The HeyCreator Show

HeyCreator
The HeyCreator Show

The HeyCreator Show is for building your creator business. Each week, host Matt Ragland various guests talk through all stages of the creator journey, intentionally designing each conversation to meet you where you’re at along the way. We’re sharing lessons from over a decade of helping digital creators launch and scale courses, communities, and coaching services — along with building newsletters, YouTube channels, and podcasts to millions of subscribers and downloads for our clients. For more about our show, company, and community go to heycreator.com.

  1. MAR 8

    042: How Tiny Experiments Can Transform Your Work and Life - with Anne-Laure Le Cunff

    In this episode of The HeyCreator Show, Matt sits down with Anne-Laure Le Cunff—author of Tiny Experiments and founder of Ness Labs—to talk about the power of small, low-risk experiments in boosting creativity and productivity. They break down how micro-experiments can help creators avoid burnout, build momentum, and make smarter decisions. Anne-Laure shares the behind-the-scenes of writing her newsletter, growing a thriving community, and completing her PhD in neuroscience—all while balancing her creative work. They also dive into the writing process of her book, Tiny Experiments, and unpack real-world strategies for book promotion that don’t feel salesy. If you’re looking for practical ways to fine-tune your habits, stay creative, and make sustainable progress in your creator journey, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways you won’t want to miss! Buy Tiny ExperimentsSubscribe to Maker Mind newsletter Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Tiny Experiments02:04 Balancing Multiple Projects05:15 Weekly Review Framework10:07 Designing Tiny Experiments14:31 The Goal of Learning21:45 The Start of a Writing Journey26:39 Crafting Content for Your Audience33:28 Starting the Ness Labs Community36:49 Cultivating a Self-Sustaining Community39:44 The Journey of Writing a Book45:37 Book Promotion Strategies48:00 Navigating the Book Writing Process59:49 What's Next for Anne-Laure?

    1h 1m
  2. FEB 4

    040: Master YouTube Growth in 2025: Expert Tips from Aprilynne Alter

    Want to grow your YouTube channel in 2025? In this episode, I sit down with Aprilynne Alter to break down the biggest mistakes YouTubers make—and how to fix them. From optimizing your titles and thumbnails to crafting the perfect video intro, Aprilynne shares expert-level strategies to increase your clicks, retention, and engagement. She also reveals storytelling frameworks, how to structure your content for maximum watch time, and why authenticity is the key to success in an AI-driven world. Subscribe for more creator insights → https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZb8AYdbC9k_TXyQ3jpt2Jw Join my newsletter for exclusive content → https://heycreator.com/newsletter/ Check out Aprilynne’s YouTube Channel → https://www.youtube.com/@AprilynneAlter Key Takeaways: • Packaging (Title & Thumbnail) is Everything – Your title and thumbnail set the expectation and determine whether someone clicks. The best creators think about these before scripting or filming. • The First 5 Seconds Matter – Reinforce your title’s promise immediately. Start with “So…” or “This…” to quickly establish relevance and curiosity. • Shorten Your Intros – Keep it under 25 seconds. People want value fast, so don’t lose them with unnecessary context. • Think in “Promise, Progress, Payoff” – Every section of your video should set up curiosity (Promise), provide insight (Progress), and deliver value (Payoff). • Consistency in Format & Experience – If you’re mixing formats (tutorials, interviews, vlogs), make sure they provide a consistent experience to your audience. • Authenticity Wins in an AI World – Viewers crave real humans, real stories, and unscripted moments. Don’t over-polish—lean into personality, mistakes, and humor. • Your Outro Should Have Purpose – Don’t just sign off—guide your audience to the next step (watch another video, subscribe, join a community, etc.). Timestamps & Chapters: 00:00 Intro 01:30 Biggest Mistake Creators Make: Packaging (Title & Thumbnail) 07:01 Why You Need to Think About Titles/Thumbnails First 10:11 When to Prioritize Quality vs. Just Publishing Videos 12:50 The First 5 Seconds Rule: Hooking Viewers Instantly 13:57 How to Start a Video: The “So” or “This” Hack 20:05 Shorten Your Intros! Keep it Under 25 Seconds 22:38 The Power of “Promise, Progress, Payoff” Storytelling 27:48 How to Improve Engagement & Retention 29:24 The Best Way to End a YouTube Video 34:53 Should You Separate Your Podcast from Your Main Channel? 41:30 The Biggest YouTube Trends for 2025 (Storytelling & Authenticity) 46:15 Why AI Won’t Replace Real Creators & How to Stand Out 49:04 Aprilynne’s YouTube Journey & Growing a Sustainable Business 55:28 High-Ticket Communities vs. Consulting: The Future of Creator Businesses 1:02:24 Final Thoughts & Where to Find Aprilynne Next Steps: Subscribe for more creator insights → https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZb8AYdbC9k_TXyQ3jpt2Jw Join my newsletter for exclusive content → https://heycreator.com/newsletter/ Check out Aprilynne’s YouTube Channel → https://www.youtube.com/@AprilynneAlter

    58 min
  3. JAN 21

    040: You Don't Need A Big Audience to Land Big Brand Deals (with Justin Moore)

    Think you need a huge audience to land brand deals? Think again! In this episode, Justin Moore, creator of Sponsor Magnet and founder of Creator Wizard, shares actionable strategies for landing sponsorships, standing out with brands, and building revenue—no matter your follower count. Don’t miss it! 🧲 Get Sponsor Magnet today! 📧 Join Justin's Creator Wizard newsletter 00:00 - Introduction Discover why follower count isn’t everything in sponsorships and meet Justin Moore, creator of Sponsor Magnet. 01:20 - Debunking the Follower Myth Justin explains why you don’t need a massive audience to land sponsorships. 04:30 - Common Mistakes in Sponsorships Why traditional pitching methods fail and how to stand out. 08:15 - The Sponsorship Continuum Framework Justin introduces a roadmap for creators at any stage to secure brand deals. 13:00 - Real-Life Examples of Niche Success Case studies of creators thriving with small but engaged audiences. 18:40 - Building a Sponsorship Pitching Habit How consistency and proactive outreach can unlock opportunities. 24:00 - The R.O.P.E. Method for Pitching Justin’s step-by-step formula for crafting compelling pitches. 31:30 - How to Find the Right Contact at Brands Tips for identifying decision-makers and ensuring your pitch lands with the right person. 36:45 - Tools for Managing Sponsorships Justin shares his Notion template and other tips for staying organized. 42:15 - Justin’s Creator Journey and Business Model How Justin evolved his business to support creators through coaching and resources. 49:30 - Adapting to Platform Changes Insights on staying ahead of shifts in content trends and algorithms. 54:00 - Sponsor Magnet: The Ultimate Guide Learn about Justin’s book and why it’s a must-read for creators. 57:40 - Closing Thoughts Justin’s advice for creators aiming to build sustainable, successful businesses.

    58 min
    4.6
    out of 5
    297 Ratings

    About

    The HeyCreator Show is for building your creator business. Each week, host Matt Ragland various guests talk through all stages of the creator journey, intentionally designing each conversation to meet you where you’re at along the way. We’re sharing lessons from over a decade of helping digital creators launch and scale courses, communities, and coaching services — along with building newsletters, YouTube channels, and podcasts to millions of subscribers and downloads for our clients. For more about our show, company, and community go to heycreator.com.

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