Think Like a Creator

Unknown

The Business of Content. Focusing on the business side of the Creator Economy. Interviewing top creators about their processes, income streams, and mindset.

  1. How Zac Alsop Turned Absurdity Into a $5,000,000+ Business

    5d ago

    How Zac Alsop Turned Absurdity Into a $5,000,000+ Business

    Zac Alsop has built a career out of doing the absurd things most creators would never dare to attempt. From sneaking into places and pranking the fashion world to catching clouds, driving cars inside volcanoes and turning outrageous ideas into seriously watchable stories, he’s spent the last decade proving that if the concept is big enough, the audience will come with you. In this episode of Think Like a Creator, we go deep on how Zac turned chaos into a creative business. We unpack the viral rise of the Zach and Jay Show, the fake model video that changed everything, and how one wild upload took the channel from barely surviving to full-time creator status almost overnight. We also explore what he learned from the years that followed: why story has become the core of everything he makes, how he thinks about packaging, retention and audience fit, and why “100 bad ideas to find one good one” is basically his entire creative process. 00:00 Intro 01:02 The Power of the Absurd: Why Zac Does What He Does 03:28 The Viral Fashion Week Video That Changed Everything 09:10 From Broke to Full-Time: The Financial Reality of Going Viral 10:14 What Made the Fashion Week Video Work 21:30 YouTube's Golden Rules: Passion Over Formula 25:33 The Ideation Process: From 100 Bad Ideas to 1 Great One 38:43 The Zac and Jay Show: Building and Losing a Partnership 45:35 Going Back to YouTube School: The Comeback Strategy 49:28 Working with Paddy Galloway: The Two Lessons That Changed the Game 56:57 The Hill Climb Video: When Vulnerability Unlocks 8 Million Views 1:03:31 Monetization Masterclass: Brand Deals, Ad Rev, and Standing Out 1:07:50 The Six-Figure Brand Deal Zac Missed Because of an Email 1:10:17 What Thinking Like a Creator Really Means If you’re trying to turn a podcast into a genuine business, or you’re fascinated by how creator‑led media companies are built, this episode is a playbook on compounding, community and comedy at scale. Welcome to Think Like a Creator 🧠💭 Your guide to the creator universe. No flashy set. No gimmicks. No fluff. Just a show with one goal: be the bridge between the worlds of business and content. As the Manager of the Sidemen, I've been navigating these worlds longer than most. No matter which side you come from, it can be confusing. So I'm here to help. I want businesses to think more like creators and creators to think more like businesses. Whether you're a YouTube nerd or you've never even heard the term 'Creator Economy' - I've got you covered.

    1h 12m

  2. Jun 5

    The Business Behind Cole Anderson's $1,000,000+ Comedy Empire

    How do you go from a call centre job earning £21k a year to a full-time creator with millions of followers and a face most people now recognise off the telly? Most people know Cole Anderson-James from the viral TikToks, the characters, and the comedy that's racked up millions of views. Few know the years of grind, the risk it took to walk away from a steady wage, and the strategy behind turning short-form fame into a real, lasting career across TV and YouTube. This episode of Think Like a Creator is brought to you by Uscreen, the all-in-one platform creators use to build, launch, and grow their video membership business. Start now and get your 1st month for only $1, https://uscreen.link/tlac In this episode of Think Like a Creator, Seb sits down with Cole to break down the full journey: cracking TikTok, learning what "good" actually looks like, and the moment he decided to bet on himself and go full-time. We get into linking up with Jack Joseph, the reality of working with brands and agencies, and what the landscape looks like for creators now. We also cover the celebrity side of it all, from meeting KSI and working with Ricky Gervais, to Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins and stepping onto big TV. Then there's the pivot to YouTube, going from short form to long form, dealing with hate and backlash, the Chris Eubank videos, and where Cole wants to take it all next. If you care about content creators, sports media, the creator economy, or what it actually takes to build a modern entertainment career online, this isn't one to miss. Welcome to Think Like a Creator 🧠💭 Your guide to the creator universe. No flashy set. No gimmicks. No fluff. Just a show with one goal: be the bridge between the worlds of business and content. As the Manager of the Sidemen, I've been navigating these worlds longer than most. No matter which side you come from, it can be confusing. So I'm here to help. I want businesses to think more like creators and creators to think more like businesses. Whether you're a YouTube nerd or you've never even heard the term 'Creator Economy' - I've got you covered.

