The Creator COO

In our final episode of the Creator COO podcast, this week, Matt sits down with Ben Burns, COO of The Future, an educational platform dedicated to empowering creative professionals worldwide. Ben shares insights into The Future's transformative journey from content creation to a comprehensive educational entity, the introduction of innovative tools like 'DoBot' for AI-powered coaching, and the evolution of their team to support the company's growth.  In this episode, we explore the intersection of creativity, education, and technology with Ben Burns. The Futur, at its core, strives to help individuals make a living doing what they love, aiming to reach a billion people. Ben details the strategic shift from a personality-driven brand to a broader educational platform, the challenges of marketing, and the importance of adapting and evolving in the ever-changing creator economy. Dive into the details of building a successful platform that balances educational content, community engagement, and innovative technology to create a sustainable business model that not only generates revenue but also significantly impacts its users' lives. Jump into the Conversation: 13:32 - The mission and vision behind The Futur 15:21 - The evolution of The Futur from content to commerce 18:36 - Building the team to support The Futur's growth 22:06 - Shift towards genuine content creation 25:58 - Changes in The Futur's team over the years 29:07 - Integrating AI into coaching with 'DoBot' 33:57 - Ben's role in realizing Chris Do’s vision 36:45 - Transitioning to a publishing model and expanding the brand beyond Chris Do 49:30 - Launching the Accelerator Membership for deeper engagement Continue the conversation with these resources: Check out The Futur Connect with Ben Burns on LinkedIn and Twitter

This week, Matt engages in a deep dive with Zach Miller, delving into the intricacies of navigating the creator economy and scaling a content-driven business like Bucket Squad. Zach, with his rich background spanning from McKinsey to Spotify, and now pivotal in steering Bucket Squad's growth trajectory, shares invaluable insights into the strategic thinking, operational challenges, and the evolving landscape of content creation and distribution. In this episode, we unravel the dynamics of content creation businesses, exploring the balance between organic growth and strategic mergers & acquisitions, the nuances of diversifying talent and content to ensure sustainable growth, and the critical importance of aligning new ventures with core audience interests and creator passions. Join us as we dissect the operational complexities of scaling in the creator economy, the strategic considerations in expanding business models beyond traditional content creation, and the profound potential of creators in shaping the future of media and entertainment. Jump into the Conversation: 3:24 - Organic Growth vs. M&A in expanding the business 8:07 - Exploring opportunities beyond podcasting for Bucket Squad 13:15 - Strategies for diversifying talent and content 19:02 - The challenge of operational scaling and strategic planning 24:36 - Financial models and business strategies for growth 30:41 - Dynamics of the creator economy and its impact on media 35:59 - The critical role of belief in driving success and strategic bets 41:33 - Operational and strategic nuances in creator-led businesses 47:25 - Reflecting on the potential of creators to build monumental businesses 52:48 - Zach's personal insights on transitioning from consulting to the creator economy Continue the conversation with these resources: Connect with Zach Miller on LinkedInExplore Jesser and Bucket Squad’s content and products

This week Matt is joined by Natalie Barbu, a content creator, podcast host, CEO and founder of Rella a SaaS business created to be the ultimate project management assistant for creators. She has built a following of over 380,000 on her personal channels, raised an impressive $1M in pre-seed from top investors, and grown revenue by 35% month over month since launching the business.  In this inspiring episode, we dive deep into the world of content creation, entrepreneurship, and the ever-evolving creator economy with Natalie Barbu, content creator, podcast host, and CEO of Rella. Rella is a pioneering software business crafted to serve as the ultimate project management assistant for creators, addressing the glaring need for a more integrated and efficient approach to managing the multifaceted demands of content creation. Join us as Natalie shares her personal journey from starting on YouTube over a decade ago to identifying a gap in the market and taking the bold leap to fill it with Rella. We explore the challenges and triumphs of building a software business in the creator economy, the importance of aligning team dynamics with the creative vision, and Natalie's insights into the future of content and business. Jump into the Conversation: 02:15 - Natalie’s evolution from content creator to CEO of Rella 05:40 - The unique challenges faced in establishing a software business  09:25 - Building a supportive team, emphasizing the need for alignment and a positive work culture 13:50 - The critical role of content in business today 18:00 - Early days on YouTube and seeing a gap in the market  22:45 - Potential opportunities for businesses catering to creators, and the future of creator-led ventures 27:10 - Advice for creators considering entrepreneurship and getting feedback 31:55 - Rella's ambitions and comments on the creator economy  Continue the conversation with these resources: Check out Rella Follow Natalie on Instagram and YouTube Listen to the Real Reel podcast

