Creator's Leverage Guild

Mike Strahl
  • 5.0 (18)
  • How To
  • Updated Weekly

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. Sep 24

    Amazon Influencer Q4 Prep: Prime Days, Reporting Changes & What Creators Should Do Now

    In this episode, Mike and Ben break down what Amazon Influencers should be focusing on heading into Q4, Prime Big Deal Days, and the busiest earning window of the year.They start by reviewing mid-September earnings volatility, pacing toward $10K months, and what creators should make of the recent Amazon reporting changes. Mike and Ben walk through how the new commission reporting separates direct product sales from indirect “Other” purchases, why the Commissions tab matters more right now, and how to use Linked Product reporting, shipped items, and clicks to better understand what is actually happening.The conversation also covers carousel rotations, mobile versus desktop behavior, possible quality checks on low-value videos, and why creators need to zoom out and look at 30-day and 90-day trends before making major strategy changes. They also talk about tools like Oink that can help creators audit storefront health and spot videos that may need attention.With Prime Big Deal Days coming up fast, Mike and Ben share what they are focusing on now, including deal-driven products, Q4 buying opportunities, seasonal content, quick review videos, deeper comparison videos, and content that has a better chance of earning through the holiday shopping season.They also spend time talking through YouTube strategy for Amazon Influencers, including why YouTube needs different titles, SEO, thumbnails, and video structure than Amazon onsite content. The episode covers comparison videos, first 30-second retention, end screens, YouTube Shopping, and upcoming YouTube monetization requirement changes that could impact smaller creators.If you are an Amazon Influencer, content creator, or product reviewer trying to prepare for Q4, understand reporting changes, improve your storefront, and build more long-term income through Amazon and YouTube, this episode is packed with strategy, perspective, and practical next steps. ____________________ 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 E-BOOKS! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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, & more. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leveraging Brand Deals Playbook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Stop leaving money on the table. The Leveraging Brand Deals Playbook helps you pitch smarter, negotiate better, & turn free product offers into real paid opportunities. _____________________ JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY Connect with other Amazon Influencers & content creators, ask questions, & 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 & grow faster. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Try Viral Vue here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for life Oink Track earnings & performance across platforms. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Try Oink here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for life CreatorKit Save 15% off the 1st month! Code: CLG15 ⁠⁠Check out CreatorKit!⁠⁠⁠ 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

  2. Sep 3

    How the Right Strategy and Community Got Tom Dowler Back on Track

    In this episode, Mike and Ben sit down with Tom Dowler to talk about his journey from a blue-collar career in drilling and blasting to building income through the Amazon Influencer Program.Tom shares why he originally applied to AIP in 2023, what happened after failing the video approval process, and how he eventually came back to the program at the end of 2024 after learning from podcasts, community conversations, and strategy calls.The conversation covers August earnings, carousel volatility, product research, Q4 prep, and the mindset shift that helped Tom start seeing better results. One of the biggest takeaways is how a single $60 product with no influencer videos turned into more than $1,100 in earnings, showing why better product research and smart buying decisions can make a huge difference.Mike, Ben, and Tom also talk through the balance between high-ticket, mid-ticket, and low-ticket products, why consistency matters going into Q4, and how Tom’s 30-day daily video challenge inside Creators Leverage Guild is helping create accountability and momentum.Beyond the numbers, this episode is really about building toward more freedom, more home time, and a better long-term creator business without chasing flash or pretending the path is easy.If you are an Amazon Influencer, content creator, or product reviewer trying to improve your strategy, stay consistent, and prepare for Q4, this episode is packed with real-world perspective and practical takeaways. ____________________ 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, & more. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leveraging Brand Deals Playbook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Stop leaving money on the table. The Leveraging Brand Deals Playbook helps you pitch smarter, negotiate better, & 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, & 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 & content creators, ask questions, & 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 & grow faster. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Try Viral Vue here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for life Oink Track earnings & performance across platforms. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Try Oink here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for life CreatorKit Save 15% off the 1st month! Code: CLG15 ⁠Check out CreatorKit!⁠⁠ Descript Edit podcasts & 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

  3. Aug 3

    You’re Not Out of Time, You’re Just Not Using It Right | Tips for being more intentional

    In this episode, Mike and Ben talk through time management, intentionality, and how creators can find the time to build real income without constantly feeling like they need more hours in the day.The conversation starts with recent earnings updates, including how Creator Connections campaigns are continuing to drive strong results. Ben shares how July rebounded after a slower start, while Mike talks through a strong month with multiple campaigns contributing daily and why planning ahead for fall, Q4, and future campaign volume matters right now.From there, Mike and Ben get into the bigger theme of the episode: most people do not need more time, they need to become more intentional with the time they already have. Mike shares how content creation helped him move away from years of long overtime hours and start building something that gave him more control over his time and family life. Ben also shares practical ways he reduces distractions and protects focus, including using phone lockboxes, separate work devices, site blockers, and creating better conditions for deep work.They also talk about auditing your time, tracking screen time, using commutes and downtime for learning, batching filming and editing, avoiding burnout, and finding accountability partners who help you stay focused when motivation fades.If you are an Amazon Influencer, content creator, or entrepreneur trying to build creator income around a busy life, this episode is a practical conversation about focus, discipline, and making better use of the hours you already have. ____________________ 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, & more. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leveraging Brand Deals Playbook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Stop leaving money on the table. The Leveraging Brand Deals Playbook helps you pitch smarter, negotiate better, & 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, & 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 & content creators, ask questions, & 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 & grow faster. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Try Viral Vue here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for life Oink Track earnings & performance across platforms. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Try Oink here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for life CreatorKit Save 15% off the 1st month! Code: CLG15 Check out CreatorKit!⁠ Descript Edit podcasts & 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

