Clipped: Your Content Creation Toolkit

Eric Montgomery
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Clipped brings you the tips, resources and people to help crush your content goals. Each week, host Eric Montgomery, founder of The Podcast Haven shares actionable advice—solo or with expert guests—on how to start, grow, and monetize your content across platforms. What You’ll Learn: SEO strategies to boost discoverabilityGrowth tips for podcasts and YouTubeAffiliate marketing tactics that workTime-saving tools, services, and workflows for creators If you're building a brand, publishing online, or just trying to get traction with your content, this show will help you move faster with less guesswork. New episodes drop every Wednesday. Follow on your favorite listening app.

  1. 19H AGO

    No 9-5 Job Ever! How Jess Thibodeau Left a Successful Career Managing Prominent Bands To Launch a Branding and Merchandising Agency Part 1

    Send us Fan Mail What if never getting a real job was actually the smartest career move you could make? In this episode, Jess Thibodeau shares how he went from managing independent bands to building a career as an entrepreneur—without ever following the traditional 9–5 path. From the early 2000s music scene and the chaos of the Napster era, to launching multiple businesses and reinventing himself along the way, this is a real conversation about what it takes to build something on your own terms. If you’ve ever thought about being your own boss, working in the music industry, or creating a life outside the system, this episode breaks down what that actually looks like. 🔑 What We Cover How Jess got started as a music manager with no roadmapThe realities of making money in the music industryWhy most people don’t last in entrepreneurshipLearning business through managing artistsThe mindset required to avoid the 9–5 pathBuilding skills through necessity (design, marketing, branding)Why relationships matter more than opportunities💡 Key Takeaways There is no perfect plan—momentum beats certaintyThe music industry rewards adaptability over credentialsBeing a music manager teaches real-world business fastConfidence is built through experience, not theoryStrong relationships create long-term opportunitiesFreedom comes with trade-offs most people overlookConnect With Jess: Model CitizenPlan, Name, and Equip Your Show — All in One Place 🎙 Podcast Equipment Finder — get personalized gear recommendations 📝 Podcast Name Checker — see if your podcast name is available everywhere ✅ Podcast Launch Checklist — plan your show step-by-step 📊 See exactly where your podcast can improve. Our FREE AI Podcast Analyzer reviews your content and delivers actionable insights to help you improve podcast SEO and increase discoverability.

    36 min

  2. JAN 7

    How Meg The Creator Made $60,000 From ONE TikTok Shop Video

    Send a text Eric sits down with Megan (Meg the Creator) to talk about her journey from a traditional 9–5 in Southern Virginia to building multiple online income streams—without a massive following. Megan shares how motherhood and a high-risk pregnancy during COVID pushed her to bet on herself, starting with virtual assisting and quickly scaling into consistent income. From there, she explores her pivots into UGC, Amazon Influencer, and TikTok Shop, including the unexpected story of a “messy” dry shampoo video that generated $60,000. They break down what actually works right now—strong hooks, curiosity, volume, and consistency—plus the realities of burnout, parenting, and staying motivated as a creator. In This Episode: Transitioning from 9–5 work to online incomeGetting started with UGC and TikTok ShopBeginner pricing and content volume strategiesAmazon Influencer vs TikTok ShopWhy curiosity drives watch timeStaying consistent as a parentConnect With Meg The Creator: Meg's WebsiteMeg's Facebook GroupMeg's YouTubeThe Podcast Haven Resources: Follow me on YouTube: @podcasthaven - The page is growing!More tips, tools, and resources: The Podcast HavenPlan, Name, and Equip Your Show — All in One Place 🎙 Podcast Equipment Finder — get personalized gear recommendations 📝 Podcast Name Checker — see if your podcast name is available everywhere ✅ Podcast Launch Checklist — plan your show step-by-step