You hired a new member of your small-but-mighty team. But it’s a few months in and something feels…off. How do you know if it’s time to part ways, or if it’s a coachable situation? It all starts with your organization’s values.  In part two of our conversation, Gretchen Leslie, President of I Will Teach You to Be Rich, who successfully leads a multimillion-dollar company with just nine people, shares her secrets to hiring individuals that perfectly reflect her company's core values.  We dive deep into Gretchen's values-based interview process, her tips for treating candidates well to set the right organizational tone, and the importance of clarity in defining roles. She explains how to set new hires up for success with precise plans for their first 90 days.  Gretchen also emphasizes the importance of feedback within business partnerships. She shares why meditation is crucial for processing feedback and explains how to respond to criticism without losing your cool. Here are the key takeaways from our conversation with Gretchen: Hire for Values: The secret to massive growth with a lean team is hiring individuals aligned with your core values. Gretchen shares how she embeds her values into every part of her company, starting at the interview stage. This approach ensures that you bring on team members who are not just skilled but also passionate advocates of your brand ethos. Foster Growth Through Feedback and Reflection: Gretchen shares her tactics for integrating constructive feedback and self-awareness into your growth strategy. She explains the importance of giving and receiving feedback that respects the creative process and the emotional context of the individuals involved. She discusses her 1-10 feedback scale to gain more nuanced insights and her meditation tips for processing feedback without losing your cool. Forge a Clear Path for New Hires’ Success: Gretchen explains how to set new employees up for success in their first 90 days. She shares about identifying specific markers to hit at 30, 60, and 90-day intervals. Implementing a structured onboarding process empowers new team members with clarity and direction, allowing them to contribute to your business quickly and effectively. Leslie shares how this approach has enabled her nine-person team to surge to multimillion-dollar growth. Jump into the Conversation: [02:09] Connecting organizational values and actions [09:40] Starting the hiring process with specific role objectives and clear success metrics [15:29] Assessing candidates’ fit with test projects [21:43] The importance of frequent, informal feedback [30:16] Responding to feedback without losing your cool [44:00] Gretchen’s recommendations for finding a stellar operational partner Continue the conversation with these resources: Follow Gretchen Leslie on LinkedIn Read Traction and Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman Reach out to EOS Worldwide for integrator recommendations

There’s a danger every creator faces in scaling their business: doing it too fast.  Today’s guest has the ultimate experience in scaling in revenue, but keeping her team lean and profitable. Gretchen Leslie, President of I Will Teach You to Be Rich, is reinventing the way small and mid-sized companies think about growth. In this episode, Gretchen shares her secrets to running a lean, mean multimillion-dollar team with just nine people. She shares how creator businesses can scale even in the face of financial constraints. She explains when to hire full-time vs. when to lean into fractional hiring, and the benefits of leveraging off-the-shelf SaaS tools instead of reinventing the wheel. Gretchen also opens up about her personal style and her journey from corporate roles to the thriving creator economy. She offers practical advice to optimize the integrator-visionary relationship, encourage open communication, and diagnose business problems. Show Notes: Here are the key takeaways from our conversation with Gretchen: Embrace Strategic Leadership Over Daily Operations: Gretchen advocates for removing barriers so your talented team can excel. She offers a roadmap for creators to rise from day-to-day nitty-gritty to providing visionary guidance. Her consultative role at Wolf and Company demonstrates the power of diagnosis before action—crucial for creators looking to evolve from being practitioners to strategic leaders. She encourages Creator COOs to shift their mindsets from micro-management to macro leadership, cultivating an environment where both creativity and structure thrive. Leverage Fractional Talent & SaaS Solutions for Growth: Gretchen shares advice for scaling your business even with financial constraints. She explains the pivotal role fractional COOs can play in diagnosing business needs and spearheading strategic hiring, allowing creators to focus on their vision and creative output. She also recommends leveraging SaaS solutions to avoid reinventing the wheel. She shares practical tips for growing your business in a sustainable way while prioritizing profitability, and finding support through networking and trusted industry recommendations. Pinpoint Your Needs with Jobs to Be Done: Gretchen introduces the Jobs to Be Done framework, a technique for pinpointing your business’s operational needs. This approach encourages you to think beyond job titles and focus on the specific tasks and outcomes that your business requires. By categorizing operations based on what 'job' needs to be accomplished, you'll be able to identify the skills and support your organization truly needs. Jump into the Conversation: [02:00] Gretchen’s experience in the creator economy [10:25] Leveraging existing resources vs. building your own [17:15] Using the jobs-to-be-done framework to determine when to hire an integrator [26:39] Fostering integrator-visionary relationships [30:30] Saying “yes” to visionary ideas [39:18] Diagnosing culture problems in companies Continue the conversation with these resources: Follow Gretchen Leslie on LinkedIn Read Traction and Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman Reach out to EOS Worldwide for integrator recommendations

