Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Creator Craft: Tools, Mindset and Workflows for Content Creators
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Figuring Out the Creator Journey Together | 04 Dec 2023 | 00:51:45 | |
Curious about building a successful creator business? Join us as we explore the tools, techniques, and mindsets that help content creators thrive in today's digital landscape. In this inaugural episode, Colin Gray (Founder of The Podcast Host and Alitu) and Jacob Anderson (Head of Growth) dive into their experiences running creator businesses and discuss the challenges they face along the way. What you'll learn:
Regularly review and refresh your cornerstone content:
We're just getting started with this podcast, and we'd love to hear your thoughts! What topics would you like us to cover? What challenges are you facing as a creator? Let us know by reaching out to Colin on Twitter @thepodcasthost or find him on LinkedIn (search for "Colin Gray podcast").
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| Choosing the Right Platform for Your Creator Community: A Deep Dive into Teaching and Community Tools | 04 Dec 2023 | 00:50:14 | |
Are you overwhelmed by the countless options for building your creator community and delivering courses? Discover the pros and cons of popular platforms and find the perfect fit for your needs! Colin Gray and Jacob Anderson, from The Podcast Host and Alitu, dive deep into the world of community and teaching platforms. They share their personal experiences, discuss the strengths and weaknesses of various options, and provide valuable insights to help you make an informed decision for your creator business. In this episode, you'll learn:
Colin and Jacob discuss Seth Godin's impressive blogging streak of over 7,000 daily posts since 2002. They highlight how this consistency has helped Seth develop his thoughts, gain perspective, and build a dedicated following. Key takeaways from Seth's approach:
Colin shares their new approach to email marketing, which you can adapt for your own creator business:
If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe to the Creator Toolbox podcast for more insights on building your creator business. Check out The Podcast Host for everything podcasting, and try Alitu - our podcast maker app - with a 7-day free trial! | |||
| From Idea to Reality: Using AI to Build Software for Your Audience | 29 Apr 2024 | 00:40:47 | |
Ever dreamed of creating your own software but thought you lacked the technical skills? In this episode of Creator Toolbox, Jacob and special guest Bran explore how AI is revolutionizing the way creators can build tools and software for their audience – even with limited coding experience! Discover how AI-powered coding assistants like ChatGPT, GitHub Copilot, and Cursor are breaking down barriers and empowering creators to turn their ideas into reality. Whether you're a content creator, educator, or entrepreneur, this episode will inspire you to leverage AI in your creative process. What you'll learn:
Have you used AI to create software or tools for your audience? We'd love to hear about it! Email us at info@thepodcasthost.com and share your experience. Don't forget to subscribe to the Creator Toolbox podcast for more insights on building your creator business. Check out The Podcast Host for everything podcasting, and try Alitu - our podcast maker app - with a 7-day free trial! | |||
| From Blogger to Brand Ambassador: Richard Tubb's Creator Journey | 07 May 2024 | 00:50:51 | |
Ever wondered how a tech blogger becomes a sought-after brand ambassador? Discover the inspiring journey of Richard Tubb, from IT business owner to influential content creator in the Managed Service Provider (MSP) industry. Colin Gray and Jacob Anderson sit down with Richard Tubb to explore his two-decade journey in content creation, discussing the tools, strategies, and mindset shifts that have shaped his success. From leveraging new technologies to building long-term brand partnerships, Richard shares invaluable insights for creators at any stage of their journey. In this episode, you'll learn:
Richard, Colin, and Jacob dive deep into the evolving landscape of content creation, discussing how to maintain authenticity while working with brands, the importance of valuing your audience, and the mindset shifts necessary for long-term success in the creator economy. Try this workflow: The "Experiment" Approach
If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe to the Creator Toolbox podcast for more insights on building your creator business. Check out The Podcast Host for everything podcasting, and try Alitu - our podcast maker app - with a 7-day free trial! | |||
| From Low Motivation to High Output: Journaling, Streaming, and Productivity Tips | 24 May 2024 | 00:52:07 | |
Feeling stuck in a creative rut? Discover how to transform your low-energy days into productive powerhouses with our latest episode of Creator Toolbox! Join Colin Gray and Jacob Anderson as they dive into practical strategies for boosting productivity, leveraging new tools, and expanding your creator business. Whether you're a podcaster, writer, or aspiring content entrepreneur, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you level up your creative game. What you'll learn:
Colin shares insights from Jason Greystone, host of the "Always Free" podcast, who has built a successful business model around his content. Learn how Jason uses a combination of free content, courses, coaching, and mastermind groups to monetize his audience effectively. Try this workflow: AI-Powered Journaling for Creators
Ready to supercharge your productivity and take your creator business to the next level? Try implementing one of the strategies discussed in this episode and share your results with us using #CreatorToolbox on social media! Don't forget to subscribe to the Creator Toolbox podcast for more insights on building your creator business. Check out The Podcast Host for everything podcasting, and give Alitu - our podcast maker app - a try with a 7-day free trial! | |||
| From Local to Global: Transforming Your Business Through Content Creation | 04 Jun 2024 | 00:44:04 | |
Are you running a local business and dreaming of reaching a global audience? Discover how content creation can revolutionize your reach and transform your business model! In this episode, Colin Gray and Jacob Anderson explore the power of content creation in expanding a traditional business's reach. They dive into real-world examples, practical strategies, and tools that can help you transition from a local service provider to a global content creator. What you'll learn:
Jacob breaks down the success story of Modern Malinois, a dog training business that expanded its reach globally through content creation:
This approach allows businesses to monetize both local and global audiences effectively. Try this workflow: Content Funnel Creation
Think about how you can apply the Modern Malinois method to your business. What type of content could you create to reach a global audience? Share your ideas with us on social media using #CreatorToolbox! Don't forget to subscribe to the Creator Toolbox podcast for more insights on building your creator business. Check out The Podcast Host for everything podcasting, and try Alitu - our podcast maker app - with a 7-day free trial! | |||
| The Future of Community-Led Businesses with Mathilde Leo from Circle | 24 Jun 2024 | 00:54:26 | |
Are you curious about the future of creator businesses and the power of community? Discover how community-first strategies are reshaping the creator economy! In this episode, Colin Gray and Jacob Anderson sit down with Mathilde Leo from Circle to explore the evolving landscape of online communities, content creation, and the tools that are empowering creators to build thriving businesses. In this episode, you'll learn:
Damon Dominique - A multilingual content creator who successfully reinvented his brand and built a thriving community-based business. Known for his travel content, language courses, and authentic approach to sharing his experiences living abroad. Try this workflow: Community-First Content Strategy
Don't miss out on future episodes! Subscribe to the Creator Toolbox podcast for more insights on building your creator business. Visit The Podcast Host for everything podcasting, and try Alitu - our podcast maker app - with a 7-day free trial! | |||
| Focus not Hustle: How to Get Shit Done As A Creator | 01 Jul 2024 | 00:56:41 | |
Ever feel like you're spinning your wheels, constantly busy but not making real progress? In this episode of Creator Toolbox, Colin and Jacob cut through the "hustle culture" noise to share practical, actionable strategies for true productivity as a content creator. What You'll LearnDiscover how to:
Colin and Jacob stress the importance of dedicating specific blocks of time to focused work:
Your workspace can significantly impact your productivity:
In our hyper-connected world, managing distractions is crucial:
Effective prioritization ensures you're working on what matters most:
Having a reliable system for managing tasks is essential:
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| How to Evolve a Content Brand: From Zero to 6 Months and Beyond | 22 Jul 2024 | 00:44:19 | |
In this episode of the Creator Toolbox, Colin and Jacob discuss their journey of iterating on this very show, and how a podcast can develop and evolve over it's first few months. They delve into the process of turning it from an experimental show into a whole new content brand, and this could apply to you whether it be a podcast, YouTube channel, blog, or creator brand in general. Listeners get valuable insights on launching, iterating, and refining their content channels, even if you're not 100% sure what it plans to be in the early days. Tune in to learn how to navigate the complexities of building a successful creator business, including case studies from the journey of ThePodcastHost over the past 14 years, and into the new journey for the Creator Toolbox. | |||
