Creator Craft: Tools, Mindset and Workflows for Content Creators

In this episode, Colin and Jacob dig into two powerful tools for creators: LinkedIn and AI deep research capabilities. Colin shares his recent LinkedIn strategy, revealing how daily posting has drastically improved his engagement and impressions, and what makes up those daily posts. He explores effective content types like cheat sheets, carousels, video formats, and personal stories that perform well on the platform. Colin also highlights successful creators like Chris Donnelly, Ann Handley, and Tom Hunt who are having a bunch of success on LinkedIn with their distinct approaches.

In the second half, Jacob explores his experience with ChatGPT's Deep Research feature, explaining how it revolutionized his content creation process for a viral blog post about vibe coding, providing valuable comparative analysis and SEO gap identification that helped his article reach the front page of Hacker News.

🟢 Consistency is crucial for LinkedIn success - Colin saw his average post impressions jump from 100-200 to 400-500 by posting daily, with his newsletter content reaching 1,000+ impressions.

🟢 "Cheat sheets" with dense, valuable information perform exceptionally well on LinkedIn - these text-heavy graphics with minimal design offer quick value and stand out in feeds.

🟢 When creating plain text posts on LinkedIn, being opinionated and authentic performs better than overly polished content - controversial hooks and personal stories drive engagement.

🟢 ChatGPT's Deep Research feature (available with Pro subscription) acts like a dedicated research assistant, providing comprehensive competitive analysis and identifying content gaps.

🟢 When using AI for research, being specific with your requests (like asking for first-person reviews rather than marketing copy) significantly improves the quality and usefulness of the results.

00:00 Introduction and episode overview

04:44 Colin's LinkedIn growth strategy and results

08:06 Analyzing effective LinkedIn content types

13:34 LinkedIn cheat sheets and why they work

20:40 Carousel posts and their engagement power

24:13 Authentic text posts vs. polished content

26:14 Storytelling techniques from top LinkedIn creators

32:28 LinkedIn commenting strategies for algorithm growth

36:34 Optimizing your LinkedIn profile features

40:35 Jacob introduces ChatGPT's Deep Research tool

45:10 How Deep Research transformed content creation

49:45 SEO gap analysis and competitive advantages

54:38 Practical applications for content improvement

57:01 Outro

We kicked off talking about a big change we're making to our annual planning cadence. Instead of following the traditional January-December cycle, we're shifting to a March-February year. Why? Because December-January is such a mess with holidays and slow starts! We found that planning during this time just doesn't work well. By making March 1st the start of our planning year, we're using January-February as a time for reflection, strategy planning, and wrapping up previous projects. This gives us a nice fresh start in the springtime.

Then Jacob introduced us to "vibe coding" - a term coined by Andres Carpathy. It's about using AI tools like Claude or Cursor to generate code without really understanding the code itself. You describe what you want, and the AI builds it for you. We discussed how tools like Replit, Lovable, and Bolt.new make this possible even for non-coders. Jacob shared great examples, including how someone built a multiplayer flight simulator game in just one day! This approach works especially well for personal tools or weekend projects.

I shared how I've been using Claude as a resource by creating a project focused initially on designing an agency. The cool part is that I've ended up using this knowledge base for all sorts of other projects - from mastermind landing pages to coaching proposals. The AI basically interviews me and builds up a profile of my skills and experience that I can later tap into for various content needs.

Finally, Jacob highlighted Caleb Hammer as his creator of the week. Caleb runs a YouTube show called "Financial Audit" where he reviews people's financial situations (often a bit brutally!) and helps them create a plan to improve. The format is consistent but always feels fresh because each guest brings different financial challenges. Jacob noted how well Caleb has monetized through relevant sponsorships, memberships with behind-the-scenes content, and even creating his own budgeting app.

