Ctrl Alt Ask Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/ctrl-alt-ask-the-creator-advice-show The advice show for creators that tells it like it is. Host Stephanie Woodin takes calls from web creators grappling with the big questions: burnout, branding, revenue, and keeping up with AI and SEO changes. Each episode, an expert guest or fellow creator joins Stephanie to answer your questions with research-backed, practical advice you can put to work in your own business. Brought to you by Raptive, the full-service creator media company that empowers creators to turn their passions into thriving, profitable brands. Do you have a question? Record yourself on video or audio, or write it up and email it to ctrlaltask@raptive.com. Anonymous questions are welcome! © 2025 Raptive f8c0a394-07e1-520a-b766-651a6b4efe9c no Introducing Ctrl Alt Ask: The creator advice show en Wed, 25 Feb 2026 02:00:14 -0800 Wed, 25 Feb 2026 02:03:53 -0800 https://img.transistorcdn.com/TMN0Pl7zwVF2J2O_kyeW_kpYIjOINDznRrizFdS8ZIk/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS83N2Q0/NjA0YjEwNTIwZGNj/OGZhNGIyYzQxOGYw/NGQzMS5qcGc.jpg Ctrl Alt Ask episodic Raptive The advice show for creators that tells it like it is. Host Stephanie Woodin takes calls from web creators grappling with the big questions: burnout, branding, revenue, and keeping up with AI and SEO changes. Each episode, an expert guest or fellow creator joins Stephanie to answer your questions with research-backed, practical advice you can put to work in your own business. Brought to you by Raptive, the full-service creator media company that empowers creators to turn their passions into thriving, profitable brands. Do you have a question? Record yourself on video or audio, or write it up and email it to ctrlaltask@raptive.com. Anonymous questions are welcome! The advice show for creators that tells it like it is. entrepreneur, SEO, influencer, search engine optimization, monetization, small business, creator, UGC Creator, influencer marketing , YouTube monetization, digital creators, Solopreneur, SEO tips, social media content creator, raptive, content creators, website building, algorithm changes, Google algorithm updates, going viral, creator economy, brand deals, owned media, data-driven insights, creator economy partner, platform strategy, diversifying income, Revenue per Mille, audience growth, creator burnout, creator business, AI tools for creators, RPM (Revenue per Mille), creator monetization platform, creator coaching, scaling your content Raptive support@lowerstreet.co No No 8 essential tips for web creators 11 11 8 essential tips for web creators full 70cbaf78-36ac-4b4c-9baa-d31577f0081b https://share.transistor.fm/s/c561d923 What actually works for web creators right now? Across this season of Ctrl Alt Ask, we spoke with SEO experts, ad strategists, branding pros, creator coaches, and founders navigating real traffic swings. In this episode, we’ve distilled the most important lessons into eight clear, actionable takeaways for independent publishers.

You’ll learn how to:

  • Think about Google without letting it control your strategy
  • Improve your search performance with small but meaningful site changes
  • Attract advertisers by strengthening your audience relationship
  • Build a smarter YouTube strategy across Shorts and long-form
  • Clarify your brand so it cuts through noise
  • Promote your work confidently without burning out your audience
  • Protect your content in the age of AI
  • Adapt to Google Discover as it reshapes traffic

Whether you're focused on SEO, monetization, branding, or just staying sane as a creator, this episode pulls together the most practical advice from across the show into one focused guide.

]]> What actually works for web creators right now? Across this season of Ctrl Alt Ask, we spoke with SEO experts, ad strategists, branding pros, creator coaches, and founders navigating real traffic swings. In this episode, we’ve distilled the most important lessons into eight clear, actionable takeaways for independent publishers.

You’ll learn how to:

  • Think about Google without letting it control your strategy
  • Improve your search performance with small but meaningful site changes
  • Attract advertisers by strengthening your audience relationship
  • Build a smarter YouTube strategy across Shorts and long-form
  • Clarify your brand so it cuts through noise
  • Promote your work confidently without burning out your audience
  • Protect your content in the age of AI
  • Adapt to Google Discover as it reshapes traffic

Whether you're focused on SEO, monetization, branding, or just staying sane as a creator, this episode pulls together the most practical advice from across the show into one focused guide.

]]> Wed, 25 Feb 2026 02:00:00 -0800 Raptive Raptive 584 What actually works for web creators right now? Across this season of Ctrl Alt Ask, we spoke with SEO experts, ad strategists, branding pros, creator coaches, and founders navigating real traffic swings. In this episode, we’ve distilled the most important lessons into eight clear, actionable takeaways for independent publishers.

