Creator's Leverage Guild

Mike Strahl

Creator’s Leverage Guild is a community-driven podcast for content creators, Amazon Influencers, side hustlers, and digital entrepreneurs who want to build real income streams through content, systems, and smart leverage. Hosted by Mike Strahl and Ben Phair, the show dives into affiliate marketing, Amazon Influencer strategies, YouTube growth, brand collaborations, monetization systems, and lessons learned from building online income the hard way. Expect honest conversations, real-world experience, and practical insights without the hype. Contact: support@creatorsleverageguild.com

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    AI Jobs, and Side Hustles: Why Creators Need a Security Blanket Now

    In this episode, Mike and Ben talk through how AI is rapidly changing work, creativity, job security, and the way people need to think about side hustles and long-term financial stability. What started as skepticism around tools like ChatGPT has now shifted into a much bigger conversation about how AI is already impacting jobs, business, and the future of work. Mike and Ben break down how they personally use AI for brainstorming, outlines, thumbnails, business analysis, and workflow support, while also talking about the downsides, including inaccuracy, over-reliance, and the loss of human connection in certain creative areas. A major theme in this episode is that traditional job security is changing fast. As automation and AI continue to grow, more people are realizing they need additional skills, extra income streams, and a better long-term plan than simply relying on one job and hoping retirement works itself out. Mike and Ben make the case for building side hustles, developing practical skills, lowering expenses, and creating some form of evergreen income through things like YouTube, Amazon, content creation, or other online businesses. The idea is not to panic, but to build a security blanket that gives you more options as the world keeps changing. They also talk about which types of skills may hold up better in an AI-driven world, why hands-on real-world experience still matters, and how creators and entrepreneurs can use AI as a tool without letting it replace the things that make them valuable. If you’ve been thinking about AI, layoffs, retirement, side hustles, or what the future of work looks like, this episode is a grounded conversation about how to adapt, stay useful, and keep building. ____________________ JOIN THE COMMUNITY If you are looking for deeper strategy, accountability, and honest conversations with other serious content creators, the Creator’s Leverage Guild was built for exactly that. Learn more and join here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Creator’s Leverage Guild⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ _____________________ CHECK OUT OUR 2 NEW EBOOKS THAT JUST LAUNCHED! The AIP Master Guide - Stop guessing your way through AIP. The AIP Master Guide is your go-to resource for setup, backend navigation, Store IDs, payments, uploads, and more. Leveraging Brand Deals Playbook - Stop leaving money on the table. The Leveraging Brand Deals Playbook helps you pitch smarter, negotiate better, and turn free product offers into real paid opportunities._____________________ WORK 1-ON-1 WITH MIKE AND BEN Get personalized guidance on content strategy, monetization, brand deals, and scaling your creator business. • Book a 1-hour coaching call • Save with a 4-session coaching package ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign Me Up!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ _________________________ JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY Connect with other Amazon Influencers and content creators, ask questions, and stay up to date on what is working right now. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon Influencer Success Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ _________________________ TOOLS AND RESOURCES FOR CREATORS Viral Vue Make smarter content decisions and grow faster. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Try Viral Vue here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for life Oink Track earnings and performance across platforms. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Try Oink here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for life Descript Edit podcasts and videos faster and easier. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out Descript here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Geniuslinks: Our #1 Deeplinking Pick!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Try Geniuslinks!⁠⁠⁠⁠ VidiQ: Our #1 pick for YouTube channel Insights! ⁠⁠⁠⁠Try VidIQ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Keepa: Makes advanced product research for AIP a breeze!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Try Keepa⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lasso: Deeplinking for Blogs & YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Get Lasso⁠⁠⁠⁠ Kadence WP: Great amazing websites for blogs ⁠⁠⁠Try Kadence⁠⁠⁠ Affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. __________________________ CONTACT Have a question, collaboration opportunity, or topic request? Email: mike@creatorsleverageguild.com

    40 min
  2. 15 MAR

    Amazon Influencer Changes: Is This Bad News or a Bigger Opportunity?