= Consider shifting your annual planning cycle to March-February if the traditional January start feels rushed and disrupted by holidays

= AI tools like Replit now make it possible for non-coders to create functional web apps and tools - especially for personal use or to solve specific problems

= Building a dedicated AI "project" that knows your skills and experience can become a valuable resource for various content creation tasks

= Bringing audience members onto your show as guests can create fresh, relatable content while still maintaining a consistent format

= Multiple monetization streams work best when they're naturally integrated into your content - Caleb Hammer's example shows how sponsors can be woven in without feeling disruptive

= Replit - A coding platform with AI capabilities that's great for beginners (https://replit.com/)

= Lovable - AI-powered app building tool (https://www.lovable.ai/)

= Bolt.new - Another no-code tool for building with AI (https://bolt.new/)

= Cursor - Advanced AI coding tool mentioned for more experienced users (https://cursor.sh/)

= Claude 3.7 - The new Claude AI model that Alistair mentioned for coding help

= Caleb Hammer's YouTube channel - Financial audit show (https://www.youtube.com/c/CalebHammer)

= Alitu - Our podcast creation app with new video recording features (https://alitu.com) - use code CREATORTOOLBOX for 50% off your first month

00:00:00 Introduction and episode overview

00:01:14 Changing our annual planning cadence to March-February

00:07:38 Why 12-month planning can be arbitrary and limiting

00:11:43 What is "vibe coding" and how does it work?

00:20:28 Replit as a beginner-friendly coding tool

00:24:32 Personal software development using AI tools

00:34:01 Using Claude as a resource for multiple projects

00:43:00 Caleb Hammer as creator of the week

00:47:04 How Caleb monetizes his financial audit show

00:52:32 Closing remarks and Alitu promotion

In this episode, Colin and Jacob discuss the "Big Five" content strategy, a framework for creating content that attracts your audience at every stage of the buying process. The Big Five content areas are: cost and pricing, best-of lists, problems, comparisons, and reviews. They explain how each area can be used to generate content ideas, regardless of your industry. They also discuss how these different content types can be used to reach people at all stages of the buying process, from those who are just starting to research a problem to those who are ready to make a purchase.

• The Big Five content strategy helps you create content that attracts your audience at every stage of the buying process. 
• The five content areas are: cost and pricing, best-of lists, problems, comparisons, and reviews. 
• This strategy can be used to generate content ideas regardless of your industry. 
• By creating content in each of the five areas, you can reach people at all stages of the buying process. 

• Marcus Sheridan - Content expert and creator of the Big Five content strategy  
• They Ask, You Answer - Book by Marcus Sheridan  
• The Podcast Host - Website and blog about podcasting  
• The Creator Toolbox - Website and blog about content creation  
• Alitu - Podcast creation tool  

• 00:00 Introduction
• 05:45 The Big Five content strategy
• 06:55 Cost and pricing
• 11:05 Best-of lists
• 16:35 Problems
• 19:55 Comparisons
• 24:05 Reviews
• 33:35 The buying process
• 42:35 AI and the future of content creation
• 44:05 Creator of the week: Drumeo
• 47:25 How to adapt the Drumeo format
• 52:50 Wrap-up

In this episode, Jacob explores the three major AI assistants and how creators can best leverage each one. Drawing from extensive hands-on experience, he breaks down the unique strengths of Claude, ChatGPT (including the new O1 model), and Gemini, providing practical guidance on which tool works best for different creator tasks.

👉 OpenAI's O1 excels at strategic planning and breaking down complex problems

👉 Claude is the top choice for writing tasks and maintaining consistent tone

👉 Gemini stands out for handling large amounts of text and data analysis

👉 Using multiple AI tools in combination often produces better results than relying on just one

👉 The quality of AI output directly correlates to the quality and specificity of your input

👉 Guide to making your own AI writer with Claude

👉 Claude - Best for writing and content creation

👉 ChatGPT (O1 model) - Specialized in reasoning and planning

👉 Gemini - Handles large text analysis

👉 Deepseek R1 - Open source alternative

👉 O3 Mini - Free alternative to O1, available in ChatGPT

👉 Alitu - Podcast making app (alitu.com)

