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Podcast

YouTube Scripts, Notion Apps & Going Pro as a Creator

Colin Gray, Jacob Anderson

• 3 min read

This week, we're queuing up a chat about YouTube scripting tools, no-code app building, pro vs amateur mindsets, what we can learn from Jay Clouse, and a mindset for producing authentic content on a daily basis. Thank to Craig Hewitt from Castos for co-hosting this episode.

The Professional Creator Mindset

Systems Over Inspiration

This was a great discussion about what separates an amateur creator mindset from a professional one. The key isn't talent, or even experience - it's approach.

The Amateur Trap

Many creators fall into these common patterns:

  • Waiting for inspiration to strike
  • Recording only when they "feel like it"
  • Struggling with weekly topic selection
  • Getting blocked when ideas don't flow
  • Missing episodes due to "lack of inspiration"

The Professional Approach

Craig shared his experience with Rogue Startups (330+ episodes) and we broke down how pros handle content creation:

1. Batch Processing

  • Dedicate specific days to research and planning
  • Spend one day planning a month or two's worth of content
  • Separate planning from creation entirely
  • Use systems to capture ideas constantly. For example, Colin uses:
    • Feedly to curate industry news
    • Stoop Inbox to keep on top of newsletter management
    • Simple: Notes app in iOS for random ideas

2. Season Planning
Instead of the oh-so-common weekly scramble, think bigger:

  • Choose one major topic or theme
  • Break it down into 8-12 episode subtopics
  • Create a content calendar in advance
  • Build in flexibility for timely content

3. Strategic Breaks
Craig shared his current experience taking a break from his podcast. Key lessons:

  • It's okay to pause when you need to refresh
  • Always communicate with your audience
  • Use the break to plan your next phase
  • Return with renewed energy and direction

Key Takeaway: Writer's block often isn't about creativity - it's about lacking a purpose to the content, and the systems to deliver it relentlessly consistently.

Action Steps:

  1. Block out 2 hours next Tuesday (or another day!) for pure content planning
  2. Set up a simple system to capture ideas (Feedly + Stoop recommended)
  3. Plan your next content season rather than your next episode

Content Format Innovation

Learning from Unexpected Places

Craig's discovery of the Wild Homestead YouTube channel led to some powerful insights about content creation. Let's break down why this format works:

The Power of Journey Documentation

The channel follows someone building an off-grid cabin in Canada, but the lessons apply to any creator:

  • Raw, authentic content that connects deeply
  • No fancy production needed (just iPhone footage)
  • Regular, consistent updates
  • Strong narrative thread throughout

Applying This to Your Content

Craig's experimenting with this through:

  • Daily 3-minute updates
  • Simple phone recordings
  • No editing required
  • Focus on "today's learnings"

This sparked a broader discussion about:

  • The fear of "thought leadership"
  • The value of sharing struggles
  • Connection through vulnerability
  • Making content creation sustainable

Key Takeaway: Sometimes the most engaging content isn't about teaching - it's about sharing your journey. And a big part of that is the struggle, the worry, the fear. Colin mentioned the idea of 'worry leadership' or 'anxiety leadership' as a more identifiable alternative to 'thought leadership' 🤣

Action Step: Try the 3-minute daily update experiment. One take, no editing, just share what you learned today.

Modern Creator Tech Setup

Finding Your Perfect Stack

We wrapped up with a practical discussion about creator tech setups:

Video Setup Insights:

  • Stick with good webcams ($100 range) as long as possible
  • More expensive doesn't always mean better for YOU. It might mean more complex, more time-consuming and more inclined to break.
  • Elgato Prompter trade-offs (great for eye contact, more complexity)

Computer Choices:

  • Craig: MacBook M1 Air (maxed out specs)
  • Colin: High-end PC - Lenovo Legion 7i (gaming/creator hybrid)
  • Key consideration: Edit capabilities vs reliability

Key Takeaway: Simpler setups often lead to more consistent content creation.

Resources Round-Up

People to Follow

  • Jay Clouse - Modern creator education
  • Justin Welsh - Content systems master
  • Wild Homestead - Journey documentation example

Episode Chapters

00:00 - Welcome & Tech Troubles
02:21 - Game-Changing YouTube Tool: Subscriber AI Deep Dive
08:30 - How I'm Using Notion Apps to Transform Our Community
23:15 - Real Talk: The Pro vs Amateur Creator Mindset
34:00 - Content Format Gold: Learning from Wilderness YouTube
42:43 - Creator Setup Chat: Mac vs PC Showdown
46:06 - Quick Platform Updates & Wrap

That's our deep dive into this week's Creator Toolbox episode! Remember, the key to consistent content isn't waiting for inspiration - it's building systems that work for you. Start small, stay consistent, and keep building. See you next week!