    53 min

  3. 12/23/2025

    12 Days of Christmas: Quick Content Creation Tips – Day 1: Use Music to Shape Tone, Vibe, and Identity

    Send a text The 12 Days of Christmas series on Clipped wraps up the year with a creative reminder that often gets overlooked. Today is Day 1 of 12, the final episode of the year, and this episode focuses on why your content probably needs more music—for tone, vibe, and identity. This episode is rooted in opinion and experience. As a musician, music has always stood out as one of the fastest ways to shape how a podcast or video feels. It creates emotion, builds atmosphere, and helps define the personality of a show before a single word is spoken. 🎥 Need B-Roll Fast? Riverside Can Help Try Riverside’s new AI Video Generator, a tool that automatically creates realistic, high-quality B-roll from a simple text prompt. It’s fast, creative, and saves hours in post-production. Use promo code CLIPPED at Riverside.fm for 20% off your subscription. 🎧 Music Isn’t an Afterthought—It’s a Signal Too many creators treat music like a last-minute decision. But your music choices can communicate a lot about you. Is your show more relaxed? High-energy? Thoughtful? Playful? Whatever you listen to in real life can inform the sound of your content. 🔊 Music, Sound Effects, and Flow Beyond identity, music can serve practical purposes. It helps mark transitions between segments, smooths pacing, and can even help mask room noise or awkward silences. Beat-driven music, in particular, can help push dialogue forward, especially in solo episodes. Some creators even run music quietly underneath longer solo sections, adding emotional texture and keeping the content feeling alive. 🎶 Accessible Music Options for Creators You don’t need custom compositions or high-end production to get started. Subscription-based music libraries make it easy to license tracks legally and affordably. With a monthly subscription, you can use music beds, stingers, and transitions across your content without worrying about copyright issues. 📝 Your Assignment for the New Year Start small. Pick one new music bed or short stinger and experiment. A stinger can be just a few seconds long—it doesn’t need to be fancy. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s intention. Episode Takeaways: Music plays a major role in shaping tone, mood, and identityGood music instantly makes content feel more polishedConsistent sound choices become part of your brand signatureMusic helps with transitions, pacing, and storytellingBeat-driven tracks can help drive dialogue forwardSound effects can clearly mark segment changesLicensed music subscriptions make things simple and affordableIntentional music choices matter more than fancy productionDay 1 is about intention. As you head into the new year, think about how music supports your story, your personality, and your brand.  Wishing you a great holiday season and a strong start to 2026. More interviews, more conversations, and more creative momentum ahead. Links & Resources Mentioned (placeholders): Epidemic Sound Pond5 Storyblocks Music Plan, Name, and Equip Your Show — All in One Place 🎙 Podcast Equipment Finder — get personalized gear recommendations 📝 Podcast Name Checker — see if your podcast name is available everywhere ✅