| Repurposing Audio Content into EVERYTHING Else. A Smart Way. | 31 Jul 2024 | 01:01:08 | |
In this episode of Creator Toolbox, Colin and Jacob dive deep into two game-changing topics for content creators. First, they explore an innovative AI-powered system for repurposing podcast content into written articles, discussing the potential and limitations of this technology. They then shift gears to compare various camera setups for video content creation, from high-end DSLRs to user-friendly webcams, offering insights on quality, ease of use, and price points. This episode is packed with practical advice for creators looking to streamline their workflow and enhance their content quality. Episode Guide
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| Perfect Writing Tools & Top-Level SEO for a New Content Project | 12 Aug 2024 | 00:51:29 | |
In the latest episode of The Creator Toolbox, we cover writing tools (find the best space to create shownotes, scripts or full-scale blog posts!) and SEO for a new content project (my full process for figuring out the first 30 to 50 episodes or posts on a brand new brand). | |||
| What is a StoryBrand? Plus Automations, Shortcuts & Project Juggling | 20 Aug 2024 | 00:59:27 | |
On this episode, we dive into some automation tools that can really boost your productivity as a creator. I shared my experience with the Stream Deck, which has become an unexpected favorite of mine. It's not just for streamers – I use it for everything from controlling my studio lights to automating repetitive tasks in video editing. We also touched on browser recording tools for automating web tasks and text expansion for speeding up writing. These might seem like small time-savers, but they really add up. Next, Jacob introduced us to the concept of a "Story Brand" by Donald Miller. This is a powerful marketing framework that puts your customer at the center of the story, with your product or service as the guide. It's all about simplifying your message and connecting with your audience on a deeper level. We even explored how Apple used a similar storytelling approach in their iconic "Think Different" campaign. It's fascinating to see how effective this can be. Lastly, we tackled a challenge that I think many creators face – balancing new projects with existing ones. We discussed strategies like outsourcing updates, taking on partners, and keeping a database of all your projects. I shared my own experience with this, including a course I created called "Immortal Content" that I haven't promoted much. It's a constant juggling act, but it's important to revisit old projects and see if they can be revived or integrated into your current work. We wrapped up by highlighting Steph Smith as our creator of the week. Her ability to consistently ship new projects while maintaining high-quality content is really inspiring. Remember, if you found this episode helpful, the best way to support us is by checking out Alitu, our podcast maker app, at alitu.com. We're always working to make podcasting as easy as possible for creators like you. Thanks for tuning in, and we'll catch you on the next episode! Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 01:10 - Episode overview 01:49 - Alitu support slot 03:12 - Tool of the week: Stream Deck 07:05 - Automation tools discussion 17:40 - Introduction to Story Brand concept 20:01 - Applying Story Brand to different creators 28:28 - Importance of having a plan in Story Brand 32:49 - Apple's "Think Different" campaign example 40:57 - Implementing Story Brand 45:23 - Creator of the week: Steph Smith 49:19 - Balancing multiple projects as a creator 58:27 - Wrap-up and closing thoughts | |||
| Balancing Act: Aligning Daily Tasks with Long-Term Creator Goals | 18 Dec 2023 | 00:51:19 | |
Ever feel like you're spinning your wheels, busy with daily tasks but not making progress on your big creator goals? You're not alone! In this episode, Colin Gray and Jacob Anderson dive into the art of balancing short-term productivity with long-term vision. From annual planning strategies to daily task management, we unpack the tools and techniques that can help you stay on track and achieve your creator dreams. Whether you're a podcaster, YouTuber, or any type of content creator, this episode is packed with actionable insights to level up your productivity game. In this episode, you'll learn:
Ollie Meekings and Wilson (Twitter handle: @eu_boyd) - The hosts highlight these software entrepreneurs for their commitment to building in public and their honesty about business challenges. Their approach offers valuable lessons for creators on transparency and authenticity in content creation. Try this workflow: Annual to Daily Planning
This workflow helps ensure your daily tasks align with your long-term vision, keeping you on track towards your bigger creator goals. Resources:
If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe to the Creator Toolbox podcast for more insights on building your creator business. Check out The Podcast Host for everything podcasting, and try Alitu - our podcast maker app - to streamline your podcast production process! | |||
| A+ Landing Pages, Creators vs Tax & How to Take Over the World | 19 Jan 2024 | 00:31:54 | |
In this episode, Colin and Jacob discuss various tools, including Landing Pages Explained and the Rodecaster Duo. They also highlight creators of the week, How to Take Over the World and Tom Scott. The conversation covers topics such as merchant of record services, short videos, premium memberships, and the game Baldur's Gate 3. They also discuss the importance of funnels and accountability in the creative process.
Takeaways
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| Organizing the Creator Brain: Systems for Sustainable Content Creation with Ian Anderson Gray | 02 Feb 2024 | 01:08:04 | |
Is your creative mind bursting with ideas but struggling to turn them into consistent content? Discover how to organize your thoughts, streamline your workflow, and sustainably grow your creator business! Join Colin Gray, Jacob Anderson, and special guest Ian Anderson Gray as they dive deep into productivity systems, community building, and leveraging AI to supercharge your content creation process. In this episode, you'll learn:
Implement a weekly planning session using time blocking:
If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe to the Creator Toolbox podcast for more insights on building your creator business. Check out The Podcast Host for everything podcasting, and try Alitu - our podcast maker app - with a 7-day free trial! | |||
| How Does Arielle Nissenblatt Publish SO MUCH? Killing it as a Creator With a Full-Time Job | 16 Feb 2024 | 00:38:02 | |
Ever wonder how some creators seem to do it all? In this episode, we dive deep into the world of Arielle Nissenblatt, a powerhouse creator who manages to produce an impressive amount of content while holding down a full-time job in tech. Colin Gray and Jacob Anderson sit down with Arielle to uncover her secrets, discussing everything from productivity tools to content creation strategies. Whether you're a seasoned creator or just starting out, this episode is packed with insights to help you level up your game. What you'll learn:
Arielle spotlights "The Nightingale of Iran," a podcast by sisters Danielle and Galit Dardashti. She breaks down their successful launch strategy, emphasizing the importance of:
Inspired by Arielle's approach, consider implementing these steps in your own creator journey:
Remember, the key to success as a creator isn't always about having the perfect system—it's about finding what works for you and consistently putting in the effort. As Arielle demonstrates, with the right tools and mindset, you can achieve incredible things, even with a busy schedule. Want to dive deeper into the world of content creation? Subscribe to the Creator Toolbox podcast for more insights, tools, and strategies to help you thrive as a creator. | |||
| Adapting to Thrive: How Content and Marketing Strategies Are Evolving in 2024 with Gavin Bell | 01 Mar 2024 | 00:46:20 | |
In this episode of Creator Toolbox, Colin Gray and Jacob Anderson dive deep into the rapidly evolving world of content creation and marketing with special guest Gavin Bell, founder of PPC agency Yatter. Discover how creators and agencies are adapting their strategies to stay ahead in an increasingly AI-driven landscape. What you'll learn:
Gavin highlights Jake Hughes (@jakehughesss on Instagram) for his authentic approach to content creation, showcasing real cold-calling attempts to businesses. Try this workflow:Gavin shares his team's "micro-vlog" content creation strategy:
If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe to the Creator Toolbox podcast for more insights on building your creator business. Check out The Podcast Host for everything podcasting, and try Alitu - our podcast maker app - with a 7-day free trial! | |||
| Mastering Analytics: Essential Tools for Content Creators with Amanda Webb | 27 Mar 2024 | 00:50:35 | |
Are you struggling to make sense of your digital marketing efforts? Discover how to harness the power of analytics and get clarity on what's actually helping you grow your creator business! In this episode of Creator Toolbox, Colin Gray and Jacob Anderson sit down with Amanda Webb, a digital marketing ROI and analytics mentor. Amanda shares her wealth of knowledge on essential tools and strategies for content creators to improve their productivity, measure their marketing efforts, and grow their online presence. What you'll learn:This episode is packed with valuable information for creators looking to level up their analytics game. You'll discover:
