The HeyCreator Show

🎙️ Conversations Into Cash: How to Get Paid to Think with Abbi Perets If you’ve ever caught yourself giving away high-value advice for free and wondered, “Shouldn’t I be charging for this?” —this episode is for you. Matt sits down with writer and strategist Abbi Perets, who helps creators, freelancers, and experts turn everyday conversations into income. They dive into: How to structure discovery calls that lead to real work Why giving too much away for free is killing your business The shift from deliverables to strategy-first offerings Setting clear boundaries with clients (and family) And yes—why your work should actually be fun Abbi also opens up about how parenting, burnout, and a life-altering family crisis reshaped her business philosophy—and what it really means to build a creative life on your terms. Whether you’re early in your freelance journey or ready to raise your rates and reclaim your time, this one’s packed with insight, warmth, and practical takeaways you’ll actually use. 👉 Learn more about Abbi at successfulfreelancemom.com What we talk about in this episode: 00:00 Introduction to Turning Conversations into Cash 01:34 Recognizing and Valuing Your Expertise 05:21 Structuring Effective Discovery Calls 07:26 Balancing Free Value and Paid Services13:08 The Importance of Fun in Business 19:36 Practical Tips for Discovery Calls 27:27 Navigating Conversations and Split Personalities 28:04 Setting Financial Goals and Client Boundaries 31:10 Structuring Profit Sharing Deals 36:28 Transitioning to a Strategy-Focused Role 43:07 Balancing Family and Work as a Freelancer 50:09 Final Thoughts and Where to Find More

Feeling overwhelmed by your creative business? What if you could ditch the chaos and build a calm, profitable, and sustainable system that actually works for you? In this episode, Matt sits down with Dr. Monica Rysavy —systems designer, Airtable genius, and founder of the Systematic AF Club—to unpack the powerful workflows used by 7-figure creators to track revenue, content, and engagement… all in one place. You’ll learn: What a CEO Dashboard is—and why every creator needs one How to stop guessing and start growing with clear, trackable metrics Smart ways to align client work, products, and community without burnout Real-world examples of systems that save time and scale impact Whether you’re flying solo or building a small team, this episode will help you think like a CEO and act with clarity. Let’s get systematic AF. Join her email list and community! https://systematicyou.com/ What we talk about in this episode 00:00 Introduction to Building a Sustainable Creator Business 01:04 Understanding the CEO Dashboard 01:50 Tracking Metrics and Revenue 03:08 Time Management and ROI 06:00 Using Airtable for Business Automation 09:39 Leveraging Community Engagement 13:38 Reflecting on Financial Data 19:59 Balancing Client Work and Creative Projects 24:33 Aligning Services and Membership Models 25:21 Pitching and Client Strategies 26:31 Community Engagement and Pricing 27:15 Tutorials and CEO Dashboard 31:41 AI in Productivity and Systems 37:43 Content Remixing and Consistency 43:32 Future Trends and Online Communities 44:59 Systematic AF Club Overview

Feeling creatively stuck, burned out, or caught between work that pays and work that lights you up? In this episode, Matt is joined by creator coach Hayden Flohr to unpack the stress loop killing your flow—and how to escape it. You’ll learn how to reclaim your energy, shift limiting beliefs, and build a business that actually feels good. Expect honest stories, powerful mindset shifts, and practical tools you can use today to get back to what really matters. What we talk about in this episode 00:00 Introduction: Overcoming Creative Burnout 01:13 The Role of Stress in Creativity 03:20 Practical Tips for Reducing Stress 08:16 The Importance of Being Presen t13:10 Identifying and Overcoming Limiting Beliefs 15:41 Balancing Passion and Profit 22:31 Listening to Your Body's Signals 25:37 Understanding Your Body's Responses 28:11 Generative Questions and Mindset Shifts 30:06 Embracing the Woo in Entrepreneurship 35:54 The Power of Letting Go 39:21 Clarifying Your Goals 44:52 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Everyone talks about passive income, but what if the fastest way to make real money isn’t launching a course or building a product? In this episode, I sit down with Nick Huber—entrepreneur, investor, and author of The Sweaty Startup —to explore why trading time for money might be the most underrated path to financial freedom. We talk service businesses, scalable skills, and how doing unsexy work can lead to life-changing results.