    5 min

  4. 12/22/2025

    12 Days of Christmas: Quick Content Creation Tips – Day 2: Vertical Video Won’t Grow Your Podcast—It’ll Grow You

    Send a text The 12 Days of Christmas series on Clipped continues with a reality check that a lot of podcasters need to hear. Today is Day 2 of 12, and this episode focuses on why vertical short-form content won’t grow your podcast—but will grow you. There’s a common misconception that Reels, TikToks, and YouTube Shorts directly translate into podcast downloads. In most cases, they don’t. The jump from seeing a short clip to opening a podcast app, searching for a show, and hitting follow is a long journey—and one that rarely happens. But that doesn’t mean short-form video isn’t worth doing. 🎥 Need B-Roll Fast? Riverside Can Help Try Riverside’s new AI Video Generator, a tool that automatically creates realistic, high-quality B-roll from a simple text prompt. It’s fast, creative, and saves hours in post-production. Use promo code CLIPPED at Riverside.fm for 20% off your subscription. 📱 What Vertical Video Actually Does Vertical content builds visibility, credibility, and familiarity. Even if someone never listens to your podcast, they might recognize your face, remember your voice, or start to associate you with a specific topic or expertise. 🎥 Shorts Don’t Grow Podcasts—They Grow Brands People might like your clip, follow you on social, or engage with your content without ever becoming a podcast listener. That’s normal. Shorts are optimized for reach, not long-form consumption. 🎬 What to Post Besides Podcast Clips Yes, repurposing podcast clips is useful. But vertical content doesn’t have to be limited to your show. Behind-the-scenes moments, day-to-day work, your environment, or quick thoughts on your niche all help humanize your brand. ⏱️ Why Short-Form Is Hard (But Worth It) Vertical video forces you to tell a complete story in 30 to 60 seconds. There needs to be a beginning, middle, and end—fast. That takes practice. But getting comfortable with short-form content is becoming a baseline skill for creators, even if your main platform is a podcast or YouTube. Episode Takeaways: Vertical short-form content rarely leads directly to podcast downloadsShorts are better for visibility, reach, and brand recognitionSocial clips create touch points that build long-term trustPeople may follow you without ever following your podcastShort-form video helps position you as an expert fasterPodcast clips are useful, but behind-the-scenes content matters tooPersonal moments make your brand feel more humanOne vertical video per week is a realistic commitment for 2026Day 2 is about mindset. Don’t judge short-form content by podcast download numbers alone. Its real value is brand equity. People remember faces, voices, and personalities—and that recognition compounds over time. The Podcast Haven Resources: Follow me on YouTube: @podcasthaven - The page is growing!More tips, tools, and resources: The Podcast HavenPlan, Name, and Equip Your Show — All in One Place 🎙 Podcast Equipment Finder — get personalized gear recommendations 📝 Podcast Name Checker — see if your podcast name is available everywhere ✅ Podcast Launch Checklist — plan your show step-by-step

    6 min

  5. 12/19/2025

    12 Days of Christmas: Quick Content Creation Tips – Day 3: Shoot Video With Your iPhone Not “Perfect” Gear

    Send a text The 12 Days of Christmas series on Clipped continues with another practical reminder for creators who are overthinking their setup. Today is Day 3 of 12, and this episode focuses on shooting video with the camera you already have in your pocket: your iPhone. If you’ve been waiting for the perfect camera, the perfect lens, or the perfect setup to start making video—this episode is your sign to stop waiting. Most creators didn’t start with expensive gear. They started with their phone. And for a lot of people, that phone is still doing the heavy lifting. 📱 Why Your iPhone Is More Than Enough Your iPhone is already a powerful video camera. It shoots in 4K, handles low light better than ever, and produces footage that’s more than good enough for YouTube, Spotify video podcasts, TikTok, and every other major platform. This episode is about removing the mental roadblocks around gear and reminding you that progress beats perfection. The fastest way to get better on camera is to start filming—now—not after another purchase. 🎥 Video Matters More Than Ever As more AI tools enter the content space—AI voices, AI avatars, AI-generated everything—showing your real face becomes a differentiator. Video helps build trust, personality, and identity behind your brand. Whether it’s your podcast, your business, or your creative work, people connect with people. 🎬 One Simple iPhone Video Tip Instead of using the selfie camera, try using the rear-facing camera for better image quality. The challenge, of course, is framing yourself when you can’t see the screen. A simple solution: connect your iPhone to an external screen using a USB-C (or Lightning) to HDMI cable. This lets you see exactly what the camera sees so you can frame your shot properly—without guessing. Episode Takeaways: Your iPhone is powerful enough to start creating high-quality video todayWaiting for “perfect gear” is one of the biggest blockers for creators4K iPhone video works great for YouTube, Spotify, and social platformsVideo helps build identity and trust as AI content becomes more commonShowing your face makes your brand more human and memorableRear-facing cameras look better than selfie cameras on iPhonesAn external screen makes framing easy when using the rear cameraPractice matters more than equipment—start now and improve as you goDay 3 is all about momentum. Don’t let gear slow you down. Use what you already have, get your face on camera, and let your personality do the work. A little practice goes a long way. Links & Gear Mentioned: Riverside.fm – Co-Creator AI Tool - Use promo code CLIPPED for 20% off USB-C to HDMI Cable (iPhone) Lightning to HDMI Cable (older iPhones) As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The Podcast Haven Resources: Follow me on YouTube: @podcasthaven - The page is growing!More tips, tools, and resources: The Podcast HavenPlan, Name, and Equip Your Show — All in One Place 🎙 Podcast Equipment Finder — get personalized gear recommendations 📝 Podcast Name Checker — see if your podcast name is available everywhere ✅ Podcas