    1h 27m

  3. May 15

    Meet the CEO Building a $1,000,000 YouTube Golf Empire

    How do you turn YouTube golf from a few lads filming videos into a full-scale media operation? Most people know Big Wedge for the viral challenges, chaotic collabs, and some of the biggest personalities in golf content. Few know the level of planning, logistics, and strategy it takes behind the scenes to keep the whole thing moving. This episode of Think Like a Creator is brought to you by Uscreen, the all-in-one platform creators use to build, launch, and grow their video membership business. Start now and get your 1st month for only $1, https://uscreen.link/tlac In this episode of Think Like a Creator, Seb breaks down what it really takes to run one of the fastest-growing brands in YouTube golf. From hiring out entire golf courses and managing large-scale productions, to balancing personalities, content schedules, and the pressure of keeping momentum in such a competitive space. We also get into Seb’s involvement with Hashtag United and their rise from Sunday League roots, to competing against clubs with million-pound budgets. If you care about YouTube golf, creator-led businesses, sports media, or what it actually takes to build a modern entertainment brand online, this isn't one to miss. Welcome to Think Like a Creator 🧠💭 Your guide to the creator universe. No flashy set. No gimmicks. No fluff. Just a show with one goal: be the bridge between the worlds of business and content. As the Manager of the Sidemen, I've been navigating these worlds longer than most. No matter which side you come from, it can be confusing. So I'm here to help. I want businesses to think more like creators and creators to think more like businesses. Whether you're a YouTube nerd or you've never even heard the term 'Creator Economy' - I've got you covered.

    1h 26m

  4. Apr 30

    Why There Will NEVER Be Another Top Gear

    Did Izzy Hammond inherit the petrol gene, or did she have to discover it for herself? Growing up as Richard Hammond's daughter meant sharing him with millions of Top Gear fans, sitting on the stairs waiting for him to come home, and navigating paparazzi in the hedges after his 2006 crash. But it also meant watching one of the most successful automotive media operations ever built, and learning what it takes to turn passion into a career at the highest level. This episode of Think Like a Creator is brought to you by Uscreen, the all-in-one platform creators use to build, launch, and grow their video membership business. Start now and get your 1st month for only $1, https://uscreen.link/tlac In this episode of Think Like a Creator, Izzy breaks down her journey from someone who deliberately avoided cars (because they were too close to her dad) to becoming a key voice in the modern motorsport content world. We dig into her work with Drive Tribe, her role at Quadrant, Lando Norris's creator-led motorsport brand, and how F1 has become one of the last true monoculture moments left in a hyper-personalised internet. If you care about motorsport, creator businesses, legacy media, or just want to hear someone talk honestly about building a career in the shadow of a legend, this is essential viewing. Welcome to Think Like a Creator 🧠💭 Your guide to the creator universe. No flashy set. No gimmicks. No fluff. Just a show with one goal: be the bridge between the worlds of business and content. As the Manager of the Sidemen, I've been navigating these worlds longer than most. No matter which side you come from, it can be confusing. So I'm here to help. I want businesses to think more like creators and creators to think more like businesses. Whether you're a YouTube nerd or you've never even heard the term 'Creator Economy' - I've got you covered. Chapters 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:39 Crashing a Multi Million Dollar Race Car 00:09:38 Growing Up Hammond: Life as Richard Hammond's Daughter 00:35:37 A Six-Year-Old's Perspective of Fame 00:47:14 Why There Will NEVER Be Another Top Gear 00:16:02 Drive Tribe and The Challenge of Moving On 00:57:01 Lando Norris' Quadrant 00:54:35 The Monoculture is Dead 00:48:40 Motorsport is for Everyone 01:12:00 Burnout, Balance, and Building Something of Your Own

