Cre8tor Hub Lloyd George

Today, I’d like to talk about… my interview with Leo Gonzalez. He’s a humble guy but he’s kinda a big deal:

He has 2.9 Million followers on TikTok & 900k followers on IG.

He has a Streamy Award, which is basically an Oscar for content creators.

He’s worked with other celebs like George Lopez.


In our interview, he broke down the following:

How we went from working a regular job to becoming a full-time Creator.

Managing success as an immigrant in the United States.

In today's episode, I connected with Toya to share my experience at Podcast Movement, I also tell you about a new podcast feature from YouTube. Hope you enjoy.

Today we'll be discussing the benefits of podcast networks for independent creators like ourselves, and how they can help us grow faster and reach new audiences. 

But before we delve into that, we'll touch on the challenges of being a small creator and the pressure to produce high-quality content without the necessary resources. We'll explore how working with what we have and using available tools can make a big difference. 

We'll also talk about the power of great audio and how it can be repurposed for social media clips, attracting more listeners and creating a stronger online presence. 

Krystal shares their enthusiasm for podcast networks and how they can provide mutual recommendations and opportunities for growth, even for a group of friends in the same niche with similar audiences.

As we navigate the rapidly changing podcast industry, we'll also explore the importance of authenticity and accepting ourselves as creators. 

Lastly, we'll address questions from our listeners who are interested in transitioning into the podcast industry from nontraditional backgrounds, and share some advice and tips.

So sit back, relax, and join us on this insightful journey through the world of podcast networks, as we uncover the potential for growth, the challenges we face, and the importance of staying true to our creative passions. Let's get started on this episode of Cre8tor Hub!

Welcome back to Cre8tor Hub, the podcast that brings you all the insights, tips, and inspiration you need to thrive in the world of content creation. In today's episode, we have a special treat for you as we sit down with the incredible Imran, the mastermind behind Great Pods, a groundbreaking platform that revolutionizes the way we discover and evaluate podcasts.
Our host, Lloyd, met Imran on LinkedIn and was immediately captivated by his vision and expertise. With Great Pods, Imran has created a platform that aggregates critic reviews for podcasts, providing an invaluable resource for those seeking to explore new shows and make informed listening decisions.
In this conversation, Lloyd and Imran dive deep into the power of reviews in the podcasting landscape. They discuss whether audio-only podcasting is still relevant in a world dominated by video and how the two mediums can complement each other. They also explore the effectiveness of podcast conferences as a growth strategy, with Imran underscoring the importance of networking and collaboration.
Imran reveals the motivations behind starting Great Pods and how he noticed a lack of trust and transparency in the podcasting realm when it came to recommendations. By championing trusted critic reviews, Imran believes that we can cut through the noise and find the shows that truly resonate with us. He sheds light on the impact of social media in podcast growth and offers insights into the challenges of creating engaging social content.
But the episode doesn't stop there. Lloyd introduces a game-changing tool that aims to make content creation effortless. Riverside, the virtual recording podcast platform, has introduced magic clips. Powered by AI, these clips automatically generate social snippets from podcast episodes, saving creators valuable time in the content creation process. And listeners of Cre8tor Hub get an exclusive 15% discount to try out this exciting new feature.
So, whether you're a seasoned podcaster, an aspiring creator, or simply someone who loves consuming great audio content, this episode is for you. Join us as we explore the world of podcast reviews, social media growth strategies, and the future of audio content creation. So grab your headphones and let's dive into this captivating conversation on Cre8tor Hub.

Learn more about Riverside's new Magic Clips. You'll also get 15% off when you use the code Creatorhub
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As creators that heavily rely on social media, we’re constantly being told who we should be following and how we can grow our following, but I’d like to take a moment to tell you who you should be BLOCKING.
Granted, there aren’t many instances in which I’d tell you to block someone, but there are quite a few instances when blocking people has had a net positive impact for me.
I’m going to share three instances when blocking people could do wonders for your professional career and your self-care.

The Creator Hub podcast is joined this week by Kashif, film and tv director, Co-founder of Donya and Muslims in Media. In his younger years, Kashif would make stop-motion shorts featuring all of his toys and be in awe of the impact that tv and media had on his point of view. That same intrigue in creating films and telling stories only grew as he got older.

Around 2016, Donya production company was born with the mission of centering marginalized peoples' stories. Kashif wanted to flip the script on the usual trauma-filled experiences of people of color that are shown and portray a more diverse range of emotions and journeys. Previously he worked as a video editor, then feature visual FX designer in the industry until he took a sabbatical that led him to watch Hasan Minaj’s comedy set in New York City. For the first time, Kashif felt connected to the show through Minaj’s cultural references and directness, and he wrote a positive review on Medium. Fast forward to the start of Donya and creating film content and media, Kashif tried his hand at producing live events – some of which were Minaj’s 2017 Vancouver Tour and 2021 Kings Gesture comedy special.

Film Creator to TikTok Creator
While Kashif is very attuned to directing movies and commercials, he (like many other professionals may feel) was most intimidated by the TikTok app itself. He had been making shorts before YouTube even started, and over the years has come to learn the ways in which we falsely use terms like filmmaker, editor, or director interchangeably. As Youtube continued to grow with the addition of Shorts, Instagram with Reels, and TikTok, Kashif decided it was his chance to get ahead of the curve and learn what was really going on. While he’s still figuring out exactly what it is about his content that people respond to, his goal is to continue being as authentic as possible. As the algorithm remains ever-changing and slightly abusive, the content Kashif shares over TikTok is aimed at sharing stories of value rather than self-promotion or over-production.

Transparency
There’s something so interesting to audiences about getting a behind-the-scenes look at content creation, securing brand deals, and the ins and outs of how Creators…well, create. It may seem odd and as if the content can’t be just that, but Kashif begs to differ. Often those same videos showing the types of DMs sent to brands and securing deals are the same ones that lead to more deals with others. Don’t discount the insights and entertainment that your personal journey holds. 

Desi Standard Time Travel
The short film tells the story of a young Indian father who just lost his dad, and gets the chance to travel back in time and fix their last conversation. Through twists, and turns the main character learns to understand his parents with more grace in this British sci-fi comedy-inspired short film.

Timing, Prioritization, Brand Collaboration, and Personal Partnerships
First thing first, realize that good things take time. Like a student becoming a master, give yourself time without the expectation of something perfect to come from it. Giving yourself permission and the patience to find the balance between slowing down and speeding up will get you further, without burnout. Some of the responsibilities and pressures that come with growing a brand or company are helpful in prioritizing what projects to say yes or no to, and how to accurately value($) your time. Take note of how the big companies and ad agencies are doing regarding partnership, and get creative in how to scale that down for personal projects.

Enjoy more of Kashif’s content on his TikTok @kashifpasta