creative people he knows – to chat about her creative journey, following our intuition, and making space for the solution to appear. Ever since they were young, Diamonde has been creative and a storyteller, whether she was making furniture and taking art classes with her grandparents or creating storylines for her Barbies. For most of her life, she knew she wanted to do something artistic, and currently is a documentarian, producing and directing her films. On August 16, she will be debuting her latest documentary, Best Friends Not Forever, in Atlanta. The film focuses on friendship breakups and how we heal from them, a topic that is deeply personal to Diamonde.  Follow The Feeling From starting as an artist storyteller to focusing on the content that highlights black women, Diamonde built a lane for herself by trusting her feelings. She lives by the Marie Forleo quote, “The secret to finding passion is to bring it to everything you do.” Sure this requires lots of trial and error, and not being attached to how long one tries something, but following the feeling is part of the journey. There's no blueprint for entrepreneurs or artists, Diamonde views the path as an experiment of intuition instead. Top 3 Favorite Creatives Trick question! Diamonde finds more interest in business people and their journeys. For example, Kevin Hart is an artist, but he's also turned his art into a big business. The same goes for others like Oprah and Beyonce. And they did it before social media. The Highs and Lows It can be a constant struggle feeling like as a creative, success depends on following certain steps or achieving certain milestones like views, or clicks. Diamonde wrestles with this by going back to her creative intentions. If the goal is to get to a certain number of clicks, the power is outside of oneself, and dependent on others. If the goal is to create something that she would like even if others didn't, she walks away with more healing and enthusiasm to put into the next project. With less attachment to the outcome, we make more room for opportunities made for us on a heart level. Remember that social media is just one form of sharing. Diamonde encourages fellow creatives to spend more time with their feelings, and truly dissect how things affect your creative psyche. Making Money As An Artist Vs. Making Money From Your Art Also known as, making money bringing someone else's vision to life as opposed to your own. While Diamonde doesn't have the answer to that yet, she believes it's a matter of having space and time to figure it out. If a creator is constantly busy, there's no space to think about a plan of action (or have it appear for you). Instead of trying to fill the calendar with things that are going to help get us from A to B, make room to explore unexpected routes. When it comes to this and deciding who to work with or how to make a project happen, Diamonde just takes the first step and sees what happens rather than getting bogged down by the details. Lloyd and Diamonde work through an example of one of Lloyd's goals that currently feel overwhelming, and conclude that all we can do is everything within our control. Once those pieces are in motion, it's time to let go and let God. And even when imposter syndrome sneaks up on you, take a pause and think about all of the things you've done or are doing that you said you would.

Check out Riverside.FM - Use promo code Creatorhub Creative Juice - Learn More Connect w/ Kirk: https://www.instagram.com/kirkandre/ _ _ _ In today's episode, we interview Kirk Brown. He's the Chief Development Officer at the Ron Clark Academy. A school based in Atlanta, GA that continues to draw viral recognition for its Creative approach to teaching. In addition to raising almost $70 million in his role at Ron Clark, he's also a digital Creator. He uses his social platform to collaborate with some incredible brands. You won't believe this but Kirk was one of the first Creators I saw collaborating with brands before I had even decided to become a Creator. In today's episode, we talk about everything from: How Kirk started creating content. How he went from being a hobbyist to whole side hustle How he secures brand deals

Check out Riverside.FM - Use promo code Creatorhub Creative Juice - Learn More _ _ _ Connect w/ Courtnee: https://www.instagram.com/courtneefutch/

Check out Riverside.FM - Use promo code Creatorhub Creative Juice - Learn More _ _ _ On this episode of the podcast, Lloyd George interviews Tati Kapaya and Kayleigh Carter, the dynamic cohosts of Asene In. They discuss their journey from university to starting their first podcast and eventually launching Asene In. With their infectious energy and passion for entertainment, Tati and Kayleigh provide an entertaining and insightful conversation.

