In today's episode, Matt and Kolby dig into what's actually working in audience building right now — fandom vs. impressions, the channels that actually build real community, and why frameworks are the ultimate cheat code for creator brands. Chenell Basilio (Growth in Reverse) joins to talk pop-up newsletters, cross-promotion strategy, and what's next after email. Plus, the guys debate whether Mr. Beast is the next BuzzFeed and what the rise of AI slop means for creators who actually give a damn about their craft.
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Watch on YouTube
Timestamps:
00:00 Stardew Valley and the Indie Creator Model
05:31 Fandom vs. Impressions: What Actually Builds an Audience
10:52 Cross-Promotion Strategy with Chenell Basilio
16:09 Pop-Up Newsletters and Re-engaging Churned Subscribers
30:01 Why Every Creator Needs a Framework
41:17 What's Next: SMS, Live Events, and YouTube
46:55 The Case for Live Streaming in B2B Media
01:02:05 Is Mr. Beast the Next BuzzFeed?
01:12:15 Betting on Emerging Creators
01:17:32 The Culturalist and the Future of Thoughtful Content
🔗 Connect with Chenell:
https://growthinreverse.com/
Chenell's Podcast
30 Days of Growth
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