
Orbit for Creators
Orbit is a podcast for solo creators who want to grow on YouTube without losing their minds.
Every week, host Valentin - The European Creator Guy interviews independent YouTubers, creative entrepreneurs, and storytellers from Europe and beyond.
You’ll learn how creators build sustainable careers, design better systems, and stay consistent — even when no one’s watching.
No viral hacks. No fake gurus. Just real talk about the creative process, burnout, community, monetization, and what it takes to keep going.
Whether you’re just starting or trying get your first 1000 subscribers.
Latest episodes

Jun 26, 2025 • 7min
2 Years of Building a YouTube Channel in 7 mins
Get Weekly Strategies to Grow as a Solo Creator → https://newsletter.orbitforcreators.com/After two years of building a YouTube channel as a solo creator, I’m sharing everything I’ve learned — the mistakes, the mindset shifts, and the systems that actually made a difference.This isn’t a highlight reel. It’s the real story of growing slow, staying sane, and figuring out what matters.If you're trying to build something meaningful without burning out, this one’s for you.

Jun 19, 2025 • 20min
How Simone Ferretti Sells Courses with Ads
Get Weekly Strategies to Grow as a Solo Creator → https://newsletter.orbitforcreators.comSimone went viral on TikTok. But his first product? Made $8.Now he runs a 6-figure course business — and spends thousands a month on ads to scale it.In this episode, we unpack how Simone went from posting presets that didn’t sell… to building the Home Studio Blueprint — a product his audience actually wanted.We talk:→ Why most creators fail to monetize→ What makes a course actually sell→ The moment he left Skillshare to build his own system→ And how paid ads changed everythingWhether you're sitting on a half-finished course or scared to sell at all — this one’s for you.📲 Learn more about Simone: https://www.instagram.com/sferro21🎥 His course: https://simoneferretti.net/💡 Join the Orbit community: https://community.orbitforcreators.com/

Jun 12, 2025 • 13min
5 Questions I ask myself before hitting publish
Get Weekly Strategies to Grow as a Solo Creator → https://orbitforcreators.beehiiv.comI published a 10/10 and freaked out But not anymore. Now I do a 5 minute Pre-Mortem. A 5-question checklist that predicts how a video will perform before I hit upload... and actually helps me stay sane when it flops.Think of it as emotional damage control for solo creators.If you’re deep in the YouTube studio refresh loop, this is your exit ramp.No hacks, no hustle. Just a simple mindset shift that makes publishing feel less like a panic attack and more like a creative practice.Chapters0:00 Creator Support0:40 What's a Pre-Mortem?1:38 Question 12:42 Question 24:40 Question 36:08 Question 48:50 Question 510:16 Wrap UpBeing a solo creator can feel isolating. We are here to change that.https://community.orbitforcreators.com/

Jun 5, 2025 • 25min
How Simone Ferretti Builds Epic YouTube Studios
Get the newsletter → https://newsletter.orbitforcreators.com/If you’re a solo creator trying to level up your video presence whether you're filming from home, a spare bedroom, or wherever you can set up a tripod — this episode is for you. Especially if you're somewhere in the messy middle making talking-head videos or online course content, and doing it all yourself. @sferro21 is the definition of a DIY problem solver. He’s not chasing gear trends or studio perfection, he’s figured out how to look pro anywhere, with minimal budget and a lot of repetition. Think: indie filmmaker turned teacher, sharing hard-earned systems that actually work.Without ever planning to, Simone built a 6-figure creator business by helping over 1,300 people upgrade their video setup. What started as a personal fix, trying to look decent on camera while traveling as a digital nomad turned into a viral niche and a full-on business.His tactical advice is refreshingly simple: don’t buy a camera first. Buy a 60W light and a foldable softbox. Lighting and background design matter way more than the gear in your hand.Because here’s the real truth: when you don’t like how you look on camera, you stop hitting record. And that confidence drop? It kills momentum. But a few small tweaks, better lighting, a balanced background can flip that switch from “I hate this” to “this looks legit.”This episode is about that shift from hesitation to action. From cluttered room to studio. From stuck to posting.Chapters0:00 Intro0:42 Who Is Simone Ferretti1:21 What makes a good studio space3:13 Simone's Essential Kit4:20 The most common mistakes5:54 Camera Confidence8:21 Roasting my studio11:19 Basic equipment to get started13:59 Bonus Tips16:11 How Simone figured it out18:51 Advice to get started21:37 What is successBeing a solo creator can feel isolating. We are here to change that.https://community.orbitforcreators.com/

May 29, 2025 • 14min
How I’m Growing a Podcast Without Burning Out
Join our Summer of Progress: https://community.orbitforcreators.com/In this episode I respond to a viewers question, sharing everything I learned about starting a video podcasts and transforms the way creators think about podcasting. From chasing perfection and viral growth to embracing sustainability, small wins, and deeper connection through intentional conversations.Hope you enjoy it 💛Chapters0:00 The Question0:26 Remote Podcast1:10 The Gear 1:44 Listeners or Viewers2:18 What Makes it Good3:35 Duration4:40 The Topic5:41 Packaging8:41 You Audience9:27 Pick a Lane10:43 Find Your Why13:15 Join Our Sprint