    5 min

  6. 12/18/2025

    12 Days of Christmas: Quick Content Creation Tips – Day 4: Use AI for Outlines and Drafts—Not Final Content

    Send a text The 12 Days of Christmas series on Clipped continues with another practical tip to help creators work faster without losing their voice. Today is Day 4 of 12, and this episode focuses on using AI as a starting point—not a replacement for your thinking. AI tools are everywhere now, and most creators are already using them in some form. This episode explains how to use AI the right way: for outlines, drafts, research, and idea generation—while still keeping your personality, experience, and point of view front and center. 🤖 Where AI Helps (and Where It Hurts) AI is great at speeding up the boring parts of content creation. But relying on it too heavily can lead to generic, forgettable content. The difference between “AI slop” and strong content is the human layer you add on top. 🎥 Need B-Roll Fast? Riverside Can Help Try Riverside’s new AI Video Generator, a tool that automatically creates realistic, high-quality B-roll from a simple text prompt. It’s fast, creative, and saves hours in post-production. Use promo code CLIPPED at Riverside.fm for 20% off your subscription. Episode Takeaways: Use AI for outlines, drafts, and idea generation—not final outputsAI is excellent for speeding up research and summarizationTreat AI output as a rough first draft, not a finished productEditing and rewriting in your own voice is the real differentiatorNot every AI suggestion is good—pick and choose what worksGeneric AI content blends in; personal insight makes content stand outAI can help with interview questions, but you don’t need to use all of themLet your experience and instincts guide the final versionDay 4 is about balance. Use AI to move faster, but don’t outsource your thinking. The creators who stand out are the ones who combine smart tools with a strong, human point of view. The Podcast Haven Resources: Follow me on YouTube: @podcasthaven - The page is growing!More tips, tools, and resources: The Podcast HavenPlan, Name, and Equip Your Show — All in One Place 🎙 Podcast Equipment Finder — get personalized gear recommendations 📝 Podcast Name Checker — see if your podcast name is available everywhere ✅ Podcast Launch Checklist — plan your show step-by-step

