Today, I’d like to talk about… my interview with Leo Gonzalez. He’s a humble guy but he’s kinda a big deal: He has 2.9 Million followers on TikTok & 900k followers on IG. He has a Streamy Award, which is basically an Oscar for content creators. He’s worked with other celebs like George Lopez. In our interview, he broke down the following: How we went from working a regular job to becoming a full-time Creator. Managing success as an immigrant in the United States.

In today's episode, I connected with Toya to share my experience at Podcast Movement, I also tell you about a new podcast feature from YouTube. Hope you enjoy.

Today we'll be discussing the benefits of podcast networks for independent creators like ourselves, and how they can help us grow faster and reach new audiences.  But before we delve into that, we'll touch on the challenges of being a small creator and the pressure to produce high-quality content without the necessary resources. We'll explore how working with what we have and using available tools can make a big difference.  We'll also talk about the power of great audio and how it can be repurposed for social media clips, attracting more listeners and creating a stronger online presence.  Krystal shares their enthusiasm for podcast networks and how they can provide mutual recommendations and opportunities for growth, even for a group of friends in the same niche with similar audiences. As we navigate the rapidly changing podcast industry, we'll also explore the importance of authenticity and accepting ourselves as creators.  Lastly, we'll address questions from our listeners who are interested in transitioning into the podcast industry from nontraditional backgrounds, and share some advice and tips. So sit back, relax, and join us on this insightful journey through the world of podcast networks, as we uncover the potential for growth, the challenges we face, and the importance of staying true to our creative passions. Let's get started on this episode of Cre8tor Hub!

Welcome back to Cre8tor Hub, the podcast that brings you all the insights, tips, and inspiration you need to thrive in the world of content creation. In today's episode, we have a special treat for you as we sit down with the incredible Imran, the mastermind behind Great Pods, a groundbreaking platform that revolutionizes the way we discover and evaluate podcasts. Our host, Lloyd, met Imran on LinkedIn and was immediately captivated by his vision and expertise. With Great Pods, Imran has created a platform that aggregates critic reviews for podcasts, providing an invaluable resource for those seeking to explore new shows and make informed listening decisions. In this conversation, Lloyd and Imran dive deep into the power of reviews in the podcasting landscape. They discuss whether audio-only podcasting is still relevant in a world dominated by video and how the two mediums can complement each other. They also explore the effectiveness of podcast conferences as a growth strategy, with Imran underscoring the importance of networking and collaboration. Imran reveals the motivations behind starting Great Pods and how he noticed a lack of trust and transparency in the podcasting realm when it came to recommendations. By championing trusted critic reviews, Imran believes that we can cut through the noise and find the shows that truly resonate with us. He sheds light on the impact of social media in podcast growth and offers insights into the challenges of creating engaging social content. But the episode doesn't stop there. Lloyd introduces a game-changing tool that aims to make content creation effortless. Riverside, the virtual recording podcast platform, has introduced magic clips. Powered by AI, these clips automatically generate social snippets from podcast episodes, saving creators valuable time in the content creation process. And listeners of Cre8tor Hub get an exclusive 15% discount to try out this exciting new feature. So, whether you're a seasoned podcaster, an aspiring creator, or simply someone who loves consuming great audio content, this episode is for you. Join us as we explore the world of podcast reviews, social media growth strategies, and the future of audio content creation. So grab your headphones and let's dive into this captivating conversation on Cre8tor Hub.

Learn more about Riverside's new Magic Clips. You'll also get 15% off when you use the code Creatorhub _ _ _ As creators that heavily rely on social media, we’re constantly being told who we should be following and how we can grow our following, but I’d like to take a moment to tell you who you should be BLOCKING. Granted, there aren’t many instances in which I’d tell you to block someone, but there are quite a few instances when blocking people has had a net positive impact for me. I’m going to share three instances when blocking people could do wonders for your professional career and your self-care.