May 22, 2025 • 40min
How Jason Howell reinvented himself as a YouTuber after being laid off at 49
Get the newsletter → https://newsletter.orbitforcreators.com/ @JasonHowell was laid off after 20 years in traditional media — and instead of finding another job, he reinvented himself as a solo YouTube creator at age 49. What’s most surprising? Despite having fewer than 10,000 subscribers, Jason is already being invited to high-profile creator events — building the kind of access most people assume requires a massive audience.Behind the scenes, he’s built a system that keeps him grounded: whiteboards, strict time blocks, and protected focus days — especially Fridays, which he keeps sacred just to write and reset.But underneath it all is a deeper transformation — from having a full production team to doing everything alone overnight. Jason had to rebuild his identity and creative workflow from scratch, facing the solitude and uncertainty head-on.Jason's main channel @JasonHowell Jason's AI podcast @aiinsideshow Chapters0:00 Starting Over at 491:16 Why He Didn’t Take Another Safe Job3:26 The First Steps After Getting Laid Off6:57 From Corporate Pressure to Creative Freedom9:28 Betting on Himself (With No Backup Plan)11:59 The Harsh Reality of Being a Solo Creator14:43 What He Never Learned in 20 Years of Media19:34 How One 50-Second Video Got 2.1M Views23:18 Getting Access Without a Big Following26:13 How Community Helped Him Stay in the Game30:00 Learning to Accept Help Without Guilt30:34 How Orbit Helped Him Stay Accountable34:15 Advice for Creators Starting Later in LifeJoin our Orbithttps://community.orbitforcreators.com/

May 8, 2025 • 29min
The European Creator Guy's Plan to Build a 100 Year Creator Community
Grow your audience without losing yourself → https://newsletter.orbitforcreators.com/Valentin is building @orbitforcreators a community, content platform, and long-term media company designed to support solo creators. His dream is to build a creator hub in Vienna and a movement that still inspires people 100 years from now.But beyond that he doesn’t just want to help creators grow. He wants to create an ecosystem of shared systems to avoid reinventing the wheel and reduce burnout.Being a solo creator can feel isolating. We are here to change that.https://community.orbitforcreators.com/0:00 Intro1:15 Who is the European creator guy?3:16 What is European creator culture? 6:38 Building Orbit: A Home for Creators11:42 The challenges of being a solo creator16:25 The 100 year vision23:21 What to do if you are stuck?25:58 Who is your dream guest?27:43 How to get involved?

May 8, 2025 • 38min
Jenny Hoyos Content System to get 1M Subscribers
Join Jenny Hoyos, a dynamo who skyrocketed from 1,000 to 1,000,000 subscribers in just four months through her mastery of short-form content. She shares her secrets on creating curiosity gaps that transform even the dullest topics into engagement powerhouses. Jenny discusses her journey from producing Facebook ads to helping creators go viral without relying on luck or ads. Discover her three-part formula for success, the importance of niche targeting, and insightful strategies for turning podcast clips into viral shorts!

Mar 20, 2025 • 28min
Why Alex Antolino is risking his savings on a YouTube Game Show
Connect with other solo creators in our Community → https://community.orbitforcreators.com/In this episode, I sit down with @AlexAntolino a former creative director who left big brands to start his own YouTube game show. We break down the challenges of starting from scratch, building a standout format, and what it really takes to succeed as an independent creator.Chapters0:00 Intro0:42 Who is Alex Antolino4:25 What is Backstab Club? (His New YouTube Show)7:33 How to Start a YouTube Channel from Scratch11:00 Alex’s Content Strategy for Growth18:20 Finding a Winning Format That Works21:30 How to Successfully Launch a New Show24:36 Mistakes to Avoid When Starting Out25:34 What Does Success on YouTube Really Mean?26:22 Where to Find Alex Antolino27:24 Join The Creator Orbit Community?

Mar 6, 2025 • 36min
What a Netflix DP learned on YouTube - Luc Forsyth Interview
Try riverside for free: https://creators.riverside.fm/OrbitForCreators Use Code: Orbit for 15% offProven Success Systems for Solo Creator https://orbitforcreators.beehiiv.comHow do you break into filmmaking and YouTube without industry connections? @LucForsyth went from zero experience in photography and cinematography to building a thriving career as a professional DP and growing a YouTube channel past 100K subscribers. All by following a simple yet powerful approach: consistency, iteration, and relentless persistence.In this episode, we cover: How Luke transitioned from photography to cinematography to YouTube The biggest mistakes new YouTube filmmakers make How to deal with negative comments and algorithm slumps The key to long-term success as a solo creatorIf you're serious about building a sustainable creative career, this conversation is packed with hard-earned insights you won’t want to miss.🟡 Chapters0:00 Intro – Meet Luc Forsyth0:31 How Luc Forsyth Became a Netflix DP3:37 Why a Netflix DP Started a YouTube Channel6:18 How I use Riverside.fm7:26 Is Being a YouTuber Embarrassing? 10:58 How to Stay Consistent on YouTube Without Burning Out12:42 The Hardest Lessons from Hitting 100K Subscribers16:40 What It’s Like to Go Viral 18:34 Does YouTube Actually Help Your Career?22:46 The Biggest Benefits of Being a YouTuber26:30 How to Start a YouTube Channel in 202429:17 What Does Success on YouTube Really Mean? 30:57 How to Keep Going When You Feel Like Quitting 🟡 CommunityBeing a solo creator can feel isolating. We are here to change that.https://community.orbitforcreators.com/