Check out Riverside.FM - Use promo code Creatorhub (https://riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_2&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=lloyd-george) Creative Juice - https://www.getjuice.com/club?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=voice_ad&utm_campaign=juice_club&utm_term=123&utm_content=lloyd_george Connect with Toya: https://www.instagram.com/toyafromharlem _ _ _ Creators and influencers…aren't they the same thing? If not, what makes them different, and what lane do you want to fall in? On this episode of the Creator Hub podcast, Lloyd and Ashley George are joined by Toya Coleman, a content creator, social media manager, and host of That Wasn't In My History Book podcast to talk about distinguishing between professional social roles, and navigating the entrepreneurship that comes with them all. _ _ _ By day, Toya works as a social media manager for multiple accounts and by night, she's focused on growing her podcast and social media platform. The podcast was a COVID passion project that grew out of a blog dedicated to capturing the culture of Harlem, NYC. Learning from all of the history being shared online at the time of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd's murder, Toya was inspired to positively contribute to sharing knowledge of the past and present. She combined her love for history and bachelor's in African American studies to create a fun and uplifting history class at the touch of a finger. Each episode of Wasn't In My History Book podcast explores the historical journey of cultural staples today, from nail salons to gentrification and grills. Toya has found success in creating episodes based on a blend of ideas that she personally experiences, or that someone suggests, as well as paying attention to the seasonal hot topics. And in order to stay consistent as a one-host show, there's much focus put on proper research and diligent script writing. Toya's biggest fear? That she'll say the wrong thing. She avoids this by keeping journals of research and cross-checking her facts as they get added to the show script. By starting with a simple Google search, Toya gets into the nitty gritty so that she can retell history factually, and in her voice. She's continuing to find success in reaching a larger audience by consistently sharing episodes, collaborating with other podcasters, and in pursuing additional social platforms (ie: Patreon or a newsletter)  Creators vs. Influencers and The Link to Entrepreneurship Being an influencer comes with a reliance on social media to maintain a personal, front-facing brand. Whether it's on TikTok, Instagram, or Youtube, influencers use their platform to obtain brand partnerships and influence their followers. There is a direct audience for influencers to share their content from whom they're trying to get to do something. Defining creators is a bit vaguer. In a sense, we're all creators of something…Someone who creates original videos or audio content is a creator, even if their creations aren't shared through their personal brand and don't involve front-facing exposure. In a creator role, there may be more room for establishing creative boundaries and upholding that integrity through unfavorable brand collaboration. Regardless of which side of the coin you find yourself on, entrepreneurship can become part of the journey and is key to having your platform open doors down the road.

Los Angeles continues to welcome our team with new experiences in recording studios, improved times hiking up Runyon Canyon each week and settling into a new apartment. As the pieces begin to fall into place, we're here to share more content to help you level up on your journey as a creator. This episode of the Creator Hub podcast touches on news around Twitter, Tik Tok, Meta, and offers advice on podcast sponsorship.  In this episode, we cover: Twitter's decision to remove inactive accounts TikTok's initiatives to support small businesses and creators of color Meta's approach to paying creators How to secure sponsors with zero podcast downloads Twitter: The Purge Elon Musk declared that the platform is eliminating inactive accounts, which potentially frees up some @handles from people that haven't posted since like, 2004. The handle of your dreams may finally be available for the taking. While Elon's notion to move forward with this project isn't groundbreaking, it is a little random but overall could be good. Will any of the iconic tweets or threads from these deleted accounts be archived? We're unsure. And for the creators who never made their move onto the platform, now may be the perfect time. With fewer voices and clutter, yours can stand out even more.  TikTok's Small Business Initiatives The company launched workshops for small business owners to improve their promotional strategies on the platform, with a focus on using TikTok ads and influencer marketing to reach target audiences. Happening every Wednesday for the month of April, small business owners can attend the webinars by registering online. TikTok's push to solidify itself as an integral part of the US economy is a continued effort in preventing a ban, and ultimately helps small creators grow their brand through the app. Additional initiatives include a new fund for long-form creators and podcasters, a $2 million pledge in funding Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs, and potentially more creative programs. Meta, Revamped The company made changes to its “ads on Reels” monetization, to payout creators based on content performance. The amount of time a viewer watches a video will determine the payout rate to the creator, versus someone just clicking on the video itself. Hopefully, Meta continues to move in the right direction in supporting creators and monetization opportunities. Securing Sponsors When You're Just Starting Out In 2018, Lloyd started a podcast to share the stories of immigrant innovators in America. Inspired by the fact that 50% of companies valued at a billion dollars or more have at least one immigrant founder, the podcast aimed to bring visibility to more unicorn startups led by immigrants. So when it started, he reached out to organizations and communities that advocated for immigrants and diversity for (sponsorship) support for the upcoming release of his first season. By leveraging his popular interviewees/guests and their mass of followers, as well as the value (both financial and personal) of the industry the show focused on, Lloyd secured 3 sponsorships from organizations and brands. Thousands of dollars were gained by reaching out, highlighting what made himself and his content unique, and in exchange adding their logo to the podcast. Just focus on your niche, be confident in your content and quality of work, and don't overlook the local organizations, businesses, and companies that might actually love to work with you. And if you need some help curating those initial requests, chat GBT is a great resource.