    1h 45m
  5. How a TikTok Podcast Built a $10,000,000+ Empire

    Mar 31

    How a TikTok Podcast Built a $10,000,000+ Empire

    James and Fuhad (ShxtsNGigs) went from two mates chatting in a Manchester flat to running one of the most dialled‑in comedy media machines on the internet. Their clips dominate feeds, their Patreon sits near the very top of the platform, and they’ve turned a lockdown podcast into a multi‑show, multi‑revenue‑stream operation with a full‑time team behind it. In this episode of Think Like a Creator, we unpack how they actually built it. We dig into the early days of slow, compounding growth, the moment TikTok became a real engine instead of a lottery ticket, and the strategy behind turning short‑form virality into long‑form loyalty. You’ll hear how they thought about format, frequency and “being the messenger” rather than the main character so that complete strangers would give two unknown guys a chance. We also break down their membership play: why they launched paid content early, how they structured pricing and perks, and what it took to turn the first 100 paying fans into the foundation of a serious subscription business. From extra weekly episodes through to fully original premium shows, they’ve layered value in a way that feels less like “support us” and more like “this is unmissable if you’re a fan.” Behind the jokes is a real company: editors, producers, social and thumbnail specialists, management, touring, merch and brand deals that actually fit the audience. We talk about the pressure of having a team’s salaries tied to your output, how they protect the friendship at the heart of the show, and the systems that let them publish at high volume without burning out. If you’re trying to turn a podcast into a genuine business, or you’re fascinated by how creator‑led media companies are built, this episode is a playbook on compounding, community and comedy at scale. Welcome to Think Like a Creator 🧠💭 Your guide to the creator universe. No flashy set. No gimmicks. No fluff. Just a show with one goal: be the bridge between the worlds of business and content. As the Manager of the Sidemen, I've been navigating these worlds longer than most. No matter which side you come from, it can be confusing. So I'm here to help. I want businesses to think more like creators and creators to think more like businesses. Whether you're a YouTube nerd or you've never even heard the term 'Creator Economy' - I've got you covered.

    1h 8m

  6. Mar 14

    I spent $25,000,000 of The Sidemen's Own Money

    Did Jamie Elliott crack the code for creator-led venture capital? After years as a founder and angel investor, Jamie Elliott teamed up with the Sidemen to launch Upside, a $30M fund where creators don't just promote brands, they own equity and supercharge startups with real distribution. In this episode, he breaks down the "power law" (Only 1 in 10 investments drive all returns), why pre-seed/seed is perfect for testing, and how Sidemen inventory turns eyeballs into 100K+ users overnight - like the Mile promo that delivered $100M in lifetime value Jamie reveals what makes a killer founder (grit, psychology, strained family ties?), red flags (easy equity giveaways), and why distribution beats product in an AI world full of "slap apps". We unpack real portfolio picks (Mile, Global Comics, brain-computer interfaces), the loneliness of decision-making, and why Vik/Josh keep him grounded on what fans actually want We also cover trust risks, competing funds (Anti Fund, Mantis), and Upside's edge: authenticity you can't copy. If you're a creator eyeing investments, a founder chasing growth, or just obsessed with the creator economy, this is your blueprint for attention as the ultimate capital Welcome to Think Like a Creator 🧠💭 Your guide to the creator universe. No flashy set. No gimmicks. No fluff. Just a show with one goal: be the bridge between the worlds of business and content. As the Manager of the Sidemen, I've been navigating these worlds longer than most. No matter which side you come from, it can be confusing. So I'm here to help. I want businesses to think more like creators and creators to think more like businesses. Whether you're a YouTube nerd or you've never even heard the term 'Creator Economy' - I've got you covered.