The Creator Hub podcast is joined this week by Kashif, film and tv director, Co-founder of Donya and Muslims in Media. In his younger years, Kashif would make stop-motion shorts featuring all of his toys and be in awe of the impact that tv and media had on his point of view. That same intrigue in creating films and telling stories only grew as he got older. Around 2016, Donya production company was born with the mission of centering marginalized peoples' stories. Kashif wanted to flip the script on the usual trauma-filled experiences of people of color that are shown and portray a more diverse range of emotions and journeys. Previously he worked as a video editor, then feature visual FX designer in the industry until he took a sabbatical that led him to watch Hasan Minaj’s comedy set in New York City. For the first time, Kashif felt connected to the show through Minaj’s cultural references and directness, and he wrote a positive review on Medium. Fast forward to the start of Donya and creating film content and media, Kashif tried his hand at producing live events – some of which were Minaj’s 2017 Vancouver Tour and 2021 Kings Gesture comedy special. Film Creator to TikTok Creator While Kashif is very attuned to directing movies and commercials, he (like many other professionals may feel) was most intimidated by the TikTok app itself. He had been making shorts before YouTube even started, and over the years has come to learn the ways in which we falsely use terms like filmmaker, editor, or director interchangeably. As Youtube continued to grow with the addition of Shorts, Instagram with Reels, and TikTok, Kashif decided it was his chance to get ahead of the curve and learn what was really going on. While he’s still figuring out exactly what it is about his content that people respond to, his goal is to continue being as authentic as possible. As the algorithm remains ever-changing and slightly abusive, the content Kashif shares over TikTok is aimed at sharing stories of value rather than self-promotion or over-production. Transparency There’s something so interesting to audiences about getting a behind-the-scenes look at content creation, securing brand deals, and the ins and outs of how Creators…well, create. It may seem odd and as if the content can’t be just that, but Kashif begs to differ. Often those same videos showing the types of DMs sent to brands and securing deals are the same ones that lead to more deals with others. Don’t discount the insights and entertainment that your personal journey holds.  Desi Standard Time Travel The short film tells the story of a young Indian father who just lost his dad, and gets the chance to travel back in time and fix their last conversation. Through twists, and turns the main character learns to understand his parents with more grace in this British sci-fi comedy-inspired short film. Timing, Prioritization, Brand Collaboration, and Personal Partnerships First thing first, realize that good things take time. Like a student becoming a master, give yourself time without the expectation of something perfect to come from it. Giving yourself permission and the patience to find the balance between slowing down and speeding up will get you further, without burnout. Some of the responsibilities and pressures that come with growing a brand or company are helpful in prioritizing what projects to say yes or no to, and how to accurately value($) your time. Take note of how the big companies and ad agencies are doing regarding partnership, and get creative in how to scale that down for personal projects. Enjoy more of Kashif’s content on his TikTok @kashifpasta

Check out Riverside.FM - Use promo code Creatorhub Creative Juice - Learn More _ _ _ On this episode of the Creator Hub podcast, Lloyd is joined by Diamonde Williamson - arguably one of the most creative people he knows – to chat about her creative journey, following our intuition, and making space for the solution to appear. Ever since they were young, Diamonde has been creative and a storyteller, whether she was making furniture and taking art classes with her grandparents or creating storylines for her Barbies. For most of her life, she knew she wanted to do something artistic, and currently is a documentarian, producing and directing her films. On August 16, she will be debuting her latest documentary, Best Friends Not Forever, in Atlanta. The film focuses on friendship breakups and how we heal from them, a topic that is deeply personal to Diamonde.  Follow The Feeling From starting as an artist storyteller to focusing on the content that highlights black women, Diamonde built a lane for herself by trusting her feelings. She lives by the Marie Forleo quote, “The secret to finding passion is to bring it to everything you do.” Sure this requires lots of trial and error, and not being attached to how long one tries something, but following the feeling is part of the journey. There’s no blueprint for entrepreneurs or artists, Diamonde views the path as an experiment of intuition instead. Top 3 Favorite Creatives Trick question! Diamonde finds more interest in business people and their journeys. For example, Kevin Hart is an artist, but he’s also turned his art into a big business. The same goes for others like Oprah and Beyonce. And they did it before social media. The Highs and Lows It can be a constant struggle feeling like as a creative, success depends on following certain steps or achieving certain milestones like views, or clicks. Diamonde wrestles with this by going back to her creative intentions. If the goal is to get to a certain number of clicks, the power is outside of oneself, and dependent on others. If the goal is to create something that she would like even if others didn’t, she walks away with more healing and enthusiasm to put into the next project. With less attachment to the outcome, we make more room for opportunities made for us on a heart level. Remember that social media is just one form of sharing. Diamonde encourages fellow creatives to spend more time with their feelings, and truly dissect how things affect your creative psyche. Making Money As An Artist Vs. Making Money From Your Art Also known as, making money bringing someone else’s vision to life as opposed to your own. While Diamonde doesn’t have the answer to that yet, she believes it’s a matter of having space and time to figure it out. If a creator is constantly busy, there’s no space to think about a plan of action (or have it appear for you). Instead of trying to fill the calendar with things that are going to help get us from A to B, make room to explore unexpected routes. When it comes to this and deciding who to work with or how to make a project happen, Diamonde just takes the first step and sees what happens rather than getting bogged down by the details. Lloyd and Diamonde work through an example of one of Lloyd's goals that currently feel overwhelming, and conclude that all we can do is everything within our control. Once those pieces are in motion, it’s time to let go and let God. And even when imposter syndrome sneaks up on you, take a pause and think about all of the things you’ve done or are doing that you said you would.