Amanda shared her productivity hack using Toggl:
If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe to the Creator Toolbox podcast for more insights on building your creator business. Visit The Podcast Host for everything podcasting, and try Alitu - our podcast maker app - with a 7-day free trial! | |||
| Creating More with Less: Time-Saving Tools for the Busy Content Creator | 02 Apr 2024 | 00:56:37 | |
Feeling overwhelmed by your content creation workload? Discover how to boost your productivity and streamline your creative process with our latest episode! Colin Gray and Jacob Anderson dive into a treasure trove of time-saving tools and techniques designed to help busy creators maximize their output without sacrificing quality or burning out. What You'll LearnIn this episode, you'll discover:
Nate Petrosky is a shining example of how to turn your lifestyle into compelling content and a thriving business. As a short-form video creator primarily on TikTok, Nate has built a following of 3.6 million by documenting his off-grid homesteading life. Content Strategy
If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe to the Creator Toolbox podcast for more insights on building your creator business. And if you're looking to streamline your podcast production process, give Alitu - our podcast maker app - a try with a 7-day free trial! | |||
| From Hobby to $4.5M: Justin Moore's Journey to Mastering Sponsorships | 18 Apr 2024 | 00:47:05 | |
Struggling to turn your creative ideas into profitable ventures? Discover how Justin Moore transformed his hobby into a multi-million dollar business through sponsorships! Colin Gray sits down with Justin Moore, the Creator Wizard, to explore the world of content monetization, focusing on sponsorships and brand deals. Justin shares his journey from a hobby creator to a sponsorship expert who has generated $4.5 million in sponsorship revenue over the last decade. What You'll Learn
Justin introduces his "Sponsorship Continuum" concept, a framework for creators to monetize their skills at any stage of their journey:
This continuum allows creators to start monetizing early and adapt their offerings as their influence grows. Creator Spotlight: Jay ClouseJustin highlights Jay Clouse, founder of Creator Science, as his creator of the week. He admires Jay's commitment to transparency, sharing both successes and failures in his creator journey, and his persistence in building his business over seven years before seeing significant traction. Additional ResourcesIf you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe to the Creator Toolbox podcast for more insights on building your creator business. Check out The Podcast Host for everything podcasting, and try Alitu - our podcast maker app - with a 7-day free trial! | |||
| Ghost or WordPress? How to choose the best platform for your creative project | 04 Sep 2024 | 00:30:12 | |
Welcome back to another episode of The Creator Toolbox! In this episode, we talk about our new Creator Toolbox blog and dive into ways to develop a website to suit our creative needs - from building it, to preparing the content and finally going live. We discuss the blurry lines between a blog and a website. Jacob also gives some good examples from his own experience. We then expand on why we chose Ghost as the most suitable hosting platform for our content. We talk through differences with WordPress and general practicalities, including UX, coding, integrations and plugins, email marketing, and community-building. We delve into the crucial aspects of content ownership, but not for the sake of growth, discoverability, collaboration, conversation, and community building. Here, we touch on Substack, Ghost, LinkTree, Beehiiv, ConvertKit, and more. Colin highlights the importance of owning customer relationship marketing through email marketing and presses a strong case for content ownership. He also shared a recent discovery of Bear, a minimal, no-nonsense blogging platform with no ads, trackers, or scripts. Jacob adds that Ghost also supports a short-form blog on the platform. If you found this episode helpful, the best way to support us is by checking out Alitu, our podcast-maker app. We're always working to make podcasting accessible for creators like you. Thanks for tuning in, and we'll catch you on the next episode! | |||
| Creating Collaborative Montage Content with Multiple Guests: Behind the Scenes on a Season of our Podcast | 11 Sep 2024 | 00:45:56 | |
In this special episode of The Creator Toolbox, we dive into the craft of producing highly polished, montage or documentary content. That means one or more episodes with narration, clips from multiple interviews, music and FX, all aimed at creating a way-above-average listening and viewing experience. We'll share our experience in creating a podcast series in this way, but it applies to multi-interview YouTube episodes just as well. We cover everything from setting up interviews with expert podcasters to editing multiple voices into a cohesive narrative, unpacking the strategies behind our latest (20th!) season of PodCraft. We’ll walk you through how we source high-quality guests, create seamless transitions with narration, and blend in the perfect soundtrack. Whether you’re a podcaster, YouTuber, or content creator, these tips will help you elevate your production skills and streamline your workflow. Join us as we show you how to turn a series of interviews into a compelling season of audio storytelling. Chapters 00:00: Introduction and Welcome 02:10: Switching the Format for Season 20 of PodCraft 05:05: Finding the Right Podcast Guests 09:12: Structuring the Interviews 14:05: Scheduling and Recording the Interviews 17:30: Editing and Organizing the Content 24:00: Narration and Music Integration 30:15: Creating Blog Posts for Episodes 34:12: Publishing and Promoting the Season 38:00: Closing Thoughts and Final Tips | |||
| Barbell YouTube Strategies, Updated Video Set-Ups and Jacob's Photography Going Viral | 24 Sep 2024 | 00:48:04 | |
In this episode of The Creator Toolbox, we kick things off with Jacob's viral Northern Lights photography story. He shares how his stunning images went a bit loopy online and how he used Shopify to capitalise on print-on-demand sales. Colin then breaks down his current video lighting setup, discussing the best ways to use softboxes, LED panels, and smart lights like Philips Hue to create professionally lit backgrounds and achieve a high-quality video feel. We then get into the barbell strategy for video content creation, where we either go all-in with highly-produced content or keep it rough and ready to deliver quick, relevant videos. This episode is perfect for podcasters and content creators who want practical advice on streamlining production, enhancing video aesthetics, and avoiding burnout. We also highlight a Creator of the Week, David Larbi, and his podcast, "Mindful Moments," as a great example for solo podcasters looking to build a deep connection with their audience. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro 03:00 – Going Viral 07:45 – Monetizing Creative Work 12:00 – Professional Video Lighting 20:30 – Optimising Video Backgrounds 25:00 – Creator of the Week 29:50 – Barbell Content Strategy 35:30 – Boosting Productivity 45:00 – Creative Energy Management 47:00 – Outro and Call to Action | |||
| The Power of Real-Life Content to Grow Your Audience & How To Get 10x More From Books | 07 Oct 2024 | 00:55:09 | |
In this episode of The Creator Toolbox, we explore how to turn everyday moments into content gold, helping podcasters and creators build thriving channels. We share real-world examples from top YouTubers like the Aquarium Co-Op and The Hoof GP. Tune in to learn strategies for growing your audience, monetising "boring" niches, and boosting productivity with flexible co-working and AI tools. This episode is perfect for content creators wanting to leverage everyday life for maximum impact. ⌚ Timestamps 00:00 - Intro 02:00 - Turning Everyday Moments into Content 04:20 - Examples of Successful Real-Life Content 09:30 - Monetising "Boring" Niches 13:45 - Productivity Tips for Creators 17:50 - Co-Working Spaces for Focus 26:15 - Productivity Hacks 35:00 - Using AI to Maximise Book Insights 45:10 - Final Thoughts | |||
| Affiliate marketing still works? Plus private podcasting with Ripple | 18 Oct 2024 | 00:56:53 | |
In this episode of The Creator Toolbox, we dive into a bunch of cool topics that every creator should be thinking about. First up, we talk about private podcasting and how it can be an awesome way to monetize your content and build a tight-knit community around your show. We then explore Ripple, a new tool designed by Brian Cassell, which combines private podcasting with community-building features—perfect for creators looking to offer exclusive content and interact more directly with their audience. Next, we tackle the topic of affiliate marketing—is it dead? We debate how affiliate marketing has changed, the rise of massive conglomerates dominating search results, and the shift from blogging to influencer and podcast-driven affiliate deals. Spoiler: it's not dead, but it's definitely evolved. Lastly, we chat about community engagement and why it's key to not only getting feedback on your episodes but also improving your show over time. With tools like Ripple, you can make that process seamless and fun! Key Takeaways:
Resources:
Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 00:52 - Mangoes and Thailand (Jacob’s adventures) 02:00 - Private podcasting and monetization options 05:00 - Ripple 10:00 - Building communities around podcasts: Public vs. private 15:00 - Should we use Ripple for our show? The debate begins 18:10 - Is affiliate marketing dead? The evolution of the industry 24:00 - The impact of big media conglomerates on affiliate marketing 29:00 - How creators can still win with affiliate deals 31:00 - Engaging superfans with private content and low-production podcasts 35:00 - Community-driven content creation: A secret to better episodes 40:00 - Final thoughts | |||
