#258: Q&A: Goals for our YouTube videos, determining when a new offer is a distraction, validating a product idea, and more
Welcome back to Creator Science! In this special episode, host Jay Clouse takes listeners behind the scenes of the The Lab’s vibrant community. Fresh off organizing The Lab’s first-ever major in-person event in Boise, Jay shares a candid update about creating real-world connections among full-time creators and what these gatherings mean for the future of The Lab membership.
But that’s just the beginning. This episode is a front-row seat to the magic that happens during The Lab’s monthly office hours. Jay and a panel of talented creators—including Tom Burden, Pat Gostek, Anna Reich, Travis Ference, Anais Cisneros, and David Fortin—engage in open, practical discussions about growing a creator business. They tackle real-world questions: how to think about the purpose behind each video, launching masterminds without losing focus, building community vs. courses vs. memberships, and the ever-elusive challenge of monetizing as a creator in today’s landscape. Plus, you’ll hear smart strategies for product validation, content creation during market research, and best practices for leveraging email marketing and CRM tools.
Whether you’re a growing creator or an established entrepreneur, this episode is packed with honest insights, actionable ideas, and a glimpse into the supportive space that makes the The Lab unique. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to be part of this community—or how to take your creator business to the next level—you won’t want to miss this one.
Join The Lab
Full transcript and show notes
***
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Lab Membership Events and Opportunities
05:13 Tailoring Content for Specific Goals
06:47 YouTube Audience Engagement Strategy
11:08 Mastermind Group Pricing Dilemma
14:41 Done-for-You Video Expertise
17:55 Mastermind Group Launch Strategy
21:31 Pricing Strategy Gap Analysis
25:47 LinkedIn Posting Frequency Insights
29:17 Courses vs. Community: Balance Concerns
33:05 "Assessing Membership Value Elements"
36:28 Monetizing Creator Business Strategies
40:37 Marketing Community Value to Busy Clients
42:19 "Sell the Map Via Social Proof"
47:36 Email Marketing Tools Compared
49:40 Organizing Ideas with Purpose
***
RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE
→ #246: Planning for a recession, my approach to email, increasing customers, and finding your partner [Ask Creator Science]
***
ASK CREATOR SCIENCE
→ Submit your question here
***
WHEN YOU'RE READY
📬 Creator Science Newsletter
🚀 Get CreatorHQ (creator operating system)
🧪 Join The Lab (private membership community)
🧞♂️ Get a Personalized Offer
***
CONNECT
🐦 Connect on Twitter
📸 Connect on Instagram
💼 Connect on LinkedIn
📹 Subscribe on YouTube
***
SPONSORS
💼 View all sponsors and offers
***
SAY THANKS
💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify
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56:41
#257: How to Build a Creator-First Business (That Actually Lasts) | The Strategy Hour Podcast
Welcome back to Creator Science! In this special Strategy Hour episode, host Jay Clouse flips the script as a guest on Abagail Pumphrey’s acclaimed podcast, Strategy Hour. Abagail, the founder and CEO of The Boss Project, dives into Jay’s fascinating journey from startup founder to creative entrepreneur—exploring how he built a thriving newsletter business, fostered an engaged community, and navigated the ever-evolving creator landscape.
Together, they break down what it really means to grow an audience with intention, why consistency trumps fleeting viral moments, and how creators can build businesses that last. Jay pulls back the curtain on his process, from his early days writing daily emails to building a sustainable business rooted in genuine connection and trust. You’ll also hear their takes on the future of courses, the role of AI and community in online business, and the importance of slow, steady growth.
If you’re craving real talk about surviving (and thriving) as a creator—plus actionable tips on how to treat your newsletter as your most valuable product—this episode is for you. Stick around for an insightful conversation that’s both inspiring and refreshingly honest, and be sure to check the show notes to subscribe to Strategy Hour for more entrepreneurial wisdom!
Subscribe to The Strategy Hour
Full transcript and show notes
***
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 "Exploring Uncharted Podcast Territory"
04:44 "Insights on Becoming a Creator"
07:10 Promoting Newsletter via Events & Email
11:58 Audience vs. Crowd: Content Focus
15:38 Newsletter: Business Stability Anchor
16:36 Social Media Engagement Challenges
22:32 Slow Path to Sustainable Business
26:10 "Coping with Online Fame's Pressure"
30:04 Twelve-Week Group Pricing Plan
30:34 Pioneering Cohort-Based Learning
33:53 AI's Impact on Online Courses
38:48 Innovate or Strategize for Success
40:31 "Invaluable Insights and Connections"
***
RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE
→ #247: How you can plan for growth in 2025
***
ASK CREATOR SCIENCE
→ Submit your question here
***
WHEN YOU'RE READY
📬 Creator Science Newsletter
🚀 Get CreatorHQ (creator operating system)
🧪 Join The Lab (private membership community)
🧞♂️ Get a Personalized Offer
***
CONNECT
🐦 Connect on Twitter
📸 Connect on Instagram
💼 Connect on LinkedIn
📹 Subscribe on YouTube
***
SPONSORS
💼 View all sponsors and offers
***
SAY THANKS
💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify
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45:49
#242: Mark Manson – Why YouTubers aren’t making more money [Greatest Hits]
Mark Manson is an entrepreneur and author of the best-selling book, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck.
