Creator News Live: Discussing the latest tools, tips, and tactics with industry experts, innovators, creators, and storytellers

Ever finish a ridiculously busy week and still feel like you got nothing done?-----------Marielou Mandl knows that feeling. As a full-time creator, host, and producer, she's built a successful business creating content for clients, but found herself struggling to make time for her own projects. Now she's changing that by treating herself like one of her clients and documenting the process in her YouTube series, Behind the Build.Marielou joins Jeff and co-host Zac Brown to share how she's protecting her creative time, choosing which client work deserves a spot on her calendar, and using Claude Code to manage projects and bring long-awaited ideas to life.Key PointsBeing busy isn't the same as being unproductive. Sometimes you're getting plenty done, just not for yourself.Treat yourself like a client by blocking dedicated time for your own projects, complete with deadlines and deliverables.Make finishing the priority. Marielou's one-day production approach focuses on getting the video published rather than making everything perfect.Be intentional about which client work you accept. Consider how each project affects your time, energy, and ability to pursue your own goals.Long-term retainer clients can provide financial stability while giving you room to develop your next creative project.Pay attention to the creative ideas that won't leave you alone. Those side projects might lead to your next business opportunity.Use AI to recognize patterns in your ideas, organize information, and identify what deserves your attention.Build repeatable workflows with tools like Claude Code to make producing your own content easier.Let AI handle more of the organizational and production work so you have more time for the creative work you actually enjoy.ResourcesMore from Marielou Mandl:Marielou's Website: https://marieloumandl.comBehind the Build on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@marieloumandlVideo Creator Club: https://videocreator.clubAI Tools and Resources MentionedClaude and Claude Code: https://claude.aiGoogle Gemini: https://gemini.google.comNotion: https://notion.soApple Notes: https://www.apple.com/ios/notes/Magai: https://magai.coConnect with Zac Brown:Zac Brown Creative Solutions: https://zacbrowncreativesolutions.com/----------------------Ecamm - Your go-to solution for crafting outstanding live shows and podcasts. - Get 15% off your first payment with promo code JEFF15CreatorNewsLive.com - Dive into our website for comprehensive episode breakdowns.Youtube.com - Tune in live, chat with us directly, and be part of the conversation. Or, revisit our archive of past broadcasts to stay updated.Facebook - Stream our show live and chat with us in real time. Connect, engage, and be a part of our community.Email - Subscribe and never miss a live show reminder.----------------------JeffSieh.com - Unlock the power of authentic storytelling with me! With over 20 years of marketing experience, I'm here to elevate your brand's narrative in an ever-competitive market. My expertise spans consulting, visual marketing, and producing podcasts and live videos.Additionally, as a seasoned speaker, I'm not just about sharing knowledge--I believe in entertaining audiences and injecting humor into every presentation. I'm available to enlighten and engage audiences at your events, conferences, or institutions. My talks cover a diverse range of subjects, from purposeful repurposing and captivating storytelling to podcast promotion, social media strategies, visual marketing insights, the art of live video, and much more.

What happens when a potential client searches your name?---------Kirk R. Nugent knows firsthand how complicated that answer can get. As the Geek Speaker Preacher, online video coach, and creator of the A-List Digital Footprint program, Kirk has spent years intentionally shaping his online presence, including separating himself from another public figure who shares his name.Kirk joins us to explain how creators and business owners can take more control over what people find online. We talk about auditing your digital footprint, Kirk’s four-part framework for closing your visibility gap, dealing with outdated accounts and inaccurate AI results, and building the trust signals that help prove you are who you say you are.Key PointsEvery online footprint is either intentional or abandoned, so regularly search your name and see what others actually find.Audit your digital presence from a stranger’s perspective, not from what you already know about yourself.Kirk’s four-step process helps identify and close the gaps between who you are and how you appear online.When old profiles or outdated content surface, decide whether to update them, delete them, or create stronger current content that outranks them.Consistency across your website, social profiles, photos, bios, and other platforms helps search engines and AI tools connect the dots.If you share a name with someone else, give search engines more context by consistently connecting your name with your expertise, business, and other identifying information.Fake accounts and impersonators are more than an annoyance. Report them quickly and make it easy for people to identify your legitimate accounts.In what Kirk describes as a “trust recession,” creators and business owners need clear signals that show potential clients they are dealing with a real person.Your digital footprint isn’t something you fix once. Regularly checking search results and AI answers can help you catch problems before a potential client does.ResourcesKirk R. Nugent:https://kirkrnugent.com/Kirk on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@kirkrnugentHow It All Werks Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-it-all-werks/id1824932344A-List Digital Footprint Program:https://kirkrnugent.com/alist/Co-Host: Zac BrownZac Brown Creative Solutions: https://zacbrowncreativesolutions.com/----------------------Ecamm - Your go-to solution for crafting outstanding live shows and podcasts. - Get 15% off your first payment with promo code JEFF15CreatorNewsLive.com - Dive into our website for comprehensive episode breakdowns.Youtube.com - Tune in live, chat with us directly, and be part of the conversation. Or, revisit our archive of past broadcasts to stay updated.Facebook - Stream our show live and chat with us in real time. Connect, engage, and be a part of our community.Email - Subscribe and never miss a live show reminder.----------------------JeffSieh.com - Unlock the power of authentic storytelling with me! With over 20 years of marketing experience, I'm here to elevate your brand's narrative in an ever-competitive market. My expertise spans consulting, visual marketing, and producing podcasts and live videos.Additionally, as a seasoned speaker, I'm not just about sharing knowledge--I believe in entertaining audiences and injecting humor into every presentation. I'm available to enlighten and engage audiences at your events, conferences, or institutions. My talks cover a diverse range of subjects, from purposeful repurposing and captivating storytelling to podcast promotion, social media strategies, visual marketing insights, the art of live video, and much more.