You’ll learn how to:

  • Think about Google without letting it control your strategy
  • Improve your search performance with small but meaningful site changes
  • Attract advertisers by strengthening your audience relationship
  • Build a smarter YouTube strategy across Shorts and long-form
  • Clarify your brand so it cuts through noise
  • Promote your work confidently without burning out your audience
  • Protect your content in the age of AI
  • Adapt to Google Discover as it reshapes traffic

Whether you're focused on SEO, monetization, branding, or just staying sane as a creator, this episode pulls together the most practical advice from across the show into one focused guide.

]]> entrepreneur, SEO, influencer, search engine optimization, monetization, small business, creator, UGC Creator, influencer marketing , YouTube monetization, digital creators, Solopreneur, SEO tips, social media content creator, raptive, content creators, website building, algorithm changes, Google algorithm updates, going viral, creator economy, brand deals, owned media, data-driven insights, creator economy partner, platform strategy, diversifying income, Revenue per Mille, audience growth, creator burnout, creator business, AI tools for creators, RPM (Revenue per Mille), creator monetization platform, creator coaching, scaling your content No How do I optimize for Google Discover? 10 10 How do I optimize for Google Discover? full b35d9281-35c9-41f5-a3cd-f409e4522718 https://share.transistor.fm/s/96ae651d There’s a part of Google quietly driving millions of clicks to websites every day–and a lot of creators don’t even realize they’re publishing for it. In this episode, we ground the conversation in what Google Discover actually is, where it lives, and why it matters right now for creators navigating a shifting search landscape.


Guest Tim Konrad of Unofficial Networks shares what it’s been like riding the feature’s highs and lows, and why traffic to his ski and snowboard site can rise and fall faster than the alpine slopes he covers. Tom Critchlow, Raptive’s EVP of Audience Growth, breaks down what’s changed inside Google Discover, which signals still matter, and what creators can do to improve their chances of getting surfaced.


00:00 Introduction to Google Discover

00:44 Meet Tim Konrad and Tom Critchlow

01:12 Get to Know Tom via his Google Discover Feed

02:27 Tim Konrad's Journey with Google Discover

04:46 Understanding Google Discover

07:24 Google Discover's Impact on Traffic

10:10 Challenges and Volatility in Google Discover

14:32 Optimizing Content for Google Discover

27:36 Future of Google Discover

31:23 Conclusion and Final Thoughts


Additional resources:

https://raptive.com/blog/why-you-should-be-optimizing-for-google-discover/ 

]]> There’s a part of Google quietly driving millions of clicks to websites every day–and a lot of creators don’t even realize they’re publishing for it. In this episode, we ground the conversation in what Google Discover actually is, where it lives, and why it matters right now for creators navigating a shifting search landscape.


Guest Tim Konrad of Unofficial Networks shares what it’s been like riding the feature’s highs and lows, and why traffic to his ski and snowboard site can rise and fall faster than the alpine slopes he covers. Tom Critchlow, Raptive’s EVP of Audience Growth, breaks down what’s changed inside Google Discover, which signals still matter, and what creators can do to improve their chances of getting surfaced.


00:00 Introduction to Google Discover

00:44 Meet Tim Konrad and Tom Critchlow

01:12 Get to Know Tom via his Google Discover Feed

02:27 Tim Konrad's Journey with Google Discover

04:46 Understanding Google Discover

07:24 Google Discover's Impact on Traffic

10:10 Challenges and Volatility in Google Discover

14:32 Optimizing Content for Google Discover

27:36 Future of Google Discover

31:23 Conclusion and Final Thoughts


Additional resources:

https://raptive.com/blog/why-you-should-be-optimizing-for-google-discover/ 

]]> Wed, 11 Feb 2026 02:00:00 -0800 Raptive Raptive 1876 There’s a part of Google quietly driving millions of clicks to websites every day–and a lot of creators don’t even realize they’re publishing for it. In this episode, we ground the conversation in what Google Discover actually is, where it lives, and why it matters right now for creators navigating a shifting search landscape.


Guest Tim Konrad of Unofficial Networks shares what it’s been like riding the feature’s highs and lows, and why traffic to his ski and snowboard site can rise and fall faster than the alpine slopes he covers. Tom Critchlow, Raptive’s EVP of Audience Growth, breaks down what’s changed inside Google Discover, which signals still matter, and what creators can do to improve their chances of getting surfaced.