00:00 Introduction

01:03 OpenAI O1 overview and use cases

03:01 Claude capabilities and strengths

05:12 Gemini's unique advantages

07:27 Comparing the three assistants

13:34 Practical tips for using AI tools

20:02 Common pitfalls to avoid

22:25 Episode wrap-up

In this episode, we explore two key tools for creators looking to level up their business: media kits and personal websites. We start by breaking down what goes into an effective media kit - from showcasing your audience stats to highlighting your unique value proposition. We talk about using media kits not just for sponsorships, but also for podcast guest appearances, collaborations, and PR opportunities. The conversation then shifts to personal websites, where we contrast super simple approaches like Derek Sivers' minimal one-pager with more elaborate creator sites like Ali Abdaal's. Throughout the episode, we discuss practical tools for building both media kits and personal sites, including Notion, Canva, and various website builders. We wrap up with tips on how to get started without feeling overwhelmed by making it simple and building it up over time.

=A media kit should tell your story and solve problems - focus on showing potential partners who you are, what problems you solve, and why you're unique

=Keep your first version simple - start with a basic Notion page or one-pager that covers the essentials, then iterate based on the questions you get asked

=Think beyond sponsorships - your media kit can help land podcast guest spots, speaking gigs, and collaborative opportunities

=Personal sites don't need to be complex - a simple, regularly updated page about who you are and what you're working on can be more effective than an elaborate website

=Start small and build over time - whether it's a media kit or personal site, begin with the basics and expand as needed

=Notion - For creating simple media kits and personal sites

=Canva - Design tool for creating media kit layouts

=Adobe Express - Another option for media kit design

=Passion Fruit - Platform for podcast sponsorships

=Gumroad - Platform for selling digital products

=Interview Valet - Podcast interview booking service

=Derek Sivers - sivers.org - Example of minimal personal site

=Ali Abdaal - aliabdaal.com - Example of full creator personal site

=Alitu - Podcast making app (alitu.com)

00:00 Welcome and introductions

02:01 What is a media kit?

04:54 Different uses for media kits

08:33 What to include in your media kit

15:40 Tools for creating media kits

19:55 Introduction to personal websites

23:42 Different approaches to personal sites

27:15 Derek Sivers site example

31:26 Ali Abdaal site comparison

34:20 Getting started tips

37:07 Episode wrap-up

In this episode of Creator Toolbox, hosts Colin and Jacob explore several key topics affecting content creators. Colin kicks things off with a detailed look at his switch from Asana to TickTick for task management, explaining how he's created a more effective system for handling ideas and daily tasks. The conversation then shifts to a discussion of Project Stargate, a proposed $500 billion AI initiative, with Jacob expressing skepticism about its feasibility and environmental impact. The hosts dive deep into the concerning trend of declining organic search traffic, analyzing HubSpot's dramatic traffic drop and its implications for content creators. They explore potential strategies for adapting to AI-driven search, including focusing on fact-based content and building stronger partnerships. The episode wraps up with Colin sharing his latest experiments with short-form video content and his approach to creating more engaging gear-focused content.

1. Resources Mentioned:

• Task Management Tools:
  • TickTick (https://ticktick.com)
  • Asana (https://asana.com)
  • Motion (https://www.usemotion.com)
• Video Equipment:
  • Joby GorillaPod
  • DJI Osmo Mobile Gimbal
  • Filmora (video editing software)
• Websites/Companies:
  • HubSpot (https://hubspot.com)
  • Niche Pursuits (https://www.nichepursuits.com)
  • DeepSeek R1 (AI model)

In this episode, we dig into four fantastic tools and strategies for creators. Jacob kicks things off by sharing his pocket-filling discovery of 2023 - the Revolut Ultra plan. This premium bank account is packed with creator-friendly perks like WeWork passes, airport lounges, and a bundle of premium subscriptions. Next, Colin walks us through his annual planning process, sharing the exact framework he's developed since 2015 for reviewing the past year and setting up for success. Finally, we explore the world of creator events, from intimate gatherings like Craft & Commerce to massive festivals like SXSW, helping you choose which ones might be worth your time in 2024. We wrap up with some practical tips on screen recording tools for content creation, comparing Filmora and Movavi as alternatives to the aging Camtasia.

