Creator Toolbox: Tools, Mindset and Workflows for Content Creators

This week, we're queuing up a chat about YouTube scripting tools, no-code app building, pro vs amateur mindsets, what we can learn from Jay Clouse, and a mindset for producing authentic content on a daily basis. Join us!

Is your creative mind bursting with ideas but struggling to turn them into consistent content? Discover how to organize your thoughts, streamline your workflow, and sustainably grow your creator business! Join Colin Gray, Jacob Anderson, and special guest Ian Anderson Gray as they dive deep into productivity systems, community building, and leveraging AI to supercharge your content creation process. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN: * How to use tools like Notion and the PARA method to organize your creative ideas * Strategies for consistent content creation from successful creators * The power of community in supporting your creator journey * Ways to leverage AI for enhanced productivity and learning * Tips for balancing creativity with organization TOOLS DISCUSSED: * Notion: For organizing tasks, projects, and information * The PARA method: A system for personal knowledge management * Time blocking and weekly planning techniques * ChatGPT and other AI tools for content creation and learning FEATURED CREATORS: * Tiago Forte: Known for his "Building a Second Brain" methodology * Mark Schaefer: Creator of the RISE community * Rob Walling: Host of the "Startups for the Rest of Us" podcast TRY THIS WORKFLOW: Implement a weekly planning session using time blocking: 1. Choose a consistent day and time each week for planning (e.g., Sunday evening or Monday morning) 2. Review your upcoming week and identify your top priorities 3. Use a tool like Google Calendar or Notion to block out time for specific types of work (e.g., content creation, admin tasks, community engagement) 4. Assign specific tasks to each time block, ensuring your most important work gets scheduled 5. Leave some flexibility for unexpected tasks or creative inspiration 6. At the end of each week, review your progress and adjust your system as needed RESOURCES: * Tiago Forte's Building a Second Brain [https://www.buildingasecondbrain.com/] * Mark Schaefer's RISE Community [https://businessesgrow.com/rise/] * Rob Walling's Startups for the Rest of Us Podcast [https://www.startupsfortherestofus.com/] * Notion [https://www.notion.so/] * The PARA Method explained [https://fortelabs.co/blog/para/] * Cal Newport's Deep Work [https://www.calnewport.com/books/deep-work/] If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe to the Creator Toolbox podcast for more insights on building your creator business. Check out The Podcast Host [https://www.thepodcasthost.com] for everything podcasting, and try Alitu [https://www.alitu.com] - our podcast maker app - with a 7-day free trial!

In this episode of Creator Toolbox, Colin and Jacob dive into three main topics: Colin's recent launch of the revamped Podcraft Academy 2.0, Jacob's insights on First Promoter's new features for affiliate marketing, and a deep dive into community platform options. Colin shares his experience running a week-long email campaign for the Academy launch, including his approach to writing daily emails with video content and managing customer responses. Jacob then explores First Promoter 2.0's improvements, particularly their new focus on discount codes for podcast/video creators and enhanced communication features. The episode wraps up with an extensive discussion about community platforms, comparing options like Circle, Discord, Slack, and others, before concluding with a conversation about the importance of content creators reviewing their own work. Key Takeaways * When launching a product via email, consider recording personal videos to include in each email - it helps break up the text and adds a human element to your communications * Modern affiliate marketing is shifting away from traditional links toward discount codes, especially for audio/video content creators where sharing links is impractical * When choosing a community platform, consider whether you need specialized features (like course hosting) or if you're better off using platforms where your audience already exists (like Discord) Resources Mentioned: * First Promoter (firstpromoter.com) * Circle (circle.so) * Teachable (teachable.com) * Podia (podia.com) * Mighty Networks (mightynetworks.com) * ConvertKit (convertkit.com) * Podcraft Academy (thepodcasthost.com/academy) * Alitu (alitu.com) Chapter List: [00:00] Introduction and catch-up [01:13] Discussing upcoming topics [02:15] Academy 2.0 launch experience and email campaign strategy [19:11] First Promoter 2.0 features and affiliate marketing trends [29:19] Community platform comparison and engagement strategies [41:21] Creator self-review practices and improvement techniques [48:27] Outro and promotional codes

Rob Lawrence joins us to share his unique perspective on podcasting for coaches, drawing from his experience as both a certified coach and professional podcast producer. In this value-packed episode, we explore everything from overcoming mental blocks to practical setup advice for coaches looking to expand their reach through podcasting. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: * Why podcasting works particularly well for coaches * How to start "scrappy" and improve over time * The real value of podcasting (hint: it's not just download numbers) * Practical tools and tech recommendations for beginners * When and how to work with a professional producer * Smart ways to think about video vs audio content KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR COACHES: * Start Simple, Think BigDon't let perfectionism hold you back * Focus on your message, not just the technical details * Consider starting with just your phone or laptop * Focus on Connection Over PerfectionPodcast audiences value authenticity * Your expertise matters more than production quality * Build genuine relationships through conversations * The Long Game WinsConsistency matters more than polish * Network effects compound over time * Your content becomes a valuable legacy 👉 Coach looking for a producer? Check out Rob's website: https://www.roblawrence.co/ 👉 Looking for a DIY option that makes it easy? Alitu is for you! https://alitu.com, use discount code CREATORTOOLBOX for 50% of your first month.

In this episode of The Creator Toolbox, we dive into a bunch of cool topics that every creator should be thinking about. First up, we talk about private podcasting and how it can be an awesome way to monetize your content and build a tight-knit community around your show. We then explore Ripple, a new tool designed by Brian Cassell, which combines private podcasting with community-building features—perfect for creators looking to offer exclusive content and interact more directly with their audience. Next, we tackle the topic of affiliate marketing—is it dead? We debate how affiliate marketing has changed, the rise of massive conglomerates dominating search results, and the shift from blogging to influencer and podcast-driven affiliate deals. Spoiler: it's not dead, but it's definitely evolved. Lastly, we chat about community engagement and why it's key to not only getting feedback on your episodes but also improving your show over time. With tools like Ripple, you can make that process seamless and fun! Key Takeaways: 1. Private podcasting is a great way to monetize your content and build a deeper connection with your core audience by offering exclusive content. 2. Community is key to engagement—letting your listeners interact with each other boosts loyalty and can help you improve your show with direct feedback. 3. Affiliate marketing isn’t dead, but it’s changed. Going niche and offering real value and education is now the best way to succeed with affiliate deals. 4. Leverage tools like Ripple to combine podcasting and community-building for both public and private podcasting—giving your listeners a place to engage. 5. Involve your audience in content creation—ask them what they want to hear, get their feedback, and let them feel ownership of your episodes. Resources: * Ripple – A tool combining private podcasting and community-building. Learn more: ripple.fm [https://www.ripple.fm/] * Bootstrap Web Podcast – Hosted by Brian Cassell and Jordan Gal, discussing building businesses and creating products. Check it out here [https://www.bootstrapweb.com/] * Indie Pod Community – Mentioned as an existing space for creators and podcasters to connect and discuss all things podcasting. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 00:52 - Mangoes and Thailand (Jacob’s adventures) 02:00 - Private podcasting and monetization options 05:00 - Ripple 10:00 - Building communities around podcasts: Public vs. private 15:00 - Should we use Ripple for our show? The debate begins 18:10 - Is affiliate marketing dead? The evolution of the industry 24:00 - The impact of big media conglomerates on affiliate marketing 29:00 - How creators can still win with affiliate deals 31:00 - Engaging superfans with private content and low-production podcasts 35:00 - Community-driven content creation: A secret to better episodes 40:00 - Final thoughts