Check out Riverside.FM - Use promo code Creatorhub Creative Juice - Learn More Connect w/ Kirk: https://www.instagram.com/kirkandre/ _ _ _ In today's episode, we interview Kirk Brown. He's the Chief Development Officer at the Ron Clark Academy. A school based in Atlanta, GA that continues to draw viral recognition for its Creative approach to teaching. In addition to raising almost $70 million in his role at Ron Clark, he's also a digital Creator. He uses his social platform to collaborate with some incredible brands. You won't believe this but Kirk was one of the first Creators I saw collaborating with brands before I had even decided to become a Creator. In today's episode, we talk about everything from: How Kirk started creating content. How he went from being a hobbyist to whole side hustle How he secures brand deals

Check out Riverside.FM - Use promo code Creatorhub Creative Juice - Learn More _ _ _ Connect w/ Courtnee: https://www.instagram.com/courtneefutch/

Check out Riverside.FM - Use promo code Creatorhub Creative Juice - Learn More _ _ _ On this episode of the podcast, Lloyd George interviews Tati Kapaya and Kayleigh Carter, the dynamic cohosts of Asene In. They discuss their journey from university to starting their first podcast and eventually launching Asene In. With their infectious energy and passion for entertainment, Tati and Kayleigh provide an entertaining and insightful conversation.

Check out Riverside.FM - Use promo code Creatorhub (https://riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_2&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=lloyd-george) Creative Juice - https://www.getjuice.com/club?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=voice_ad&utm_campaign=juice_club&utm_term=123&utm_content=lloyd_george Connect with Toya: https://www.instagram.com/toyafromharlem _ _ _ Creators and influencers…aren’t they the same thing? If not, what makes them different, and what lane do you want to fall in? On this episode of the Creator Hub podcast, Lloyd and Ashley George are joined by Toya Coleman, a content creator, social media manager, and host of That Wasn’t In My History Book podcast to talk about distinguishing between professional social roles, and navigating the entrepreneurship that comes with them all. _ _ _ By day, Toya works as a social media manager for multiple accounts and by night, she’s focused on growing her podcast and social media platform. The podcast was a COVID passion project that grew out of a blog dedicated to capturing the culture of Harlem, NYC. Learning from all of the history being shared online at the time of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd’s murder, Toya was inspired to positively contribute to sharing knowledge of the past and present. She combined her love for history and bachelor's in African American studies to create a fun and uplifting history class at the touch of a finger. Each episode of Wasn’t In My History Book podcast explores the historical journey of cultural staples today, from nail salons to gentrification and grills. Toya has found success in creating episodes based on a blend of ideas that she personally experiences, or that someone suggests, as well as paying attention to the seasonal hot topics. And in order to stay consistent as a one-host show, there’s much focus put on proper research and diligent script writing. Toya’s biggest fear? That she’ll say the wrong thing. She avoids this by keeping journals of research and cross-checking her facts as they get added to the show script. By starting with a simple Google search, Toya gets into the nitty gritty so that she can retell history factually, and in her voice. She’s continuing to find success in reaching a larger audience by consistently sharing episodes, collaborating with other podcasters, and in pursuing additional social platforms (ie: Patreon or a newsletter)  Creators vs. Influencers and The Link to Entrepreneurship Being an influencer comes with a reliance on social media to maintain a personal, front-facing brand. Whether it’s on TikTok, Instagram, or Youtube, influencers use their platform to obtain brand partnerships and influence their followers. There is a direct audience for influencers to share their content from whom they’re trying to get to do something. Defining creators is a bit vaguer. In a sense, we’re all creators of something…Someone who creates original videos or audio content is a creator, even if their creations aren’t shared through their personal brand and don’t involve front-facing exposure. In a creator role, there may be more room for establishing creative boundaries and upholding that integrity through unfavorable brand collaboration. Regardless of which side of the coin you find yourself on, entrepreneurship can become part of the journey and is key to having your platform open doors down the road.