There’s a secret to hiring and retaining the best talent in the creator space…and it’s probably not what you’d expect!  In this conversation, Vouch’s Marty Pesis, discusses the art of building and nurturing a pipeline of talent worth hiring–well before you’re ready to open that job posting. His secret ingredient? Employer branding. He shares his tips for making sure you’re selling your team and its culture just as much as selling your creator. And for Marty, hiring is a science just as much as an art. He outlines his methodology that will help you stay ahead of the hiring game, even in this competitive market.  Key Takeaways: Embrace a Passion-First Approach in Hiring: Marty makes a case for hiring individuals who not only possess the necessary skills for the job but are also deeply passionate about your brand. He shares insights on how harnessing the enthusiasm and dedication of such talent pays off in the long run. Hard skills are important, but in the early days of a creator business, passion is even more crucial. Develop a Structured Yet Tailored Hiring Methodology: Marty outlines four steps for effectively finding and hiring top talent: promoting the job, screening applicants, conducting paid sample projects, and initiating a trial phase. This approach allows qualified candidates to showcase their skills and experience a day (or week) in the life of the role they’re exploring. Teams can tailor this approach to their specific needs, ensuring they assess the most important skills as well as cultural fit. Focus on Employer Branding to Attract and Retain Top Talent: Marty emphasizes the significance of a strong employer brand in attracting top talent. He shares practical steps creator businesses can take to enhance their employer branding, such as maintaining transparency in the recruitment process, managing the candidate rejection experience with care, and concertedly building a positive culture. Jump into the Conversation: [03:23] Marty’s journey into the creator economy [13:38] Solving the talent access bottleneck [23:01] The importance of employer branding in attracting top talent [32:50] Leveling up the recruiting experience with a four-step funnel [44:23] Rejecting candidates with empathy [53:27] The people management responsibilities of a Creator COO [01:02:57] Compensating Creator COOs competitively  [01:07:10] Marty’s top pieces of advices for winning top talent [01:11:29] The best time to bring in a Creator COO Continue the conversation with these resources:Follow Marty Pesis on LinkedIn

Most creators are missing basic financial literacy that could ruin their business. Eric Wei is making it his mission to fill that gap. Today's conversation with Eric, Co-Founder of Karat Financial, the black card for content creators is a glimpse into how he’s doing just that. Eric and his team have raised over $30 million from Union Square Ventures and Y Combinator, as well as from top creators such as Graham Stephan, Nas Daily, and Josh Richards.  In this episode, Eric explains the unique financial literacy challenges faced by creators and the need for business financial education. We discuss navigating co-founder dynamics, scaling creator businesses, and the importance of financial management and operational partnerships in the creator economy. Ready to learn? Let’s dive in. Here are the key takeaways from our conversation with Eric: Embrace the Power of Delegation and Trust As a creator, scaling your brand means acknowledging that you can't handle every aspect of your business alone. Eric Wei dives deep into why finding a trusted COO can be a game-changer. By learning to delegate, you can focus on what you do best—creating content—while an operational partner manages the growth challenges. Eric shares real-life examples of successful partnerships and gives advice on aligning business expectations and establishing trust. Financial Literacy is Key to Business Longevity Don't let your passion for content creation overshadow the importance of financial management. Eric shares crucial financial literacy tips for creators and Creator COOs, such as budgeting for uneven cash flows and the pros of transitioning from a sole proprietorship to an LLC or S corp. Eric provides insights into tax benefits, protecting personal assets, and wise investment strategies to secure your business's future. He warns against avoiding common pitfalls and explains how to set up a sturdy financial infrastructure for your creative enterprise. Diversify Your Revenue Streams for Stability Relying solely on ad revenue or unpredictable brand deals can make your creator business financially vulnerable. Eric highlights the benefits of diversifying your revenue with memberships, products, and deeper audience engagement strategies. He explains both the challenges and opportunities in creating consistent, loyal fan bases, particularly for short-form content creators looking to branch into long-form material. By adopting the right revenue model, creators can ensure a more stable and sustainable income, freeing them from the 'hamster wheel' of chasing brand deals. Jump into the Conversation: [02:32] Why financial literacy is a challenge for creators [07:46] Finding and fostering a relationship with the right co-founder [24:39] Different paths to finding an operational partner [29:23] The importance of back office finance for creators [43:41] Structuring a business with multiple product lines [51:24] Compensating employees with equity [01:01:13] Building membership programs [01:09:24] Cultivating talent for Creator COO roles [01:11:20] Finding the right operating partner Continue the conversation with these resources: Follow Eric Wei on LinkedIn