| The Power of Podcasting for Coaches with Rob Lawrence | 31 Oct 2024 | 00:59:43 | |
Rob Lawrence joins us to share his unique perspective on podcasting for coaches, drawing from his experience as both a certified coach and professional podcast producer. In this value-packed episode, we explore everything from overcoming mental blocks to practical setup advice for coaches looking to expand their reach through podcasting. Episode Highlights:
👉 Coach looking for a producer? Check out Rob's website: https://www.roblawrence.co/ 👉 Looking for a DIY option that makes it easy? Alitu is for you! https://alitu.com, use discount code CREATORTOOLBOX for 50% of your first month. | |||
| Email Launch Campaigns, Modern Affiliate Marketing, and Choosing the Right Community Chat | 01 Nov 2024 | 00:49:48 | |
In this episode of Creator Toolbox, Colin and Jacob dive into three main topics: Colin's recent launch of the revamped Podcraft Academy 2.0, Jacob's insights on First Promoter's new features for affiliate marketing, and a deep dive into community platform options. Colin shares his experience running a week-long email campaign for the Academy launch, including his approach to writing daily emails with video content and managing customer responses. Jacob then explores First Promoter 2.0's improvements, particularly their new focus on discount codes for podcast/video creators and enhanced communication features. The episode wraps up with an extensive discussion about community platforms, comparing options like Circle, Discord, Slack, and others, before concluding with a conversation about the importance of content creators reviewing their own work. Key Takeaways
Resources Mentioned:
Chapter List: [00:00] Introduction and catch-up [01:13] Discussing upcoming topics [02:15] Academy 2.0 launch experience and email campaign strategy [19:11] First Promoter 2.0 features and affiliate marketing trends [29:19] Community platform comparison and engagement strategies [41:21] Creator self-review practices and improvement techniques [48:27] Outro and promotional codes | |||
| Organising your Creator Brain: Ideation, Workflows & Tools for Sustainable Content [Repost] | 07 Nov 2024 | 01:08:36 | |
Is your creative mind bursting with ideas but struggling to turn them into consistent content? Discover how to organize your thoughts, streamline your workflow, and sustainably grow your creator business! Join Colin Gray, Jacob Anderson, and special guest Ian Anderson Gray as they dive deep into productivity systems, community building, and leveraging AI to supercharge your content creation process. In this episode, you'll learn:
Implement a weekly planning session using time blocking:
If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe to the Creator Toolbox podcast for more insights on building your creator business. Check out The Podcast Host for everything podcasting, and try Alitu - our podcast maker app - with a 7-day free trial! | |||
| YouTube Scripts, Notion Apps & Going Pro as a Creator | 21 Nov 2024 | 00:47:51 | |
This week, we're queuing up a chat about YouTube scripting tools, no-code app building, pro vs amateur mindsets, what we can learn from Jay Clouse, and a mindset for producing authentic content on a daily basis. Join us! | |||
| The 400+ Episode Streak Podcaster: Mindsets, consistency, team building and repurposing | 20 Dec 2024 | 00:52:44 | |
In this video, we dig deep into the mindset and systems that power a ridiculously consistent and long lived podcast. My guest is Matty Lansdowne, from the How Not to Get Sick and Die Podcast, and he shares how he built his show to over 400 episodes, much of that time while working a full-time job. We explore the psychology of consistency, practical systems for success, and strategies for maintaining quality content production. Matty also shares insights on building a profitable business through podcasting, and using AI tools for content repurposing. Finally, we dig into the balance between different content platforms and the importance of focusing on what works rather than trying to be everywhere. Whether you're just starting out or looking to scale your show, we're sharing actionable insights on building sustainable content workflows, recruiting and developing team members effectively, and creating a content strategy that stands the test of time. Check out Matty's show over at https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/how-to-not-get-sick-and-die/id1450212088 And to make the production process even easier, check out: https://alitu.com - the easiest podcast creation platform on the planet. Chapter List 00:00 - Introduction and Matty's Background 02:05 - Mindset for Consistent Podcasting 07:19 - Building Systems and Team Management 17:43 - Content Repurposing Workflow 23:39 - Business Model Behind the Podcast 34:01 - YouTube Strategy Discussion 43:36 - Content Volume and Platform Choice 52:30 - Wrap-up and Resources | |||
| Masterful Project Management with AI, Best Website Builders in 2025 & the Power of Podscan | 27 Dec 2024 | 00:50:29 | |
Struggling with overwhelming projects and not sure where to start, or having a hard time keeping track of your brand's impact? This episode is packed with a set of tools to help you work smart, and let AI do the hard work in planning your next project. Colin shows how he's turned AI into his own personal project manager, breaking down massive tasks into manageable steps and creating visual workflows that actually make sense. Then, Colin and Jacob explore Podscan, a smart tool that helps you discover who's talking about your brand in the podcast space - perfect for finding collaboration opportunities you might be missing. Plus, they tackle the often-confusing world of modern website building, cutting through the noise to help you find the fastest, most effective way to test new services or products without getting bogged down in technical complexity. Chapter List02:15 - Using AI for project management 17:29 - Introduction to Podscan 28:04 - Modern website building options 41:10 - AI-powered website development Resources Mentioned:
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| 2024 Lessons, 2025 Predictions & our Top Mistakes of the Year | 03 Jan 2025 | 00:59:12 | |
In this special year-end episode, Colin and Jacob reflect on their key learnings from 2024 and share predictions for 2025. They discuss experiences and lessons learned in hiring and team building, the challenges of maintaining focus across different content mediums, and the evolving AI landscape. The hosts also share their commitments for the upcoming year, including Jacob's plans to start creating video content and Colin's goal to hire an assistant. The episode wraps up with gift recommendations, either for another creator in your life, or just a wee festive gift for yourself! Resources Mentioned
00:00 - Introduction and Episode Overview 05:44 - Lessons Learned: Hiring and Team Building 13:18 - Focus and Content Creation Challenges 20:05 - AI Predictions for 2024 28:24 - Personal Commitments for 2024 40:07 - Gift Ideas for Creators 54:24 - Mistakes and Lessons from 2023 | |||
| A Step-by-Step Annual Planning Framework That Actually Works (plus Banking Hacks for your Biz) | 10 Jan 2025 | 00:48:14 | |
In this episode, we dig into four fantastic tools and strategies for creators. Jacob kicks things off by sharing his pocket-filling discovery of 2023 - the Revolut Ultra plan. This premium bank account is packed with creator-friendly perks like WeWork passes, airport lounges, and a bundle of premium subscriptions. Next, Colin walks us through his annual planning process, sharing the exact framework he's developed since 2015 for reviewing the past year and setting up for success. Finally, we explore the world of creator events, from intimate gatherings like Craft & Commerce to massive festivals like SXSW, helping you choose which ones might be worth your time in 2024. We wrap up with some practical tips on screen recording tools for content creation, comparing Filmora and Movavi as alternatives to the aging Camtasia. For the full annual planning guide, as mentioned by Colin, go to: https://creator.alitu.com/creator/annual-planning-for-creators/ Chapter List: 00:00 - Introduction and microphone setup 04:41 - Revolut Ultra: A creator's perfect bank account? 20:23 - Annual Planning Framework 31:46 - Personal vs Professional Goals 36:02 - Creator Events for 2024 48:52 - Screen Recording Tools Update 50:16 - Outro and Alitu special offer | |||
| Task Management Revolution, Search Traffic Crisis, and Video Content Tips | 27 Jan 2025 | 00:48:17 | |
In this episode of Creator Toolbox, hosts Colin and Jacob explore several key topics affecting content creators. Colin kicks things off with a detailed look at his switch from Asana to TickTick for task management, explaining how he's created a more effective system for handling ideas and daily tasks. The conversation then shifts to a discussion of Project Stargate, a proposed $500 billion AI initiative, with Jacob expressing skepticism about its feasibility and environmental impact. The hosts dive deep into the concerning trend of declining organic search traffic, analyzing HubSpot's dramatic traffic drop and its implications for content creators. They explore potential strategies for adapting to AI-driven search, including focusing on fact-based content and building stronger partnerships. The episode wraps up with Colin sharing his latest experiments with short-form video content and his approach to creating more engaging gear-focused content.