Los Angeles continues to welcome our team with new experiences in recording studios, improved times hiking up Runyon Canyon each week and settling into a new apartment. As the pieces begin to fall into place, we’re here to share more content to help you level up on your journey as a creator. This episode of the Creator Hub podcast touches on news around Twitter, Tik Tok, Meta, and offers advice on podcast sponsorship.  In this episode, we cover: Twitter’s decision to remove inactive accounts TikTok’s initiatives to support small businesses and creators of color Meta’s approach to paying creators How to secure sponsors with zero podcast downloads Twitter: The Purge Elon Musk declared that the platform is eliminating inactive accounts, which potentially frees up some @handles from people that haven’t posted since like, 2004. The handle of your dreams may finally be available for the taking. While Elon’s notion to move forward with this project isn’t groundbreaking, it is a little random but overall could be good. Will any of the iconic tweets or threads from these deleted accounts be archived? We’re unsure. And for the creators who never made their move onto the platform, now may be the perfect time. With fewer voices and clutter, yours can stand out even more.  TikTok’s Small Business Initiatives The company launched workshops for small business owners to improve their promotional strategies on the platform, with a focus on using TikTok ads and influencer marketing to reach target audiences. Happening every Wednesday for the month of April, small business owners can attend the webinars by registering online. TikTok’s push to solidify itself as an integral part of the US economy is a continued effort in preventing a ban, and ultimately helps small creators grow their brand through the app. Additional initiatives include a new fund for long-form creators and podcasters, a $2 million pledge in funding Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs, and potentially more creative programs. Meta, Revamped The company made changes to its “ads on Reels” monetization, to payout creators based on content performance. The amount of time a viewer watches a video will determine the payout rate to the creator, versus someone just clicking on the video itself. Hopefully, Meta continues to move in the right direction in supporting creators and monetization opportunities. Securing Sponsors When You’re Just Starting Out In 2018, Lloyd started a podcast to share the stories of immigrant innovators in America. Inspired by the fact that 50% of companies valued at a billion dollars or more have at least one immigrant founder, the podcast aimed to bring visibility to more unicorn startups led by immigrants. So when it started, he reached out to organizations and communities that advocated for immigrants and diversity for (sponsorship) support for the upcoming release of his first season. By leveraging his popular interviewees/guests and their mass of followers, as well as the value (both financial and personal) of the industry the show focused on, Lloyd secured 3 sponsorships from organizations and brands. Thousands of dollars were gained by reaching out, highlighting what made himself and his content unique, and in exchange adding their logo to the podcast. Just focus on your niche, be confident in your content and quality of work, and don’t overlook the local organizations, businesses, and companies that might actually love to work with you. And if you need some help curating those initial requests, chat GBT is a great resource.