The key to making a multi-million dollar business out of a creator? Strategic hiring.  In this conversation, Alex Dwek, COO of Nas Company, dives into diversifying a creator's business to ensure growth without relying entirely on the personal brand of the creator.  He discusses the transition from relying solely on a creator's personality towards building a self-sustaining brand that resonates with the audience's values. He shares how he navigated this challenge at Nas Daily by moving from a focus on ad revenue to creating educational courses that embody the essence of the brand.  Alex also shares insights into the financial side of creator businesses. He discusses his experience raising $23 million, shares funding options for creator businesses, and explores compensation plans that attract top talent in a competitive market. Show Notes: Here are the key takeaways from our conversation with Alex: Realities of VC Funding in the Creator Economy:While venture capital can fuel explosive growth, creators and COOs need to understand the implications of taking VC money. Alex demystifies the process of raising $23 million, emphasizing the importance of good business fundamentals and profitability. He explains various funding avenues, such as bootstrapping, crowdfunding, and VC investment. He also advises careful consideration of the consequences each path may present on creative control and decision-making. The Secret to Finding the Right Creator COO:Alex shares strategic hiring practices and the importance of matching business needs with a candidate’s skills. He explains how avoiding immediate COO titles can benefit your company and the significance of finding individuals who are not just skilled but are a cultural fit. Creators and COOs will learn the subtle art of interviewing, the weight of social proof in attracting top talent, and how transparency in financials can influence hiring. Cultivate Transparency and Long-Term Strategic Vision:Transparency and strategic long-term planning are recurrent themes in Alex's experience. He shares how to build a sustainable creator business that's focused on long-term growth rather than immediate returns. He encourages creators and Creator COOs to transparently share financials, embrace equity plans or profit-sharing, and understand the operational work needed to build a brand that stands the test of time.  Jump into the Conversation: [01:08] How content creation is shifting control from institutions to individuals [08:30] Building a business that reaches beyond the creator’s personality [12:25] How Creator COOs can effectively enter a creator’s business [25:17] The biggest mistake creators make in hiring Creator COOs [33:51] Attracting Creator COOs in a competitive market [41:00] Compensation plans for creator businesses [51:06] Building a durable business with software products and services [01:01:33] Why VCs evaluate founder-market fit [01:11:58] Alternatives to VC funding for creator businesses Continue the conversation with these resources: Follow Alex Dwek on LinkedIn and X Read The Go Giver, a book about unexpected returns on generosity Check out Nathan Barry’s blog post about ConvertKit’s profit-sharing plan Read about Basecamp’s approach to compensation in this post

As power shifts from institutions to individuals, creators have a unique opportunity to build enterprise empires in their niches. To make this happen, creators often need the help of outside investors, including venture capital firms (VCs).  In this episode, Megan Lightcap, Principal at Slow Ventures, walks us through the thought process of VC investors, explaining the unique dynamics of funding creator businesses. She shares why VC investment firms are strategically investing in creator businesses. She also delves into the strategies, insights, and considerations that VCs have when evaluating and investing in the ever-evolving creator economy. Megan highlights the untapped possibilities for creators to identify and capitalize on white space opportunities. She shares how creators can leverage their loyal followings and insider knowledge to make substantial industry impacts with the help of VC investors. Show Notes: Here are the key takeaways from our conversation with Megan: Maximize Your Unique Industry Position:Megan spotlights the inherent advantages creators have in areas such as consumer product goods (CPGs). By having early retail distribution and avoiding the initial hurdles of brand awareness, creators can uniquely position themselves in the market. Megan emphasizes the significance of authentic audience engagement over merely securing endorsement deals. Creators have the unique ability to identify white space opportunities and pivot toward industries where they can leverage their embedded distribution and industry knowledge. Capitalize on Your Community: Megan discusses the power of creators to transform their loyal followings into thriving enterprises. By leveraging personal brands, creators have the unique opportunity to bypass traditional hurdles in pathways such as retail distribution. Megan shares how VC funding frees creators to strategically invest time and resources into their personal brand, enabling them to step back from day-to-day content creation without sacrificing their business's growth. Structure for Flexibility and Growth with the Top Co Model: Megan advocates for investing in top cos as a strategic way for creators to access funding while retaining flexibility. This approach, which involves creating a top holding company with various underlying projects, provides the benefit of separating the creative aspects from the business opportunities. Megan shares how creators and COOs interested in VC funding can position themselves for investment in a way that still allows for experimentation and growth. Jump into the Conversation: [05:12] Why equity can be a better fit for creator businesses than debt [12:07] When and why creators should raise capital [14:43] The role of Creator COOs in raising capital [16:44] Mitigating the risk of the creator lifecycle [28:44] Evaluating creators to invest in [30:17] The impact of cult-like followings [41:42] Helping creators navigate long-term planning [44:30] Underwriting creator businesses [49:14] Why VCs invest in creator top cos [55:24] Maintaining lifestyle business versus building a bigger enterprise Continue the conversation with these resources: Follow Megan Lightcap on LinkedIn and X

