Creator News Live: Discussing the latest social media tools, tips, and tactics with industry experts, innovators, creators, and storytellers

If you’ve ever wondered why some podcasters seem to attract clients effortlessly while others feel like they’re shouting into the void, this conversation with Katie Brinkley is the one you want in your earbuds. Katie has been helping business owners turn podcasts into strategic assets for years, and in this episode she breaks down how you can use your show to build trust, shorten your sales cycle,...

If you’ve ever felt like podcasting is equal parts joy and chaos, you’re in good company. In this episode, I sit down with Darrell Darnell, the founder of Pro Podcast Solutions, to talk about what it actually takes to build a show that lasts. Darrell’s been producing podcasts since the early days, and he’s seen just about every possible mistake, burnout cycle, and “why am I doing this?” moment cre...

Search is changing fast. We’re no longer just writing for algorithms; we’re writing for AI. This week, I’m joined by Brian Piper , co-author of Epic Content Marketing and Director of Content Strategy at the University of Rochester, to talk about how discoverability works in the age of AI. Brian breaks down how search results are shifting toward AI answers and virtual assistants, what “AEO” (Answer...

Bad audio is one of the fastest ways to lose an audience, no matter how great your content is. But sounding better doesn’t have to mean buying piles of gear or learning how to mix audio like a pro. This week, I’m joined by Laura Clapp Davidson , musician, content creator, and market development manager at Shure, who knows exactly how to make creators sound their best. Laura explains how to simplif...

Let’s be honest, most of us aren’t designers. But in today’s feed, visuals can make or break whether your content gets noticed. This week, I’m joined by Jim MacLeod , creative director, marketing strategist, and author of The Visual Marketer: The Marketer's Crash Course for Creating Memorable and Effective Visuals , to talk about how creators can craft scroll-stopping visuals without needing a des...

Conferences can be pricey, but are they worth it for creators? Paul Gowder joins me to share how in-person events can transform your business, your network, and your confidence. ---------------------- If you’ve ever stared at the price tag for a conference ticket and thought, “Do I really need to go?”, this episode’s for you. Between the travel, hotel, and time away from work, it’s a big investmen...

We’ve all heard about the exciting side of AI: new tools, faster workflows, and creative possibilities that seem endless. But there’s another side of this technology that doesn’t always make the headlines. The one that’s darker, riskier, and potentially dangerous for small businesses and creators like us. This week, I’m joined by Ramon Ray , speaker, entrepreneur, and Bitdefender’s Small Business...

Ever gone live and wondered if anyone was actually watching? Or maybe you’ve been showing up week after week and thinking, “Okay… but how do I turn this into real leads and clients?” This week, I’m joined by my friend Tanya Smith , video strategist, business coach, and creator of the Stream Like a Boss framework. Tanya knows exactly how to turn your live streams into steady, sustainable revenue, a...

This week’s episode is a little different. A couple of weeks ago, I hosted a four-part live training series called 'Social Media for Video People' with my friends over at Ecamm. We spent an entire week breaking down how creators can save time, use smarter tools, and show up with confidence on video. And since this last workshop fell right on my normal Friday slot, I decided to bring you along for...

Everywhere you turn, creators are talking about AI. Should you be leaning into tools that save you time, churn out content, and help with workflows? Or should your energy go into building real relationships and community that lasts? That’s the big question Conor and I tackled this week with our friend Paul Gowder of PowWows.com. Paul has been building thriving online communities since before AI wa...

Ever buy a “miracle app” that promised to automate your business, write your copy, and maybe even walk the dog… only to have it end up collecting dust in a folder called Someday ? Same here. That’s why this week Conor and I are comparing notes on the AI tools that actually stuck . These are the ones we’ve folded into our real workflows, the tools saving us time and keeping us sane when the content...

Join us for a high-impact conversation with Amanda Robinson, Meta Certified Lead Trainer and founder of The Digital Gal , as we break down what’s working, and what still needs a human touch, in Facebook advertising for 2025. Amanda shares how Meta’s AI-powered Advantage+ tools are reshaping the way small businesses run ads, from generating creative variations to expanding targeting. She explains w...