If you want to hop on a 1:1 call with me to give me feedback on my podcast: https://calendly.com/lloydg/collaboration-call-clone Take back creative control with Storyblocks' unlimited royalty-free stock library and tools today: storyblocks.com/CreatorHub _ _ _ On this episode of The Creator Hub, we've got some life updates, new goals, and a nugget of food for thought. As some may know, the team has recently moved to LA and while there are many details to be sorted, the new location and month have provided new experiences and opportunities for growth. Tune in to learn about our: - Challenges of moving to LA - April accomplishments - May goals - Shift in perspective Apartment Hunting in Los Angeles It sucks. And while it can be exciting to move to a new place, feeling stuck in a nomadic lifestyle isn't for everyone. Once a home base is established, hopefully, the rest (church, friends, a gym, places to eat) will follow. On A Positive Note A small win — The Runyon Canyon Park's got nothin' on us. Ashley and I made it to the top on the hike and crushed it, despite the trail feeling never-ending at some points. And in bigger news, we got to record in one of Spotify's studios! The space is used by big podcasters and celebrities alike, so who knows who will pop-up next. Meghan Markle..again…? This Month's Goals For May, the focus is on three big things; sponsorship deals, subscribers and downloads. The first goal is to make $50,000 in brand deals and sponsorships. April that number ended around $11,000 which included newsletter and podcast sponsorships, social media stories, reels, TikToks and content creation. The second goal is to reach 10,000 subscribers to the Creator Hub newsletter. For a chance to win $100, go to bigcreatorenergy.com and subscribe before May 9th. And if you're trying to grow your subscribers, check out Letter Growth to start advertising your newsletter or podcast in others' related newsletters. The last goal for May is to get 10,000 monthly podcast downloads. And while everything is off to a good start, it can be hard to remember your capacity for creation when the focus is primarily on closing the deal. Even for two people, the work can feel overwhelming. Sometimes you can get stuck doing 12 takes of the same line, praying that at least one of them is useable. Food For Thought: Content Versus Performance  Justin Moore, a sponsorship coach who helps people seal the deal recently shared on LinkedIn, “No one will be able to touch the massive body of work I will generate over the next decade about sponsorship strategy.” It truly puts into perspective the importance of understanding the content one produces in its enterity, rather than focus on the stats, views or downloads of the week. How can you create content today that will contribute to and compliment your combined work? For us, that idea is centered around being a hub of information for creators. _ _ _ You can check me out on Instagram here: https://instagram.com/lloydnotgeorge You can check me out on TikTok here: https://www.tiktok.com/@lloydnotgeorge You can always find me on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lloyd-george-634a7793/ Here's a link to my site: https://www.bigcreator.energy/

If you want to hop on a 1:1 call with me to give me feedback on my podcast: https://calendly.com/lloydg/collaboration-call-clone Take back creative control with Storyblocks' unlimited royalty-free stock library and tools today: storyblocks.com/CreatorHub You can check me out on Instagram here: https://instagram.com/lloydnotgeorge You can check me out on TikTok here: https://www.tiktok.com/@lloydnotgeorge You can always find me on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lloyd-george-634a7793/ Here's a link to my site: https://www.bigcreator.energy/

In today's episode, I share the three biggest mistakes I made in the month of April. I hope you don't judge me because this is embarrassing... If you want to hop on a 1:1 call with me to give me feedback on my podcast: https://calendly.com/lloydg/collaboration-call-clone Take back creative control with Storyblocks' unlimited royalty-free stock library and tools today: storyblocks.com/CreatorHub You can check me out on Instagram here: https://instagram.com/lloydnotgeorge You can check me out on TikTok here: https://www.tiktok.com/@lloydnotgeorge You can always find me on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lloyd-george-634a7793/ Here's a link to my site: https://www.bigcreator.energy/

In this episode, we talk about why Ashley and I keep budding heads! If you want to hop on a 1:1 call with me to give me feedback on my podcast: https://calendly.com/lloydg/collaboration-call-clone Take back creative control with Storyblocks' unlimited royalty-free stock library and tools today: storyblocks.com/CreatorHub You can check me out on Instagram here: https://instagram.com/lloydnotgeorge You can check me out on TikTok here: https://www.tiktok.com/@lloydnotgeorge You can always find me on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lloyd-george-634a7793/ Here's a link to my site: https://www.bigcreator.energy/

If you want to hop on a 1:1 call with me to give me feedback on my podcast: https://calendly.com/lloydg/collaboration-call-clone Take back creative control with Storyblocks' unlimited royalty-free stock library and tools today: storyblocks.com/CreatorHub _ _ _ In this episode I share my March 2023 goals, I share how much money I made as a Content Creator through Brand deals, UGC deals, podcast sponsorship, and Newsletter Sponsorship.

My podcast course in partnership with Linkedin has been live for 60 days and over 3,000 people have gone through the course. In today's episode, I tell you how I landed this partnership and my experience creating the course. Take back creative control with Storyblocks' unlimited royalty-free stock library and tools today: storyblocks.com/CreatorHub If you'd like to take the course you can do so here: https://www.linkedin.com/learning/record-your-podcast-using-anchor-for-creators/podcasting-with-anchor?autoplay=true The Profitable Podcaster helps coaching, course creators, and authors launch and grow their podcast to help them build authority, generate more leads, and sell more through actionable advice and expert-tested systems. Joe Casabona has been podcasting for over 10 years and has generated millions of downloads and hundreds of thousands of dollars from his shows. He'll teach you everything he knows. Subscribe at https://profitablepodcaster.fm or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you want to hop on a 1:1 call with me to give me feedback on my podcast: https://calendly.com/lloydg/collaboration-call-clone

I interviewed my friend Brandon Martell about his journey using content to grow his business. Last year his business grossed over $1,000,000 dollars and they opened a new facility in Atlanta, GA.  You can catch up with Brandon here: https://www.tiktok.com/@brandonmartellp?lang=en https://www.instagram.com/blackmensbeard/ https://www.youtube.com/@BlackMensBeard You can check me out on Instagram here: https://instagram.com/lloydnotgeorge You can check me out on TikTok here: https://www.tiktok.com/@lloydnotgeorge You can always find me on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lloyd-george-634a7793/