Are celebs missing out on the growth of the creator economy?  Direct-to-consumer (D2C) and owned media are the next great frontiers for A-list stars who want to maximize their media presence…and earnings.  The challenge they face? Finding the right team to make it happen. In this conversation, Andrew Graham, an agent with CAA's digital media team, explores the dynamic world of direct-to-consumer strategies and the rising influence of owned media. Drawing from experiences with celebrities like Zac Efron and Tim McGraw, we discuss the importance of building the right team to support new ventures.  Andrew also shares his knowledge on packaging and monetization of original intellectual property (IP) and projects. Forging strategic brand partnerships with global advertisers, and bridging the gap between traditional entertainment and modern creators. He also explains how talent is reshaping the roles of managers and agents and turning digital ecosystems into powerful agencies Here are the key takeaways from our conversation with Andrew: Build the Right Team:Andrew shares a critical piece of advice for creators and celebrities alike: you're not alone in this journey. So assemble a team with specialized knowledge. Andrew suggests you start with a manager who can help guide your growth. Then you can scale to partner with experts or bring that expertise in-house. This lets you focus on the good stuff: creating the content your audience wants. And let the experts handle the operations Leverage Your Personal Brand for Long-Term Success:To see success align your core business, like film, TV, or music, with your personal brand strategy. This episode highlights real examples of this, with celebrities like Tim McGraw, who’ve managed to build media brands around their personalities. Andrew also encourages creators to foster deep relationships with their audience, which has become increasingly important in a post-pandemic world. Embrace the Role of Talent Agencies in Your Career:Talent agencies are changing, moving towards equity participation and creating long-term, high-value content. He urges creators and celebrities to align with an agency that understands both their vision and the new standards and practices around tech and content creation. He emphasizes the need for a clear strategy when partnering with an agency to maximize all potential revenue streams.  Jump into the Conversation: [05:08] Transitioning A-list celebrities into social media influencers [11:11] Embracing the ‘talent as a publisher’ approach [15:09] Recent trends in management companies  [17:17] Navigating the spectrum of celebrity involvement in business ventures [20:59] Maximizing long-term value by building the right team [25:54] Case study in celebrity-owned media: Down Home, Tim McGraw’s media company [32:38] Embracing direct-to-consumer ventures [35:17] The future of talent agency and talent management  [38:21] Mitigating the risk of AI to talent and creators [41:26] Advice for choosing an agency partner    Continue the conversation with these resources: Follow Andrew Graham on LinkedIn and X

It’s happening…creators are claiming the upper hand in their businesses. They’re shifting from rented media – platforms like YouTube and TikTok – into owned media. Public platforms still serve a purpose, but creators are discovering the profitability and long-term potential that membership access spaces offer. If you’re intrigued but not sure how to dip your toes into these uncharted waters, then this episode is for you.  Matt Estes and Tonner Jackson, CEO of Course Studio, discuss the creator COO category and the evolution of the courses market. They explore the importance of owned media and the rise of creator operator types. They also delve into the challenges of driving transformation in courses and the balance between community and coaching.  The conversation highlights the potential of combining courses and memberships and the need to keep costs low in owned media. They wrap up with advice for creators taking their first steps in owned media. Listen as we explore: How to turn creator personalities into big media brands, the different purposes of rented media and owned media, and combining course content with community experiences to transform the learning experience Here are the key takeaways from our conversation with Tonner: Making a Profitable Start in Course Creation: Tonner gives a crash course in courses for creators who want to shift into owned media. His top tips: keep costs low and validate ideas before making a major investment. He recommends starting with an inexpensive live product to gauge interest and gather feedback. Then, you can explore the possibility of a full-fledged course. The Purposes of Rented Media and Owned Media: First things first – what are the different types of media? Rented media is intermediated by a platform and an algorithm, like YouTube or TikTok. On the other hand, owned media is an audience a creator has more control over, like an email list or RSS feed. There are pros and cons to each type, but the gist is: use rented media for audience discovery and owned media for audience retention and monetization. Combing Course Content with Community Experiences: Data shows educational communities drive better outcomes and provide timely feedback, but curating these spaces can be a major drain on a creator’s time. Tonner advises that creators be intentional about the commitments they make to communities, balancing the benefits of the format with their own investment of time. Jump into the Conversation: [05:00] Addressing Creators’ Resistance to Selling [10:12] How Category and Audience Contribute to Profitability Potential [18:23] Rented Vs. Owned Media [26:28] The Strategic Value of a Creator COO in Owned Media [32:17] The Evolution of the Courses Market [38:08] Balancing Community and Coaching in Courses [42:57] Driving Repeat Purchases in Courses [47:24] Combining Courses and Memberships [54:43] Keeping Costs Low in Owned Media [57:33] The Role of a Creator COO [01:03:42] Taking the First Step in Owned Media Continue the conversation with these resources: Follow Tonner Jackson on LinkedIn and X Explore Course Studio’s web and mobile products for creators