    5 min

  7. 12/17/2025

    12 Days of Christmas: Quick Content Creation Tips – Day 5: Build Repeatable Series That Reduce Burnout

    Send a text The 12 Days of Christmas series on Clipped continues with another practical tip designed to help creators stay consistent without burning out. Today is Day 5 of 12, and this episode focuses on building repeatable series and formats—one of the biggest differences between creators who last and creators who fade out. This episode digs into why consistency in structure matters more than constantly chasing new ideas. Repeatable formats make your workflow easier, help your audience know what to expect, and make batching episodes far more efficient over time. 🎙️ Why Repeatable Series Work Creators who stick around usually aren’t reinventing the wheel every episode. They have a clear format, predictable tone, and recognizable structure. That consistency builds trust with your audience and reduces the mental load of figuring out “what am I doing this week?” 🎥 Need AI B-Roll For Your Content? Try Riverside’s new AI Video Generator, a tool that automatically creates realistic, high-quality B-roll from a simple text prompt. It’s fast, creative, and saves hours in post-production. Use promo code CLIPPED at Riverside.fm for 20% off your subscription. Episode Takeaways: Repeatable formats reduce creative burnout and decision fatigueConsistency helps your audience know what to expect from episode to episodeBatching becomes easier once your workflow and structure are locked inYour intro, tone, and delivery should feel familiar every timeSeries-based content (multi-part themes, topic weeks, or seasonal runs) keeps listeners engagedMixing interviews and solo episodes is fine—just keep the structure consistentJumping between unrelated topics can confuse listeners unless you already have a large, established audienceMost creators benefit more from being predictable than trying to cover everythingDay 5 is all about creating systems that support long-term content creation. Lock in your format, simplify your workflow, and make it easier for both you—and your audience—to show up every week. The Podcast Haven Resources: Follow me on YouTube: @podcasthaven - The page is growing!More tips, tools, and resources: The Podcast HavenPlan, Name, and Equip Your Show — All in One Place 🎙 Podcast Equipment Finder — get personalized gear recommendations 📝 Podcast Name Checker — see if your podcast name is available everywhere ✅ Podcast Launch Checklist — plan your show step-by-step

    5 min

  8. 12/16/2025

    12 Days of Christmas: Quick Content Creation Tips – Day 6: Build a Content Folder for B-Roll & Faster Edits

    Send a text The 12 Days of Christmas series on Clipped continues with another quick, practical tip to help creators stay consistent and speed up their editing workflow. Today is Day 6 of 12, and this episode focuses on building and maintaining a content (B-roll) folder—something every video podcaster, YouTuber, and creator should have. This episode breaks down why a personal B-roll library makes content creation smoother, faster, and less stressful. Whether you’re filling gaps in an edit, adding visual texture, or covering a mistake, having reusable footage on hand gives you way more flexibility when producing videos. 📁 Why a Content Folder Matters If you’re creating video regularly, you’ll eventually need cutaways—B-roll that adds context, pacing, or visual interest. That footage can come from your phone, your studio, AI tools, or stock libraries. The key is saving it once and reusing it later instead of starting from scratch every time. 🎥 Need B-Roll Fast? Riverside Can Help Try Riverside’s new AI Video Generator, a tool that automatically creates realistic, high-quality B-roll from a simple text prompt. It’s fast, creative, and saves hours in post-production. Use promo code CLIPPED at Riverside.fm for 20% off your subscription. Episode Takeaways: A B-roll or content folder saves time and reduces friction during editingFootage can come from your smartphone, studio sessions, behind-the-scenes clips, or gear shotsSave stock clips or visuals you’ve already used—you’ll want them againAI-generated video (like Riverside’s tools or other platforms) is worth archiving for future editsOrganizing by category or keyword makes footage easy to find when you need itB-roll helps smooth transitions, cover mistakes, and add visual energy to your videosHoliday downtime is a great chance to record extra footage and build your libraryDay 6 is all about having content ready before you need it. Start saving now, and future-you will thank you. The Podcast Haven Resources: Follow me on YouTube: @podcasthaven - The page is growing!More tips, tools, and resources: The Podcast HavenPlan, Name, and Equip Your Show — All in One Place 🎙 Podcast Equipment Finder — get personalized gear recommendations 📝 Podcast Name Checker — see if your podcast name is available everywhere ✅ Podcast Launch Checklist — plan your show step-by-step

    5 min
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5
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

Clipped brings you the tips, resources and people to help crush your content goals. Each week, host Eric Montgomery, founder of The Podcast Haven shares actionable advice—solo or with expert guests—on how to start, grow, and monetize your content across platforms. What You’ll Learn: SEO strategies to boost discoverabilityGrowth tips for podcasts and YouTubeAffiliate marketing tactics that workTime-saving tools, services, and workflows for creators If you're building a brand, publishing online, or just trying to get traction with your content, this show will help you move faster with less guesswork. New episodes drop every Wednesday. Follow on your favorite listening app.

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