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| How to Create a Media Kit That Actually Lands Sponsorship Deals | 30 Jan 2025 | 00:37:57 | |
In this episode, we explore two key tools for creators looking to level up their business: media kits and personal websites. We start by breaking down what goes into an effective media kit - from showcasing your audience stats to highlighting your unique value proposition. We talk about using media kits not just for sponsorships, but also for podcast guest appearances, collaborations, and PR opportunities. The conversation then shifts to personal websites, where we contrast super simple approaches like Derek Sivers' minimal one-pager with more elaborate creator sites like Ali Abdaal's. Throughout the episode, we discuss practical tools for building both media kits and personal sites, including Notion, Canva, and various website builders. We wrap up with tips on how to get started without feeling overwhelmed by making it simple and building it up over time. Key Takeaways:=A media kit should tell your story and solve problems - focus on showing potential partners who you are, what problems you solve, and why you're unique =Keep your first version simple - start with a basic Notion page or one-pager that covers the essentials, then iterate based on the questions you get asked =Think beyond sponsorships - your media kit can help land podcast guest spots, speaking gigs, and collaborative opportunities =Personal sites don't need to be complex - a simple, regularly updated page about who you are and what you're working on can be more effective than an elaborate website =Start small and build over time - whether it's a media kit or personal site, begin with the basics and expand as needed Resources Mentioned:=Notion - For creating simple media kits and personal sites =Canva - Design tool for creating media kit layouts =Adobe Express - Another option for media kit design =Passion Fruit - Platform for podcast sponsorships =Gumroad - Platform for selling digital products =Interview Valet - Podcast interview booking service =Derek Sivers - sivers.org - Example of minimal personal site =Ali Abdaal - aliabdaal.com - Example of full creator personal site =Alitu - Podcast making app (alitu.com) Chapters:00:00 Welcome and introductions 02:01 What is a media kit? 04:54 Different uses for media kits 08:33 What to include in your media kit 15:40 Tools for creating media kits 19:55 Introduction to personal websites 23:42 Different approaches to personal sites 27:15 Derek Sivers site example 31:26 Ali Abdaal site comparison 34:20 Getting started tips 37:07 Episode wrap-up | |||
| ChatGPT vs Claude vs Gemini: A Marketer's Guide to AI Assistants | 07 Feb 2025 | 00:24:06 | |
In this episode, Jacob explores the three major AI assistants and how creators can best leverage each one. Drawing from extensive hands-on experience, he breaks down the unique strengths of Claude, ChatGPT (including the new O1 model), and Gemini, providing practical guidance on which tool works best for different creator tasks. Key Takeaways👉 OpenAI's O1 excels at strategic planning and breaking down complex problems 👉 Claude is the top choice for writing tasks and maintaining consistent tone 👉 Gemini stands out for handling large amounts of text and data analysis 👉 Using multiple AI tools in combination often produces better results than relying on just one 👉 The quality of AI output directly correlates to the quality and specificity of your input Resources Mentioned👉 Guide to making your own AI writer with Claude 👉 Claude - Best for writing and content creation 👉 ChatGPT (O1 model) - Specialized in reasoning and planning 👉 Gemini - Handles large text analysis 👉 Deepseek R1 - Open source alternative 👉 O3 Mini - Free alternative to O1, available in ChatGPT 👉 Alitu - Podcast making app (alitu.com) Chapters00:00 Introduction 01:03 OpenAI O1 overview and use cases 03:01 Claude capabilities and strengths 05:12 Gemini's unique advantages 07:27 Comparing the three assistants 13:34 Practical tips for using AI tools 20:02 Common pitfalls to avoid 22:25 Episode wrap-up | |||
| The Big 5 Content Types and How To Use Them | 20 Feb 2025 | 00:45:03 | |
In this episode, Colin and Jacob discuss the "Big Five" content strategy, a framework for creating content that attracts your audience at every stage of the buying process. The Big Five content areas are: cost and pricing, best-of lists, problems, comparisons, and reviews. They explain how each area can be used to generate content ideas, regardless of your industry. They also discuss how these different content types can be used to reach people at all stages of the buying process, from those who are just starting to research a problem to those who are ready to make a purchase. Key Takeaways:
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| What is Vibe Coding? And Changing an Annual Cadence, Building Your Customised AI Assistant | 28 Feb 2025 | 00:44:26 | |
We kicked off talking about a big change we're making to our annual planning cadence. Instead of following the traditional January-December cycle, we're shifting to a March-February year. Why? Because December-January is such a mess with holidays and slow starts! We found that planning during this time just doesn't work well. By making March 1st the start of our planning year, we're using January-February as a time for reflection, strategy planning, and wrapping up previous projects. This gives us a nice fresh start in the springtime. Then Jacob introduced us to "vibe coding" - a term coined by Andres Carpathy. It's about using AI tools like Claude or Cursor to generate code without really understanding the code itself. You describe what you want, and the AI builds it for you. We discussed how tools like Replit, Lovable, and Bolt.new make this possible even for non-coders. Jacob shared great examples, including how someone built a multiplayer flight simulator game in just one day! This approach works especially well for personal tools or weekend projects. I shared how I've been using Claude as a resource by creating a project focused initially on designing an agency. The cool part is that I've ended up using this knowledge base for all sorts of other projects - from mastermind landing pages to coaching proposals. The AI basically interviews me and builds up a profile of my skills and experience that I can later tap into for various content needs. Finally, Jacob highlighted Caleb Hammer as his creator of the week. Caleb runs a YouTube show called "Financial Audit" where he reviews people's financial situations (often a bit brutally!) and helps them create a plan to improve. The format is consistent but always feels fresh because each guest brings different financial challenges. Jacob noted how well Caleb has monetized through relevant sponsorships, memberships with behind-the-scenes content, and even creating his own budgeting app. Takeaways= Consider shifting your annual planning cycle to March-February if the traditional January start feels rushed and disrupted by holidays = AI tools like Replit now make it possible for non-coders to create functional web apps and tools - especially for personal use or to solve specific problems = Building a dedicated AI "project" that knows your skills and experience can become a valuable resource for various content creation tasks = Bringing audience members onto your show as guests can create fresh, relatable content while still maintaining a consistent format = Multiple monetization streams work best when they're naturally integrated into your content - Caleb Hammer's example shows how sponsors can be woven in without feeling disruptive Resources= Replit - A coding platform with AI capabilities that's great for beginners (https://replit.com/) = Lovable - AI-powered app building tool (https://www.lovable.ai/) = Bolt.new - Another no-code tool for building with AI (https://bolt.new/) = Cursor - Advanced AI coding tool mentioned for more experienced users (https://cursor.sh/) = Claude 3.7 - The new Claude AI model that Alistair mentioned for coding help = Caleb Hammer's YouTube channel - Financial audit show (https://www.youtube.com/c/CalebHammer) = Alitu - Our podcast creation app with new video recording features (https://alitu.com) - use code CREATORTOOLBOX for 50% off your first month Chapters00:00:00 Introduction and episode overview 00:01:14 Changing our annual planning cadence to March-February 00:07:38 Why 12-month planning can be arbitrary and limiting 00:11:43 What is "vibe coding" and how does it work? 00:20:28 Replit as a beginner-friendly coding tool 00:24:32 Personal software development using AI tools 00:34:01 Using Claude as a resource for multiple projects 00:43:00 Caleb Hammer as creator of the week 00:47:04 How Caleb monetizes his financial audit show 00:52:32 Closing remarks and Alitu promotion | |||