As a Creator, managing my business and money is essential to my success. This is why I use Creative Juice to do both. As my business has grown, it can feel pretty challenging to manage my growth. I'm so excited because Creative Juice has added tax tools to help Creators as they grow. Introducing Juice Books: automated and personalized tax tools for creators from expense categorization to contractor pay and access to creator-minded CPAs. This is a game changer, click here to sign up for free so that filing taxes next year won't be such a hassle. Welcome to Cre8tor Hub, the podcast dedicated to inspiring and empowering creators to thrive in today's constantly evolving world. In this thought-provoking episode, we tackle the widely-held belief that a large number of subscribers on social media platforms is the ultimate measure of success for content creators. Get ready to dive deep into the reasons why this notion is not only misleading but can also hinder your growth and fulfillment as a creator. Our insightful discussion begins with Segment One, where we unravel the illusion of success perpetuated by social media platforms. Find out how these platforms have conditioned us to equate more followers with more success and why this numbers game can be a trap for creators. We reveal the truth behind follower counts as vanity metrics that don't necessarily translate to real value, success, or impact. In Segment Two, we emphasize the importance of engagement and the benefits of nurturing a smaller, more engaged audience. Discover why these loyal fans, who genuinely care about your content and interact with you, are more valuable to creators than a massive following. We delve into the strategies for building a strong community of dedicated supporters and explore why this should be the ultimate goal for every content creator. Moving on to Segment Three, we discuss the significance of authenticity and connection in the realm of social media. Learn how the pursuit of follower counts can pressure creators into presenting a certain image or producing content that appeals to the masses, often at the cost of their originality. We offer tips on how to focus on sharing your unique voice, connecting with like-minded people, and fostering meaningful relationships with your audience that lead to long-lasting success. In Segment Four, we highlight the crucial aspects of sustainability and balance in a creator's journey. We stress the importance of prioritizing mental well-being, passion, and the creative process to ensure long-term success and fulfillment. Gain insights on how not to let the pressure of social media metrics dictate your path and how staying true to yourself can make the creative journey more enjoyable and rewarding. To wrap up this enlightening episode, we reaffirm that having a large number of subscribers on social media isn't the be-all and end-all of success for content creators. Instead, it's the quality of your connections, the value you provide to your audience, and the impact you create that truly matter in the grand scheme of things. Join us at Cre8tor Hub as we challenge conventional wisdom and redefine success for content creators in the digital age. Don't forget to subscribe to stay updated with more empowering insights, expert advice, and creative inspiration that will help you navigate the complex world of content creation with confidence and ease. So, are you ready to break free from the myth of massive social media following and focus on what truly matters in your journey as a content creator? Tune in to Cre8tor Hub now, and let's embark on this exciting adventure together! Stay creative, and see you in the next episode! _

Take back creative control with Storyblocks' unlimited royalty-free stock library and tools today: storyblocks.com/CreatorHub In this episode, Ashley and I review our 2023 February goals. We discuss: How much money we've made from Brand Deals. How many email subscribers we now have. How many podcast downloads we accomplished in February How much our business Podmin has earned so far? I hope you enjoy this episode

The Power of Consistency: My Personal Journey in the Creator Economy Hey there, my fellow creators! Buckle up because I've got a juicy tidbit to share about success in the creator economy: consistency. Whether you're a YouTuber, podcaster, streamer, or content creator like me, talent isn't everything. You can now let out a big sigh of relief like I did when I discovered this. Read on to discover how consistency has made a significant, and at times unreal (in a good way), impact on my journey. Talent Matters, but Consistency Has Been My Secret Sauce. Sure, being talented plays a role in our success as creators. Natural charisma, a way with words, a great personality, and high-quality content can all help us stand out. However, I've found that there's one factor that often trumps talent in my journey: consistency (plot twist!). By being consistent in creating and posting content, I've been more likely to build a loyal following and get noticed by others in the industry. Even if I'm not as talented as some other creators (hey, we can't all be Beyoncé), consistency has been my trusty sidekick on the road to success. Consistency: The Unexpected Game Changer for Me. So, what's helped me build key connections aside from my dazzling Idris Elba-like persona? (My wife said it, let it lie) Posting content regularly. As a creator who posts consistently, I've been able to outpace those who only post occasionally, even if they have more talent or way more followers. (#Under20kClub) It's like the tortoise and the hare: slow and steady (or in this case, consistent) wins the race. When I was in Las Vegas recently, I received several compliments from industry executives about my content. Surprisingly, the most common praise was about my consistency, not my talent or content quality. It made me really happy and felt good to see that others were aware of my work! It encourages me to keep going and to not worry about the follower count. This experience highlights the importance of consistently producing content, which can leave a lasting impression on others. Your Reminder: Be Consistent (and Maybe a Little Weird). As creators, it's easy to get caught up in the details and worry about things that may not matter in the long run. This newsletter serves as a reminder, from one slightly offbeat creator to another, that you don't need to be perfect, but you should strive for consistency. While we can't control everything, we can choose to be consistent, regardless of what may be happening around us (Banks failing again?!?). Embrace the power of consistency and watch it transform your journey in the creator economy, just as it has for me. You might be surprised by the return on investment that comes from being consistent in your content creation. So, let's stay committed, keep creating together, and remember to have a good laugh along the way! For more insights, tips, and stories on the creator economy, subscribe to our newsletter if you haven't already and stay tuned for the next episode of our podcast!

