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Top stories for bloggers, newsletter writers, and content creators.
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If there is an article you think should be included in this roundup, please reply with a link. |
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No. 1: AI Is Taking Over Email
Email has been a safe harbor for content creators—your message, your audience, and no algorithm (or at least not too many) in between. But that's changing, according to AdWeek.
Google and Apple, which handle nearly 90% of emails, are rolling out AI-driven updates that tweak how emails are sorted and surfaced. The inbox is starting to resemble a social feed, where AI determines what matters most.
This means that the already dubious open rates publishers have relied on could shift overnight as actual engagement falls.
The good news? Creators who adapt—by fostering engaged audiences and writing emails people want to open—will thrive. The inbox isn't dead, but it won't be business as usual.
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No. 2: YouTube Shorts Views Inflated
YouTube is making Shorts views skyrocket—at least on paper. Starting March 31, every fleeting glimpse in the Shorts feed will count as a view, no matter how brief.
It is a move that aligns YouTube with TikTok and Instagram Reels but raises familiar concerns about inflated metrics. Remember when Facebook's video view inflation led to lawsuits? The lesson: more significant numbers don't equal real engagement. Fortunately, YouTube still uses "engaged views" for monetization, but creators should be wary. More views might feel good, but they won't pay the bills unless the audience sticks around.
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No. 3: Podcasting - The Audience Awaits
More than half of Americans now listen to podcasts every month, according to Passionfruit. That is not a trend—it is a juggernaut.
Edison Research's latest survey shows that 70% of US adults have hit play on a podcast, with younger audiences leading the charge.
Video podcasts are gaining steam, too, with nearly half of respondents saying they watch as well as listen. Spotify dominates, but YouTube is growing fast, especially among older listeners. If you're not podcasting yet, the audience is waiting.
Audio, video, or both—there's still plenty of space to carve out your niche and make money while you are at it.
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No. 4: Monetizing X with Smart Replies
X creators looking to cash in on monetization need 5 million impressions in three months to qualify. That is about 55,000 a day—daunting unless you embrace the "Reply Guy" strategy.
Instead of posting endlessly, savvy creators engage with high-profile accounts, dropping thoughtful replies to harness their audience's attention.
A good reply on a big post can score thousands of impressions with minimal effort. Done right, this method snowballs reach and attracts premium followers, unlocking steady revenue.
The key? Be early, be relevant, and add value. If you're grinding on X, this might be the most efficient path to real monetization.
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No. 5: Stop Worrying, Start Writing
Worried your writing isn't "good" enough? Wrong question. Writing isn't math—there's no precise pass or fail. Even the greats have critics. The real question is: are you improving? A seasoned literary agent won't even read a script unless the writer has ten under their belt. Why? Because writing is a craft built through repetition. Your tenth piece will be better than your first. So stop chasing approval and start putting in the hours. "Good" is a moving target. Better is a guarantee—if you keep writing.
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