    In this episode, Mike and Ben are joined by Rob, the creator of Oink, to break down the recent turmoil inside the Amazon Influencer Program, including reporting issues, messaging outages, confusion around Creator Connections reporting, and the removal of Halo sales.This conversation is centered around what these Amazon Influencer Program changes actually mean for creators and, more importantly, what you should be focusing on next. While many creators are frustrated by broken reports and shifting data, the core fundamentals of the program have not changed. Mike, Ben, and Rob talk through why creators need to stop obsessing over short-term reporting problems and get back to the things that still move the needle: product research, consistency, strategy, and making quality videos that answer real buyer questions.The episode also covers how the Amazon Influencer Program is continuing to evolve, including new opportunities around Creator Connections, sponsored clicks, offsite traffic, mobile app video carousels, Amazon Live, and Creator Rewards bonuses. Ben shares how shifting more of his focus toward YouTube, Creator Connections, and offsite traffic has helped improve results and create a more diversified income stream.Mike, Ben, and Rob also talk about why creators should be thinking beyond free samples and start building stronger brand relationships, using better content and data to negotiate smarter opportunities. They discuss why authenticity matters more than ever, why unboxing videos alone are not enough, and how better long-form content, buyer-focused videos, and stronger execution can help creators stay competitive even when the platform changes.If you are an Amazon Influencer trying to understand the latest reporting changes, Halo sales removal, Creator Connections updates, and what still works inside the Amazon Influencer Program, this episode will help you cut through the noise and refocus on the right things. ____________________ JOIN THE COMMUNITY If you are looking for deeper strategy, accountability, and honest conversations with other serious content creators, the Creator’s Leverage Guild was built for exactly that. Learn more and join here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Creator’s Leverage Guild⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ _____________________ WORK 1-ON-1 WITH MIKE AND BEN Get personalized guidance on content strategy, monetization, brand deals, and scaling your creator business. • Book a 1-hour coaching call • Save with a 4-session coaching package ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign Me Up!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ _________________________ JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY Connect with other Amazon Influencers and content creators, ask questions, and stay up to date on what is working right now. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon Influencer Success Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ _________________________ CHECK OUT OUR 2 NEW EBOOKS THAT JUST LAUNCHED! ⁠The AIP Master Guide⁠ - Stop guessing your way through AIP. The AIP Master Guide is your go-to resource for setup, backend navigation, Store IDs, payments, uploads, and more. ⁠Leveraging Brand Deals Playbook⁠ - Stop leaving money on the table. The Leveraging Brand Deals Playbook helps you pitch smarter, negotiate better, and turn free product offers into real paid opportunities._____________________ TOOLS AND RESOURCES FOR CREATORS Viral Vue Make smarter content decisions and grow faster. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Try Viral Vue here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for life Oink Track earnings and performance across platforms. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Try Oink here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for life Descript Edit podcasts and videos faster and easier. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out Descript here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Geniuslinks: Our #1 Deeplinking Pick!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Try Geniuslinks!⁠⁠⁠ VidiQ: Our #1 pick for YouTube channel Insights! ⁠⁠⁠Try VidIQ⁠⁠⁠ Keepa: Makes advanced product research for AIP a breeze!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Try Keepa⁠⁠ Affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. __________________________ CONTACT Have a question, collaboration opportunity, or topic request? Email: mike@creatorsleverageguild.com