Take back creative control with Storyblocks' unlimited royalty-free stock library and tools today: storyblocks.com/CreatorHub In this episode, Ashley and I discuss creator updates on Twitter, LinkedIn and Spotify. As always - You can connect with me here: You can check out my site here: https://www.bigcreator.energy/podmin

Take back creative control with Storyblocks' unlimited royalty-free stock library and tools today: storyblocks.com/CreatorHub My friend Henry spilled the tea! He shared how he was able to go from zero to 2 Million downloads on his podcast! I'm sure you can imagine how excited I was, the three biggest things I learned from him were: Don't let equipment hinder you from starting.  Be Consistent, podcast listeners love predictability.  Adding value to people's lives is the easiest way to get them to subscribe. Henry G Lawrence's podcast is called the Positive Mindset Podcast. His podcast is an uplifting audio experience with meditation-style storytelling, his podcast helps people raise their vibration, life their perspective and build a positive mindset. You can check it out here, and you can follow Henry here: Henry's Instagram Henry's TikTok As always - You can connect with me here: You can check out my site here: https://www.bigcreator.energy/podmin

Take back creative control with Storyblocks' unlimited royalty-free stock library and tools today: storyblocks.com/CreatorHub In this short episode - I discuss why and how the feeling of failure as a creator can be an ever-present feeling. I share my thoughts on where it came from and how to overcome it. As always - You can connect with me here: You can check out my site here: https://www.bigcreator.energy/podmin

Take back creative control with Storyblocks' unlimited royalty-free stock library and tools today: storyblocks.com/CreatorHub Connect with Jada West, Brand Strategist here: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsjadawest You can check out my site here: https://www.bigcreator.energy/podmin _ _ _ In a recent conversation between Lloyd George and Jada West, a brand strategist and wardrobe stylist, the two delved into the world of branding and content creation. Jada shared her experience being on a TV show talking about wardrobe styling, where she initially felt nervous but soon felt energized and realized that it was something she wanted to keep doing. Lloyd talked about feeling like he was plateauing on TikTok and reaching out to Jada for advice on how to be more intentional about his content and who he is as a creator. Jada describes her role as a brand strategist and how she helps people to identify their brand, which she describes as "the heart of what you do" and "who you are at your core." One of the challenges that Jada sees creators face is feeling like they have to segment themselves and present only certain aspects of their lives. She encourages creators to be more multidimensional and show different aspects of themselves, even if it's not directly related to the content they create. Jada also discusses the concept of "anti-niching," where creators don't have to fit into a specific niche or box. She suggests that creators should be more multidimensional and show different aspects of themselves, even if it's not directly related to the content they create. The conversation provides valuable insights into the world of branding and content creation and highlights the importance of being authentic and true to oneself in order to create a strong and successful brand. The conversation also touches on dealing with negative comments and trolls, and how to set boundaries and focus on the positive feedback and impact the creator is making on their audience. Jada emphasizes that defining success is subjective and personal. She suggests setting parameters and appreciating the smaller things while being content with the process. It is important to focus on the progress being made toward achieving bigger goals, even if it does not look like what one wants it to be at the moment. Jada recommends that creators should think of themselves as a business and offer a product or service of some sort to their audience. This way, they will always have something to promote or collaborate with, even if their following is not in the tens of thousands or millions. By creating their own products and services, creators can generate income without having to rely on brand collaborations. This approach ensures that creators have a source of income even during slow months. Successful content creators have a business that generates most of their income. In conclusion, the conversation between Lloyd George and Jada West sheds light on the world of branding and content creation. It emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself, being multidimensional, and creating products or services to generate income. By following these tips, creators can create a strong and successful brand that resonates with their audience.

As always, you can connect with me below: Find Angel on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/angelmarieofficial/ You can check out her website here: https://pages.yourbeautyinthemaking.com//bio The newsletter for creators that are ready to level up: https://www.bigcreator.energy/ My Instagram is here: https://instagram.com/lloydnotgeorge & https://www.instagram.com/ashmogeorge/ Our Patreon is here: https://www.patreon.com/Cre8torHub My YouTube Chanel is here: https://youtube.com/@LloydNotGeorge?sub_confirmation=1 Do you listen to the podcast? Check it out here: https://www.bigcreator.energy/episodes You can find Earbuds Audio here: https://earbuds.audio/ _ _ _ In this episode of the podcast, Lloyd George and Angel delve into the intricacies and difficulties of being a creator and entrepreneur. Angel shares her personal story of how she landed at ConvertKit and the role she played in establishing the company's brand identity on YouTube, in the podcast space, and in digital webinars. The discussion also touches upon the significance of setting healthy boundaries and taking care of one's mental well-being in a creative and demanding industry. Angel sheds light on the challenges she faced early on in her career, such as creative burnout and the pressure of consistently presenting herself as a leader. She emphasizes the importance of prioritizing mental health and setting boundaries to avoid burnout. Angel also shares her experience of batch-creating content and how she found a balance between being consistent and taking much-needed breaks. This episode offers a valuable perspective for aspiring creators and entrepreneurs on navigating the complex journey of creating content and building a personal brand. The conversation highlights the significance of self-care, setting boundaries, and finding a balance between work and personal life for success in the industry. Angel also shares her perspective on stepping into the unknown, and how faith and being a creator go hand in hand. She explains that choosing to create something despite the unknown outcome requires a lot of courage and trust in something greater. For Angel, it is her faith in God that helps her keep going, even in tough times and when faced with failure. She encourages listeners to trust in their own journey, even if they don't fully understand it at the moment. Angel also reminds aspiring creators to start small and not to compare themselves to others, as everyone has their own unique journey and timeline. She stresses the importance of being patient with oneself and celebrating milestones and accomplishments along the way.