Lowell Brown, founder of Going Social and a digital marketing strategist with 25+ years of experience, explains why your LinkedIn profile may be losing clients. Discover how to sharpen your photo, headline, banner, About, and Featured sections. They also explore thoughtful engagement, content formats, repurposing ideas, newsletters, and reaching customers beyond your network.

We tend to see the finished product and call it creativity. We don't see the discarded ideas, wrong turns, failures, and work it took to get there. -------------Lou Mongello has spent more than 20 years talking with the Imagineers, artists, composers, and leaders behind Disney, and those conversations reveal a very different picture of where great ideas actually come from.Lou shares lessons from his new book, The Disney Interviews: Disney Legends Edition, including how to get past the blank page, use curiosity to create something different, and know when your work is ready to ship. We also talk about becoming a better interviewer, finding the story behind your work, and why the right room can change your business.Key PointsBelieving in an idea is only the beginning. The work closes the distance between the idea and making it real.You don't need enough clarity to finish. You only need enough clarity to start.Let your first version teach you what the next version needs to become.Look outside your niche for ideas and influences instead of consuming the same things as everyone else.“Done is better than perfect” doesn't mean the details don't matter. Ship work that represents the best you can do right now.Your podcast, book, course, or newsletter isn't the whole story. It's one part of the larger transformation you're trying to create for someone.Great interviewing requires preparation, listening, and being comfortable enough with silence to let unexpected stories surface.Across Lou's conversations with Disney Legends, a common pattern emerged: they often credited mentors and teams before taking credit themselves.When choosing an event or conference, ask what problem you want the room to help you solve and whether the people, access, and format can actually help you solve it.ResourcesLou Mongello:Lou Mongello: https://www.loumongello.com/WDW Radio: https://www.wdwradio.com/The Disney Interviews: Disney Legends Edition: Lou's new collection of 18 conversations with Disney Legends, along with new introductions, stories, and context from his experiences meeting and interviewing them.Momentum 2026: https://www.loumongello.com/momentum/October 15–18, 2026World Builders: Disney+ documentary featuring the people behind Disney's creative worldsEcamm Creator Camp: https://ecamm.com/campCo-Host:Paul Gowder: https://www.paulgowder.com/----------------------Ecamm - Your go-to solution for crafting outstanding live shows and podcasts. - Get 15% off your first payment with promo code JEFF15SocialMediaNewsLive.com - Dive into our website for comprehensive episode breakdowns.Youtube.com - Tune in live, chat with us directly, and be part of the conversation. Or, revisit our archive of past broadcasts to stay updated.Facebook - Stream our show live and chat with us in real time. Connect, engage, and be a part of our community.Email - Subscribe and never miss a live show reminder.----------------------JeffSieh.com - Unlock the power of authentic storytelling with me! With over 20 years of marketing experience, I'm here to elevate your brand's narrative in an ever-competitive market. My expertise spans consulting, visual marketing, and producing podcasts and live videos.Additionally, as a seasoned speaker, I'm not just about sharing knowledge--I believe in entertaining audiences and injecting humor into every presentation. I'm available to enlighten and engage audiences at your events, conferences, or institutions. My talks cover a diverse range of subjects, from purposeful repurposing and captivating storytelling to podcast promotion, social media strategies, visual marketing insights, the art of live video, and much more.