For the full annual planning guide, as mentioned by Colin, go to: https://creator.alitu.com/creator/annual-planning-for-creators/

Chapter List:

00:00 - Introduction and microphone setup

04:41 - Revolut Ultra: A creator's perfect bank account?

20:23 - Annual Planning Framework

31:46 - Personal vs Professional Goals

36:02 - Creator Events for 2024

48:52 - Screen Recording Tools Update

50:16 - Outro and Alitu special offer

In this special year-end episode, Colin and Jacob reflect on their key learnings from 2024 and share predictions for 2025. They discuss experiences and lessons learned in hiring and team building, the challenges of maintaining focus across different content mediums, and the evolving AI landscape. The hosts also share their commitments for the upcoming year, including Jacob's plans to start creating video content and Colin's goal to hire an assistant. The episode wraps up with gift recommendations, either for another creator in your life, or just a wee festive gift for yourself!

• Pipdecks (strategy cards for creatives) - https://pipdecks.com
• Thule Paramount 27L Backpack
• Wenger Bags
• Cotopaxi Bag Del Dia
• Alitu Podcast Maker (code: CREATORTOOLBOX for 50% off first month) - https://alitu.com

00:00 - Introduction and Episode Overview

05:44 - Lessons Learned: Hiring and Team Building

13:18 - Focus and Content Creation Challenges

20:05 - AI Predictions for 2024

28:24 - Personal Commitments for 2024

40:07 - Gift Ideas for Creators

54:24 - Mistakes and Lessons from 2023

Struggling with overwhelming projects and not sure where to start, or having a hard time keeping track of your brand's impact? This episode is packed with a set of tools to help you work smart, and let AI do the hard work in planning your next project. Colin shows how he's turned AI into his own personal project manager, breaking down massive tasks into manageable steps and creating visual workflows that actually make sense. Then, Colin and Jacob explore Podscan, a smart tool that helps you discover who's talking about your brand in the podcast space - perfect for finding collaboration opportunities you might be missing. Plus, they tackle the often-confusing world of modern website building, cutting through the noise to help you find the fastest, most effective way to test new services or products without getting bogged down in technical complexity.

02:15 - Using AI for project management

17:29 - Introduction to Podscan

28:04 - Modern website building options

41:10 - AI-powered website development

• Alitu (https://www.alitu.com)
• Podscan by Arvid Kahl
• Notion (https://www.notion.so)
• Squarespace (https://www.squarespace.com)
• Webflow (https://webflow.com)
• Framer (https://www.framer.com)
• Ghost (https://ghost.org)
• Cursor.sh
• V0 by Vercel
• Bootstrap Web podcast
• Claude AI

In this video, we dig deep into the mindset and systems that power a ridiculously consistent and long lived podcast. My guest is Matty Lansdowne, from the How Not to Get Sick and Die Podcast, and he shares how he built his show to over 400 episodes, much of that time while working a full-time job. We explore the psychology of consistency, practical systems for success, and strategies for maintaining quality content production.

Matty also shares insights on building a profitable business through podcasting, and using AI tools for content repurposing. Finally, we dig into the balance between different content platforms and the importance of focusing on what works rather than trying to be everywhere.

Whether you're just starting out or looking to scale your show, we're sharing actionable insights on building sustainable content workflows, recruiting and developing team members effectively, and creating a content strategy that stands the test of time.

Check out Matty's show over at https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/how-to-not-get-sick-and-die/id1450212088

And to make the production process even easier, check out: https://alitu.com - the easiest podcast creation platform on the planet.

Chapter List

00:00 - Introduction and Matty's Background

02:05 - Mindset for Consistent Podcasting

07:19 - Building Systems and Team Management

17:43 - Content Repurposing Workflow

23:39 - Business Model Behind the Podcast

34:01 - YouTube Strategy Discussion

43:36 - Content Volume and Platform Choice

52:30 - Wrap-up and Resources