🎤 Not Just a Room with a Mic
Hey Reader,
I saw an article this week about the backlash brewing against influencers — and honestly, it’s about time. In an economy where the media won’t say "recession" (but the tariffs, inflation, and slow sales are telling a different story), it's no surprise people are snapping.
Here’s why I’m bringing it up: Influencers ≠ the Creator Economy.
Can creators also be influencers? Sure. But is influencer content the same thing as creator-driven content? Not even close.
This matters because while dude bros keep scooping up mics and crowding the podcast and YouTube lanes, I see conscious creators hesitating... and I think the tone-deafness shown in this article explains why. We don't want to be associated with all the reasons influencers are receiving backlash. But that shouldn't be the reason you hesitate to hit record.
Here’s your TL;DR:
- The $250B influencer economy is crumbling as followers call out luxury flaunting (while they can barely afford groceries).
- 90% of influencers make less than $50K a year — and now even top earners are catching heat for $1,000 dinners and $2,000-a-week caviar habits.
- Creators are scrambling to pivot toward "budget tips" and "real life" content instead of aspirational flexes.
- Brands are shifting to performance-based influencer deals... meaning no more easy checks.
- A return to 'mundane content' is already starting — audiences want authenticity again, just like the early pandemic days.
What does this mean for you?
It’s more proof that media and marketing are shifting. We’ve spent the last decade chasing influencer metrics to win algorithms... but that landscape is crumbling fast.
If you’ve been following my updates on the Hollywood shakeups and traditional media collapse, you can draw a direct line from all of that to what’s happening here.
For solopreneurs and small creators, this is the moment to get comfortable in your pre-production space — whether you’re starting fresh or already launched. Pre-production isn’t just for beginners. It’s how you stand out from the sea of noise, adapt to this algorithmic slide, and actually capture attention in a new creator-driven economy.
I predict a major shift ahead: as traditional media collapses further, advertisers will chase real engagement — and creators with strong business systems (like you’re building right now) will be ready. It’ll feel like 2010 again — organic traffic, deep audience connection, and real growth without selling your soul to the algorithm gods.
As I finish getting Season 2 of The School of Moxie Podcast into your feeds, I’ll share more about what’s coming inside the CEO Summer Rebellion — built to help you find your place (and your power) in the Creator Economy that's rising fast.
This Info Possessed Me Like a Victorian Child With a Ouija Board...
🎨 Canva Just Hit the Glow-Up Button
If you’re an internet dinosaur like me, you’ve probably noticed some of Canva’s newest features quietly popping up. For most users, though? This update is huge—and honestly, it’s pretty amazing.
📣 Social Media: Still So High School
Trying to get visibility online these days feels a lot like trying to sit with The Plastics. Funny how we all know it—and yet we’re still untangling ourselves from a decade of algorithm-driven marketing.
🗳️ Libraries Know How to Launch, No Notes
5% of my time on the library board is exceptionally stressful. I was living in the other 95% until last week. We finalized the levy budget for our August election—and the public info campaign is chef’s kiss gorgeous. Imagine if our business sales pages educated people this clearly about value.
Your Free Weekly Business Tarot Reading:
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This week's reading...
Is here to support you with the final week of ALL PLANETS DIRECT. Short version = Now is the time to focus and take action... but sometimes you have feelings about what is happening in your biz. So I pulled some cards for you!
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🤳🏽 Is your business a stage… or a service?
We’re kicking off Season 2 of The School of Moxie Podcast with a hot take straight from the Ted Lasso playbook.
Episode 1 is all about the cult of personality, what happens when your business becomes your ego project, and how to build a brand that actually supports your people—not just your own validation loop.
You’ll hear how I’ve experienced this in my own business (yes, I’ve had my Nate moments), plus how characters like Roy and Beard model the kind of grounded leadership we desperately need more of.
🎧 Listen now on your favorite app or click to watch below. ⤵️
Let's Hang Out
🎤 This Tuesday, April 29th at 5:30pm is Hustle Hard, Slide Faster. It's FREE and we have snacks! Come to connect and stay for the chuckles. The theme this month is Pitch the Business You're Never Going to Launch.
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Participate + Join In
🎧 Are you a member of Kiln in Portland? Come join me while I teach your member-exclusive podcasting workshop on Tuesday, April 29th at 1pm. RSVP on your Kiln app and look for "Before You Hit Record."
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The Common Wealth
Last call! Do the exact same 4 week workshop that I did through my friend Megan Eckman. Uplevel Lab is responsible for helping me get my ducks back in a row to establish my studio dreams... and I met angel investors in the process. True story.
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Affiliate Hub
Buzzsprout gives us both a $20 bonus when you use my affiliate link to launch your podcast—and trust me, it's worth it. It’s the easiest, most intuitive platform I’ve used (and I’ve tested a lot). Fair pricing, simple setup, and everything you need to publish, grow, and get heard.
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Conscious Consumerism
Let’s talk about consumer behavior—and it’s not just about spending. Who you choose to listen to matters, too. This piece on the long-overdue backlash against Joe Rogan shows how your attention is just as powerful as your wallet.
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