    1hr 10min
  3. 8 MAR

    Big Amazon Influencer Changes: Halo Sales, Sponsored Clicks, and What’s Next

    In this episode, Mike and Ben break down their February earnings inside the Amazon Influencer Program and discuss several important Amazon Influencer changes that creators should be paying attention to right now.They share their February results, with Ben finishing the month at over $10,600 and Mike finishing around $9,200, along with a breakdown of where that revenue came from. The conversation covers Amazon onsite commissions, offsite earnings, Creator Connections campaigns, brand bonuses, international affiliate sales using Geniuslink, and YouTube traffic driving additional income.A major focus of this episode is the potential end of halo sales, what that means for Amazon Influencers, and why creators may need to shift back toward the fundamentals of product research and consistent content creation if reporting and attribution continue to change.Mike and Ben also discuss the growing opportunity around Amazon sponsored clicks, which is emerging as another potential offsite revenue stream for creators working with major brands. They talk about how creators can combine platforms like YouTube, Pinterest, and Amazon onsite videos to diversify traffic and reduce dependence on a single platform.Other topics include recent mobile carousel changes that may impact clicks, the expansion of excluded product categories, strategies for capturing TV viewers using QR codes, and why focusing on long-term creator fundamentals is still the safest path forward.If you’re an Amazon Influencer, affiliate marketer, or content creator building income through Amazon and YouTube, this episode covers the key updates, strategies, and mindset shifts you should be thinking about right now. Oink Video for Excluded Products Workaround Click Here ____________________ JOIN THE COMMUNITY If you are looking for deeper strategy, accountability, and honest conversations with other serious content creators, the Creator’s Leverage Guild was built for exactly that. Learn more and join here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Creator’s Leverage Guild⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ _____________________ WORK 1-ON-1 WITH MIKE AND BEN Get personalized guidance on content strategy, monetization, brand deals, and scaling your creator business. • Book a 1-hour coaching call • Save with a 4-session coaching package ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign Me Up!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ _________________________ JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY Connect with other Amazon Influencers and content creators, ask questions, and stay up to date on what is working right now. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon Influencer Success Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ _________________________ CHECK OUT OUR 2 NEW EBOOKS THAT JUST LAUNCHED! ⁠The AIP Master Guide⁠ - Stop guessing your way through AIP. The AIP Master Guide is your go-to resource for setup, backend navigation, Store IDs, payments, uploads, and more. ⁠Leveraging Brand Deals Playbook⁠ - Stop leaving money on the table. The Leveraging Brand Deals Playbook helps you pitch smarter, negotiate better, and turn free product offers into real paid opportunities._____________________ TOOLS AND RESOURCES FOR CREATORS Viral Vue Make smarter content decisions and grow faster. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Try Viral Vue here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for life Oink Track earnings and performance across platforms. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Try Oink here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for life Descript Edit podcasts and videos faster and easier. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out Descript here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Geniuslinks: Our #1 Deeplinking Pick!⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Try Geniuslinks!⁠⁠ VidiQ: Our #1 pick for YouTube channel Insights! ⁠⁠Try VidIQ⁠⁠ Keepa: Makes advanced product research for AIP a breeze!⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Try Keepa⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Lasso: Deeplinking for Blogs & YouTube⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Get Lasso⁠⁠ Kadence WP: Great amazing websites for blogs ⁠Try Kadence⁠ Affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. __________________________ CONTACT Have a question, collaboration opportunity, or topic request? Email: mike@creatorsleverageguild.com

    23 min
  4. 1 MAR

    YouTube Demonetization, AI Content, and Why Quality Still Wins

    In this episode, Mike and Ben break down recent platform updates, creator tools, and a larger shift happening across YouTube and content creation as a whole. We start with updates that matter for creators, including Amazon’s new sponsored content link that allows you to earn from clicks, new Oink features like Agent Oink for automated Creator Connections research, and the Daily Fetch automation that helps prevent missed campaign accepts when you’re busy or traveling. We also touch on upcoming Viral View updates and share that the podcast is now officially available on YouTube. A big part of this episode is sparked by a recent Think Media discussion about YouTube demonetizing two high-earning, faceless, AI-driven channels. That conversation highlights important risks around over-reliance on AI, repetitive templates, and what YouTube considers “interchangeable” content. Referenced Think Media discussion: We unpack what this means for creators who are using AI in their workflow and why simply producing more content isn’t always the answer. Mass uploads, templated formats, and fully automated channels can create short-term momentum but also long-term vulnerability. The core theme of this episode is that quality still wins. Creators who build a recognizable brand, add personality, break patterns, and avoid being interchangeable are far more resilient over time. We also discuss diversification. YouTube should be viewed as a distribution platform, not your only income stream. Between Amazon onsite videos, brand deals, YouTube Shopping tagging, email lists, and other monetization paths, creators who diversify are far less exposed to sudden platform shifts. If you’re scaling content, experimenting with AI, or trying to protect your monetization while growing on YouTube, this episode will help you think more strategically about the long game. ____________________ JOIN THE COMMUNITY If you are looking for deeper strategy, accountability, and honest conversations with other serious content creators, the Creator’s Leverage Guild was built for exactly that. Learn more and join here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Creator’s Leverage Guild⁠⁠⁠⁠ _____________________ CHECK OUT OUR 2 NEW EBOOKS THAT JUST LAUNCHED! ⁠The AIP Master Guide⁠ - Stop guessing your way through AIP. The AIP Master Guide is your go-to resource for setup, backend navigation, Store IDs, payments, uploads, and more. ⁠Leveraging Brand Deals Playbook⁠ - Stop leaving money on the table. The Leveraging Brand Deals Playbook helps you pitch smarter, negotiate better, and turn free product offers into real paid opportunities._____________________ WORK 1-ON-1 WITH MIKE AND BEN Get personalized guidance on content strategy, monetization, brand deals, and scaling your creator business. • Book a 1-hour coaching call • Save with a 4-session coaching package ⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign Me Up!⁠⁠⁠⁠ _________________________ JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY Connect with other Amazon Influencers and content creators, ask questions, and stay up to date on what is working right now. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon Influencer Success Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠ _________________________ TOOLS AND RESOURCES FOR CREATORS Viral Vue Make smarter content decisions and grow faster. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Try Viral Vue here⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for life Oink Track earnings and performance across platforms. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Try Oink here⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for life Descript Edit podcasts and videos faster and easier. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out Descript here⁠⁠⁠⁠ Geniuslinks: Our #1 Deeplinking Pick!⁠ Try Geniuslinks!⁠ VidiQ: Our #1 pick for YouTube channel Insights! ⁠Try VidIQ⁠ Keepa: Makes advanced product research for AIP a breeze!⁠ Try Keepa ⁠Lasso: Deeplinking for Blogs & YouTube⁠ Get Lasso⁠ Kadence WP: Great amazing websites for blogs Try Kadence Affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. __________________________ CONTACT Have a question, collaboration opportunity, or topic request? Email: mike@creatorsleverageguild.com