Sign up for our free 7 day "Creator Blueprint" email course: https://heycreator.com/newsletter/ I get it—my business looks chaotic from the outside. Three revenue streams, two audiences… it seems scattered. But there’s a strategy behind it. In this episode, I’m breaking down how I’m connecting content, clients, and community into a long-term creator flywheel—and why I wouldn’t recommend this approach if you're just starting out. I’ll share what’s working, what I’d do differently, and how I’m shifting from client-heavy work to a more sustainable, creator-led business. If you’re building your own thing and want to see how the pieces can fit together, this one’s for you. 00:00 Introduction: The Chaos Behind My Business 00:35 The Flywheel Strategy: Connecting Content, Community, and Clients 01:11 YouTube Channel: The Top of the Funnel 01:58 Hey Creator Community: Behind the Scenes Access 04:25 Client Work: Funding the Future 06:22 High Ticket Services: A Sustainable Revenue Model 09:13 Long-Term Vision: Building a Sustainable Business 10:36 Conclusion: How It All Fits Together

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!

Sign up for our free 7 day "Creator Blueprint" email course: https://heycreator.com/newsletter/ Why do so many creators get stuck—and more importantly, how do you break free? In this video, I share the biggest reason creators struggle to grow and the mindset shift that helped me move forward. If you’re feeling stuck in your creative journey, unsure of your next step, or debating a big transition, this is for you. I’ll walk through: ✅ The common trap that holds creators back ✅ How to make strategic decisions for long-term success ✅ Practical steps to regain momentum and start creating with confidence You’re not alone in this journey. Whether you’re pivoting your business, redefining your goals, or just looking for clarity, I hope this video helps you take that next big step. 00:00 Introduction: Embracing Big Changes 00:28 Quitting My Job and Early Challenges 01:11 Learning and Growth with Darrell Vesterfelt 02:46 Balancing Family and Career 03:36 Financial Lessons and Tax Troubles 04:23 Focusing on Creative Projects 06:43 Goals for 2025 and Beyond 09:00 Aspirations and Personal Growth 11:43 Conclusion: Join HeyCreator Be a part of a strong community of creators and get weekly live calls to help you level up!

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

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.

Get Jonathan's new book, The Obvious Choice at your favorite bookseller. 0:00 – Introduction 1:47 – Self-Publishing vs Traditional 3:19 – Finding Your Niche for Success 6:49 – The Power of a Back Catalog 11:25 – Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing 16:09 – The Content Hamster Wheel Myth 19:11 – Focus on Real-World Impact 23:15 – The Games of Influence vs. Business 42:25 – The Four-Step Content Creation Framework 53:05 – Thought Leadership vs. Influencership 1:01:11 – Final Thoughts & How to Connect with Jon

Sign up for our free 7 day "Creator Blueprint" email course! In today’s episode of The HeyCreator Show, Matt Ragland ( ⁠@mattragland⁠ ) and Tim Forkin ( ⁠ @timforkindotcom ⁠ ) make their annual 2025 predictions for the creator economy — including content trends, the importance of relationships, hard work, and, of course, AI. Connect with us: Join the HeyCreator Community Submit a question to Creator Advice

Sign up for our free 7 day "Creator Blueprint" email course! In today's special episode, we're running through the best HeyCreator moments & advice from 2024 — featuring incredible creators such as Justin Welsh, Amanda Goetz, Jay Clouse, Justin Moore, Gina Bianchini, Corey Wilks Psy.D., Cam Houser, Jason Levin, Cody & Cole Hock, Nat Eliason, Khe Hy, Tim Stoddart, Darrell Vesterfelt, Tim Grahl, Bryan Harris, Rachel Rodgers, Clifton Sellers, Alexis Teichmiller, and our very own Matt Ragland & Tim Forkin. Connect with us: Join the HeyCreator Community Submit a question to Creator Advice