If you want to hop on a 1:1 call with me to give me feedback on my podcast: https://calendly.com/lloydg/collaboration-call-clone Take back creative control with Storyblocks' unlimited royalty-free stock library and tools today: storyblocks.com/CreatorHub _ _ _ On this episode of The Creator Hub, we’ve got some life updates, new goals, and a nugget of food for thought. As some may know, the team has recently moved to LA and while there are many details to be sorted, the new location and month have provided new experiences and opportunities for growth. Tune in to learn about our: - Challenges of moving to LA - April accomplishments - May goals - Shift in perspective Apartment Hunting in Los Angeles It sucks. And while it can be exciting to move to a new place, feeling stuck in a nomadic lifestyle isn’t for everyone. Once a home base is established, hopefully, the rest (church, friends, a gym, places to eat) will follow. On A Positive Note A small win — The Runyon Canyon Park’s got nothin’ on us. Ashley and I made it to the top on the hike and crushed it, despite the trail feeling never-ending at some points. And in bigger news, we got to record in one of Spotify’s studios! The space is used by big podcasters and celebrities alike, so who knows who will pop-up next. Meghan Markle..again…? This Month’s Goals For May, the focus is on three big things; sponsorship deals, subscribers and downloads. The first goal is to make $50,000 in brand deals and sponsorships. April that number ended around $11,000 which included newsletter and podcast sponsorships, social media stories, reels, TikToks and content creation. The second goal is to reach 10,000 subscribers to the Creator Hub newsletter. For a chance to win $100, go to bigcreatorenergy.com and subscribe before May 9th. And if you’re trying to grow your subscribers, check out Letter Growth to start advertising your newsletter or podcast in others’ related newsletters. The last goal for May is to get 10,000 monthly podcast downloads. And while everything is off to a good start, it can be hard to remember your capacity for creation when the focus is primarily on closing the deal. Even for two people, the work can feel overwhelming. Sometimes you can get stuck doing 12 takes of the same line, praying that at least one of them is useable. Food For Thought: Content Versus Performance  Justin Moore, a sponsorship coach who helps people seal the deal recently shared on LinkedIn, “No one will be able to touch the massive body of work I will generate over the next decade about sponsorship strategy.” It truly puts into perspective the importance of understanding the content one produces in its enterity, rather than focus on the stats, views or downloads of the week. How can you create content today that will contribute to and compliment your combined work? For us, that idea is centered around being a hub of information for creators. _ _ _ You can check me out on Instagram here: https://instagram.com/lloydnotgeorge You can check me out on TikTok here: https://www.tiktok.com/@lloydnotgeorge You can always find me on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lloyd-george-634a7793/ Here's a link to my site: https://www.bigcreator.energy/

If you want to hop on a 1:1 call with me to give me feedback on my podcast: https://calendly.com/lloydg/collaboration-call-clone Take back creative control with Storyblocks' unlimited royalty-free stock library and tools today: storyblocks.com/CreatorHub You can check me out on Instagram here: https://instagram.com/lloydnotgeorge You can check me out on TikTok here: https://www.tiktok.com/@lloydnotgeorge You can always find me on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lloyd-george-634a7793/ Here's a link to my site: https://www.bigcreator.energy/

In today's episode, I share the three biggest mistakes I made in the month of April. I hope you don't judge me because this is embarrassing... If you want to hop on a 1:1 call with me to give me feedback on my podcast: https://calendly.com/lloydg/collaboration-call-clone Take back creative control with Storyblocks' unlimited royalty-free stock library and tools today: storyblocks.com/CreatorHub You can check me out on Instagram here: https://instagram.com/lloydnotgeorge You can check me out on TikTok here: https://www.tiktok.com/@lloydnotgeorge You can always find me on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lloyd-george-634a7793/ Here's a link to my site: https://www.bigcreator.energy/

In this episode, we talk about why Ashley and I keep budding heads! If you want to hop on a 1:1 call with me to give me feedback on my podcast: https://calendly.com/lloydg/collaboration-call-clone Take back creative control with Storyblocks' unlimited royalty-free stock library and tools today: storyblocks.com/CreatorHub You can check me out on Instagram here: https://instagram.com/lloydnotgeorge You can check me out on TikTok here: https://www.tiktok.com/@lloydnotgeorge You can always find me on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lloyd-george-634a7793/ Here's a link to my site: https://www.bigcreator.energy/

If you want to hop on a 1:1 call with me to give me feedback on my podcast: https://calendly.com/lloydg/collaboration-call-clone Take back creative control with Storyblocks' unlimited royalty-free stock library and tools today: storyblocks.com/CreatorHub _ _ _ In this episode I share my March 2023 goals, I share how much money I made as a Content Creator through Brand deals, UGC deals, podcast sponsorship, and Newsletter Sponsorship.