What happens when the product you want doesn't exist, or the version that does exist isn't good enough? -------------Doc Rock, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Ecamm and creator of Doc Popps, decided to stop waiting for someone else to solve the problem. He found a manufacturer, spent a year refining the product, and pre-sold it directly to his own audience.Doc shares what creators should know before turning an idea into a physical product, from testing demand and negotiating minimum orders to pricing, prototypes, shipping, and unexpected manufacturing costs. We also explore why creators should build more things they own, what he learned rebuilding The Flow in public, and why publishing content is only the beginning of getting it seen.Key PointsStart by solving a problem you already understand or something that continually frustrates your audience.Ask your audience what they want before investing heavily in a product idea.Pre-selling can validate demand before you commit to a full production run.Manufacturer minimum order quantities may be more negotiable than they initially appear.Expect manufacturing problems, delays, shipping costs, tariffs, and other expenses you didn't anticipate.Don't rush prototypes. Doc spent a year refining materials, colors, molds, and acoustics before he was satisfied.Think beyond courses and sponsorships. Physical products can give creators something tangible that they actually own.Building in public gives your community a chance to participate in what you're creating.Don't “post and ghost.” Promote your work, build relationships with your audience, and give people more to discover when they find you.ResourcesDoc Rock:Doc Rock Merch: https://docmerch.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/docrockThe Flow: https://www.youtube.com/@EcammLivePaul Gowder:Paul Gowder: https://www.paulgowder.com/Facebook Challenge: https://www.paulgowder.com/facebookchallengeTools & Resources Mentioned:Fourthwall: https://fourthwall.com/Amazon KDP: https://kdp.amazon.com/Canva: https://www.canva.com/Power EQ: https://docrock.live/power----------------------It's almost time for Ecamm's Creator Camp: https://ecamm.com/camp----------------------Ecamm - Your go-to solution for crafting outstanding live shows and podcasts. - Get 15% off your first payment with promo code JEFF15SocialMediaNewsLive.com - Dive into our website for comprehensive episode breakdowns.Youtube.com - Tune in live, chat with us directly, and be part of the conversation. Or, revisit our archive of past broadcasts to stay updated.Facebook - Stream our show live and chat with us in real time. Connect, engage, and be a part of our community.Email - Subscribe and never miss a live show reminder.----------------------JeffSieh.com - Unlock the power of authentic storytelling with me! With over 20 years of marketing experience, I'm here to elevate your brand's narrative in an ever-competitive market. My expertise spans consulting, visual marketing, and producing podcasts and live videos.Additionally, as a seasoned speaker, I'm not just about sharing knowledge--I believe in entertaining audiences and injecting humor into every presentation. I'm available to enlighten and engage audiences at your events, conferences, or institutions. My talks cover a diverse range of subjects, from purposeful repurposing and captivating storytelling to podcast promotion, social media strategies, visual marketing insights, the art of live video, and much more.

What happens when the marketing strategies that worked for years suddenly stop delivering?--------------Angie Callen, founder of The Modern Coach, believes we're in a messy transition where AI is creating more content and more noise, while people are increasingly looking for something unmistakably human.Angie shares what stopped working in her own business and why referrals, trusted newsletters, personal outreach, and imperfect content are getting her attention now. We also talk about using AI without creating more work for yourself, knowing when to bring a human back into the process, adapting your offers to how people are buying today, and leading teams through AI adoption without sacrificing trust.Key PointsUse AI to enable proven human processes, not create more work simply because you can.Don't outsource the parts of your brand that make you human, especially your voice, relationships, and personal interactions.Imperfect, obviously human content can create stronger connections than polished, AI-generated content.Don't abandon the marketing channels that worked before. Diversify your lead sources and adapt as the landscape changes.Referrals remain powerful because referred prospects arrive with trust already established.Email still works when you've built an audience that trusts and wants your content.Meet uncertain buyers with smaller entry points and more flexible, modular offers instead of requiring a big commitment upfront.Set aside time for individual outreach to customers, prospects, friends, and people in your network.Introduce AI to a team intentionally, with transparency and input from the humans who will be working alongside it.ResourcesConnect with Angie Callen:The Modern Coach: https://themoderncoach.co/Scary Good by Angie CallenNo More Mondays PodcastConnect with Kira Pogge:Kira Pogge: https://www.kirapogge.com/Instagram: @kirapoggecreations----------------------Ecamm - Your go-to solution for crafting outstanding live shows and podcasts. - Get 15% off your first payment with promo code JEFF15CreatorNewsLive.com - Dive into our website for comprehensive episode breakdowns.Youtube.com - Tune in live, chat with us directly, and be part of the conversation. Or, revisit our archive of past broadcasts to stay updated.Facebook - Stream our show live and chat with us in real time. Connect, engage, and be a part of our community.Email - Subscribe and never miss a live show reminder.----------------------JeffSieh.com - Unlock the power of authentic storytelling with me! With over 20 years of marketing experience, I'm here to elevate your brand's narrative in an ever-competitive market. My expertise spans consulting, visual marketing, and producing podcasts and live videos.Additionally, as a seasoned speaker, I'm not just about sharing knowledge--I believe in entertaining audiences and injecting humor into every presentation. I'm available to enlighten and engage audiences at your events, conferences, or institutions. My talks cover a diverse range of subjects, from purposeful repurposing and captivating storytelling to podcast promotion, social media strategies, visual marketing insights, the art of live video, and much more.