As always, you can connect with me below: The newsletter for creators that are ready to level up: https://www.bigcreator.energy/ My Instagram is here: https://instagram.com/lloydnotgeorge & https://www.instagram.com/ashmogeorge/ Our Patreon is here: https://www.patreon.com/Cre8torHub My YouTube Chanel is here: https://youtube.com/@LloydNotGeorge?sub_confirmation=1 Do you listen to the podcast? Check it out here: https://www.bigcreator.energy/episodes _ _ _ The most I've ever made from a UGC deal is $3,000 for a 30-second video, the least I've ever made from a UGC deal is $200. In this blog I'm going to explain what the heck a UGC creator is and why I think you should be one if you enjoy creating content.  If you don't want to read this blog because you're a millennial that prefers listening or watching content, you can watch the YouTube video below or listen to the podcast episode here.  My name is Lloyd and I go by LloydnotGeorge, on all social platforms. I've been creating social content for about a year now, and before that, I had never really created digital content except for a podcast. I started creating content on TikTok, primarily doing shorter videos 30 seconds to one-minute videos about podcasting. I absolutely fell in love with creating content, and that's what led me to research how I could make money without necessarily having a large following. Before I started creating content, I used to think that the only way you could make money from content was to become an influencer. I used to think that an influencer was someone that had a large following and the ability to influence their followers, so they could get paid by large brands to influence people to buy those products. However, I soon learned that influencers are not being paid to make content, but rather to endorse products. Being an UGC creator, on the other hand, is different from being an influencer. The term UGC means user-generated content, and it refers to content that is generated by a user and not necessarily a large brand. A UGC creator is someone who creates “user-generated content” and can get paid by brands to create content or to license content that has already been created.  There are many different ways to be a UGC creator. For instance, a brand may pay you to create content on their behalf, and that content will live on their pages. Brands may prefer this type of content because it seems more authentic and comes across as more natural. The large budget videos with influencers that are often seen on social media can seem fake, and data shows that people are not resonating with this type of content. That's why platforms like TikTok are starting to do well, as the content on these platforms is more authentic and easier to relate to. Another way to be a UGC creator is to create content and then license it to a brand. For example, if you're using chapstick and create a video endorsing it, the brand could see your video and offer to pay you to put it on their page. This type of UGC content was generated by a user and not the brand, and it can be an effective way for brands to reach their target audience. In conclusion, making money from content is not just for influencers with large followings. Anyone can be an UGC creator and make money from their content. Whether it's creating content on behalf of a brand or licensing content that has already been created, there are many different ways to be a UGC creator and make money from your content. So, if you're passionate about creating content, don't let the lack of a large following stop you from making money. Start exploring the many opportunities for UGC creators and see where it takes you!

Make sure you check out: earbudspodcastcollective.org _ _ _ In this episode, I chat with Taylor Camille. She's the Director of Podcasting at Well + Good. Taylor and I talk about: How creators can build good habits as creatives. How to make sure your podcast gets you your next role. How to fight through imposter syndrome when creative opportunities come your way. This was one of my favorite podcast interviews. I know you'll enjoy it. You can connect with Taylor here: https://www.instagram.com/tayllure/ As always, you can connect with me below: My Instagram is here: https://instagram.com/lloydnotgeorge & https://www.instagram.com/ashmogeorge/ Our Patreon is here: https://www.patreon.com/Cre8torHub Subscribe to our newsletter here: https://www.bigcreator.energy/ My YouTube Chanel is here: https://youtube.com/@LloydNotGeorge?sub_confirmation=1