My podcast course in partnership with Linkedin has been live for 60 days and over 3,000 people have gone through the course. In today's episode, I tell you how I landed this partnership and my experience creating the course. Take back creative control with Storyblocks' unlimited royalty-free stock library and tools today: storyblocks.com/CreatorHub If you'd like to take the course you can do so here: https://www.linkedin.com/learning/record-your-podcast-using-anchor-for-creators/podcasting-with-anchor?autoplay=true The Profitable Podcaster helps coaching, course creators, and authors launch and grow their podcast to help them build authority, generate more leads, and sell more through actionable advice and expert-tested systems. Joe Casabona has been podcasting for over 10 years and has generated millions of downloads and hundreds of thousands of dollars from his shows. He’ll teach you everything he knows. Subscribe at https://profitablepodcaster.fm or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you want to hop on a 1:1 call with me to give me feedback on my podcast: https://calendly.com/lloydg/collaboration-call-clone

I interviewed my friend Brandon Martell about his journey using content to grow his business. Last year his business grossed over $1,000,000 dollars and they opened a new facility in Atlanta, GA.  You can catch up with Brandon here: https://www.tiktok.com/@brandonmartellp?lang=en https://www.instagram.com/blackmensbeard/ https://www.youtube.com/@BlackMensBeard You can check me out on Instagram here: https://instagram.com/lloydnotgeorge You can check me out on TikTok here: https://www.tiktok.com/@lloydnotgeorge You can always find me on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lloyd-george-634a7793/

As a Creator, managing my business and money is essential to my success. This is why I use Creative Juice to do both. As my business has grown, it can feel pretty challenging to manage my growth. I’m so excited because Creative Juice has added tax tools to help Creators as they grow. Introducing Juice Books: automated and personalized tax tools for creators from expense categorization to contractor pay and access to creator-minded CPAs. This is a game changer, click here to sign up for free so that filing taxes next year won’t be such a hassle. Welcome to Cre8tor Hub, the podcast dedicated to inspiring and empowering creators to thrive in today's constantly evolving world. In this thought-provoking episode, we tackle the widely-held belief that a large number of subscribers on social media platforms is the ultimate measure of success for content creators. Get ready to dive deep into the reasons why this notion is not only misleading but can also hinder your growth and fulfillment as a creator. Our insightful discussion begins with Segment One, where we unravel the illusion of success perpetuated by social media platforms. Find out how these platforms have conditioned us to equate more followers with more success and why this numbers game can be a trap for creators. We reveal the truth behind follower counts as vanity metrics that don't necessarily translate to real value, success, or impact. In Segment Two, we emphasize the importance of engagement and the benefits of nurturing a smaller, more engaged audience. Discover why these loyal fans, who genuinely care about your content and interact with you, are more valuable to creators than a massive following. We delve into the strategies for building a strong community of dedicated supporters and explore why this should be the ultimate goal for every content creator. Moving on to Segment Three, we discuss the significance of authenticity and connection in the realm of social media. Learn how the pursuit of follower counts can pressure creators into presenting a certain image or producing content that appeals to the masses, often at the cost of their originality. We offer tips on how to focus on sharing your unique voice, connecting with like-minded people, and fostering meaningful relationships with your audience that lead to long-lasting success. In Segment Four, we highlight the crucial aspects of sustainability and balance in a creator's journey. We stress the importance of prioritizing mental well-being, passion, and the creative process to ensure long-term success and fulfillment. Gain insights on how not to let the pressure of social media metrics dictate your path and how staying true to yourself can make the creative journey more enjoyable and rewarding. To wrap up this enlightening episode, we reaffirm that having a large number of subscribers on social media isn't the be-all and end-all of success for content creators. Instead, it's the quality of your connections, the value you provide to your audience, and the impact you create that truly matter in the grand scheme of things. Join us at Cre8tor Hub as we challenge conventional wisdom and redefine success for content creators in the digital age. Don't forget to subscribe to stay updated with more empowering insights, expert advice, and creative inspiration that will help you navigate the complex world of content creation with confidence and ease. So, are you ready to break free from the myth of massive social media following and focus on what truly matters in your journey as a content creator? Tune in to Cre8tor Hub now, and let's embark on this exciting adventure together! Stay creative, and see you in the next episode! _