
The HeyCreator Show
The HeyCreator Show is for building your creator business.
Each week, host Matt Ragland various guests talk through all stages of the creator journey, intentionally designing each conversation to meet you where you’re at along the way. We’re sharing lessons from over a decade of helping digital creators launch and scale courses, communities, and coaching services — along with building newsletters, YouTube channels, and podcasts to millions of subscribers and downloads for our clients.
For more about our show, company, and community go to heycreator.com.
Latest episodes

Sep 15, 2022 • 53min
Good Decision, Bad Consequences
On this week’s episode, Tim Stoddart (@timstodz) and Ethan Brooks (@damn_ethan) talk through one of Tim’s favorite companies – 8&9MFG. Tim shows how they’re taking the business to a whole new level, and shares the story about how he (temporarily) tanked their SEO (for good reasons). Also… Tim’s got a new baby girl!
Cool Stuff Mentioned In The Show
8&9MFG, the streetwear brand taking it to the next level
How any business with a storefront can take advantage of creator marketing
Changes in Facebook ad spend and big shifts in the marketing world
For more great insights, check out…
Copyblogger Academy where you’ll learn the 3 skills you need to become an effective content entrepreneur in today’s world.
Trends where you’ll find cutting-edge research on emerging business trends, plus hands-on advice on how to capitalize on them.… Use code BOATDRINKS for the best discount available.

Sep 7, 2022 • 44min
“It’s Not Ten Thousand Hours, It’s Ten Thousand Iterations”
On this week’s episode, Tim Stoddart (@timstodz) and Ethan Brooks (@damn_ethan) talk about The Newsette, a newsletter that did $40m in 2021 with just 500k subscribers (VERY small for that much revenue – amazing!). They break down the unique model, compare it with other companies, and show you where the opportunity lies. They also break down the super smart hacks that helped Newsette grow their audience without tons of paid marketing. These tips work for any business, so definitely check it out. Last, they discuss Schwarzenegger, consistency, and the habits that create opportunities.
Cool Stuff Mentioned In The Show
Randy Wilburn: Founder of Encourage Grow Build and I Am Northwest Arkansas
Newsette: The Newsletter that generated $40m+ with just 500k subscribers
Wondermind: The Mental Fitness startup that got a $100m valuation and landed $5m from Serena Williams
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s autobiography and the importance of sets + reps in everything
“It’s not ten-thousand hours, it’s ten-thousand iterations.”
For more great insights, check out…
Copyblogger Academy where you’ll learn the 3 skills you need to become an effective content entrepreneur in today’s world.
Trends where you’ll find cutting-edge research on emerging business trends, plus hands-on advice on how to capitalize on them.… Use code BOATDRINKS for the best discount available.

13 snips
Aug 31, 2022 • 48min
How To (Actually) Grow Your Newsletter: The Growth Assassin Behind Codie Sanchez and Milk Road
Matt McGarry works behind the scenes growing some of the most popular newsletters in the world. On this week’s episode, Tim Stoddart (@timstodz) and Matt (@JMatthewMcGarry) dive into the nitty gritty details of growth. We’re talkin’ audience sizes, landing page conversion rates, current ad formats that are working well, and more. If you want to know how the big dogs think about getting readers, listen to this.
Cool Stuff Mentioned In The Show
Matt’s newsletter growth agency, Growletter
The business model used by $1B+ newsletters, like Agora
Paid acquisition (one of Matt’s specialties)
How to steal ideas from competitors in the Facebook Ad Library
Making ads with Fiverr, Swipehouse, and niche creators
Making meme ads (and getting better at memes) using imgflip.com
Pros and Cons of different newsletter platforms for growth
How to write copy that gets newsletter subscribers for $2-$3 ea.
How to determine whether your newsletter idea can be profitable
For more great insights, check out…
Copyblogger Academy where you’ll learn the 3 skills you need to become an effective content entrepreneur in today’s world.
Trends where you’ll find cutting-edge research on emerging business trends, plus hands-on advice on how to capitalize on them.… Use code BOATDRINKS for the best discount available.

Aug 25, 2022 • 55min
Opportunity Is Everywhere
On this week’s episode, Tim Stoddart (@timstodz) and Ethan Brooks (@damn_ethan) touch on everything from old-time gunslingers to the Inc. 5000, including the story of a NYC entrepreneur who started a brilliant business with no money, and the dangers of audience capture.
Cool Stuff Mentioned In The Show
Two of the greatest history podcasts of all time: Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History and Ben Wilson’s How to Take Over The World
Ethan’s Favorite-ish History Book
The First Man On Earth to Buy An iPhone
The man who started a NYC biz with $0
The Dangers of Audience Capture
Tim’s Guset Appearance on “If I Was Starting Today”
For more great insights, check out…
Copyblogger Academy where you’ll learn the 3 skills you need to become an effective content entrepreneur in today’s world.
Trends where you’ll find cutting-edge research on emerging business trends, plus hands-on advice on how to capitalize on them.… Use code BOATDRINKS for the best discount available.

Aug 17, 2022 • 1h 3min
This Model Should Not Work… But It Does
On this week’s episode, Tim Stoddart (@timstodz) and Ethan Brooks (@damn_ethan) talk about Psychology Today, a publication older than Rolling Stone, New York Magazine, and People, whose success defies expectations. Tune in to hear why their model is so surprising, the specific SEO strategies that make them one of Tim’s favorites, and the opportunities to apply their tactics in your own business.
Cool Stuff Mentioned In The Show
The Idea Economy Newsletter and How John Bardos got his first 2k subscribers
SEO Case Study: Psychology Today
How Tim uses Psychology Today’s model in Boca Today and Your Boulder
Check out Neville Medhora and his trouble-maker Twitter threads on job hunting and semi-illegal marketing ideas.
For more great insights, check out…
Copyblogger Academy where you’ll learn the 3 skills you need to become an effective content entrepreneur in today’s world.
Trends where you’ll find cutting-edge research on emerging business trends, plus hands-on advice on how to capitalize on them.… Use code BOATDRINKS for the best discount available.