| LinkedIn Growth for Creators + How We're Using AI Deep Research | 11 Mar 2025 | 00:59:28 | |
In this episode, Colin and Jacob dig into two powerful tools for creators: LinkedIn and AI deep research capabilities. Colin shares his recent LinkedIn strategy, revealing how daily posting has drastically improved his engagement and impressions, and what makes up those daily posts. He explores effective content types like cheat sheets, carousels, video formats, and personal stories that perform well on the platform. Colin also highlights successful creators like Chris Donnelly, Ann Handley, and Tom Hunt who are having a bunch of success on LinkedIn with their distinct approaches. In the second half, Jacob explores his experience with ChatGPT's Deep Research feature, explaining how it revolutionized his content creation process for a viral blog post about vibe coding, providing valuable comparative analysis and SEO gap identification that helped his article reach the front page of Hacker News. Key Takeaways:🟢 Consistency is crucial for LinkedIn success - Colin saw his average post impressions jump from 100-200 to 400-500 by posting daily, with his newsletter content reaching 1,000+ impressions. 🟢 "Cheat sheets" with dense, valuable information perform exceptionally well on LinkedIn - these text-heavy graphics with minimal design offer quick value and stand out in feeds. 🟢 When creating plain text posts on LinkedIn, being opinionated and authentic performs better than overly polished content - controversial hooks and personal stories drive engagement. 🟢 ChatGPT's Deep Research feature (available with Pro subscription) acts like a dedicated research assistant, providing comprehensive competitive analysis and identifying content gaps. 🟢 When using AI for research, being specific with your requests (like asking for first-person reviews rather than marketing copy) significantly improves the quality and usefulness of the results. Chapters:00:00 Introduction and episode overview 04:44 Colin's LinkedIn growth strategy and results 08:06 Analyzing effective LinkedIn content types 13:34 LinkedIn cheat sheets and why they work 20:40 Carousel posts and their engagement power 24:13 Authentic text posts vs. polished content 26:14 Storytelling techniques from top LinkedIn creators 32:28 LinkedIn commenting strategies for algorithm growth 36:34 Optimizing your LinkedIn profile features 40:35 Jacob introduces ChatGPT's Deep Research tool 45:10 How Deep Research transformed content creation 49:45 SEO gap analysis and competitive advantages 54:38 Practical applications for content improvement 57:01 Outro | |||
| Behind the Scenes: Our Plans to Grow THIS Show in 2025 | 14 Mar 2025 | 00:37:23 | |
In this episode of Creator Toolbox, Colin and Jacob share their strategy for growing the podcast over the next 6-12 months. We discuss shifting to a "newsletter-first" approach, where the podcast generates content that then flows into newsletters, blog posts, and social media. We explore how this approach feels more future-proof in an environment where SEO is becoming less reliable, and how it gives us more creative freedom. Throughout the conversation, we share our plans for improving social media presence with more effective video clips, professionalizing our self-promotion efforts, and bringing back guest collaborations to help grow our audience. We also talk openly about what we're NOT going to focus on right now - specifically paid advertising and building a community platform. While both are valuable, we know we need to establish our content infrastructure first before investing in these areas. The episode provides a behind-the-scenes look at our planning process and how we're balancing ambition with focus to avoid overwhelming ourselves. Key Takeaways🟢 Newsletter-first content strategy: We're shifting from SEO-dependent blog content to building a newsletter as our primary content hub, giving us more creative freedom and a direct connection with our audience. 🟢 Repurpose content strategically: Create podcast episodes with 2-3 solid topics that can be expanded into newsletter content and blog posts, while saving some exclusive content for each platform. 🟢 Experimenting with video clips for social growth: Short-form content on YouTube Shorts, Instagram, and TikTok is crucial for discoverability, even when your main content is long-form. 🟢 Professionalize your self-promotion: Treat yourself as a paying sponsor with proper tracking links, polished ad reads, and clear calls to action - don't be shy about promoting what you've built. 🟢 Say no to grow: We're intentionally NOT pursuing paid advertising and community building right now to ensure we can fully focus on content infrastructure. Resources Mentioned🟢 Beehive newsletter platform - https://beehiiv.com/ 🟢 ConvertKit (now called Kit) - https://kit.com/ 🟢 Opus clipping tool - https://www.opus.pro/ 🟢 Alitu podcast maker app - https://alitu.com/ 🟢 Circle community platform - https://circle.so/ 🟢 Publish Press newsletter - https://www.thepublishpress.com/ 🟢 Morning Brew newsletter - https://www.morningbrew.com/ 🟢 14 Ways to Collaborate with other Podcasters - blog post & YouTube video Chapters00:02:24 Newsletter-first publishing workflow 00:05:44 Creating value across multiple platforms 00:08:05 Why newsletters feel more future-proof 00:12:01 Using Beehive for growth tools 00:14:14 Our social media strategy with clips 00:19:26 Adding guest collaborations back 00:23:01 Professionalizing our self-promotion 00:27:52 Treating ourselves as a sponsor 00:31:47 What we're NOT focusing on right now 00:36:31 closing thoughts | |||
| How To Name Your Creative Projects and Why Ours is Changing (Goodbye Creator Toolbox!) | 20 Mar 2025 | 00:25:31 | |
In this solo episode of Creator Toolbox (soon to be Creator Craft), Jacob announces our name change and uses this opportunity to dive deep into the art of naming creative projects. Jacob explains why we're rebranding from Creator Toolbox to Creator Craft – there's already a newsletter called "Creators Toolbox" which could cause confusion as we launch our own newsletter. Jacob shares valuable insights about different types of creative project names, what makes a name scalable, and practical advice for choosing your own names. Importantly, he discusses when to follow naming "rules" and when it's okay to break them, using our own rebrand as a real-world case study. This episode provides both the ideal framework for naming and honest reflections about the practical compromises we made with our own name change. Key Takeaways🟢 Don't fear rebranding when necessary: Sometimes a proactive name change can prevent bigger problems down the line, especially if there's potential for confusion with another brand in your space. 🟢 Understand different name types: Descriptive names clearly state what you do, evocative names create feelings, compound names combine words for uniqueness, and personal names leverage your existing reputation. 🟢 Consider these factors for scalable names: Memorability, SEO/discoverability, trademark/domain availability, future-proofing, and community appeal all determine how well a name can grow with your brand. 🟢 Follow a practical naming process: Start with a big brainstorm, explore combinations, narrow using criteria like ease of pronunciation, test with your audience, and check availability. 🟢 Know which rules you can break: Context matters tremendously – for us, keeping "creator" in the name and maintaining brand continuity was more important than having the perfect .com domain or ideal social handles. Resources Mentioned🟢 Alitu podcast maker app - Our main company that hosts Creator Craft 🟢 Podcraft - Our sister podcast about podcasting 🟢 Morning Brew - Example of an evocative name for a business newsletter 🟢 Freakonomics - Example of a compound name Coming SoonOur newsletter will be launching soon! Sign up at alitu.com/creator to get creator business insights delivered to your inbox. The official rebrand to Creator Craft will happen next week – you'll see the new name in your podcast feeds, but you won't need to resubscribe. Get In TouchHave naming challenges of your own? Questions about our rebrand? Email us at creator@alitu.com | |||
| How We Got 17,000 Readers and 200 Backlinks from One Trend-Focused Article | 27 Mar 2025 | 01:06:27 | |
