The Creator Spotlight Podcast

Leigh Stein, a six-time author and cultural critic, shares her insights on navigating the modern writing landscape. She argues that now is the best time to be a writer, emphasizing the need to view art as a product. Stein discusses the impact of platforms like TikTok and BookTok on the literary world and advocates for destroying the stigma around self-publishing. She also delves into creating shareable content, the evolving dynamics of the creator economy, and offers valuable advice for aspiring writers.

This time, Eric Silver joins the conversation. Eric is a seasoned podcaster and head of development at Multitude, a prominent podcast studio. They delve into podcasting techniques, emphasizing audio storytelling over video. Eric shares insights on crafting a unique interview style and the rise of Actual Play podcasts. The discussion also highlights the ethical considerations in creator businesses and the importance of fresh perspectives in interviews. Listeners gain valuable tips on what makes a great podcast guest and the future of independent media.

In this discussion, Matt Brown, an independent sports journalist and creator of the newsletter Extra Points, dives into the importance of high-quality content and audience engagement. He shares his unique journey of acquiring and reacquiring his publication during the pandemic. Matt emphasizes making the internet a better place through integrity in journalism and understanding community needs. He also explores the balance between creativity and business in the creator economy, revealing how diverse audiences impact college sports coverage.

This week Francis is joined by essayist and culture critic, Alicia Kennedy. Alicia is primarily a food writer, however also has many refined takes on writing itself, the algorithm, and the attention economy. Alicia Kennedy: https://www.aliciakennedy.news 00:00:00 Introducing Alicia Kennedy 00:01:38 Rejecting the idea of the creator 00:07:06 Declining media literacy in the digital age 00:12:36 The fragmentation of public intellectualism 00:17:09 Attaching value to greatest achievements 00:19:32 The creator economy tradeoff of freedom and instability 00:29:33 The need for publications that challenge food writing norms 00:35:08 The blurred line between influencers and creators 00:40:13 Building a like-minded diverse community 00:43:58 The key to consistent organic growth 00:47:10 The need for a more horizontal media ecosystem 00:52:32 Navigating platforms with limited audience engagement control 00:57:51 Experience of writing a book vs newsletters #podcast #newsletter #creatoreconomy

This week Francis is joined by Kofie Yeboah (@KofieWhy) a versatile creator in the sports media landscape. Kofie does it all, social media, long-form, short-form, podcasts, research and writing. He's here to tell us how he does it all. Kofie: @KofieWhy 00:00 Introducing Kofie Yeboah 01:25 Kofie's early introduction to sports 05:35 The evolution from long-form to short-form 10:21 TikTok's endless opportunities and constant insecurity 14:37 Balancing roles as a content creator and producer 19:43 Successful strategies for repurposing content 26:56 The best and the worst of social platforms 29:57 Fostering a positive and engaged community 32:23 Revenue reinvestment strategies 43:24 Balancing a full-time job with content creation 46:55 Kofie's relationship with different sports leagues 48:33 The path to 100k subscribers #podcast #creatoreconomy #youtuber

Jenna Stoeber, a video essayist and content creator with a master's in media, discusses her unique approach to creating engaging content. She reveals the secrets behind navigating YouTube’s algorithm and the importance of authenticity over optimization. Jenna shares her insights on balancing diverse revenue streams and maintaining creativity amidst pressures of social media. Additionally, she dives into the art of scripting video essays, emphasizing viewer engagement while pushing the boundaries of educational media.

This week, Francis is joined by Henry Winslow, founder and writer of Tricycle Day, a newsletter focused on psychedelics research, policy, and business. Francis interviewed Henry exactly one year ago, and this conversation is centred around Henry's growth over the past year. Tricycle Day Newsletter: https://www.tricycleday.com Tricycle Day Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tricycleday 00:00 Sustaining a creator-led business following rapid growth 06:27 The key to growing your first 1000 subscribers 09:23 Understanding your audience and utilizing data 12:44 Hiring an successful team as a creator 16:47 Scaling to a $250k business in year two 18:53 The benefits of advertising to a niche audience 23:27 The struggles of operating in a controversial space 28:03 Building an audience around trust 35:21 Expanding your business beyond the newsletter 38:09 Community is a buzzword, but not this time 41:42 Goals for 2025

Matt McGarry, known as the Newsletter Guy, is the mastermind behind Growletter, an agency that helps creators build their subscriber lists. In this chat, he unveils the challenges of monetizing newsletter-only businesses and the importance of valuable content. Discover why newsletters are more of a strategic communication tool than a standalone business model. Matt also shares insights on effective subscriber acquisition strategies, the newsletter landscape's saturation, and emerging trends in B2B content. A must-listen for aspiring creators!

Lindsey Stanberry, creator of The Purse newsletter, discusses her inspiring transition from corporate media to entrepreneurship. She highlights the challenges of defining her identity as a creator and the significance of targeting a niche audience. Lindsey emphasizes the importance of quality content, community engagement, and collaboration in building a sustainable brand. She shares her insights on navigating subscription fatigue and the value of transparency in fostering trust with her audience. Her journey showcases the evolving landscape of journalism and the entrepreneurial skills needed to thrive.

Daisy Alioto, the CEO and editor of Dirt Media, shares her insights on running a modern media company influenced by streetwear branding. She discusses the evolution of Dirt Media and emphasizes treating subscribers as collectors. Daisy explores the importance of understanding your audience and the value of collaboration for growth. She also reflects on the contemporary media landscape and the responsibilities of creators in contributing thoughtfully to the internet. Expect a unique blend of pop culture, creativity, and practical business strategies!