Picture this: A membership platform that thrives outside the gamble of Adsense revenue. That's the domain Chris Sharpe and his business partner Adriene Mishler have built at Yoga with Adriene. They’ve shifted from ephemeral profits to constructing a community of over 50,000 members away from YouTube.  In today’s episode, Chris reveals the secrets that can transform viewers into a committed community. He discusses his evolution from independent filmmaker to entrepreneurial success. From early experiments with a cooking channel to prioritizing creation over marketing, we'll uncover what has made ‘Find What Feels Good’ thrive. Chris shares his insights on the challenges of high-value transactional sales, the importance of recurring revenue, and the art of maintaining creative and business control. So, whether you're an established creator, a burgeoning entrepreneur, or someone who simply loves a good journey of growth and success against the odds, this episode is your ticket behind the scenes of a thriving creator's universe. Show Notes: Here are the key takeaways from our conversation with Chris: Outsource to Scale: One vital lesson is to delegate non-core activities. As a creator or Creator COO, identifying functions like bookkeeping, accounting, and HR can free up essential time and energy to focus on growth. By outsourcing these tasks, you also tap into expertise that can handle them more efficiently, reducing errors and long-term costs. Focus on Community and Recurring Revenue: Chris encourages creators to look beyond one-off sales and to invest in building a thriving community. This gives creators a more consistent revenue stream and a deeper connection with their audience, leading to long-term brand loyalty. Prioritize Creative Integrity and Control: Maintaining creative and business control is key for Chris. To stay content, creators need to create content that aligns with their vision, rather than chasing quick profits. The episode sheds light on the strategies for balancing the creative process with marketing, emphasizing profit margins, and managing a team—all while staying true to your core values.  Jump into the Conversation: [01:24] Building a YouTube Following and Monetizing Through Find What Feels Good [06:36] Establishing a Working Partnership and Category Dominance  [15:55] The Un-Sexy Day-to-Day Responsibilities of a Creator COO [26:45] Transitioning from Ad Revenue to Direct-to-Consumer Sales [34:38] Revenue Streams: Transactional vs. Relational  [42:37] Building a Media Brand & Delivering Value [46:02] Splitting Brands: Yoga with Adriene and Find What Feels Good [57:00] Chris’s Advice for Aspiring Creator COOs [01:01:00] Where the Next Generation of Creator COOs Might Come From Continue the conversation with these resources: Follow Chris Sharpe on LinkedIn and X