    40 min
  5. 22 FEB

    The Creator Tools & Subscriptions We Pay For and the Ones You Don’t Need Yet

    In this episode, Mike & Ben break down the creator subscriptions, software, and tools they personally pay for, and which ones are actually worth it for Amazon Influencers and content creators.As you grow in the Amazon Influencer Program, YouTube, or content creation in general, it’s easy to feel like you need to pay for every tool that promises faster growth. The truth is, most creators can go very far using free tools, and upgrading too early often leads to wasted money without improving results.We talk through the free tools every creator should start with, including Canva, iMovie, CapCut, and cloud storage, and when it actually makes sense to upgrade to paid software like Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve, or other editing platforms.We also break down the tools that can directly improve efficiency and increase earnings, including Oink and Viral View for Amazon Influencer product research and Creator Connections, Geniuslink for international affiliate linking, vidIQ for YouTube optimization, Keepa for product research, and ChatGPT for workflow efficiency.In addition, we share how we personally manage our creator subscriptions, including how to audit tools regularly, avoid unnecessary monthly expenses, and evaluate whether a tool is truly saving time or making money.We also discuss real-world creator tool costs, what we currently spend per month and per year, and how we decide whether a subscription is worth keeping or canceling.If you’re an Amazon Influencer, YouTube creator, or content creator trying to grow your income while avoiding unnecessary expenses, this episode will help you understand which tools matter, which ones can wait, and how to build your creator stack the right way. ________________________ JOIN THE COMMUNITY If you are looking for deeper strategy, accountability, & honest conversations with other serious content creators, the Creator’s Leverage Guild was built for exactly that. Learn more and join here: ⁠⁠⁠Creator’s Leverage Guild⁠⁠⁠ _____________________ CHECK OUT OUR 2 NEW EBOOKS THAT JUST LAUNCHED! ⁠The AIP Master Guide⁠ - Stop guessing your way through AIP. The AIP Master Guide is your go-to resource for setup, backend navigation, Store IDs, payments, uploads, and more. ⁠Leveraging Brand Deals Playbook⁠ - Stop leaving money on the table. The Leveraging Brand Deals Playbook helps you pitch smarter, negotiate better, and turn free product offers into real paid opportunities._____________________ WORK 1-ON-1 WITH MIKE AND BEN Get personalized guidance on content strategy, monetization, brand deals, and scaling your creator business. • Book a 1-hour coaching call • Save with a 4-session coaching package ⁠⁠⁠Sign Me Up!⁠⁠⁠ _________________________ JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY Connect with other Amazon Influencers and content creators, ask questions, and stay up to date on what is working right now. ⁠⁠⁠Amazon Influencer Success Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠ _________________________ TOOLS AND RESOURCES FOR CREATORS Viral Vue Make smarter content decisions and grow faster. ⁠⁠⁠Try Viral Vue here⁠⁠⁠ Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for life Oink Track earnings and performance across platforms. ⁠⁠⁠Try Oink here⁠⁠⁠ Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for life Descript Edit podcasts and videos faster and easier. ⁠⁠⁠Check out Descript here⁠⁠⁠ Geniuslinks: Our #1 Deeplinking Pick!Try Geniuslinks!VidiQ: Our #1 pick for YouTube channel Insights!Try VidIQKeepa: Makes advanced product research for AIP a breeze!Try KeepaLasso: Deeplinking for Blogs & YouTubeGet LassoKadence WP: Great amazing websites for blogsNotion: Super helpful AI Agenthttps://www.notion.com/productCanva: So many uses! Our go to for creating thumbnails.https://www.canva.comChatGPT: My go to for AI help with brainstorming and planning!https://chatgpt.com Affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. __________________________ CONTACT Have a question, collaboration opportunity, or topic request? Email: mike@creatorsleverageguild.com

