9 Wealth-Building Secrets Every Creator Needs to Know

Hey Creators,

My week began with great creator-focused conversations with people from TikTok and YouTube. It ended with a random opportunity involving Two Doting Dads (the guys I work FT for) at a fun kids’ event to promote the premiere of Transformers One… starring Mr Australia himself - Chris Hemsworth.

Also, did you catch that Australia’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, is pushing to ban kids under 16 from social media? Curious to see how that pans out. What do you think—will it actually make a difference? Drop me a reply with your thoughts!

I also wanted to share some highlights from Scott Galloway’s chat with Colin and Samir. Lots of valuable insights there that might give you some fresh perspectives.

This week, VidSummit 2024 wrapped up in Dallas, TX, and 21-year-old Aussie YouTuber EYStreem walked on stage. I met him late last year and got him on an episode of The Mentor with Mark Bouris.

One big takeaway from VidCon: hiring and scaling continues to be a major challenge. The industry’s still grappling with finding the right support to tackle these issues effectively.

Here’s what you can expect in today’s newsletter:

  • Keep up to date with what’s happening in Quick Fire!

  • 9 Wealth-Building Secrets Every Creator Needs to Know

  • Social media Updates for this week

  • Check out my READ, LISTEN + WATCH recommendations for this week

    🫒by Jess Smalley

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"Create as much as you can. Create with a sense of urgency. Create for yourself, create for your audience, create for the world." – Casey Neistat, YouTuber

CREATOR NEWS

🧨QUICK FIRE

10 Wealth-Building Secrets Every Creator Needs to Know

One thing I love about entrepreneur Scott Galloway is that he cuts right to the heart of the truth.

I listened to his interview with YouTube creators Colin and Samir 4 times because I got so much value from it. Here are my notes:

  1. Focus on Talent, Not Passion: Identify what you're genuinely good at rather than just what you're passionate about. Success often comes from excelling in an area where you have innate talent and can develop expertise rather than simply pursuing what feels exciting.

  2. Storytelling is Your Superpower

    Scott emphasises that storytelling is the most important skill anyone in any field could have. Whether you're raising money, landing a job, or building a community, your ability to craft a narrative that resonates with people is what drives success. Creators should focus on refining this skill across different mediums, whether it's video, podcasting, or writing.

  3. Differentiate Yourself with 'Chocolate and Peanut Butter'

    To stand out in a crowded space, Scott recommends having two points of differentiation. For him, it’s his willingness to talk openly about his emotions (chocolate) and his heavy reliance on data (peanut butter). Creators should find the unique combination that helps them build an authentic and compelling personal brand.

  4. Lean into Authenticity

    Vulnerability and authenticity can set you apart. Scott shares personal stories about his emotions, especially those tied to grief, which resonates with his audience. Creators should embrace being open about their struggles, emotions, and experiences, as it fosters a deeper connection with their audience.

  5. Don’t Overwork, Build a Team

    Creators often feel the need to do everything themselves, but Scott advises against it. He shares that his success comes from having a strong team of 14 people who help with content creation, data, and production. Building a support system allows creators to focus on their strengths.

  6. Own Your Insights and Repeat Them

    When you come up with a strong, original insight, don’t be afraid to repeat it. Scott mentions that, as creators, we often believe everyone is following everything we say, but repetition is key to reinforcing your ideas. If you have a great concept, use it differently across your content to let it sink in with your audience.

  7. Prepare for Financial Realities

    The harsh reality is that most creators aren’t making money, particularly if they’re not in the top 0.03% of podcasts, for example. Galloway encourages creators to diversify their income streams and plan for financial stability beyond just hoping for a big deal or viral moment.

  8. Stay Agile and Ready for Change

    Creators should always have a “Plan B.” Scott suggests that while you may hope for a podcast deal or viral success, it's essential to have other strategies in place. Whether it’s diversifying content or finding alternative revenue streams, flexibility is key to long-term success.

  9. Leverage Data

    One of Scott's differentiators is his reliance on data to support his insights. Creators can learn from this by integrating research, statistics, or performance metrics into their content. It adds credibility and can be a key driver in shaping a compelling narrative.

SOCIAL MEDIA UPDATES

Instagram

  • is making it easier to preview a new post as a Reel or a Carousel.

  • now lets you use ‘Add Yours’ templates to quickly find and add popular stickers to your story.

  • has launched new creative tools for DMs, including stickers, photo editing, and new chat themes.

  • added a new ‘Cutouts’ option for DMs to create custom stickers from your device camera roll.

TikTok

  • has added the ability to mention others in a story after it has been uploaded.

  • Introduced a new "Delete and re-edit" option on videos that allows you to make changes within the platform and repost up to three times.s.

Youtube

  • has rolled out the ‘Add Yours’ sticker for Shorts to all users.

  • YT Studio added a new website visits goal for promotions

Threads

  • now shows when someone follows you from your post.

LinkedIn

  • has added a 'Share Quote' option for newsletters and articles.

THE DIG

READ: I don’t quite understand how people can make so much money on OnlyFans. Writer Matthew Ball breaks down the platform’s “stunning economics”. He explores how fans, platforms, and creators are navigating the shifting economics of the entertainment industry and just how and who exactly is making all of the financial gains and losses.

LISTEN: Scott Galloway speaks with Colin and Samir about what every creator needs to know about building wealth online.

WATCHRyan Kaji, better known as his YouTube channel, Ryan’s World, has become the richest 12-year-old on the platform. It's been nearly a decade since his first upload, and now Ryan is about to enter his teen years. Jon Youshei interviewed him and his parents to discuss how they would continue building the empire.

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Have a great week 🙂