00:00 Introduction to Google Discover

00:44 Meet Tim Konrad and Tom Critchlow

01:12 Get to Know Tom via his Google Discover Feed

02:27 Tim Konrad's Journey with Google Discover

04:46 Understanding Google Discover

07:24 Google Discover's Impact on Traffic

10:10 Challenges and Volatility in Google Discover

14:32 Optimizing Content for Google Discover

27:36 Future of Google Discover

31:23 Conclusion and Final Thoughts


Additional resources:

https://raptive.com/blog/why-you-should-be-optimizing-for-google-discover/ 

]]> entrepreneur, SEO, influencer, search engine optimization, monetization, small business, creator, UGC Creator, influencer marketing , YouTube monetization, digital creators, Solopreneur, SEO tips, social media content creator, raptive, content creators, website building, algorithm changes, Google algorithm updates, going viral, creator economy, brand deals, owned media, data-driven insights, creator economy partner, platform strategy, diversifying income, Revenue per Mille, audience growth, creator burnout, creator business, AI tools for creators, RPM (Revenue per Mille), creator monetization platform, creator coaching, scaling your content No The discoverability hack for small entertainment sites 9 9 The discoverability hack for small entertainment sites full 59320bec-80e0-4113-851f-215266b26e8f https://share.transistor.fm/s/140f051b How can smaller news and entertainment creators compete with giant publishers? Should creators chase breaking news, or focus on evergreen content? And what actually wins in today’s SEO and discovery ecosystem?


These are the questions facing creators like Jamie Broadnax of Black Girl Nerds and entertainment creators everywhere. With massive publishers dominating the space, how can high-quality independent sites break through? 


Raptive’s SEO expert Eddie Mercado joins the pod to help us unpack why search is especially stacked against entertainment creators, and what they can do to win anyway. Eddie breaks down where Google traffic really comes from in 2026, and how to use your niche as a competitive advantage.


You’ll learn:

  • Where creators should focus for traffic: Google Search, Google News or Google Discover?
  • Should creators push for breaking news vs. evergreen content?
  • Why niche beats scale, and how to use yours as your superpower


00:00 Introduction: The challenge facing entertainment sites

00:44 Meet the Expert: Eddie Mercado

01:26 Icebreaker: Why Eddie’s favorite TV show is a discoverability winner

02:31 Jamie’s question: Help!

07:01 Understanding Google Discover

08:39 Challenges unique to entertainment sites

10:37 Timely vs. evergreen content strategies

13:56 Why knowing your niche matters

15:57 Optimizing content for Google Search, News and Discover


]]> How can smaller news and entertainment creators compete with giant publishers? Should creators chase breaking news, or focus on evergreen content? And what actually wins in today’s SEO and discovery ecosystem?


These are the questions facing creators like Jamie Broadnax of Black Girl Nerds and entertainment creators everywhere. With massive publishers dominating the space, how can high-quality independent sites break through? 


Raptive’s SEO expert Eddie Mercado joins the pod to help us unpack why search is especially stacked against entertainment creators, and what they can do to win anyway. Eddie breaks down where Google traffic really comes from in 2026, and how to use your niche as a competitive advantage.


You’ll learn:

  • Where creators should focus for traffic: Google Search, Google News or Google Discover?
  • Should creators push for breaking news vs. evergreen content?
  • Why niche beats scale, and how to use yours as your superpower


00:00 Introduction: The challenge facing entertainment sites

00:44 Meet the Expert: Eddie Mercado

01:26 Icebreaker: Why Eddie’s favorite TV show is a discoverability winner

02:31 Jamie’s question: Help!

07:01 Understanding Google Discover

08:39 Challenges unique to entertainment sites

10:37 Timely vs. evergreen content strategies

13:56 Why knowing your niche matters

15:57 Optimizing content for Google Search, News and Discover


]]> Wed, 28 Jan 2026 02:00:00 -0800 Raptive Raptive 1498 How can smaller news and entertainment creators compete with giant publishers? Should creators chase breaking news, or focus on evergreen content? And what actually wins in today’s SEO and discovery ecosystem?


These are the questions facing creators like Jamie Broadnax of Black Girl Nerds and entertainment creators everywhere. With massive publishers dominating the space, how can high-quality independent sites break through? 


Raptive’s SEO expert Eddie Mercado joins the pod to help us unpack why search is especially stacked against entertainment creators, and what they can do to win anyway. Eddie breaks down where Google traffic really comes from in 2026, and how to use your niche as a competitive advantage.


