I've relaunched Aspiring Creator and this time I've outsourced everything except sitting in the chair and talking, so kick back and come behind the scenes 😃

In this episode I talk about how we may have got confirmation that some creators are “legally” buying views to get sponsors, dig into the metrics brands actually check before they approve a deal and share how to actually make the most of CES as a creator.

If you're building a creator business and want the unpolished version of what's working (and what's not), this one's for you.

New episodes every Wednesday 🚀

⏰ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - How We Map Out a Year of Videos 🎬

05:43 - How to Maximise CES as a Creator 🚀

11:29 - When a Brand Deal Underperforms (And They Want More) 📉

17:44 - Editor Update: Our Capacity Problem 🎬

18:57 - The Metrics Brands Look at Before Approving a Deal 💼

23:57 - Confirmed: Brands Are Being Scammed by Fake Views ⚠️

💬 SOCIAL STUFF

▸ Instagram: @petematheson

▸ LinkedIn: @petematheson

▸ Website: https://www.petematheson.com/

I've relaunched Aspiring Creator and this time I've outsourced everything except sitting in the chair and talking, so kick back and come behind the scenes 😃

In this episode I talk about how we may have got confirmation that some creators are “legally” buying views to get sponsors, dig into the metrics brands actually check before they approve a deal and share how to actually make the most of CES as a creator.

If you're building a creator business and want the unpolished version of what's working (and what's not), this one's for you.

New episodes every Wednesday 🚀

⏰ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - How We Map Out a Year of Videos 🎬

05:43 - How to Maximise CES as a Creator 🚀

11:29 - When a Brand Deal Underperforms (And They Want More) 📉

17:44 - Editor Update: Our Capacity Problem 🎬

18:57 - The Metrics Brands Look at Before Approving a Deal 💼

23:57 - Confirmed: Brands Are Being Scammed by Fake Views ⚠️

💬 SOCIAL STUFF

▸ Instagram: @petematheson

▸ LinkedIn: @petematheson

▸ Website: https://www.petematheson.com/

I've relaunched Aspiring Creator and this time I've outsourced everything except sitting in the chair and talking, so kick back and come behind the scenes 😃

In this episode I talk about why I turned down a $25k sponsorship, how hiring an in-person editor has been game-changing and how I got on LEGO’s radar.

If you're building a creator business and want the unpolished version of what's working (and what's not), this one's for you.

New episodes every Wednesday 🚀

⏰ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - The Power of Having an In-Person Editor 💪

10:14 - Why We Hired Pros Instead of Buying Gear 🎥

16:27 - Why We Said No to a $25,000 💰

24:45 - How We Got on LEGO’s Radar 🧱

💬 SOCIAL STUFF

▸ Instagram: @petematheson

▸ LinkedIn: @petematheson

▸ Website: https://www.petematheson.com/

I've relaunched Aspiring Creator and this time I've outsourced everything except sitting in the chair and talking, so kick back and come behind the scenes 😃

In this episode I talk about why I turned down a $25k sponsorship, how hiring an in-person editor has been game-changing and how I got on LEGO’s radar.

If you're building a creator business and want the unpolished version of what's working (and what's not), this one's for you.

New episodes every Wednesday 🚀

⏰ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - The Power of Having an In-Person Editor 💪

10:14 - Why We Hired Pros Instead of Buying Gear 🎥

16:27 - Why We Said No to a $25,000 💰

24:45 - How We Got on LEGO’s Radar 🧱

💬 SOCIAL STUFF

▸ Instagram: @petematheson

▸ LinkedIn: @petematheson

▸ Website: https://www.petematheson.com/

This week on Aspiring Creator, I’m back from a OnePlus press trip in Prague - and it didn’t quite go to plan 😅 From rain-soaked camera tests to awkward brand negotiations, this episode dives into the real behind-the-scenes of creator life.

If you're building a creator business and want the unpolished version of what's working (and what's not), this one's for you.

New episodes every Wednesday 🚀

⏰ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - What Really Happens on Tech Creator Press Trips 📸

04:09 - Do Creators Really Have to Disclose Everything? 🤔

09:58 - Why I’m Probably Not Going Back to VidSummit 🚫

14:26 - Creators with Kids: You’re Playing a Different Game 🎯

17:49 - How We Use Shorts to Test Video Ideas 💡

22:52 - How I Accidentally Upset a Brand 😬

💬 SOCIAL STUFF

▸ Instagram: @petematheson

▸ LinkedIn: @petematheson

▸ Website: https://www.petematheson.com/

This week on Aspiring Creator, I’m back from a OnePlus press trip in Prague - and it didn’t quite go to plan 😅 From rain-soaked camera tests to awkward brand negotiations, this episode dives into the real behind-the-scenes of creator life.

If you're building a creator business and want the unpolished version of what's working (and what's not), this one's for you.