  4. Jul 13

    How a $200K Mistake Led to the Ultimate Creator Connections Tool | CreatorKit is changing the game!

    Vik missed out on over $200,000 in Amazon Creator Connections earnings because he wasn't paying attention, and he's not letting that happen to anyone else. Mike and Ben sit down with Vik, a former Facebook software engineer turned offsite deals operator, to break down that costly mistake and the tool he built because of it. In this episode: The story behind Vik's $200K mistake, missing out on Amazon Creator Connections opportunities for months How Vik built an offsite deals business from scratch, including a TikTok style daily deals app pulling in $80K plus some months Why he's coming back with a vengeance and building CreatorKit, a $9.99 a month tool to search and filter Amazon Creator Connections Features inside CreatorKit including a deals tab, daily updates, and campaign history A quick Prime Day recap, with Ben at $16.3K and Mike at $18.5K in commissions If you've ever wondered what missing Amazon Creator Connections actually costs, this episode lays it all out, and shows you the tool built to make sure it never happens again. Subscribe for more real talk on creator income, Amazon strategy, and building a business that actually pays. ____________________ Check out CreatorKit! Save 15% off the 1st month! Code: CLG15 CreatorKit Facebook Group ____________________ 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, & more. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leveraging Brand Deals Playbook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Stop leaving money on the table. The Leveraging Brand Deals Playbook helps you pitch smarter, negotiate better, & 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, & 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 & content creators, ask questions, & 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 & grow faster. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Try Viral Vue here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for life Oink Track earnings & performance across platforms. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Try Oink here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for life Descript Edit podcasts & 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

  5. Jun 30

    How to Handle Stress, Depression, Hard Times, and Still Grow Your Business | Prime Day Recap

    In this episode, Mike & Ben break down their Prime Day results, current Amazon earnings, and what’s been working as they continue leaning harder into product selection, storefront audits, & quality over quantity.Ben shares how he hit a record $1,800 day, including $1,500 from Creator Connections, despite only posting 3 videos this month. Mike also shares how a recent storefront audit helped double results, why he’s averaging around $450 a day, & how he’s now tracking toward what could be a personal-best month. The conversation covers strong offsite performance, creator rewards progress, & why regular audits of storefronts, links, & ASINs can make a much bigger difference than most creators realize.Mike & Ben also talk about preparing for the next Prime Day & Q4, thinking seasonally 2 to 3 months ahead, staying consistent with uploads, & why many creators miss opportunities simply because they are not planning far enough in advance.The second half of the episode shifts into a much more personal conversation. Ben opens up about separation, divorce, & depression, while Mike shares some of what he has been dealing with physically and mentally through medical issues, withdrawal from pain medication, and past personal loss. The conversation is honest, vulnerable, & centered around pushing forward through dark seasons, giving yourself grace, leaning on community, & doing what you can with the capacity you have each day.If you are an Amazon Influencer, content creator, or entrepreneur trying to improve your results while also navigating real life behind the scenes, this episode is both a practical strategy conversation & a reminder that you do not have to carry hard seasons alone. ____________________ 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, & more. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leveraging Brand Deals Playbook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Stop leaving money on the table. The Leveraging Brand Deals Playbook helps you pitch smarter, negotiate better, & 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, & 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 & content creators, ask questions, & 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 & grow faster. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Try Viral Vue here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for life Oink Track earnings & performance across platforms. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Try Oink here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for life Descript Edit podcasts & 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

  6. Jun 16

    Andy Ly on Hiring VAs, Scaling Faster, and Growing an Amazon Influencer Business | PODCAST

