NOVEMBER 26, 2021

Welcome to The Tilt, a twice-weekly newsletter for content entrepreneurs. Each edition is packed with the latest news, strategies, and tactics, plus inspiring creator stories and exclusive education, all to help you create, grow, and monetize better.

Features in this issue (view online):

Full Tilt: Tips to Help Your Business Manager Search
Entrepreneur: Daily Life Is Perfect Content Tilt for TikToker
Stan: YouTuber Practiced Her ‘Online Personality’ Before Launch

full tilt

How Creators Can Find a Business Manager That’s Right for Them

You’ve decided it’s time to find a business manager to help you sift through brand opportunities and grow your content business in new directions. But, to find the right manager, don’t just start Googling “content creator” or “influencer business managers” and hire the first one who responds.

Finding the right manager takes some thought and strategy. We spoke with six talent and business managers — Emily Ward and Jess Hunichen at Shine Talent Group, Becca Bahrke and Savanah Deming at Illuminate Social, Damian Skoczylas at ICON, and Caleb Dempsey — to get tips for finding the perfect fit. Here’s some of what they shared:

Think about your platforms: Some business managers may be generalists, serving creators on a variety of platforms. But many specialize in Twitch streamers, Instagrammers, or YouTubers. That matters, according to our panel of business managers. “You look for the company that does what you do,” Damian says.

Consider their client roster: Just as some business managers specialize on particular social media platforms, they also focus on distinct kinds of creators. Some client lists might include mostly gamers; others might focus on lifestyle Instagrammers or fitness YouTubers.

The benefits of working with a business manager who is familiar with your niche means they are connected with brands who are interested in sponsoring the kind of content that you create and understand the strategies that can help your business grow.

Make sure you click: “You’re signing with a person and not a company,” Damian says. “It really comes down to the vibe. How do you click with your talent rep? And do they understand you? Are they listening to you? Some people are very matter-of-fact. Some people are more caring. Some people talk a lot. It really comes down to expertise and personal vibe.”

“Consider the kind of team or agency you want to work with,” Emily says. Interview a couple of different kinds and levels of agencies to figure out the right fit.

– Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

To get more advice, from talking money to the questions to ask before you sign the dotted line, read the full story.

content entrepreneur spotlight

@ThrdFloor’s Adam Blythe Builds Audience on Instagram Before Expanding to TikTok

Entrepreneur: Adam Blythe

Biz: @thrdfloor

Tilt: Daily views of his life

Time to First Dollar: 1 year

Channels: TikTok (121.3K), Instagram (69.8K), Website

Rev Streams: Brand sponsorships, TikTok Creator Fund

Our Favorite Actionable Advice:

Work with the brands right for you: Adam believes authenticity matters more than revenue, so he only works with companies that genuinely connect with his life offline.
Build on one platform first: He grew a solid following on his Instagram account before he branched out to TikTok, where his content was different from others on the platform.
Set deadlines for yourself: It can be hard to stay on track without a boss, so set (and meet) deadlines for your own work.

– Kelly Wynne

To learn more about Adam, his one and only rule, and more, read the longer story.

Know a content creator who’s going full tilt? DM us or reply to this email.

quick talk

Caught on … Blogging From Paradise (h/t Chayan Chakrabarti)

“Do not compare your blogging self to others.” – Ryan Biddulph

things to know

Money

Appetizing deal: A new recipe site, Foody, launched this month with the goal of helping content creators monetize their recipes. Backed by investor Serena Williams, the site features both star and unknown chefs. (Eater SF)
Tilt Take: It sounds like a good deal for recipe creators as it’s free to sign up and doesn’t charge monthly service fees. Creators get 80% of the revenue (minus credit card fees) and retain their copyright.

Audiences

Laws for Annarchy: Ann Handley has seen readers of her newsletter Total Annarchy grow 20x in over three years. How? Among the advice: Create what you wish existed. Know what you don’t want to write (it’s as important as what you do want to write). Obsess over onboarding your audience. (Total Annarchy)
Tilt Take: We’re a fan of another tip, too: Let your purpose define your goals. (Just make sure your goals are measurable.)

Tech and Tools

Best in 2022: Aggregating over 50K email campaigns (7B+ transmissions), Worldata came up with a 2022 Email Marketing Calendar to identify the top, average, and poor performing days. (Worldata)
Tilt Take: Print this calendar, particularly if you serve a B2B audience, but don’t forget to look at your own data too.

And Finally

Cash not accepted: Model and Dancing With the Stars contestant Alexis Ren wants to convert her We Are Warriors online school for fitness, health, and personal finance from a cash subscription model to an NFT-access model. (Insider)
Tilt Take: While you may not be ready for an NFT business model yet, pay attention to the possibilities as we expect them to grow.

we’re a stan for Anna Bey

Former JetSetBabe blogger and certified image consultant Anna Bey uses her YouTube account to share her take on femininity and modern elegance. Her 1M followers, or “elegant ladies” as she calls them, watch countless videos on her platform with titles such as Look Classy In Summer With These 5 Items, 5 Fashion Rules EVERY Woman Should Know, and How To Dress For Your Body Shape.

Anna also founded Secrets of the Elite Woman, an online finishing school for “ladies who are passionate about their pursuit of a refined and elegant life,” according to her YouTube about section.

Why we’re a Stan: Anna sets viewer expectations by consistently publishing videos to her YouTube channel. Regularity, more than frequency, is essential to audience growth.

– Shameyka McCalman

the business of content

Content Creators, DAOs, and Your Future (Content Inc. podcast)
Content Marketing Trends, Pet Peeves, and the Best Business Books of All Time [Special Episode] (This Old Marketing podcast)
Stan Silverman: Advice for Aspiring Business Writers (Philadelphia Business Journal)
5 Founders on How They Grew Their 7-Figure Businesses (Insider)

the tilt team

Your team for this issue: Joe Pulizzi, Ann Gynn, Laura Kozak, Marc Maxhimer, and Dave Anthony, with an assist from Sarah Lindenfeld Hall, Kelly Wynne, Shameyka McCalman, and Don Borger.

Better Manage Your Black Friday – November 26, 2021