The Full Story of Colin and Samir

Added: Oct 8, 2023

Colin and Samir started their journey in the creator economy over 10 years ago when they launched a YouTube channel focused on lacrosse. They were passionate about the sport and wanted to create a platform for the lacrosse community. However, they quickly realized that making money from their YouTube channel was not easy, and they had to find other ways to sustain themselves financially.

In the early days, they relied on savings and took on creative projects for other companies to make ends meet. They also worked with Colin's father's clothing company, providing creative services. Despite the financial challenges, they were determined to continue creating content and building their YouTube channel.

Eventually, they were acquired by a sports media company, which gave them stability and the opportunity to work with successful creators and athletes. They learned a lot about the creator space during this time and gained valuable experience. However, they still felt the desire to create content that went beyond sports.

They decided to leave their jobs and start their own YouTube channel, focusing on their own creative ideas. They admit that they didn't have a clear plan at the time, but they were passionate about creating videos and wanted to see where it would take them.

When asked about advice for aspiring creators, Colin and Samir emphasize the importance of understanding the audience. They believe that creators need to be empathetic towards their audience and create content that resonates with them. They stress the need to find content-market fit, which involves finding the balance between what the creator wants to make, what the audience wants to watch, and what the platform wants.

They also advise aspiring creators to start by finding other ways to make money, so they can focus on their creative pursuits without financial pressure. They encourage creators to study their audience, understand their preferences, and find ways to stand out in a crowded market.

Colin and Samir also discuss the evolution of the creator economy and how it has become a viable career option for many. They acknowledge that being a creator is not easy and requires a lot of hard work and dedication. They emphasize the importance of enjoying the process of creating and not just focusing on the outcome.

In terms of their own financial success, Colin and Samir mention that they are now making millions of dollars in revenue. However, they also mention that they have taken on more expenses recently as they invest in their company's growth. They admit that they are not entirely sure about their exact financial numbers, as they have hired people to handle their finances.

The conversation continues with a discussion about the value system in the creator economy. Colin and Samir talk about the quantitative nature of the value system on platforms like YouTube, where the success of a video is often measured by metrics such as views and engagement. They highlight the challenges of maintaining a creative vision in the face of fluctuating performance and emphasize the importance of understanding what "making it" means to each individual creator.

They also discuss the distinction between being a creative person motivated by money and being an entrepreneur in the creator economy. While some creators are primarily motivated by financial success, others are driven by a passion for their craft and the desire to provide value to their audience. Colin and Samir stress the importance of self-discovery and self-awareness in determining one's motivations and aligning them with their creative pursuits.

The conversation then shifts to the commonalities among creators who have achieved professional success. Colin and Samir highlight the importance of focus and discipline in maintaining consistency and staying relevant in the ever-changing landscape of the creator economy. They cite examples of creators like Marques Brownlee and MrBeast, who have remained focused on their core content despite numerous opportunities to expand into other directions.

They also discuss the concept of fear and how it can impact decision-making in the creative business. Colin and Samir share their personal experiences with fear and scarcity mindset, and how they have learned to embrace abundance and trust in their own abilities. They emphasize the importance of fear setting, a process of identifying and addressing fears, in overcoming fear-based thinking and making decisions from a place of abundance.

The conversation then delves into the dynamics of being co-founders in the creator economy. Colin and Samir discuss the challenges and rewards of working together as a duo. They highlight the importance of value alignment and equal partnership in a co-founder relationship, as well as the need for effective communication and compromise. They also reflect on the unique experience of sharing their creative journey with someone who understands and supports them.

the conversation touches upon the idea of starting a couple's channel. Colin and Samir share their perspectives on this concept, with Colin expressing his preference for keeping his personal and professional lives separate. They discuss the potential challenges and perceptions that come with sharing a relationship on a public platform, and the importance of maintaining authenticity and privacy.

The podcast began as a therapeutic outlet for the duo during a time when they were struggling to make money as creatives. They found that having open conversations with each other created a space for them to express their thoughts and feelings. This experience inspired them to create a container for other important relationships in their lives, such as with their fathers and their wives.