    45 min
  6. 15 FEB

    The Truth About Consistency, Burnout, and Long-Term Earnings

    In this episode, Mike and Ben break down one of the most important topics for long-term success in the Amazon Influencer Program: staying consistent without burning yourself out. Consistency looks different for everyone, and the key is finding a pace you can realistically maintain long-term. We talk about what burnout actually is, why it happens, and how it often shows up as creative fatigue rather than laziness. Whether it’s pushing too hard, reviewing products you’re not excited about, or feeling discouraged when earnings don’t match effort, burnout can slow down even the most motivated creators. We share practical ways to reduce decision fatigue, including sourcing products you already own, checking your Amazon order history, and focusing on items you have real experience with. These types of videos are often easier to create and more valuable to viewers because they come from genuine use. We also discuss how to use your performance data to guide your decisions. Instead of guessing, you can look at your reports, identify which videos and product angles are working, and replicate those patterns. This helps increase your dollars per video over time and shifts your focus toward quality and intentional content instead of chasing volume. Another major theme in this episode is understanding the natural ups and downs of earnings. We talk about seasonality, why slower months happen, and how planning ahead for major events like Prime Day and Q4 can make a significant difference in your long-term results. We also cover the importance of focusing your efforts instead of trying to grow on every platform at once. For most creators, the best move is to establish a strong foundation on Amazon first, then expand to platforms like YouTube and Facebook once you have momentum. Whether you’re feeling burned out, stuck, or just trying to find a better rhythm, this episode will help you build a more sustainable and effective content strategy. ________________________ JOIN THE COMMUNITY If you are looking for deeper strategy, accountability, and honest conversations with other serious content creators, the Creator’s Leverage Guild was built for exactly that. Learn more and join here: ⁠⁠Creator’s Leverage Guild⁠⁠ WORK 1-ON-1 WITH MIKE AND BEN Get personalized guidance on content strategy, monetization, brand deals, and scaling your creator business. • Book a 1-hour coaching call • Save with a 4-session coaching package ⁠⁠Sign Me Up!⁠⁠ _________________________ JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY Connect with other Amazon Influencers and content creators, ask questions, and stay up to date on what is working right now. ⁠⁠Amazon Influencer Success Facebook Group⁠⁠ _________________________ TOOLS AND RESOURCES FOR CREATORS Viral Vue Make smarter content decisions and grow faster. ⁠⁠Try Viral Vue here⁠⁠ Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for life Oink Track earnings and performance across platforms. ⁠⁠Try Oink here⁠⁠ Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for life Descript Edit podcasts and videos faster and easier. ⁠⁠Check out Descript here⁠⁠ Affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. __________________________ CONTACT Have a question, collaboration opportunity, or topic request? Email: mike@creatorsleverageguild.com