The creator economy is booming.  While many influence their audiences significantly, only some creators can build a sustainable career.  Why?  Because in today’s content-driven world, creators are businesses, and businesses need operators. Today on The Creator COO, host Matt Estes is joined by Josh Kaplan, co-founder and CEO of Smooth Media, to discuss the differences between a creator and a creator-operator mindset.  They explore why creators need operational business partners and dive deep into the nuances of finding, hiring, and compensating a creator COO. They also discuss the varied personality traits and skillset differences between creators and operators and unearth practical strategies for the moments when creative passions clash with the realities of running a thriving enterprise. From aligning objectives with a creator partner to redefining success metrics, this episode will equip you with the tools you need to navigate these complexities! Show Notes: Here are the key takeaways from our conversation with Josh: Why Creators Need Creator-Operators: Being a successful creator requires many different skill sets, namely creativity, audience building, and operational excellence. While the lucky few have all three, most creators excel in the first two and need to catch up on the operation side of things. That’s where the creator-operator comes in! As Josh says, for creators to scale successful businesses, they need a team that consists of specialists in different roles, including what Smooth Media refers to as a “fractional COO.” What it Means to “Objectify the Business”: Even once they’ve achieved content-market fit, many creators hesitate when it comes to expanding their team and bringing in operational assistance. Josh’s advice? Help them look objectively at the business. This can be difficult for creators, who are quite literally the name and the face of the brand, but Josh suggests sharing relevant content and resources to help them conceptualize what it will look like to scale their brand and catalyze the business toward unprecedented success. Building a Brand Alongside the Name: A creator’s business is closely tied to their name, image, and likeness, but when they choose to expand, sell, or exit the brand, they shouldn’t have to worry about selling their name. Developing a standalone business alongside a creator and leveraging their name during the build is the goal. Jump into the Conversation: [04:30] Establishing credibility with creators as a creator-operator [08:14] What a fractional COO is and why many creators need operational business partners [11:45] Why creators should consider partnering with Creator COOs (and how to find one) [14:04] Advice for creators who push back on expanding their team: objectify the business [19:22] The nitty gritty of finding, hiring, and compensating a Creator COO [25:27] How creator brands can navigate the use of their name, image, and likeness (NIL) [31:00] Mindset differences between creators and Creator COOs and how to collaborate better [38:58] Potential billion-dollar creator businesses, the role of digital products, and more   Continue the conversation with these resources: Follow Josh Kaplan on LinkedIn and X See what a successful creator/Creator COO partnership looks like with The Publish Press by Colin and Samir Read Traction, the book Josh recommends for Creator COOs Check out Miss Excel by Kat Norton

Creator-led businesses are the next billion-dollar businesses. But they won’t get there without a strong class of creator-operators. Enter the 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐎𝐎. This isn't a sidekick role; it's a partnership. Think Steve Jobs and Tim Cook - but for the creator economy. Your operational sherpa – guiding diverse revenue streams, building community, and driving cost efficiency. In our first episode, join Matt Estes as he talks with Angus Parker, General Manager for YouTube sensation Ali Abdaal. Together, they've amassed nearly 5 million subscribers on YouTube and are set to generate close to $6 million in revenue in 2023. All by delivering tremendous educational and inspirational value to their fans. Listen as we explore: What a creator COO actually does day to day The challenges and opportunities that come with managing the operations for a top-tier creator like Ali Abdaal And insights into the future of content creation, monetization, and community building in the digital age  Show Notes: Here are the key takeaways from our conversation with Angus: How to Address Key Man Risk: In most creator-led businesses, the creator is the product. The creator’s personality is the reason for their success, but the business’s reliance on a single person poses a major risk. Creator COOs can help address this risk by implementing structure and creating new streams of revenue that can stand alone. Angus shares how he’s exploring options like books and physical products to diversify Ali Abdaal Ltd’s income. The Importance of Filtering a Creator’s Ideas: The greatest strength of creators is also one of their greatest challenges: they have an endless supply of ideas. It’s easy to end up chasing one idea only to realize it’s not the right direction for the business. That’s where Creator COOs come in: they serve as a filter between the creator’s inspiration overflow and implementation. Angus explains how this becomes an increasingly important role as creator-led businesses grow, to prevent teams from investing time in ideas that won’t pan out. Finding a Creator COO in a Tight Market: The demand for Creator COOs doesn’t meet supply. Angus offers advice for creators looking for COOs. He recommends looking for potential over the perfect “experience” and shares that promoting from within can be a great approach – which happens to be exactly how he rose to his position with Ali Abdaal. Jump into the Conversation: [04:30] Helping creators leverage their time more effectively  [09:00] Hiring and managing talent [17:00] The importance of serving as a filter between the creator and their team [20:00] Creating structure in a creator-led business [25:00] The state of the creator economy [28:00] Addressing the imbalance of supply and demand for Creator COOs [37:00] De-risking a creator-led business by introducing new revenue streams [42:00] Angus’s advice for creators and Creator COOs Continue the conversation with these resources: Follow Angus Parker on LinkedIn and X Read Traction, a book Angus recommends for Creator COOs Read The Who Method, a book Angus has used to guide his talent strategy.

