The 6 Figure Personal Brand Blueprint With JT Barnett

JT Barnett is a content creator, entrepreneur, and founder of CreatorX, a headhunting firm that matches creators with consumer brands to ideate, film, edit, and post content on their behalf. He has worked with major brands like Microsoft, Skechers, and Nissan.

In this episode of “Uploading…,” JT shares strategies for creating compelling content, building an audience, and monetizing through brand partnerships. He emphasizes the importance of enjoying the creative process, engaging with a niche audience, and using feedback to inform content decisions.

JT also gives practical advice on topics such as developing signature content series, avoiding burnout, using AI tools in the creation process, and more.

Fav Quotes From Episode #26

Why Brands Partner with Creators: “You might actually have the ideas, but when you go to film it, you just don't know the technique, you don't know how to edit, you don't know how to create in an actual capacity. Even if people have ideas, they need makers, they need people to do it. There's something really missing here where brands are going to need these creators, and creators also want these kinds of jobs to work within companies." — JT Barnett, 00:06:52 → 00:07:02 

Why Creators Need to Engage Niche Audiences: “Whose accounts do you really enjoy that you could see yourself being somewhat similar to? And I don't think of it in a way of like, let's go copy that person. I think of it like, let's go and make friends with everybody that's in their audience. Because if that person has an audience of fitness minded people and you love their content, there's a really good chance that that audience is also going to be the audience that you're trying to get to follow you and care about you." — JT Barnett, 00:16:17 → 00:16:34

Content Creation and Monetization: “I think a lot of people want to monetize too soon... And the people that actually make money from it find enjoyment in the process of what they're doing. So I think that literally on day one, I would be like, I need to find a way to actually enjoy this." — JT Barnett, 00:29:14 → 00:29:25

3 Strategies for Success From JT Barnett

1. Focus on fulfillment in the creation process

When you're creating content, it's easy to get caught up in the endless pursuit of views, likes, and engagement. But as JT points out, the key to long-term success and fulfillment lies in finding joy in the act of creating itself.

If you focus solely on chasing vanity metrics, you risk burning out and losing sight of what truly matters. Instead, embrace the intrinsic rewards of the creative process—the thrill of exploring new ideas, the satisfaction of honing your craft, the joy of collaborating with others who share your passion.

Remember, even if your audience seems small, the impact you're making is significant. A few hundred views might not feel groundbreaking, but that's like having a whole auditorium of people hanging on your every word.

Make the most of the opportunity to build deep, meaningful connections with your niche community, and cherish the chance to make a difference in their lives through your content.

2. Embrace authenticity over polish

In the age of TikTok, audiences are craving a new kind of authenticity. They want raw, unfiltered, and relatable content. To truly connect with your viewers, JT suggests approaching your content like a casual FaceTime conversation with a close friend.

Don't be afraid to show your imperfect, unpolished side. Those are the qualities that make you human and relatable. Your audience wants to connect with someone who understands their struggles and isn't afraid to be vulnerable.

This is especially true on platforms like TikTok, where users are used to seeing off-the-cuff, lo-fi content. If you try too hard to mimic the polished look of traditional media, you'll just end up alienating your audience. Instead, embrace the raw, unscripted nature of the medium, and let your true personality shine through.

3. Develop a signature content series

Everyone is trying to make it as a content creator nowadays and it can be tough to stand out from the crowd. One strategy that JT recommends is developing your own signature content series.

A signature content series gives your audience something to latch onto and look forward to on a regular basis.

The trick is to choose a theme that speaks to who you are and what you're all about. Then, commit to exploring that theme from every angle, week after week, month after month.

Before you know it, your series will become synonymous with your personal brand.

When your followers see a new episode or installment, they'll know exactly what they're getting. They'll trust you to deliver the goods every single time, and they'll keep coming back for more.

Fresh off the mic! Our newest episode is out

Jay Clouse is the founder of Creator Science, a media company that offers advanced creator education through newsletters, podcasts, and YouTube. With over 100,000 YouTube subscribers and a successful podcast interviewing content creators and strategists, Jay has established himself as an expert in the creator economy.

In this episode of “Uploading…,” we explore Jay’s content strategy that spans newsletters, podcasts, and social media. Jay shares insights on the underspoken art of packaging in content and its impact on performance. He also shares podcasting strategies, covering topics such as balancing scripting and spontaneity, effective interview techniques, and the importance of active listening.

We're excited to be part of your journey to turn content into business.

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Until next week, keep uploading…