Hey! Welcome to the Creator Economy NYC newsletter — the premier place for all things creator economy in the Big Apple.

And a special welcome to the 700 new readers who have joined this week. We’re grateful to have you in the community.

I’ll be honest — it’s been a LONG week. We’re coming off of two big events, and cha boi is tired. I want to thank everyone who joined us or expressed interest – it’s amazing to see the energy and enthusiasm in our community.

In today’s newsletter, we're recapping 5 takeaways from our Creators 4 Mental Health event.

Let’s dive in.

Enjoying being part of the community?

The newest creator revenue opportunity? Q&A.

Creators, is your comment section starting to look like a neglected inbox?

It's awesome that your audience is so engaged, but let's be real – it's overwhelming. You're trying to create content, manage your brand deals, and have a life. Who has time to answer every single question?

But here's the thing: those questions are goldmines. They're chances to upsell, promote your stuff, and even land new brand deals. You’re leaving money on the table by not answering them.

That's where AsqMe comes in. It's this new platform that's changing the game for creators like you. Here's the deal:

1. It pulls all audience questions into one place from cross-platform. No more app-hopping nightmare.

2. It can draft answers for you using your existing content. 

3. It translates everything - global audiences. 

4. Here's the kicker – you can monetize your answers. Set prices, accept tips, whatever works for you.

Basically, it turns your audience's questions into a new revenue stream. And who doesn't want that?

As a reader of this newsletter, you can try AsqMe Pro free for 3 months with the code CENYC. Give it a shot and let me know what you think. Spread your knowledge and get that bread.

Why you should post and ghost

In the creator economy, where likes, shares and viral moments often take center stage, there's a crucial aspect that often goes unaddressed: the mental health of creators themselves. This week, we took a significant step towards changing that narrative.

On Tuesday, we co-hosted an event that put the spotlight squarely on mental health in the creator economy. The timing couldn't have been more fitting, as yesterday marked World Mental Health Day.

We were fortunate to have an exceptional panel that brought diverse perspectives to the table. Emmy-nominated host Shira Lazar moderated the discussion, guiding us through insightful conversations with our esteemed panelists:

• Kate Mackz, Creator of The Running Interview Show

• Dr. Jason Wersland, Founder of Therabody

• Gabby Beckford, Travel Influencer & Creator of Packs Light

The panel covered a range of topics, but it was the final question that really resonated with me: "What tactics do you utilize to better your mental health as a creator?" Here are my key takeaways:

1. Embrace the "post and ghost" mentality

As shared by Kate, the "post and ghost" approach is about recognizing the limits of your control once content is published. This mindset helps creators detach from the immediate aftermath of posting, reducing anxiety and compulsive checking of metrics.

TL;DR: Post your content, then step away. What happens next is out of your hands, so focus on your next creation instead of obsessing over immediate reactions.

2. Shift your perspective on content performance

Gabby’s advice to view content metrics quarterly rather than daily is a game-changer. This broader view helps creators see trends and overall growth, rather than getting caught up in day-to-day fluctuations.

TL;DR: Evaluate your content performance on a quarterly basis. This wider lens provides a more accurate picture of your growth and helps maintain a positive mindset towards your content performance.

3. Proactively address your anxieties

Gabby Beckford's suggestion to find practical solutions for your anxieties is crucial. Using tools like post scheduling can significantly reduce the stress associated with maintaining a consistent online presence. This approach encourages creators to identify their specific stressors and seek out or develop tools and strategies to mitigate them.

TL;DR: Identify what causes you stress in your creative process and find practical tools or strategies to address these issues head-on.

4. Cultivate daily gratitude

Dr. Jason Wersland's emphasis on practicing gratitude, even for small things, is a powerful tool for maintaining perspective. When posting content frequently, it's easy to lose sight of the positives. Regular gratitude practice can help creators stay grounded, appreciate their progress, and maintain a positive outlook even when facing challenges.

TL;DR: Take time each day to acknowledge and appreciate something positive, no matter how small. This practice can significantly improve your overall mental well-being.

5. Utilize daily affirmations

Kate’s recommendation to use daily affirmations centered around your mission is about maintaining focus and purpose. By stating your mission and reaffirming it throughout the day, you create a personal touchstone that can guide your decisions and help you stay true to your goals. This practice can provide clarity and motivation, especially when things get challenging or you’re stuck in a rut.

TL;DR: Start each day by stating your mission or core values. Refer back to this affirmation throughout the day to stay aligned with your purpose and maintain mental clarity.

Closing it out

I want to give a special shout to Shira Lazar and Jordana Reim, who started the #Creators4MentalHealth initiative. It was only a few weeks ago that Shira approached me about collaborating on an event. The idea immediately resonated.

So, with support from partners like Shopify, Peace Inside Live, and Passionfruit, we got it going.

And there is no event and community without all those who showed up and the wellness partners who participated. Thank you for being here. Remember, mental well-being is just as important as our creative output.

Keep on building and keep on creating.

Upcoming events

“It’s Giving Brainrot” Mixer & Panel w/ The Webby Awards

• When: Oct 16, 6:00PM-8:00PM

• For who: creators, marketers, social media marketers, chronically online people

We’re collaborating with The Webby Awards and Meltwater for a “Webby Talk" titled 'It’s giving brain rot,' which explores how chronically online culture is shifting us from the niche to the nonsensical — and why that can be a good thing.

Our panel features Macy Gilliam from Morning Brew, Jordana Jarrett, Head of Content at The Webby Awards, TJ Kiely, Director of Global Content & Corporate Programs at Meltwater, and, finally, yours truly — though I am not moderating this time, so I am in the HOT seat!

Following the presentation, stick around for networking with creators, executives, and thought leaders pushing the internet forward.

• The Publish Press event: ​Come hang with the creator community for a screening of the finale of NYC-creator Tejas Hullur's revolutionary 4-part YouTube docuseries. I’ll be there, and hope to see you too. RSVP here.

• Start a newsletter: It’s time you own your audience and start a newsletter. Get 20% off your first 3 months on any beehiiv paid plan. This comes after a complimentary 30-day free trial, exclusively for our community members! Snag it here.

• It’s called the creator economy for a reason

• Top trends at Advertising Week New York 

• The influencer middle class is feeling the pain as marketers turn toward superstars (paywall)

• Brand & Events Coordinator @ Teachable

• Influencer Strategist @ Mekanism

• Senior Creative Strategist @ Linqia

Siftsy is your secret weapon for tapping into what’s happening in the comment sections. Perfect for influencer marketers analyzing holistic campaign performance, saving them hours in campaign wrap reports.

With Siftsy, you can quickly spot key convo topics, sentiments, and vibes, plus view and sort performance metrics for all your campaign posts. Try it out for yourself.

Thanks so much for reading! Let me know what you thought by replying back to this email! See you next week!

Brett