In this episode, Conor Brown joins me to share the biggest lessons we pulled from two impactful business books that tackle burnout, balance, and what it really means to build lasting success. We break down the key takeaways from Lean Learning by Pat Flynn and The 5 Types of Wealth by Sahil Bloom, exploring how creators and entrepreneurs can shift their mindset, set priorities, and focus on what re...

Join us for a thoughtful conversation with Katie Fawkes, Director of Marketing at Ecamm, as we explore how creators can make the most of networking opportunities, whether at large industry conferences or intimate local meetups. Katie shares how being intentional with your time, energy, and goals can transform any event into a meaningful connection-building experience. From navigating the overwhelm...

Today, AI consultant and creative tech specialist Ian Anderson Gray shares how to make AI workflows practical, approachable, and downright fun. Ian shares how his unique background as a professional classical singer led him to help entrepreneurs and teams adopt human-centered AI with confidence. We cover everything from voice-powered prompting to automation tools that connect your favorite platfor...

Join us for a practical and inspiring conversation with Paul Gowder, founder of PowWows.com, as he shares proven strategies to grow your email list and keep subscribers engaged. Paul walks through the essential steps for creating irresistible opt-ins, building trust with your audience, and sending emails that people actually look forward to opening. He explains how to approach list growth with a m...

In this episode, live video strategist and Cast Ahead founder Chris Stone shares six game-changing secrets for producing professional-quality video without draining your budget or your time. Chris walks us through how to plan content that connects, choose gear that works for your goals, and keep production smooth from start to finish. He reveals how to build a system that saves time while keeping...

Join us for a high-impact conversation with Paul Gowder, founder of PowWows.com and veteran digital community builder, as we explore how email marketing continues to be one of the most powerful tools in a creator’s toolkit. With more than two decades of experience and over 100,000 email subscribers, Paul walks us through his proven approach to list-building, audience engagement, and authentic comm...

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with Jason Goff, Senior Community & Support Specialist for Social Media Examiner, as we explore why strong, engaged communities are the ultimate way to cut through the noise and outlast shifting algorithms. Jason shares how building authentic connections with your audience not only creates loyalty but also provides a safety net when social platforms...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Jill Roberts, Ecamm’s community manager and a powerhouse content creator with over 30,000 YouTube subscribers. In this episode, Jill breaks down simple, repeatable video strategies that actually work for busy entrepreneurs, no film school required. Jill shares how she built her content habit by recording quick videos immediately after helping someone solv...

Ever wanted to peek behind the curtain and see how creators really use AI day to day? In this special AMA edition, co-hosts Conor Brown and Jeff Sieh answer community questions about the tools, workflows, and smart shortcuts they use to create more content, faster—and with a lot less stress. From writing scripts and planning podcast segments to generating thumbnails and training AI on your brand v...

Trying to keep up with AI while running a business? You’re not alone. In this episode of Social Media News Live , we’re joined by Phil Pallen, branding strategist, keynote speaker, and author of AI for Small Business , to talk about how solopreneurs and small teams can use AI to boost productivity without losing the personal touch. Phil shares his practical framework for using AI in ways that actu...

Ever wonder why some content sparks nonstop conversation while yours falls flat? In this episode, Brooke Sellas returns to break down the neuroscience behind engagement and how to build what she calls a “dopamine machine” for your brand. Spoiler: it’s not about pushing more content, it’s about triggering emotion. Brooke, CEO of B Squared Media and author of Conversations That Connect , explains ho...

Can a $27 product really transform your business? In this week’s episode, we sit down with Allie Bjerk, the marketing strategist behind the wildly successful Tiny Offer® method. Allie shares how she turned a simple, time-saving product into a multi-seven-figure business—and how you can use her playbook to create low-ticket offers that convert cold traffic into loyal buyers. We unpack what makes ti...

What makes a community truly thrive, and why are so many memberships failing to deliver? In this episode, we’re joined by Vincent Pugliese, founder of Membership Freedom and author of The Wealth of Connection , to rethink how we approach online communities in 2025. Vincent shares his philosophy of leading with connection instead of content, why smaller groups outperform larger ones, and how entrep...