In this episode of Creator Craft, Jacob and I chat about the craft of creating! We kick things off explaining our recent name change from Creator Toolbox to Creator Craft (due to a naming conflict with a newsletter). Then I review the DJI Osmo Mobile 7 and 7P gimbals, comparing features and sharing my experience using them for YouTube shorts and videos. Jacob shares a fascinating case study on "news jacking" - how his article about vibe coding went viral, bringing in 17,000 readers and 200 backlinks. He explains the strategy behind riding trending topics, with examples from various industries. I also cover Frame.io, a collaborative video editing tool that works brilliantly with Adobe Premiere. We wrap up with Jacob's creator of the week, Bob Dylan, and the lesson about how even legendary creators started by covering others' work before finding their unique voice. Takeaways1 When choosing a name for your creator business, focus on being unique in your specific space rather than globally unique - you need to be easily found and not confused with similar content. 2 The DJI Osmo Mobile 7 ($89) provides excellent stabilization for smartphone video, with the 7P version ($149) offering additional features like a mic receiver and tracking – though for most creators, the base model with a separate mic may be more versatile. 3 "News jacking" can bring outsized returns by creating content around emerging trends before they go mainstream - timing is crucial, aiming to publish between when news breaks and when journalists start covering it widely. 4 Adding your unique perspective, skills, or examples is essential when news jacking - simply summarizing information won't stand out, but showing how you personally apply or use the trend can create genuine value. 5 Frame.io streamlines video review by separating the review process from editing, allowing you to add timestamped comments and compare versions - useful for both team collaboration and solo creators. Resources Mentioned
00:00 Introduction and name change explanation 04:04 DJI Osmo Mobile 7 and 7P gimbal review 31:33 News jacking: Jacob's vibe coding case study 46:54 Tips for effective news jacking 54:52 Frame.io for video editing collaboration 1:00:52 Creator of the Week: Bob Dylan and creative beginnings | |||
| AI image text finally doesn't look drunk! Here's how to do it 🛠️ | 04 Apr 2025 | 00:41:17 | |
In this episode, we get into a couple of AI tools which we've been playing with for content creation. We kick things off discussing ChatGPT's updated image generation capabilities, which finally solved the text legibility problem that's plagued AI image creation for years. Jacob shows the steps you can take to finally create professionally designed assets like cheat sheets, social media graphics, and podcast artwork where the text is perfectly rendered. The key is following a specific set of steps, being specific with your prompts, providing exact copy, and including reference images for style and layout inspiration. Colin then shares his exploration of dictation and voice-to-text tools. He highlights TalkText for basic dictation and VoicePal (created by Ali Abdaal), which goes beyond simple transcription to become a thinking partner that asks intelligent follow-up questions about your ideas. This makes it perfect for content creators who want to develop their thoughts while on the go, with the added bonus of being able to repurpose those conversations directly into various content formats like LinkedIn posts or newsletters. Takeaways🟢 When using ChatGPT's new image generation, provide the exact text you want displayed rather than expecting it to generate copy - treat it like working with a designer 🟢 Use Markdown formatting when providing text for AI image generation to help it understand what should be headlines, bullet points, etc. 🟢 Include sample images as references for both layout inspiration and style/color palette to get more consistent, professional results 🟢 VoicePal can transform your thinking process by not just recording your spoken thoughts but actively prompting deeper exploration through intelligent questions 🟢 Consider dictation tools as a way to overcome writer's block and generate content more efficiently while walking or on the move Resources🟢 ChatGPT image generation - Available in the ChatGPT interface with GPT-4 model (click the "Create Image" button) 🟢 How to Generate Text in Images in ChatGPT - Jacob's detailed guide on using ChatGPT's image generation with example prompts 🟢 TalkText - Web-based dictation tool that transcribes and tidies up your speech into well-written text 🟢 VoicePal - iOS Mobile app by Ali Abdaal that functions as a "ghost writer in your pocket" ($7.99/month or £70/year) 🟢 Alitu.com - Our podcast maker app with recording, editing, publishing and now video capabilities Chapters:00:00 Welcome to Creator Craft 00:43 Introduction to ChatGPT's improved image generation 06:34 Tips for providing text for AI image generation 23:10 Style transfer capabilities 27:08 Introduction to dictation tools 30:34 TalkText for simple speech-to-text 33:02 VoicePal as an AI thinking partner 40:50 Closing thoughts and Alitu updates | |||
| Will Content Sites Still Exist in 5 Years? (PodCraft Special) | 11 Apr 2025 | 00:54:19 | |
Will Content Sites Still Exist in 5 Years? In this special crossover episode between Creator Craft and Podcraft, Matthew and Jacob dive into a pressing question for all content creators: will content sites still exist in five years? With search habits changing and AI reshaping how people find information online, what does this mean for blogs, podcasts, and other content platforms? Read Jacob's full article with sources on the stats mentioned, How To Survive The Death of Search Engines And Thrive In 2030 Key Topics Discussed🟢 The Evolution of Search: How zero-click searches and AI are changing the way people discover content, and why this isn't a sudden change but an acceleration of existing trends 🟢 The Content Barbell Strategy: Why creators need to focus on either high-utility, data-rich content or deeply human, experience-based content—and avoid getting caught in the mediocre middle 🟢 Changing Distribution Channels: How every platform is becoming its own universe with algorithm-based discovery replacing traditional search 🟢 The Future of Podcasting: Whether podcasting's open ecosystem will remain an anomaly or eventually centralize like other media 🟢 Building Direct Audience Relationships: The importance of email newsletters and owning your audience connections rather than relying solely on platforms Takeaways🟢 Content sites aren't disappearing, but they are evolving - creators need to adapt their approach to remain relevant 🟢 Focus on either end of the "content barbell" - either highly structured, fact-rich, utility content OR deeply human, experiential content that AI can't replicate 🟢 Distribute your content across multiple platforms rather than relying solely on search traffic 🟢 Build direct relationships with your audience through channels you control, like email newsletters 🟢 Be authentically human in your content - personality and genuine experiences will become increasingly valuable Jacob's 5 Key Recommendations
🟢 HubSpot - Example of a major content site that recently took a significant traffic hit 🟢 Perplexity - Next-generation search engine using AI with emphasis on sources 🟢 WeChat - Example of a "super app" that centralizes multiple functions 🟢 ChatGPT and Claude - Current AI tools changing how people find information Want more podcasting insights? Check out Podcraft, our show all about creating and growing a successful podcast, hosted by Colin and Matthew! Looking for a hassle-free way to make your podcast? Try Alitu, our podcast maker app that handles recording, editing, and publishing with minimal tech hassle. Use code "CREATORCRAFT" for 50% off your first month! | |||
| How To Stop Being a Consumer And Become a Creator | 18 Apr 2025 | 00:35:38 | |
In this solo episode, Jacob tackles one of the most common struggles for aspiring creators: how to make the leap from passively consuming content to actively creating it. He shares practical strategies and a 7-day challenge to help overcome the psychological barriers that keep us stuck in consumption mode. Key Insights:🟢 Creation Paralysis: The fear of judgment and exposure prevents many would-be creators from taking their first steps, even when they feel a deep urge to create. 🟢 The Perfection Trap: We compare our beginner efforts to highly polished professional content, setting unrealistic expectations for our early work. 🟢 Starting Small: Personal creation begins as a selfish act for yourself before it becomes something for others. The key is setting extremely low barriers to begin. 🟢 Learning from Experience: Jacob shares his story of a failed podcast project (Hell's Theater) where overthinking and not publishing early enough killed the momentum. 5 Practical Strategies:1. Set an Input to Output Ratio