Make sure you check out Riverside.FM - Use code: CreatorHub for 15% off. In this episode, Ashley & I talk about why I'm no longer waiting for these social platforms to save us! We talk about my new business and how I plan to make money.We talk about why mega-celebrities are starting podcasts. We talk about how to avoid stress as a creator. Hope you enjoy! You can find our new website here: https://www.bigcreator.energy/You can find our Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/Cre8torHubAs always, you can connect with me below:My Instagram is here: https://instagram.com/lloydnotgeorgeOur Patreon is here: https://www.patreon.com/Cre8torHubSubscribe to our newsletter here: https://www.bigcreator.energy/My YouTube Chanel is here: https://youtube.com/@LloydNotGeorge?sub_confirmation=1 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Make sure you check out Riverside.FM - Use code: CreatorHub for 15% off. In this episode, I talk about my 2023 goals as a Content Creator! I focus on three big goals:A revenue goal of $50,000A newsletter subscriber goal of 10,000A podcast download goal of 10k listeners per month.I need you to listen to the entire episode to make sure you let me know your goals. As always, you can connect with me below:My Instagram is here: https://instagram.com/lloydnotgeorgeOur Patreon is here: https://www.patreon.com/Cre8torHubSubscribe to our newsletter here: https://www.bigcreator.energy/My YouTube Chanel is here: https://youtube.com/@LloydNotGeorge?sub_confirmation=1 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Make sure you check out Riverside.FM - Use code: CreatorHub for 15% off. Lloyd, Ashley, and Tariro's goal in the conversation today was to talk about what Creators could learn from a Journalist like Tariro. She spoke about:How important is it to believe in yourself and give yourself a chance?How she manages to have difficult conversations/interviews with people. How she handles feeling like she's behind schedule in life. This conversation gave us a lot of insight into how we can become just a little better at our craft as creators. Lloyd and Ashley are the hosts of The Creator Hub podcast, a show dedicated to the culture and featuring interviews with creators from around the world. Our guest today is Tariro, a journalist and writer whose work has been featured in publications such as The Cut, The New York Times, Hyundai, Nast Traveler, Slate, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

(01:26) Podcast Beef(03:43) Why Patreon?(06:21) YouTube Trippin Again(11:34) Social Media for Podcasters(16:04) How to grow on Instagram in 2023Today Ash and I review the top creator economy news stories for this week. Here are some of the topics we cover:Why we created a Patreon.Why is YouTube demonetizing videos?Why social media could be a game changer for your podcast.Instagram's 2023 predictions.You can join our Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/Cre8torHubYou can sign up for our Newsletter here: https://www.bigcreator.energy/Want to watch us as well? We be on YouTube: Click Here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Ashley and I chat about me hating on other creators!! We talk about how content creators can learn to stay in their lane. Whether you are a YouTuber, Podcaster or streamer it's important that you realize your audience cares about you and you're on God's time. You can listen to the entire podcast episode on Patreon: patreon.com/Cre8torHubYou can connect with Ashley and me below:https://instagram.com/lloydnotgeorgehttps://www.instagram.com/ashmogeorge/If you're interested in subscribing to the newsletter you can do so here: https://www.bigcreator.energy/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I interviewed my friend Brandon Martell about his journey using content to grow his business. Last year his business grossed over $1,000,000 dollars and they opened a new facility in Atlanta, GA. You can catch up with Brandon here:https://www.tiktok.com/@brandonmartellp?lang=enhttps://www.instagram.com/blackmensbeard/https://www.youtube.com/@BlackMensBeardYou can check me out on Instagram here: https://instagram.com/lloydnotgeorgeYou can check me out on TikTok here: https://www.tiktok.com/@lloydnotgeorgeYou can always find me on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lloyd-george-634a7793/

This actually might be my best podcast interview EVER!! In this conversation with Pabel Martinez we talk about everything from professionalism to creating content online. You can catch up with him here:https://www.tiktok.com/@plurawlhttps://www.instagram.com/pabiceps/https://www.linkedin.com/in/pabelmartinez/You can check me out on Instagram here: https://instagram.com/lloydnotgeorgeYou can check me out on TikTok here: https://www.tiktok.com/@lloydnotgeorgeYou can always find me on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lloyd-george-634a7793/

In this episode, I interview Dylan Schmidt on why and how he decided to start a podcast. We talk about everything from how therapy led him to start his podcast to the fact that podcasting can be such a great channel for getting your message out. In this episode we talk about How difficult it is to be patient as a creator.How to transition from a behind the scenes person to someone using the microphone to share their voice.You can catch up with Dylan here:https://www.instagram.com/digitalpodcaster/https://www.tiktok.com/@digitalpodcaster?lang=enhttps://optimizemypodcast.com/As always you can always send me a text me here: +1 (404) 549-6724You can check me out on Instagram here: https://instagram.com/lloydnotgeorgeYou can check me out on TikTok here: https://www.tiktok.com/@lloydnotgeorgeYou can always find me on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lloyd-george-634a7793/

Creating content changed my life, but I also understand that starting your journey as a content creator can be difficult. Today I chat with my friend Berrion Berry, she's one of my favorite digital creators. She's accumulated over 22,000 followers on both TikTok and Instagram. In our conversation today we talk about how to get started as a content creator, how to find your niche and how to turn your hobby-creating content into a business. You can catch up with Berrion here:TikTok > https://www.tiktok.com/@berrionlberryInstagram > https://www.instagram.com/berrionlberry/Website > https://hoo.be/berrionlberryAs always you can always send me a text me here: +1 (404) 549-6724You can check me out on Instagram here: https://instagram.com/lloydnotgeorgeYou can check me out on TikTok here: https://www.tiktok.com/@lloydnotgeorgeYou can always find me on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lloyd-george-634a7793/

