Engagement Over Followers in Monetization

Views don’t build businesses.

Authority does.

In this long-form conversation, John Hyland breaks down why most creators fail to monetize — and how the smartest ones build compounding IP, trust, and real leverage instead of chasing vanity metrics.

From managing 200+ influencers and athletes, to building brands like Liver King from zero, to explaining why short-form virality is a trap — this episode is a masterclass on turning attention into long-term business value.

We talk about:

• Why views don’t equal authority

• Compounding IP vs clickbait culture

• Monetizing communities the right way

• Why authenticity beats algorithms

• Gary Vee’s long-game philosophy

• How Alex Hormozi built trust before selling

• Why LA relationships feel transactional

• Streamers becoming the new celebrities

• Why engagement matters more than followers

• How creators actually scale beyond content

This isn’t creator hype.

It’s how real influence is built.

Chapters

00:00 Why Views Don’t Build Authority

00:56 Managing 200+ Influencers & Athletes

02:10 Why Monetization Is the Hardest Part

03:10 Compounding IP vs Instant Gratification

04:03 Gary Vee’s “Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook”

05:14 How Alex Hormozi Sold $100M+ in a Day

06:28 Why Selling on Day One Never Works

07:14 LA’s Transactional Culture Explained

08:44 Why Streamers Are the New Celebrities

12:33 Engagement Beats Followers Every Time

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