Day 1: Identify your big dream and honestly assess where you are now Day 2: Create something tiny related to your dream for just 15 minutes Day 3: Find a new environment and create there for 20 minutes Day 4: Audit your consumption habits - what are you consuming and why? Day 5: Increase creation time to 25 minutes and try a different format Day 6: Share something you've created with one trusted person Day 7: Reflect on the week and plan sustainable next steps Final Thoughts:The benefits of creation come primarily from the act itself rather than distribution. Focus on going from 0 to 1, not on building an audience or making money immediately. The goal is to start spending some of the time you use for endless scrolling on creation instead. "The magical creation isn't actually in the act itself, not necessarily in the distribution... The personal benefits, the fulfillment, the growth, developing your own voice, that all comes just from the acts of creation."Resources:🟢 Dream Plotter: Free tool at dream.itwasjacob.com to help break down creative goals into manageable steps 🟢 Share something you made: email creator@alitu.com Coming Next Week:Join Jacob and Matthew as they discuss the difference between amateur and professional creators - but remember, you need to start creating first to have the privilege of figuring out how to become a professional! | |||
| 3 Signs You Have an Amateur Creator Mindset (And How to Fix It) | PodCraft Special | 25 Apr 2025 | 00:30:45 | |
In this episode, Matthew and Jacob discuss the telltale signs of an amateur creator mindset and provide practical strategies to overcome these common challenges. Key Insights:🟢 Writer's Block: Many creators struggle with not knowing what to say or lacking confidence in their ideas. The solution lies in gaining clarity about your audience and purpose. 🟢 Motivation Dependence: Amateur creators often wait for inspiration to strike rather than developing consistent creation habits. Professionals show up regardless of how they feel. 🟢 Fear of Idea Theft: Being overly protective of your ideas can prevent you from creating or sharing your work. Ideas without implementation have little value. Practical Strategies:Overcoming Writer's Block:
The difference between amateur and professional creators isn't talent - it's mindset. Professionals develop systems and habits that allow them to create consistently regardless of feelings, fears, or blocks. By identifying these amateur mindset pitfalls, you can take practical steps to develop a more professional approach to your creative work. Resources:Ready to shift your mindset? Send your questions or experiences to creator@alitu.com! | |||
| The Paradox of AI Content Creation in 2025 | 03 May 2025 | 00:25:35 | |
In this experimental meta-episode, host Jacob explores the complex relationship creators have with AI in 2025. Using his own voice cloned with ElevenLabs, alongside two AI hosts named NotJacob and Eva, the episode examines how creators are simultaneously empowered and unsettled by AI tools—capable of producing more than ever before, yet questioning what it means to create at all. The conversation follows the typical creator journey with AI: from that first moment of revelation, through experimentation with new workflows, into creative identity crisis, and finally toward finding a balanced approach that preserves human creativity while embracing AI assistance. What makes this episode unique is that it's also a demonstration of the very technology being discussed: AI-generated voices discussing AI content creation, with occasional appearances from "Producer Jacob" sharing his real-world experiences building with these tools. Key Topics Covered
This meta-episode showcases a cutting-edge AI content creation workflow:
This workflow exemplifies the "start with human concepts" approach Jacob describes in the episode—the ideas and experiences are authentically his, while AI tools helped with research, organization, and production. Connect With UsHave thoughts about this experimental format? Want to learn more about the AI tools mentioned? Email us at: creator@alitu.com CreditsHost: Jacob Anderson AI Co-hosts: NotJacob and Eva (powered by ElevenLabs) Research: ChatGPT (OpenAI) Content Organization: Claude (Anthropic) Production: Alitu Creator Craft explores the tools, techniques, and trends shaping creative work today. | |||
| How to Create a Voice-Clone Podcast Episode (& Whether you Should!) | 09 May 2025 | 00:59:53 | |
In this episode, Jacob and I discuss the AI-powered episode Jacob created last week - a fascinating experiment using Eleven Labs to clone his voice. He walks through his entire workflow from capturing voice notes and using Claude to help refine ideas, to the challenges of making the AI voice sound natural. We also chat about the ethics and concerns around voice cloning technology. Let us know what you thought of the AI episode here. Would you listen to more content like that? 👉 What did you think of the AI Episode? Later, I share insights from a recent trip - particularly how challenging it was to create content while traveling with family, balancing capturing moments versus actually experiencing them. I also provide honest feedback on travel gear like the DJI Osmo Mobile gimbal and DJI Mic Minis. Some of the Things We Cover 👇🟢 Eleven Labs voice cloning requires verification and paid plans, taking about 5 hours to process the audio samples you provide 🟢 Creating an AI voice that sounds natural in conversation is much harder than for scripted content - Jacob's voice clone worked well for documentary-style narration but wouldn't work for natural conversation 🟢 When traveling and creating content, consider batch processing rather than trying to publish on the go - capturing journal-style voice notes for later refinement works better than trying to create finished content while traveling 🟢 Convenience beats quality when creating content on the move - simpler tools that are quick to set up (like your phone) often win over specialized equipment that takes time to configure 🟢 Consider whether gear purchases like gimbals match your actual content style - they're great for filmmaking but overkill for simple travel documentation Resources🟢 Eleven Labs - AI voice cloning platform Jacob used to create his voice clone (https://elevenlabs.io) 🟢 Claude - AI assistant used to help refine ideas and create content 🟢 VoicePal - App for recording and expanding on journal entries through AI questioning 🟢 DJI Osmo Mobile 7/7P - Smartphone gimbal for stabilized video (https://www.dji.com/osmo-mobile-7) 🟢 DJI Mic Mini - Wireless microphone system (https://www.dji.com/uk/mic-mini) 🟢 Alitu - Our podcast maker app with recording, editing and hosting (https://www.alitu.com) Chapters:00:00 Introduction and catching up 02:05 Jacob's AI-powered episode experiment 05:20 How Jacob created his voice clone with Eleven Labs 08:02 Voice cloning quality and accuracy 14:11 Content workflow with AI assistance 20:15 Script development and voice generation challenges 25:43 The threat of AI voice cloning for scams 30:56 Potential positive uses for AI voices 37:55 Colin's travel content creation experiences 41:44 The challenge of creating while experiencing 46:24 Finding time to edit during travel 51:37 Balancing documentation and enjoyment 55:52 Review of DJI Osmo Mobile gimbal 58:53 Experience with DJI Mic Minis | |||
| From Low Motivation to High Output: Journaling, Streaming, and Productivity Tips [Best Of] | 17 Oct 2025 | 00:52:07 | |
Feeling stuck in a creative rut? Discover how to transform your low-energy days into productive powerhouses with our latest episode of Creator Toolbox! Join Colin Gray and Jacob Anderson as they dive into practical strategies for boosting productivity, leveraging new tools, and expanding your creator business. Whether you're a podcaster, writer, or aspiring content entrepreneur, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you level up your creative game. What you'll learn:
Colin shares insights from Jason Greystone, host of the "Always Free" podcast, who has built a successful business model around his content. Learn how Jason uses a combination of free content, courses, coaching, and mastermind groups to monetize his audience effectively. Try this workflow: AI-Powered Journaling for Creators
Ready to supercharge your productivity and take your creator business to the next level? Try implementing one of the strategies discussed in this episode and share your results with us using #CreatorToolbox on social media! Don't forget to subscribe to the Creator Toolbox podcast for more insights on building your creator business. Check out The Podcast Host for everything podcasting, and give Alitu - our podcast maker app - a try with a 7-day free trial! | |||