Mark's entrepreneur-first approach has enabled him to speed-run his YouTube success, gaining 2,600,000 subscribers in just two years.
In this episode, we break down Mark's approach to YouTube, from content strategy to setting up his channel for long-term success.
Full transcript and show notes
Mark's Website / Twitter / Instagram / YouTube / LinkedIn / TikTok
***
TIMESTAMPS
(00:00) YouTubers and Business
(01:13) Why Do YouTubers Suck at Business?
(10:14) Make Brainstorming Ideas Easy with 1of10
(11:50) How to Turn Your Channel into a Business
(15:55) When to Make the Transition
(24:43) When Maximizing Views is Bad
(27:31) The Case For Not Taking Brand Deals
(35:33) 1st Step to Take
(37:48) Futureproofing Your Channel
***
RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE
→ #179: Justin Moore – A step-by-step strategy to get anyone sponsored, regardless of audience size
***
ASK CREATOR SCIENCE
→ Submit your question here
***
WHEN YOU'RE READY
📬 Creator Science Newsletter
🚀 Get CreatorHQ (creator operating system)
🧪 Join The Lab (private membership community)
🧞♂️ Get a Personalized Offer
***
CONNECT
🐦 Connect on Twitter
📸 Connect on Instagram
💼 Connect on LinkedIn
📹 Subscribe on YouTube
***
SPONSORS
💼 View all sponsors and offers
***
SAY THANKS
💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify
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53:01
#256: How to Find More Time: Balancing Creative Projects, Business, and Personal Life
Welcome back to Creator Science! In this solo episode, I’m inviting you directly into the whirlwind that is my mind these days. From the outside, it might look like I’ve got things under control—but as I share straight from my journal, the reality is a constant tug-of-war between where my energy wants to go and where my time needs to be spent.
I open up about the challenges of juggling my main business, the demands of being a new dad, and my excitement (and uncertainty) around a big experiment: writing a book proposal. You’ll hear my unfiltered reflections on feeling pulled toward deep, meaningful work—like research, writing, and evolving my community—while also handling the business operations that keep everything running.
In this episode, I walk through the practical framework I’ve developed—concentrate, eliminate, consolidate, automate, and delegate—that’s helping me re-evaluate how I spend my time and create space for what feels truly alive for me right now. I’ll break down the tough choices, the things I’m letting go of (goodbye, social media expectations!), and my vision for building a stronger, more connected Creator Science community.
If you’re grappling with too many competing priorities or searching for ways to prioritize your highest-energy projects, this episode is for you. Join me as I process all of this in real time—because I suspect, as creators, you might be feeling some of these same tensions too.
Full transcript and show notes
***
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Uncertain Book Proposal Journey
04:05 Balancing Book Project and Business
07:26 Balancing Time for Book and Lab
11:10 Follow Your Passion and Fitness
13:55 Focus on In-Person Experiences
19:24 "Reevaluating Social Media Dependency"
20:23 Rethinking Social Media Strategy
26:37 Community Coaching Sessions Live
27:32 "Hot Seat Podcasts Introduction"
31:06 Selective Sponsorship Criteria
35:52 Delegating Community Management Tasks
37:43 Sponsorship Strategy and Event Planning
40:53 "Embrace Trade-Offs and Compromises"
***
RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE
→ #251: Behind the Scenes: What I’m quietly working on
***
ASK CREATOR SCIENCE
→ Submit your question here
***
WHEN YOU'RE READY
📬 Creator Science Newsletter
🚀 Get CreatorHQ (creator operating system)
🧪 Join The Lab (private membership community)
🧞♂️ Get a Personalized Offer
***
CONNECT
🐦 Connect on Twitter
📸 Connect on Instagram
💼 Connect on LinkedIn
📹 Subscribe on YouTube
***
SPONSORS
💼 View all sponsors and offers
***
SAY THANKS
💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify
--------
46:24
#255: What’s going on with Substack?
Dan Koe, Justin Welsh, and I joined Substack in the last couple of weeks.
In this episode, I explain what’s going on, my own motives, and why you should (or shouldn’t) consider making the same move.
→ Read Why I Joined Substack
→ Subscribe to my Substack
Full transcript and show notes
***
RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE
→ #251: Behind the Scenes: What I’m quietly working on
***
ASK CREATOR SCIENCE
→ Submit your question here
***
WHEN YOU'RE READY
📬 Creator Science Newsletter
🚀 Get CreatorHQ (creator operating system)
🧪 Join The Lab (private membership community)
🧞♂️ Get a Personalized Offer
***
CONNECT
🐦 Connect on Twitter
📸 Connect on Instagram
💼 Connect on LinkedIn
📹 Subscribe on YouTube
***
SPONSORS
💼 View all sponsors and offers
***
SAY THANKS
💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify
Creating content has never been easier – but breaking through the noise has gotten harder. The only reliable way to grow as a creator is through observation, experimentation, and iteration.
This podcast is your weekly guide to evidence-backed strategies and experiments you can apply to your business. Each episode features candid conversations with today’s top creators—like James Clear, Ali Abdaal, Tim Urban, and Codie Sanchez—sharing actionable insights to help you grow your audience, build trust, and boost your income.
This isn’t just an interview podcast—it’s a deep dive into the business of content, hosted by Signal Award-winner Jay Clouse.
It's growth for creators, down to a science.
Italia