In this episode, I talk about:Youtube's new feature, they are exploring adding shoppable links. This is a big game changer for creators on the platform. I talk about why I'm so excited about this feature and some of the potential challenges.I also talk about the fact that more creators are popping up on LinkedIn. I mean this used to be the platform where we had to dress ourselves up and pretend like we were our professional selves 24/7. To see people that are creators on the side and fully employed talk about their passion on LinkedIn is exciting. I share three tips on how you can leverage LinkedIn. Lastly, I share my experience at the podcast conference Afros and Audio. it's a podcast conference for black podcasters. I talk about my first big panel and why I was insecure about it. I really appreciate all of you being with me as I explore what I want this podcast to look like.  If you have feedback on what you want this podcast to be about, you can text POD to +1 (404) 549-6724 It would make me happy if you subscribed to the Cre8tor Hub. You can do so here: https://www.bigcreator.energy/ Lastly, you can follow me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/lloydnotgeorge/

Are you…Thinking about starting a podcast?Feeling discouraged about your podcasting career?Curious about improving your craft?If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, this is the place to be. You're literally one step away from blowing your podcasting career wide open! Don't believe it? Learn how a real OG podcaster got his start and is trailblazing in the industry.Meet Dom SharpePodcaster Dom Sharpe of “Listen to This While you Shit” started podcasting in December 2019. It all started when he realized he had a knack for talking at length, an engaging personality, and infectious comedic flair. Initially, he talked to literally no one for hours, but that's not the case today!After more than a year and a half of dedication and hard work, he has amassed 80,000 TikTok followers, 20,000 IG followers, and thousands of regular podcast listeners. He's also signed to Blue Wire.Podcast Monetization Tips You Don't Want to MissPodcast monetization is a hot topic in the industry - who doesn't want to make money doing what they love? Here are some tips straight from Dom Sharpe that'll help you monetize your podcast quicker: If you're not using Patreon, start now and advertise it on your pods. It'll turn your hard work into a monthly paycheck as your audience grows. Always be transparent with your followers and be thoughtful when setting up tiers. Use Rodecaster Pro to make the podcast creation process easy. Podcast monetization is impossible if you're not churning out good content regularly. This all-in-one tool is everything you need to minimize your editing time and ensure the quality of your pods.Don't get hung up on what you don't have - Dom Sharpe started recording everything on his phone; no expensive camera or layered sounds. Just put yourself out there and focus on producing the best quality content you can with what you have. 

My friend Henry spilled the tea! He shared how he was able to go from zero to 2 Million downloads on his podcast!I'm sure you can imagine how excited I was, the three biggest things I learned from him were:Don't let equipment hinder you from starting. Be Consistent, podcast listeners love predictability. Adding value to people's lives is the easiest way to get them to subscribe.Henry G Lawrence's podcast is called the Positive Mindset Podcast. His podcast is an uplifting audio experience with meditation-style storytelling, his podcast helps people raise their vibration, life their perspective and build a positive mindset. You can check it out here, and you can follow Henry here:Henry's InstagramHenry's TikTok_ _ _This episode is for you if:You'd like to become a full-time content creator one day. You are currently creating content via Tik Tok, Podcasting, Youtube or Instagram. You believe there's something greater for you out there. You're a podcaster that hopes to one day accumulate 1 Million + Podcast downloads._ _ _ Important Links:You can subscribe to my email list here for free microphone giveaways & tips for aspiring podcasters. Got Podcast Questions? Shoot me a text at 404-990-4179Connect with me here on TikTok, LinkedIn or InstagramHave a question about me or my podcast, reach out to me here: LG@LloydNotGeorge.com_ _ _Have you read any of these??The Best Podcast ManagerHow to start a podcast?Can podcasting really make money?

If you're anything like me, you've probably been frustrated by the journey of a content creator. _ _ _In this episode, I talk about my journey becoming a full-time content creator and how I've been able to make peace with time. I've often compared myself to other people, especially when it's felt like things were happening in their life that I wish were happening to me. It's not easy accepting that the content creator journey requires faith. In this episode, I make the decision to let go, to accept that there are things beyond my control and that growth requires faith and trust. I'm at peace with time, and I realize that it's on my side. _ _ _

It's great to be back! After a much-needed break, I'm excited to be releasing a new episode. This conversation is near and dear to my heart because my good friend Claude has officially launched his podcast titled In My Feelings. In this episode, I talk to him about how and why he started this podcast. The challenges that come with being a creator and what he hopes his podcast will accomplish.You should totally listen to this episode if you're an aspiring creator that wants to use your voice to make an impact. 

90 days ago, I dyed my hair blonde. On the surface, this is a story about my hair, but it's really about so much more. It's about being authentic and living a life that is true to you. 3 months ago I thought this decision was just that, one decision. In this episode, I take you on my journey overcoming my fear of people and doing something I've always wanted to do. 

In this episode, I spend some time talking about my journey as a full-time freelancer. This is something I've always wanted to do but just didn't know how to do it. I talk about my transition from my day job to entrepreneurship. I share some of the challenges I faced like believing in myself and overcoming fear. This episode really highlights why we all should work to overcome our fear of what other people think about us and figure out what it looks like to live our life fully and authentically to who we are.  For me, becoming a freelancer was how I wanted to express myself but what does it look like for you?