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. 19 HR. AGO

    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
  2. 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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