What does it actually mean to “be authentic” when being authentic has become its own kind of performance? --------------Michael King Jr., founder of Teams.Coach, believes your strongest advantage comes from figuring out what is uniquely yours, then building your brand and business around that instead of following someone else’s blueprint.Michael shares why your convictions, values, empathy, and relationships still matter in an AI-driven world, and how creators can find the unusual combination of skills that makes them stand out. We also talk about making space for creativity, turning creative gifts into a business, building your own platform, and why your customer should often be the hero of the story you’re telling.Key PointsCopying someone else’s blueprint can lead to burnout because the strategy was never built for you.AI can copy your voice or likeness, but it can’t copy your convictions, values, empathy, or the trust you’ve built.Creativity needs margin, so intentionally protect space in your calendar to think and create.Find your “category of one” by identifying the unusual combination of skills and perspectives you bring to your work.Don’t judge the value of creativity solely by whether you can monetize it.Test signature ideas before making a big investment, then build on what genuinely connects with people.Build your own stage and become known for the thing you care about instead of depending entirely on social platforms.When telling your brand story, make your customer the focus and use your own story to demonstrate transformation.ResourcesConnect with Michael King Jr.:Michael King Jr.: https://michaelkingjr.com/Teams.Coach: https://teams.coach/Connect with Zac Brown:Zac Brown Creative: https://zacbrowncreative.com/Zac’s Book: An Accidental Education: What I've Learned So Far----------------------Ecamm - Your go-to solution for crafting outstanding live shows and podcasts. - Get 15% off your first payment with promo code JEFF15CreatorNewsLive.com - Dive into our website for comprehensive episode breakdowns.Youtube.com - Tune in live, chat with us directly, and be part of the conversation. Or, revisit our archive of past broadcasts to stay updated.Facebook - Stream our show live and chat with us in real time. Connect, engage, and be a part of our community.Email - Subscribe and never miss a live show reminder.----------------------JeffSieh.com - Unlock the power of authentic storytelling with me! With over 20 years of marketing experience, I'm here to elevate your brand's narrative in an ever-competitive market. My expertise spans consulting, visual marketing, and producing podcasts and live videos.Additionally, as a seasoned speaker, I'm not just about sharing knowledge--I believe in entertaining audiences and injecting humor into every presentation. I'm available to enlighten and engage audiences at your events, conferences, or institutions. My talks cover a diverse range of subjects, from purposeful repurposing and captivating storytelling to podcast promotion, social media strategies, visual marketing insights, the art of live video, and much more.

