👋🏽 Doors Opening

Hey! Welcome to the Creator Economy NYC newsletter — your weekly dose of actionable insights and strategies to help you build, monetize, and scale as a creator.

Quick heads up: we're hosting our 2nd Creator Walk tomorrow in Central Park! It's going to be a perfect way to disconnect from screens and connect with fellow creators while the weather's still good. RSVP here.

Also, we have a really exciting event happening next week with Andrew Yeung/Tech Mixers where we're bringing founders and creators together in one room to talk about ownership and equity in the creator economy. RSVP to apply to join us.

Now… in today’s newsletter, we're talking about something that's been on my mind as we head into Q4: the fear of being cringe and why climbing Cringe Mountain might be exactly what you need to end this year strong.

Let's dive in.

✍️ Spotlight

Why top creators embrace the cringe

September's wrapped, and we're staring down the final stretch of the year. We're entering Q4, and I can't believe I'm saying that because now I think of my years in quarters rather than seasons. How sad.

Nontheless, with three months left in 2025, I keep thinking about what holds most creators back from going all-in during these final months.

The fear of being cringe.

I wrote about this back in November 2024 after our “personal branding” panel, but it's hitting different now as we head into Q4.

Because here's what I've learned about this fear, and why now is actually the perfect time to push through it.

The harsh reality is…

Content creation is inherently cringey. You're putting your work, and by extension yourself, out there on THE internet for everyone to see. And it's scary, it's awkward, it's uncomfortable.

Especially in the beginning, when you think you don't have the authority, skills, or support to legitimize you. You're just... starting. And that feels exposed as hell.

But here's the thing nobody talks about: your cringe threshold is probably higher than your actual audience's comfort zone. What feels vulnerable and exposed to you often just feels... human to everyone else.

Welcome to Cringe Mountain!

Cringe Mountain is the steep peak you have to climb to get to the land of cool.

Every creator you admire has climbed this mountain at some point. The only reason you admire them is because they made it to the other side of Cringe Mountain.

They pushed through the awkward early posts, the videos with two views, the newsletters with twelve subscribers. They climbed until they reached the land of cool…

Butttt here's what they don't tell you: the climb never really ends. Each new format, each new platform, each time you try something vulnerable, it's starting the climb all over again.

I learned this during my early days on LinkedIn, when I was sharing thought leadership insights on this emerging industry or discussing founder life, despite not having a lot of experience under my belt (well, so I thought). But those cringey posts? They opened doors I didn't even know existed.

And now I'm trying out a new segment on LinkedIn called CENYCTV, where I break down news and updates in this industry. And damn, it can be cringy… we’re cllimbing for sure! Check it out.

Why Q4 is your secret weapon

The rewards that come from the willingness to be cringe far outweigh the fear of the feeling. Your dream follower, your dream collabs, your dream income are waiting for you on the other side of cringe mountain. You just have to start and keep climbing.

And Q4? It's actually the perfect time to climb because:

• Everyone's guards are down. People are wrapping up the year, feeling reflective, more open to authentic content.

• The noise level drops. Half your competition is already mentally on vacation or saving their "good stuff" for January.

• End-of-year energy is forgiving. People expect a little chaos, a little vulnerability, a little "let me try something new."

Your final 90 days

Look, that voice in your head saying "but what will people think?" isn't going anywhere. Mine still shows up every time I hit publish. The difference is I've learned to thank it for its concern and hit post anyway.

The people who think you're cringe for showing up authentically are not your people. And the people who are your people? They're waiting for you to stop hiding behind perfect and start being real.

The next 90 days are yours for the taking. Don't spend them playing it safe. Start climbing.

As Piper Phillips reminded us at that panel in November 2024: "Think about all the cool opportunities, amazing fulfillment, money, whatever drives you personally, that's gonna happen by making that content."

The embarrassment? That's just your entry fee to something amazing.

🎪 City Happenings

Sept 27: Creator Walk returns Sept 27 (TOMORROW!) in Central Park!

Join us in Central Park for another casual stroll with fellow creators! A chance to connect, chat, and create some content in the heart of NYC!

Sept 30: Owners Only - a collab event for those building audience-first companies

We’re trying something new, and partnering with Andrew Yeung and Jeff Frommer for an event on September 30 that brings together top B2B/B2C Founders with the most influential creators in their niche.

Oct 21: Mixer, Panel, and New Branding Celebration with Teachable

Join us as we partner with Teachable to celebrate the unveiling of its new brand identity and explore what’s next at the intersection of creators and education.

This will be a more intimate gathering than our typical events, so please note that capacity is much more limited.

🫡 Perks & Recs

Tools and resources that'll help you build, scale, and streamline, with exclusive discounts when I can swing them.

• Stanley: New AI tool that's actually useful. Connects to your LinkedIn, analyzes your past content, and helps craft high-performing posts in your voice. Perfect for creators who want to nail LinkedIn but don't want to overthink it. And it’s free.

• Teachable: A platform I recommend to creators who want to monetize their expertise. Whether you’re teaching marketing, music, or Minecraft, Teachable makes it simple to create, launch, and sell courses without overcomplicating it.

• beehiiv: What I use to write this newsletter (85 weeks and counting). Clean interface, great analytics, and email delivery that actually works. 20% off your first 3 months.

📚 Resources

LAUNCHING OCTOBER: "F*ck It, Create It" Course (Early Access) - 221 on waitlist!

I've been heads down working on our first creator education course: "F*ck It, Create It."

It's designed to break through the mental barriers that keep you stuck in planning mode instead of creating mode.

I’m looking for early testers to help shape the course. Jump in early and get a limited-edition hat plus access to resources, challenges, and community accountability.

2 FREE resources to accelerate your creator growth

The Creator Goal Setting Guide: A simple but powerful document to help you declare who you want to BECOME in 2025.

The Creator Accountability System: Your visual companion for consistent creation in 2025 (I’m using this now to send one newsletter a week!)

✌🏽 Stand Clear of the Closing Doors Please

Thanks for reading! Keep climbing.

See you next week,

Brett