The podcast format became their engine for success. They realized that finding a format is crucial in the media industry, as it allows for consistency, collaboration, and brand building. They compared it to shows like Hot Ones and Chicken Shop Date, which have found success by sticking to a specific format.

Colin and Samir also discussed the concept of format FOMO, which is the fear of missing out on different formats. They admitted to experiencing this themselves, often feeling the desire to try different formats like breakdown videos or long-form study with me videos. However, they emphasized the importance of sticking to their chosen format and building their engine before experimenting with other formats.

The podcast format has proven to be commercially viable, although discovery can be challenging. Colin and Samir highlighted the deep connection that podcasts create with their audience, as they occupy the space between their listeners' ears for hours at a time. This connection can lead to high engagement and a loyal audience, making it a valuable platform for monetization.

In addition to their podcast, Colin and Samir have also ventured into the newsletter business with The Published Press. They recognized that their audience, particularly the career creators and the creator industry, spends time in their email inbox. They saw an opportunity to provide value through a newsletter that tells three creator stories multiple times a week. They hired a writer and consultant to help them launch the newsletter and ensure its success.

Colin and Samir explain that they initially built The Publish Press as an internal newsletter at their company to evaluate its value and determine if it was something they wanted to pursue. After a few months of development and realizing the value of curated content from various sources, they decided to release it to a trusted group of people and received positive feedback. This led them to realize that The Publish Press had the potential to be a valuable resource for others in the creator economy.

They discuss the concept of value proposition extension and how they identified education, curation, and articulation as their value propositions. They explain that they can extend their value proposition through the newsletter and online courses, which align with their expertise and interests. They also mention the challenges of exploring new business models, such as merchandise and productivity apps, and the importance of focusing on what they know and enjoy, which is creating content and selling sponsorships.

Colin and Samir emphasize the importance of piloting and testing their ideas before fully launching them. They recommend piloting the newsletter internally and with a trusted group of people to determine its value and make necessary adjustments. They also discuss the challenges of scaling a company and the need to find a balance between being involved in the process and allowing a team to operate independently.

They touch on the topic of virality and caution against solely chasing viral success. They explain that while virality can be exciting, it's important to focus on the process and the value of consistently creating content that resonates with an audience. They also discuss the changing landscape of short-form content and the need for creators to build a strong brand that goes beyond reach and views.

Colin and Samir share their thoughts on the balance between creating free content and monetization. They explain that it depends on having a value proposition extension that can be monetized and finding the right balance between providing free content to build an audience and selling products or services. They also mention the importance of building a brand that people trust and are willing to support.

They discuss the concept of working on oneself rather than just a YouTube channel or business. They explain that every video and experience is an opportunity for self-reflection and growth, and they strive to enjoy the process and be proud of their work. They also mention the importance of spending time with loved ones and creating a balance between work and personal life.

Colin and Samir then discuss the challenges they faced when transitioning from YouTube to other platforms. They explain how they had to adapt their content and strategy to fit the different platforms and audience expectations. They also talk about the importance of diversifying their revenue streams and not relying solely on ad revenue from YouTube.

The conversation then shifts to the topic of building a team and the challenges that come with it. Colin and Samir share their experiences of hiring and managing a team, highlighting the importance of finding the right people who align with their vision and values. They also discuss the importance of communication and creating a positive work environment.

Next, Colin and Samir talk about the importance of self-reflection and personal growth. They emphasize the need to constantly learn and evolve as creators and entrepreneurs. They discuss the value of taking risks and stepping out of their comfort zones to pursue new opportunities.

The conversation then moves on to the topic of building a brand and the importance of having a clear value proposition. Colin and Samir explain how they have expanded their brand beyond YouTube by creating a newsletter and a paid education course. They discuss the challenges they have faced in building these new ventures and the importance of learning from their mistakes.

In terms of advice for aspiring creators and entrepreneurs, Colin and Samir emphasize the importance of spending time with oneself and practicing self-awareness. They recommend finding a practice that allows for self-reflection, such as writing or journaling. They also recommend reading books on creativity and personal growth, such as Rick Rubin's "The Creative Act Way of Being."