New episodes every Wednesday 🚀

⏰ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - What Really Happens on Tech Creator Press Trips 📸

04:09 - Do Creators Really Have to Disclose Everything? 🤔

09:58 - Why I’m Probably Not Going Back to VidSummit 🚫

14:26 - Creators with Kids: You’re Playing a Different Game 🎯

17:49 - How We Use Shorts to Test Video Ideas 💡

22:52 - How I Accidentally Upset a Brand 😬

💬 SOCIAL STUFF

▸ Instagram: @petematheson

▸ LinkedIn: @petematheson

▸ Website: https://www.petematheson.com/

I've relaunched Aspiring Creator and this time I've outsourced everything except sitting in the chair and talking, so kick back and come behind the scenes 😃

In this episode I talk about using Claude AI to rebuild our entire project system, smashing Q4 sponsorship targets and how creators can pitch brand deals that work.

If you're building a creator business and want the unpolished version of what's working (and what's not), this one's for you.

New episodes every Wednesday 🚀

⏰ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - How Claude AI Rebuilt Our Sponsorship Tracker 🤖

05:01 - How we Plan for Dips in Revenue 📈

06:49 - How VidSummit Changed My Approach to YouTube 📺

11:15 - How We’re Reinvesting Brand Deal Money Into the Channel 🎥

13:45 - How Creators Should Pitch Brand Deals (Most Brands Still Don’t Get It) 💡

26:10 - Why I Don’t Bother Growing on Other Platforms 🙅‍♂️

30:24 - Who Should I Interview Next? 👀

💬 SOCIAL STUFF

▸ Instagram: @petematheson

▸ LinkedIn: @petematheson

▸ Website: https://www.petematheson.com/

I've relaunched Aspiring Creator and this time I've outsourced everything except sitting in the chair and talking, so kick back and come behind the scenes 😃

In this episode I talk about using Claude AI to rebuild our entire project system, smashing Q4 sponsorship targets and how creators can pitch brand deals that work.

If you're building a creator business and want the unpolished version of what's working (and what's not), this one's for you.

New episodes every Wednesday 🚀

⏰ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - How Claude AI Rebuilt Our Sponsorship Tracker 🤖

05:01 - How we Plan for Dips in Revenue 📈

06:49 - How VidSummit Changed My Approach to YouTube 📺

11:15 - How We’re Reinvesting Brand Deal Money Into the Channel 🎥

13:45 - How Creators Should Pitch Brand Deals (Most Brands Still Don’t Get It) 💡

26:10 - Why I Don’t Bother Growing on Other Platforms 🙅‍♂️

30:24 - Who Should I Interview Next? 👀

💬 SOCIAL STUFF

▸ Instagram: @petematheson

▸ LinkedIn: @petematheson

▸ Website: https://www.petematheson.com/

I've relaunched Aspiring Creator and this time I've outsourced everything except sitting in the chair and talking, so kick back and come behind the scenes 😃

In this episode I talk about what I learned at VidSummit 2025 - from how top creators run their teams and edit faster, to the weird world of fake affiliate channels, and why every YouTuber probably needs a producer, not just an editor.

If you're building a creator business and want the unpolished version of what's working (and what's not), this one's for you.

New episodes every Wednesday 🚀

⏰ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Inside VidSummit: Key Takeaways, Lessons & Conversations ✈️

05:08 When Brands Secretly Own ‘Review’ Channels 👀

09:34 Fixing Our Biggest Bottleneck: Editing 🧠

14:01 The Power of Storytelling in Tech YouTube 🔋

17:50 Fix Your First Frame: The Secret to Better Shorts 🎯

20:55 The 4% Creator Club 🤑

26:11 I Finally Found an Accountant Who Gets YouTube 💼

27:53 Redefining Roles: Why My “Channel Manager” Is Actually a Producer 🎬

💬 SOCIAL STUFF

▸ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@petematheson⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

▸ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@petematheson⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

▸ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.petematheson.com/

I've relaunched Aspiring Creator and this time I've outsourced everything except sitting in the chair and talking, so kick back and come behind the scenes 😃

In this episode I talk about how much a 1-million-view video actually earns, YouTube’s new co-creator feature, and whether AI could really replace YouTubers.

If you're building a creator business and want the unpolished version of what's working (and what's not), this one's for you.

New episodes every Wednesday 🚀

⏰ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - YouTube’s Co-Creator Feature - Worth It or Not? 🎥

02:22 - What Does a 1-Million-View Video Actually Earn 🤑

08:27 - Why I’m Saying No to Smaller Brand Launches 🚫

13:54 - We’re Hiring a New Editor 👋

15:31 - Could AI Replace YouTubers Entirely? (Sora 3 is insane) 🤖

18:37 - Creators Are Lying About Sponsorships? 🤦

🔗 LINKS

iJustine’s video on Sora AI - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/iMK2TSXO_P4

💬 SOCIAL STUFF

▸ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@petematheson⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

▸ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@petematheson⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

▸ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.petematheson.com/