    In this episode, Mike and Ben welcome Creators Leverage Guild member Andy Ly for a conversation about scaling an Amazon Influencer business, hiring virtual assistants, and focusing more on the activities that actually drive revenue. If you’re interested in learning more from Andy, he currently offers three programs: Hire Up, Scale Up, and the full LyPad Complete Program. His Scale Up course is also currently on sale for a limited time. We’ll leave the affiliate link below for anyone who wants to check those out and learn more. Andy shares his story of leaving a 15-year corporate career, discovering the Amazon Influencer Program, and growing from zero to five figures a month in a relatively short period of time. The conversation covers how he used Creator Connections, targeted product research, and comparison videos to grow more efficiently while building systems that supported scale.A big part of this episode focuses on virtual assistants and how creators can start thinking differently about delegation. Andy breaks down when he hired his first VA, what different roles can cost, the difference between general and specialized help, and why workflows, SOPs, and communication systems matter if you want outsourcing to actually work. Mike, Ben, and Andy also talk through the tools he uses to manage a team, including Slack, Dropbox, Frame.io, and Google Drive, along with the importance of staying focused on the highest-value tasks instead of getting stuck in low-return work. Toward the end of the episode, Mike and Ben share an exciting new partnership with Andy Ly and LyPad Academy. Going forward, Creators Leverage Guild will also be the home for Andy’s community, creating more opportunities for creators who want support around hiring, scaling, and building a stronger content business. If you are an Amazon Influencer, content creator, or entrepreneur trying to scale more efficiently, build better systems, and learn how virtual assistants can help you grow, this episode is packed with practical insight. ____________________ Take one of Andy's Virtual Assistant courses: Scale Up on sale for limited time! LyPad Academy Subscribe to Andy's YouTube Channel! LyPad Academy Channel ____________________ 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, & more. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leveraging Brand Deals Playbook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Stop leaving money on the table. The Leveraging Brand Deals Playbook helps you pitch smarter, negotiate better, & turn free product offers into real paid opportunities. _____________________ JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY Connect with other Amazon Influencers & content creators, ask questions, & 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 & grow faster. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Try Viral Vue here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for life Oink Track earnings & performance across platforms. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Try Oink here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for life Geniuslinks: Our #1 Deeplinking Pick!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Try Geniuslinks!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ VidiQ: Our #1 pick for YouTube channel Insights! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Try VidIQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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

  7. Jun 1

    May Amazon Changes: Creator Connections, UGC Growth, and the New Creator Pivot with Mike Dancy

    In this episode, Mike and Ben break down May as the first full month after the latest Amazon changes and are joined by guest Mike Dancy to talk through what the shift is looking like in real time. Ben shares how May ended up being a volatile month, falling from an early projection of around $12K to closer to $10K, while Mike talks through how he still expects to land around $11K for the month despite dealing with two hospitalizations and serious health issues. A big part of the conversation centers around why higher-quality, more intentional videos are becoming even more important as the program continues to shift. Guest Mike Dancy shares how his Amazon earnings dropped significantly despite having hundreds of videos live, while his UK, Canada, and Australia storefronts improved and his off-site efforts continued to create opportunities. He explains how he is using YouTube and other social platforms to drive traffic, build UGC income, and create new brand relationships outside of relying only on Amazon. The episode also covers UGC pricing, finding clients, niche advantages, tools like Wovo, comparison videos, search-based content, Creator Connections, and why creators need to diversify income beyond Amazon if they want more stability going forward. If you are an Amazon Influencer, content creator, or product reviewer trying to understand the latest changes, grow off-site, and build a more durable creator business, this episode is packed with real-world strategy and perspective. ____________________ 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, & more. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leveraging Brand Deals Playbook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Stop leaving money on the table. The Leveraging Brand Deals Playbook helps you pitch smarter, negotiate better, & 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, & 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 & content creators, ask questions, & 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 & grow faster. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Try Viral Vue here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for life Oink Track earnings & performance across platforms. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Try Oink here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for life Descript Edit podcasts & 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

  8. May 11

    April Earnings After Amazon’s Rate Cuts: What’s Still Working

    In this episode, Mike and Ben break down their April earnings after the recent Amazon commission rate drops and talk through what the numbers are showing now that the dust is starting to settle.They share a full look at how April came together across Amazon onsite, Creator Connections, off-site traffic, international earnings, bonuses, YouTube income, and other revenue streams. The conversation highlights just how much the recent onsite cuts have changed the landscape and why Creator Connections and off-site growth are becoming more important than ever.Mike and Ben also talk through what creators should be focusing on during slower months, including auditing videos and campaigns, leaning harder into long-duration Creator Connections opportunities, doing deeper product research, and preparing early for seasonal shifts like Prime Day and Q4. They discuss the importance of comparison videos, category expansion, and building more durable revenue streams across YouTube and other off-site platforms.A major theme in this episode is adaptation. Rather than relying too heavily on one source of income, Mike and Ben explain why creators need to think more strategically about diversification, reinvesting profits, and using slower periods to strengthen the foundation of their business.If you are an Amazon Influencer, content creator, or product reviewer trying to navigate lower onsite commissions and figure out what still works, this episode is a real-world breakdown of the numbers, the pivot, and the next move. ____________________ 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, & more. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leveraging Brand Deals Playbook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Stop leaving money on the table. The Leveraging Brand Deals Playbook helps you pitch smarter, negotiate better, & 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, & 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 & content creators, ask questions, & 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 & grow faster. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Try Viral Vue here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for life Oink Track earnings & performance across platforms. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Try Oink here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for life Descript Edit podcasts & 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

See All (95)

5
out of 5
18 Ratings

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

Information

  • Creator
    Mike Strahl
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    95
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Mike Strahl
  • Show Website
    Creator's Leverage Guild

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