Aug 10, 2022 • 56min
This Ecomm Site Breaks All The Rules And Still Wins Big
On this week’s episode, Tim Stoddart (@timstodz) and Ethan Brooks (@damn_ethan) talk about the incredible case study of Meh.com, an ecomm site that breaks all the rules and still finds massive success.
Cool Stuff Mentioned In The Show
Last week’s episode on YouTuber Miss Rachel
Joey Daoud’s follow-up thread on Miss Rachel
Woot.com and Meh.com
A Mediocre Corporation
Meh’s Hilarious Kickstarter campaign
8&9 Streetwear and The Hundreds
Woot’s Monthly Bag o’ Crap
Jake Broe’s YouTube channel
Ukie Accordian YouTube channel
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
For more great insights, check out…
Copyblogger Academy where you’ll learn the 3 skills you need to become an effective content entrepreneur in today’s world.
Trends where you’ll find cutting-edge research on emerging business trends, plus hands-on advice on how to capitalize on them.… Use code BOATDRINKS for the best discount available.

12 snips
Aug 3, 2022 • 52min
Hidden Businesses Crushing It On YouTube and Insta
On this week’s episode, Tim Stoddart (@timstodz) and Ethan Brooks (@damn_ethan) talk about entrepreneurs you’ve probably never heard of who are crushing it on YouTube and Instagram, showing you what you can use in your own business.
Cool Stuff Mentioned In The Show
Ms. Rachel’s Songs for Littles (official website here)
The movie version of Think and Grow Rich
Books in the public domain
Fame and Fortune Weekly
David Ogilvy’s 10 Rules for Writing
People making money selling bougie bibles
Nicky Slices
MyCookieDealer
Peachybbies
Shawn Gossman’s article on “Everything is Content”
For more great insights, check out…
Copyblogger Academy where you’ll learn the 3 skills you need to become an effective content entrepreneur in today’s world.
Trends where you’ll find cutting-edge research on emerging business trends, plus hands-on advice on how to capitalize on them.… Use code BOATDRINKS for the best discount available.

9 snips
Jul 28, 2022 • 1h 12min
From 0 to 150k+ Subscribers In 7 Months
The Milk Road grew from 0 to 150k+ subscribers in less than seven months. On this week’s episode, Tim Stoddart (@timstodz) and Ethan Brooks (@damn_ethan) dig in to show you what you can learn from their content, growth, and monetization strategies. Tim also breaks down the lead-gen industry with a live look at a website Ethan’s thinking of buying.
Cool Stuff Mentioned In The Show
The Milk Road Newsletter
Tim and Ethan’s 3-Part Creator Model
Overview of the Newsletter Engine
Our Episode on How To Handle The Recession
Shaan Puri’s Thoughts On How Big The Milk Road Can Get
Deal Flow Sourcing Guide
For more great insights, check out…
Copyblogger Academy where you’ll learn the 3 skills you need to become an effective content entrepreneur in today’s world.
Trends where you’ll find cutting-edge research on emerging business trends, plus hands-on advice on how to capitalize on them.… Use code BOATDRINKS for the best discount available.

Jul 20, 2022 • 56min
How Ali Ladha Used Unique Pricing Strategies to Get More Clients
On this week’s episode, Tim Stoddart (@timstodz) and Ethan Brooks (@damn_ethan) break down the brilliant pricing and aqcuisition strategy being used by virtual CFO Ali Ladha to grow his service business. You’ll hear tips and tactics you can copy, as well as some helpful info on when/how to hire bookkeepers and fractional CFOs yourself.
Cool Stuff Mentioned In The Show
Rob Dyrdek’s interview on My First Million
The book Rob mentioned: Start at the End
Another book Rob mentions: Built to Sell
Ali Ladha’s Twitter account and his recent thread on EBITDA
PDF on How To A Financial Report
For more great insights, check out…
Copyblogger Academy where you’ll learn the 3 skills you need to become an effective content entrepreneur in today’s world.
Trends where you’ll find cutting-edge research on emerging business trends, plus hands-on advice on how to capitalize on them.… Use code BOATDRINKS for the best discount available.

Jul 13, 2022 • 55min
Nine Growth Hacks From The Motley Fool
On this week’s episode, Tim Stoddart (@timstodz) and Ethan Brooks (@damn_ethan) dissect 9 killer growth hacks from The Motley Fool. Steal them, and use them to grow your own biz now.
Cool Stuff Mentioned In The Show
Jordan’s Twitter Thread
Loom From Jordan About How to Improve Sales Copy
Huckberry
Inverse Daily
The Return of Direct Mail
The USPS website of Irresistable Mail
Make It Rain print monthly newsletter
DeadlineFunnels.com
Nathan Barry’s secret newsletter about wealth
For more great insights, check out…
Copyblogger Academy where you’ll learn the 3 skills you need to become an effective content entrepreneur in today’s world.
Trends where you’ll find cutting-edge research on emerging business trends, plus hands-on advice on how to capitalize on them.… Use code BOATDRINKS for the best discount available.
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