    43 min
  7. 8 FEB

    Amazon Influencer Program 101: Getting Started & Building the Proper Foundations

    In this episode of the Creators Leverage Guild podcast, Mike and Ben break down the Amazon Influencer Program from the ground up, with a strong focus on beginners and those early in the process. We walk through what the Amazon Influencer Program actually is, how Phase One works, and the different ways you can apply using your existing social media accounts. We also share practical tips for getting approved and setting yourself up for success right from the start. From there, we move into Phase Two and talk through what your first three videos should and should not look like. We cover common mistakes that can slow people down early on, what Amazon is really looking for, and how to avoid unnecessary rejections. A big part of this episode focuses on the importance of volume and consistency, specifically why creating your first 100 videos matters so much. We explain how those early videos help you build confidence, improve your filming process, and better understand the metrics that actually drive engagement and conversions. We also touch on basic equipment considerations, technical tips to make filming easier, and how being part of a community can shorten the learning curve as you grow in the program. If you’re brand new to the Amazon Influencer Program or looking for clarity on what to focus on next, this episode lays out a clear path forward. ________________________ JOIN THE COMMUNITY If you are looking for deeper strategy, accountability, and honest conversations with other serious content creators, the Creator’s Leverage Guild was built for exactly that. Learn more and join here: ⁠Creator’s Leverage Guild⁠ WORK 1-ON-1 WITH MIKE AND BEN Get personalized guidance on content strategy, monetization, brand deals, and scaling your creator business. • Book a 1-hour coaching call • Save with a 4-session coaching package ⁠Sign Me Up!⁠ _________________________ JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY Connect with other Amazon Influencers and content creators, ask questions, and stay up to date on what is working right now. ⁠Amazon Influencer Success Facebook Group⁠ _________________________ TOOLS AND RESOURCES FOR CREATORS Viral Vue Make smarter content decisions and grow faster. ⁠Try Viral Vue here⁠ Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for life Oink Track earnings and performance across platforms. ⁠Try Oink here⁠ Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for life Descript Edit podcasts and videos faster and easier. ⁠Check out Descript here⁠ Affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. __________________________ CONTACT Have a question, collaboration opportunity, or topic request? Email: mike@creatorsleverageguild.com

    34 min
  8. 1 FEB

    Free Samples, Paid Deals, and the Line Every Creator Eventually Crosses

    In this episode of the Creator’s Leverage Guild Podcast, Mike and Ben break down the real-world mechanics of free samples, brand collaborations, and how creators can turn those opportunities into meaningful income without burning bridges or underselling themselves. They kick things off by sharing their early experiences with free samples, including the excitement of those first offers and how their approach has evolved as their platforms and leverage have grown. The conversation moves into common pitfalls creators face when relying too heavily on unpaid collaborations and how to recognize when it is time to shift from “free product” to paid partnerships. Mike and Ben dive deep into outbound brand outreach, including how to structure professional emails, how to communicate value, and how to confidently discuss budgets and collaboration fees. They also cover why professionalism, clarity, and consistency matter so much when dealing with brands long-term. The episode also touches on important topics like FTC disclosures, tax considerations around free products, and why understanding the business side of content creation is just as important as filming great videos. They explain how proper setup on YouTube, smart SEO practices, and deep linking tools can dramatically improve performance and earnings. This conversation is packed with practical advice for creators at every stage, whether you are just starting to receive samples or you are actively negotiating paid brand deals and looking to stack multiple income streams more effectively. If you want a clearer framework for handling brand collaborations, maximizing free samples, and building sustainable creator income, this episode is a must-listen. ________________________ JOIN THE COMMUNITY If you are looking for deeper strategy, accountability, and honest conversations with other serious content creators, the Creator’s Leverage Guild was built for exactly that. Learn more and join here: Creator’s Leverage Guild WORK 1-ON-1 WITH MIKE AND BEN Get personalized guidance on content strategy, monetization, brand deals, and scaling your creator business. • Book a 1-hour coaching call • Save with a 4-session coaching package Sign Me Up! _________________________ JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY Connect with other Amazon Influencers and content creators, ask questions, and stay up to date on what is working right now. Amazon Influencer Success Facebook Group _________________________ TOOLS AND RESOURCES FOR CREATORS Viral Vue Make smarter content decisions and grow faster. Try Viral Vue here Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for life Oink Track earnings and performance across platforms. Try Oink here Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for life Descript Edit podcasts and videos faster and easier. Check out Descript here Affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. __________________________ CONTACT Have a question, collaboration opportunity, or topic request? Email: mike@creatorsleverageguild.com

    55 min

About

Creator’s Leverage Guild is a community-driven podcast for content creators, Amazon Influencers, side hustlers, and digital entrepreneurs who want to build real income streams through content, systems, and smart leverage. Hosted by Mike Strahl and Ben Phair, the show dives into affiliate marketing, Amazon Influencer strategies, YouTube growth, brand collaborations, monetization systems, and lessons learned from building online income the hard way. Expect honest conversations, real-world experience, and practical insights without the hype. Contact: support@creatorsleverageguild.com

You Might Also Like