    1h 17m

  7. Feb 21

    [DELETED ON YOUTUBE] The biggest food reviewer you never heard of

    Did Jono accidentally crack the blueprint for turning internet clout into real-world empire? After years behind the scenes helping LADbible and global brands go viral, Jono Yates built OnlyScrans into one of the UK’s most engaged food channels – then used that attention to launch YRDS, a sports-focused creative agency, and GOAT, a packed sports bar in his hometown of Nantwich. In this episode, we break down how he went from “burning toast and sticking pasta to the bottom of the pan” to running a multi-revenue business built on IP, community and clever positioning. Jono explains why he “hates food creators” (even as one himself), the perverse incentives behind negative reviews, and how chase-the-algorithm content is quietly damaging hospitality at the exact moment the sector needs help the most. We unpack his philosophy on integrity, trust and long-term audience building in a world where “honest review” doesn’t always mean what it says on the sign. We then get into GOAT: why he always wanted his own place, what it’s really like to open a sports bar in a bruised hospitality market, and how he’s using creator-first thinking (social leverage, brand, community) to drive footfall from across the UK and beyond. From capacity and costs to margins and menu, he shares the real numbers mindset behind turning over six figures in the first few months – and why seeing people in the room hits different to seeing views on a screen. We also talk sobriety, running a bar while not drinking, and why GOAT’s non-alcoholic range matters just as much as the pints. And finally, we dig into YRDS: how he’s channelling everything he learned at LADbible, Red Bull and OnlyScrans into a sports marketing agency built for talent, brands and rights holders who actually want to win online and offline. 00:00 - Intro 1:21 - Soy Sauce - What’s Soy Sauce? 3:25 - Building a Community Through Relatability 6:01 - The Journey to 500k - LadBible learnings 11:00 - When He Finally Cracked The Formula 19:45 - Transitioning The Formula to Long Form 25:18 - Where Does the Money Come From? You Can’t Do Everything 35:40 - Why Football Football? How does it Link With The Food? 41:50 - The State of The Hospitality Sector - Why Did You Choose To Open a Bar Now? 45:49 - What Is GOAT? - How Successful Is It? 58:18 - Who Would You Love To Work With? !:00:00 - The Process Of Starting YRDS 1:05:00 - Are Food Creators Good For The Industry? 1:10:50 - What Makes The money - $$ CPM 1:19:00 - The Three-Year Plan If you care about food, sport, hospitality, or the creator economy, this is a masterclass in turning views into venues and using content to build assets that live beyond the feed. Welcome to Think Like a Creator 🧠💭 Your guide to the creator universe. No flashy set. No gimmicks. No fluff. Just a show with one goal: be the bridge between the worlds of business and content. As the Manager of the Sidemen, I've been navigating these worlds longer than most. No matter which side you come from, it can be confusing. So I'm here to help. I want businesses to think more like creators and creators to think more like businesses. Whether you're a YouTube nerd or you've never even heard the term 'Creator Economy' - I've got you covered.

    1h 23m

  8. Feb 12

    He Built a 7-Figure Empire, And Sold It

    Did The Fellas sell out? After 15 years of making content, Calfreezy built Fella Studios into one of the most successful podcast production companies in the UK, creating shows like The Fellas, Saving Grace, Pitch Side, and more. And he is now taking it to a new level since its acquisition by Global. ​ In this episode, Freezy breaks down what the Global deal actually means for the industry, why “creator-first” revenue splits matter, how premium video podcasts are engineered for vertical, and what it really costs to run shows at scale. ​ Freezy explains the operating system behind building a slate, keeping creators happy, and making the business work long-term. ​ We also go deep on the economics creators often miss (true costs, margin, volume, the “big video treadmill”), plus why he pivoted his personal YouTube channel into food, and what that taught him about sustainability. ​ If you’re building in podcasting, YouTube, or the creator economy, this is a blueprint for how modern “shows” get built, packaged, and scaled. Welcome to Think Like a Creator 🧠💭 Your guide to the creator universe. No flashy set. No gimmicks. No fluff. Just a show with one goal: be the bridge between the worlds of business and content. As the Manager of the Sidemen, I've been navigating these worlds longer than most. No matter which side you come from, it can be confusing. So I'm here to help. I want businesses to think more like creators and creators to think more like businesses. Whether you're a YouTube nerd or you've never even heard the term 'Creator Economy' - I've got you covered. Right here. Every Thursday.

    1h 29m
See All (13)

About

The Business of Content. Focusing on the business side of the Creator Economy. Interviewing top creators about their processes, income streams, and mindset.

Information

  • Creator
    Unknown
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Explicit

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