What if the opportunity everyone else is laughing at is exactly the one you should be paying attention to?--------------Billy Thorpe built his business by taking the small video deals other creators dismissed, then figuring out how to make the math work through speed, consistency, and a repeatable system.Billy shares why creators should question the unwritten rules in their industry, focus on profit instead of impressive revenue numbers, and build direct relationships with customers instead of depending entirely on a platform. We also get into repeat business, finding new revenue inside work you’re already doing, knowing when “enough” really is enough, and why staying adaptable matters when your business inevitably changes.Key PointsDon’t automatically dismiss an opportunity because other people think it’s too small, cheap, or weird.Test industry “rules” for yourself instead of assuming someone else’s numbers apply to your business.Look at profit and efficiency, not just the price of an individual deal or your total revenue.Build systems that let you do the same work faster without sacrificing what the customer actually needs.Own your customer relationships so losing a platform doesn’t mean losing your entire business.Look for additional ways to monetize work you’ve already created, including usage rights, formats, and other platforms.Repeat customers can be more valuable than constantly finding and selling new ones.Decide what “enough” looks like for you instead of letting someone else’s income or workload define success.AI can help you get more value from your own knowledge and experience, but trust and real human experience are essential to product content.ResourcesBilly Thorpe: Website | YouTube | Billy's Facebook GroupZac Brown: Website | Podcast | Book----------------------Ecamm - Your go-to solution for crafting outstanding live shows and podcasts. - Get 15% off your first payment with promo code JEFF15CreatorNewsLive.com - Dive into our website for comprehensive episode breakdowns.Youtube.com - Tune in live, chat with us directly, and be part of the conversation. Or, revisit our archive of past broadcasts to stay updated.Facebook - Stream our show live and chat with us in real time. Connect, engage, and be a part of our community.Email - Subscribe and never miss a live show reminder.----------------------JeffSieh.com - Unlock the power of authentic storytelling with me! With over 20 years of marketing experience, I'm here to elevate your brand's narrative in an ever-competitive market. My expertise spans consulting, visual marketing, and producing podcasts and live videos.Additionally, as a seasoned speaker, I'm not just about sharing knowledge--I believe in entertaining audiences and injecting humor into every presentation. I'm available to enlighten and engage audiences at your events, conferences, or institutions. My talks cover a diverse range of subjects, from purposeful repurposing and captivating storytelling to podcast promotion, social media strategies, visual marketing insights, the art of live video, and much more.

Lisa DiNoto Glassner, founder of The Castle Run, former corporate attorney, and author of The runDisney Companion, shares how she turned niche expertise into a finished book. She discusses outlining, writing chapter by chapter, self-publishing, brand partnerships, intellectual property, reader trust, and building a broader business ecosystem beyond the book.

Building an audience is one thing. Building a community that keeps showing up year after year is something else entirely. Mike Potter has spent two decades growing the For Mac Eyes Only podcast and the last ten years turning those listeners into the thriving community behind MacStock Conference & Expo. In this conversation, he shares the lessons he's learned from creating an event people genuinely want to return to.Mike explains why the best communities are built around shared experiences instead of endless content, how unplanned hallway conversations often become the most valuable part of an event, and why authenticity matters more than chasing someone else's engagement strategy. Whether you're dreaming about hosting your first meetup or creating a stronger connection with your audience online, you'll come away with practical ideas for building something that lasts.Key Points:Start small. Meetups and mastermind groups can grow into thriving communities over time.Design events around connection, not just presentations. The "hallway track" often creates the biggest impact.Give people space between sessions so conversations can happen naturally.Traditions and recurring rituals help transform attendees into returning community members.Partnerships create stronger long-term relationships than traditional sponsorships.Perfection isn't the goal. Great communities remember the experience, not the small things that went wrong.Invite passionate people to share what they care about most instead of assigning topics.Stay true to your own communication style instead of copying someone else's community strategy.Resources:MacStock Conference & Expo: Website | Youtube | MastodonFor Mac Eyes Only: Website | YouTube | MastodonZac Brown: Website | Podcast----------------------Ecamm - Your go-to solution for crafting outstanding live shows and podcasts. - Get 15% off your first payment with promo code JEFF15CreatorNewsLive.com - Dive into our website for comprehensive episode breakdowns.Youtube.com - Tune in live, chat with us directly, and be part of the conversation. Or, revisit our archive of past broadcasts to stay updated.Facebook - Stream our show live and chat with us in real time. Connect, engage, and be a part of our community.Email - Subscribe and never miss a live show reminder.----------------------JeffSieh.com - Unlock the power of authentic storytelling with me! With over 20 years of marketing experience, I'm here to elevate your brand's narrative in an ever-competitive market. My expertise spans consulting, visual marketing, and producing podcasts and live videos.Additionally, as a seasoned speaker, I'm not just about sharing knowledge--I believe in entertaining audiences and injecting humor into every presentation. I'm available to enlighten and engage audiences at your events, conferences, or institutions. My talks cover a diverse range of subjects, from purposeful repurposing and captivating storytelling to podcast promotion, social media strategies, visual marketing insights, the art of live video, and much more.