Sign up for our free 7 day "Creator Blueprint" email course! Today, I talked to my friend Dan Shipper (Co-founder and CEO of Every ) about the future of creativity — specifically, how and why to use AI to get the most out of our creative work. This one's a bit deeper than a lot of surface-level AI conversations. We went in on how to use AI as a copilot on creative projects, what it teaches you about yourself as a creator, and the not-so-obvious possibilities coming in the future. Connect with us: Join the HeyCreator Community Submit a question to Creator Advice

Sign up for our free 7 day "Creator Blueprint" email course! The New Year is your chance to make a big impact — not just for your business, but for your audience. Your customers are motivated to start fresh, and you have the tools to help them succeed. I’ve seen how a clear, well-executed New Year promotion can transform lives and businesses. Last year, this exact strategy helped creators like you double their revenue while helping their audiences achieve their goals. Today, I’ll share a step-by-step plan you can implement immediately: how to position your product as the solution, build excitement, and execute a high-converting email campaign. Connect with us: Join the HeyCreator Community Submit a question to Creator Advice

Sign up for our free 7 day "Creator Blueprint" email course! In today’s episode of The HeyCreator Show, Matt Ragland ( ⁠@mattragland⁠ ) and Tim Forkin ( ⁠ @timforkindotcom ⁠ ) talk about content formats — specifically, why and how to choose the one kind of content you should focus on for the next few years, along with examples of creators succeeding with a signature format. Examples include Casey Neistat, Daniel Dalen, @bymaximise, Tyler Bruno, Seth Godin and more. Connect with us: Join the HeyCreator Community Submit a question to Creator Advice

In today’s episode of The HeyCreator Show, Matt Ragland ( ⁠@mattragland⁠ ) works with John Meese on finding his own 10X Promise framework — your one-sentence selling point to display the massive outcome you’ll get for your customers. John isn’t your typical modern creator — he has no social media, and sells his programs and books almost exclusively through email… so you might want to pay extra close attention to how he’s able to clearly demonstrate his value. Connect with us: Join the HeyCreator Community Submit a question to Creator Advice

Sign up for our free 7 day "Creator Blueprint" email course! In today’s episode of The HeyCreator Show, Matt Ragland ( ⁠@mattragland⁠ ) and Tim Forkin ( ⁠ @timforkindotcom ⁠ ) are joined by Clifton Sellers ( @LegacyBuilder__ ) to discuss how to grow on social media, finding your unique positioning, the value of content for founders, and much more. (0:00) — Intro (3:26) — Finding your unique positioning (8:24) — Everything is content (22:34) — How to write like a founder (33:43) — The move into YouTube Connect with us: Join the HeyCreator Community Submit a question to Creator Advice

Sign up for the People Magic Summit! Sign up for our free 7 day "Creator Blueprint" email course! In today’s episode of The HeyCreator Show, we’re running an audio-only version of Darrell Vesterfelt’s presentation at the HeyCreator Summit. Connect with us: Join the HeyCreator Community Submit a question to Creator Advice

Sign up for our free 7 day "Creator Blueprint" email course! In today’s episode of The HeyCreator Show, we’re running an audio-only version of Tim Grahl’s presentation at the HeyCreator Summit. Connect with us: Join the HeyCreator Community Submit a question to Creator Advice Use Automatic Evergreen to send profitable newsletters on autopilot

Sign up for our free 7 day "Creator Blueprint" email course! In today’s episode of The HeyCreator Show, we’re running an audio-only version of Tim Stoddart’s presentation at the HeyCreator Summit. Connect with us: Join the HeyCreator Community Submit a question to Creator Advice