Prediction: Creator COO will be the hot new job category for MBAs over the next decade. Before the boom of the creator economy the title “creator operator” didn’t exist. And as creator-led businesses grow, more and more will need operators to get to the next level.  In this episode, Jim Louderback, Editor and Publisher of Inside the Creator Economy, joins host Matt Estes to discuss the evolution of the Creator COO role. Jim has built and sold numerous creator economy startups to giants like Discovery and Paramount – and his industry insights are unmatched.  He’s the former editor-in-chief of PC Magazine and a recognized Top Voice on LinkedIn with over 30k followers. Jim’s weekly newsletter "Inside the Creator Economy," reaches over 22 thousand readers and he's truly at the center of the creator conversation. Listen as we discuss how the video industry has evolved, becoming more complex but with a much higher ROI, how a creator operator needs to function depending on what stage the creator is at, and how to build successful partnerships between creators and creator COOs Show Notes: Here are the key takeaways from our conversation with Jim: The Shift to DTC Puts Power in Creators’ Hands: Gatekeepers are no more. Early in Jim’s career, you would only reach audiences through organizations like magazines, newspapers, or television companies. Now, they can go directly to their audience. Creators today have more leverage than ever, unlocking new growth potential and a whole new world of operations to manage. Creator COOs Enable Scalability and Durability:Dedicating a part- or full-time team member to operations certainly improves a creator’s short-term outcomes, but Jim explains the importance of a Creator COO in building a business that lasts. A business operator can step in to think long-term, develop strategies that will outlive fleeting trends, and implement structure that grows with the business. How to Decide Whether You Need a Creator COO:Jim shares how to determine whether to hire an operations expert and, if so, what tasks to offload. He recommends considering what a creator could do with additional capacity, what the creator’s long-term vision is, and what structure needs to be in place for growth. He also notes that the COO role can evolve with the business, growing from a fractional role to a full-time position or even multi-person team. Jump into the Conversation: [02:00] The rise and fall of multi-channel networks (MCNs) [08:30] The shift toward a direct-to-consumer (DTC) approach [12:00] How Creator COOs enable scalable and durable businesses [18:00] How to find and delegate work to a Creator COO [29:00] How to compensate a Creator COO [34:00] The potential for VC backing in the creator world [42:30] The spectrum of creator business models and life cycles [48:00] The rise of the in-house creator role [51:00] Jim’s advice for aspiring Creator COOs Continue the conversation with these resources: Follow Jim Louderback on LinkedIn and X

Picture this: you open your partner’s inbox to find a $10k deal just sat there, in junk, unread!  Well, this happened to today’s guest Amanda Marcovitch, the Business Manager for Youshaei Studios. Under Amanda’s management, Jon has seen his YouTube channel skyrocket with over 405k subscribers, and a staggering 300 million views in the past year alone. She’s also cultivated lucrative partnerships with brands like American Express, Google, HubSpot, and Microsoft. Join Matt Estes and Amanda as they unpack the layered responsibilities of the Creator COO. From driving operational efficiency to navigating brand sponsorships. Strategies and best practices for vendor management and team coordination. And the key traits creators should look for when considering a COO partnership.  So whether you’re an aspiring Creator COO or you’ve realized you really need to hire one, this episode is an essential listen. Show Notes: Here are the key takeaways from our conversation with Amanda: What to look for in a Creator COO: Profitability is profitability, no matter the business. Amanda explains that while media experience is great, operational skills are more important. She dives into the specific areas of expertise that fall under this umbrella, including strategic planning, financial management, and legal administration. How to know when to hire a Creator COO: We all let things fall through the cracks from time to time, but when keeping on top of brand deals becomes unmanageable, it’s time to get help. Creator COOs calm the chaos and fine-tune operations for efficiency and profitability. The importance of trust in the creator-Creator COO partnership: Creator COOs need to be deeply invested in the long-term success of the creator. And trust is key. Creators hand over their passwords, bank accounts, and deepest darkest secrets to the COO. As trust grows, so does the business.  Jump into the Conversation: [03:30] The importance of trust between creators and Creator COOs [07:00] Qualities of a great Creator COO [14:00] KPIs to track in the content world [18:45] Key capabilities of a Creator COO [21:00] Pain points that indicate the need for a Creator COO [29:00] Amanda’s advice for aspiring COOs [32:00] Where the Creator COO role is going   Continue the conversation with these resources:Follow Amanda Marcovitch on LinkedIn and X

Behind every creator is an operations executive. Someone running the business side of the brand so creators can do what they do best—create. What does it mean to be a creator’s COO? The role is developing as we speak, and we want to learn from those who are figuring it out in real-time.  Through intimate conversations, you’ll get an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at these leaders’ journeys. Along the way, they’ll share what they’ve learned and their advice to other business operations professionals supporting creators. The new wave of digital creators and communities is transforming the face of business. Without the creator, there wouldn’t be a brand, but without the COO, there wouldn’t be a business. Join us as we dive deep into the stories of these unsung heroes so you don’t have to navigate the role alone.