Creator Toolbox: Tools, Mindset and Workflows for Content Creators

Podcast by Colin Gray and Jacob Anderson

Creator Toolbox: Tools, Mindset and Workflows for Content Creators

The Creator Toolbox is all about the nuts and buts behind every creator business. We'll cover the gear and tools you need to run your creator business, and dig into how to stay consistent, how to monetise, and how to start to take your creator business seriously. Join Colin Gray (Founder of Alitu and The Podcast Host, a $1m+ creator business) and Jacob Anderson (Head of Growth at Alitu) as they dig into their experience in running a creator business since 2010.

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Latest episodes

07 November 2024

Organising your Creator Brain: Ideation, Workflows & Tools for Sustainable Content [Repost]

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:

How to use tools like Notion and the PARA method to organize your creative ideas
Strategies for consistent content creation from successful creators
The power of community in supporting your creator journey
Ways to leverage AI for enhanced productivity and learning
Tips for balancing creativity with organization

Tools discussed:

Notion: For organizing tasks, projects, and information
The PARA method: A system for personal knowledge management
Time blocking and weekly planning techniques
ChatGPT and other AI tools for content creation and learning

Featured creators:

Tiago Forte: Known for his "Building a Second Brain" methodology
Mark Schaefer: Creator of the RISE community
Rob Walling: Host of the "Startups for the Rest of Us" podcast

Try this workflow:

Implement a weekly planning session using time blocking:

Choose a consistent day and time each week for planning (e.g., Sunday evening or Monday morning)
Review your upcoming week and identify your top priorities
Use a tool like Google Calendar or Notion to block out time for specific types of work (e.g., content creation, admin tasks, community engagement)
Assign specific tasks to each time block, ensuring your most important work gets scheduled
Leave some flexibility for unexpected tasks or creative inspiration
At the end of each week, review your progress and adjust your system as needed

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 - with a 7-day free trial!

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01:08:36

01 November 2024

Email Launch Campaigns, Modern Affiliate Marketing, and Choosing the Right Community Chat

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

When launching a product via email, consider recording personal videos to include in each email - it helps break up the text and adds a human element to your communications
Modern affiliate marketing is shifting away from traditional links toward discount codes, especially for audio/video content creators where sharing links is impractical
When choosing a community platform, consider whether you need specialized features (like course hosting) or if you're better off using platforms where your audience already exists (like Discord)

Resources Mentioned:

First Promoter (firstpromoter.com)
Circle (circle.so)
Teachable (teachable.com)
Podia (podia.com)
Mighty Networks (mightynetworks.com)
ConvertKit (convertkit.com)
Podcraft Academy (thepodcasthost.com/academy)
Alitu (alitu.com)

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

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49:48

31 October 2024

The Power of Podcasting for Coaches with Rob Lawrence

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:

Why podcasting works particularly well for coaches
How to start "scrappy" and improve over time
The real value of podcasting (hint: it's not just download numbers)
Practical tools and tech recommendations for beginners
When and how to work with a professional producer
Smart ways to think about video vs audio content

Key Takeaways for Coaches:

Start Simple, Think BigDon't let perfectionism hold you back
Focus on your message, not just the technical details
Consider starting with just your phone or laptop
Focus on Connection Over PerfectionPodcast audiences value authenticity
Your expertise matters more than production quality
Build genuine relationships through conversations
The Long Game WinsConsistency matters more than polish
Network effects compound over time
Your content becomes a valuable legacy

👉 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.

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59:43

18 October 2024

Affiliate marketing still works? Plus private podcasting with Ripple

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:

Private podcasting is a great way to monetize your content and build a deeper connection with your core audience by offering exclusive content.
Community is key to engagement—letting your listeners interact with each other boosts loyalty and can help you improve your show with direct feedback.
Affiliate marketing isn’t dead, but it’s changed. Going niche and offering real value and education is now the best way to succeed with affiliate deals.
Leverage tools like Ripple to combine podcasting and community-building for both public and private podcasting—giving your listeners a place to engage.
Involve your audience in content creation—ask them what they want to hear, get their feedback, and let them feel ownership of your episodes.

Resources:

Ripple – A tool combining private podcasting and community-building. Learn more: ripple.fm
Bootstrap Web Podcast – Hosted by Brian Cassell and Jordan Gal, discussing building businesses and creating products. Check it out here
Indie Pod Community – Mentioned as an existing space for creators and podcasters to connect and discuss all things podcasting.

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

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56:53

07 October 2024

The Power of Real-Life Content to Grow Your Audience & How To Get 10x More From Books

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

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55:09

24 September 2024

Barbell YouTube Strategies, Updated Video Set-Ups and Jacob's Photography Going Viral

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

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48:04