In this open discussion episode, host Sam J leads conversations about developing creative side projects, scaling passion projects into sustainable income streams, and navigating the challenges of marketing creative work.
This episode covers:
• Authenticity over perfection: Why unpolished, spontaneous content often performs better than highly-produced work—raw material feels more accessible and relatable to audiences
• Marketing as the real challenge: Success depends less on quality and more on how many people see your work and understand its value through consistent visibility
• Interactive audience engagement: Creating opportunities for audiences to participate in the creative process builds investment and community (like livestreaming with chat-controlled elements)
• Strategic scaling decisions: Planning ahead for what happens if a side hustle becomes too successful, including when to delegate, hire help, or sell to focus on creative work rather than logistics
• Platform strategy considerations: Understanding niche-focused social platforms and how different content types perform across Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, and emerging platforms
• Licensing and copyright protection: Navigating intellectual property concerns in an AI-saturated landscape, including basic protections like timestamped documentation and understanding what can’t be copyrighted
Upcoming Schedule:
• No meetings for the rest of December and throughout January 2026—Monday Meeting returns in February
• Discord remains open for community connection during the break
• Seeking volunteers for hosting, video editing, social media, and content planning roles
Visit MondayMeeting.org for this episode and other conversations from the motion design community!
SHOW NOTES:
- Monday Meeting Patreon
- Monday Meeting Discord
- MondayMeeting LinkedIn
- MondayMeeting Instagram
- MondayMeeting Bluesky
- MondayMeeting Newsletter
- Bye Frisbie
- Creative Dice
- Food Dice
- Music by Blanks
- Specific example of Music By Blanks followers making a song