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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: Creators Experiencing Product Launch Boom
If you're a creator wondering about launching your own product or service, you're not alone.
According to a study from the agency, Billion Dollar Boy, 93% of creators plan to roll out a product in the next 12 months. The consumer demand is obvious—65% of folks have already bought creator-made products, with younger consumers (16-34) driving much of this trend.
Why are people buying from creators instead of big brands? It's simple, folks trust creators more, appreciate premium quality, and feel like they're supporting small businesses. Popular categories include food and drink, fashion, makeup, haircare, and tech.
As this shift unfolds, power is moving from big brands to individual creators who know how to build trust and communities. For marketers and creators, there's a massive opportunity in co-creating products, especially in the U.S., where the appetite for creator-led goods is particularly high. Ready to jump in? Your audience might already be waiting for what you launch next.
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No. 2: Boost Newsletter Engagement, Boost Earnings
If you're running a newsletter — and especially if it's a vital part of your content revenue strategy — boosting engagement is non-negotiable.
Higher opens, clicks, and even simple reader interactions directly affect your bottom line. But how do you get there without feeling like you're shouting into the void?
Sometimes, it's minor tweaks. Send your newsletter at a consistent time (think James Clear and his dependable Thursday drops). Or add a quick poll or quiz at the end. People love showing off their knowledge, which helps you better understand your audience. Want to go deeper? Asking for direct replies might feel intimidating when your list gets larger, but it builds meaningful connections with your readers, and you get first-hand feedback.
Other strategies? Resend to folks who didn't open your first email—just change the subject line. Or improve your visuals. A well-placed graph can speak volumes compared to a wall of text. And don't overlook the subtle one—cleaning your list regularly will help your emails land in more inboxes.
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No. 3: GrowLetter Enters Newsletter Ad Sales Fracas
Matt McGarry from GrowLetter aims to solve a big headache for newsletter creators and marketers, but is entering an increasing competitive fracas to do it.
Most folks who run newsletters struggle with unsold ad inventory, despite the hard work of growing their audience, making content, and managing ads. On the other side, marketers who want to advertise in newsletters face their own challenges—finding legit publishers, negotiating, and tracking results can feel like a full-time job.
Enter GrowLetter's Ad Network. It connects vetted publishers and marketers, simplifying the process for both. Publishers only pay if GrowLetter lands an advertiser they're not already working with — and GrowLetter handles everything from billing to designing ads, with minimal effort required.
For marketers, GrowLetter makes it easy to buy newsletter ads at scale, ensuring campaigns are placed in high-quality newsletters with real, engaged audiences.
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No. 4: YouTube Boosts Engagement with Polls
YouTube is stepping up its game for content creators, leaning heavily into fan engagement and gamification.
Their latest updates focus on amplifying creator-viewer interaction. One new feature is poll stickers for Shorts. YouTube already allowed polls in community posts, but now creators can drop them in Shorts — quick, snackable videos.
This shift could turn Shorts into a rapid-fire Q&A space, giving creators instant feedback rather than sifting through video comments later. Take Balkan Gains, for instance, who has grown his channel to over 635,000 subscribers by posting engaging daily polls. Fans chime in, debate, and keep the momentum alive.
YouTube also adds a feature that might sound familiar to Twitch users: "Super Chat goals" during livestreams. Creators can now set funding targets—think, unlocking extra videos or merch discounts if the goal is hit. Viewers get a chance to rally around a shared goal with creators they support, and for creators, it transforms donations into a gamified, community effort.
Though still in the experimental phase, these features aim to deepen connections between creators and their audiences while helping creators monetize in creative ways. If YouTube rolls them out widely, expect to see more creators leaning into these community-powered engagement tools.
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No. 5: Competitor Bashing = Bold but Risky
Competitor bashing can be a bold tactic for content creators, but it comes with risks.
Essentially, it's about highlighting what you do better than a well-known rival. Picture this: calling out a competitor cleverly, either by a subtle wink ("you know the type") or a direct comparison without crossing legal lines. Folks like Surreal have pulled it off well by winking at traditional cereal brands, poking fun at their old-school image.
But be strategic. If you pick a fight, ensure you have the data to back it up— like comparing McDonald's and Burger King's drive-thru counts or those classic Pepsi vs. Coca-Cola ads.
Humor can also be a weapon, like Apple's legendary Mac vs. PC ads, which helped the brand secure its "cool factor" for years. The deeper the competition's stereotype, the easier it is to exploit. But there's a catch: aggressive tactics can also backfire if the competitor is strong or already dominant in the space.
This strategy typically works best for up-and-coming brands that want to disrupt an incumbent. But in all cases, tread carefully. Sometimes, you'll end up promoting the very brand you're critiquing if the punch doesn't land.
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