You’ll learn:

  • Where creators should focus for traffic: Google Search, Google News or Google Discover?
  • Should creators push for breaking news vs. evergreen content?
  • Why niche beats scale, and how to use yours as your superpower


00:00 Introduction: The challenge facing entertainment sites

00:44 Meet the Expert: Eddie Mercado

01:26 Icebreaker: Why Eddie’s favorite TV show is a discoverability winner

02:31 Jamie’s question: Help!

07:01 Understanding Google Discover

08:39 Challenges unique to entertainment sites

10:37 Timely vs. evergreen content strategies

13:56 Why knowing your niche matters

15:57 Optimizing content for Google Search, News and Discover


]]> entrepreneur, SEO, influencer, search engine optimization, monetization, small business, creator, UGC Creator, influencer marketing , YouTube monetization, digital creators, Solopreneur, SEO tips, social media content creator, raptive, content creators, website building, algorithm changes, Google algorithm updates, going viral, creator economy, brand deals, owned media, data-driven insights, creator economy partner, platform strategy, diversifying income, Revenue per Mille, audience growth, creator burnout, creator business, AI tools for creators, RPM (Revenue per Mille), creator monetization platform, creator coaching, scaling your content No How do I grow my Substack? 8 8 How do I grow my Substack? full 28bc9697-0143-4b0a-bd34-db4581e530d4 https://share.transistor.fm/s/37bcc9e7 Substack is no longer just an email platform, it has grown into a fully fledged social media site. But does that mean you need to start one? Best-selling author, podcaster and Substack aficionado Jo Piazza joins to share how Substack fits into her larger creator and marketing ecosystem. 


The question asker this week is Steve Snyder of Club Trader Joes. He’s started a free Substack and gained some traction, but how can he grow it and build a community? And how can he turn it into a monetized income stream?


Additional resources:

]]> Substack is no longer just an email platform, it has grown into a fully fledged social media site. But does that mean you need to start one? Best-selling author, podcaster and Substack aficionado Jo Piazza joins to share how Substack fits into her larger creator and marketing ecosystem. 


The question asker this week is Steve Snyder of Club Trader Joes. He’s started a free Substack and gained some traction, but how can he grow it and build a community? And how can he turn it into a monetized income stream?


Additional resources:

]]> Wed, 14 Jan 2026 02:00:00 -0800 Raptive Raptive 1572 Substack is no longer just an email platform, it has grown into a fully fledged social media site. But does that mean you need to start one? Best-selling author, podcaster and Substack aficionado Jo Piazza joins to share how Substack fits into her larger creator and marketing ecosystem. 


The question asker this week is Steve Snyder of Club Trader Joes. He’s started a free Substack and gained some traction, but how can he grow it and build a community? And how can he turn it into a monetized income stream?


Additional resources:

]]> entrepreneur, SEO, influencer, search engine optimization, monetization, small business, creator, UGC Creator, influencer marketing , YouTube monetization, digital creators, Solopreneur, SEO tips, social media content creator, raptive, content creators, website building, algorithm changes, Google algorithm updates, going viral, creator economy, brand deals, owned media, data-driven insights, creator economy partner, platform strategy, diversifying income, Revenue per Mille, audience growth, creator burnout, creator business, AI tools for creators, RPM (Revenue per Mille), creator monetization platform, creator coaching, scaling your content No How do I keep creating when I’m burnt out? 7 7 How do I keep creating when I’m burnt out? full 68a1b045-7318-4318-9ccf-abdf6955e5ae https://share.transistor.fm/s/4e9169eb At the end of 2025, so many creators are telling us they’re feeling burnt out. And this phenomenon is more than tiredness or overwhelm: it’s a state of fight or flight, and it could be the thing zapping our creativity. So how do we get out of that state and tap back into our love of making content?


This week, our creator guest, food and lifestyle entrepreneur Laura Fuentes poses this question, and she confesses that creating has been feeling the same old, same old. 


Josh Zimmerman, The Creator Coach, joins as our burnout expert to help Laura (and all of us) get our spark back. Together, he and Steph discuss why creators are especially susceptible to burnout and offer actionable advice on how to reconnect with our flow state.


Creator resources:

]]> At the end of 2025, so many creators are telling us they’re feeling burnt out. And this phenomenon is more than tiredness or overwhelm: it’s a state of fight or flight, and it could be the thing zapping our creativity. So how do we get out of that state and tap back into our love of making content?


This week, our creator guest, food and lifestyle entrepreneur Laura Fuentes poses this question, and she confesses that creating has been feeling the same old, same old. 


Josh Zimmerman, The Creator Coach, joins as our burnout expert to help Laura (and all of us) get our spark back. Together, he and Steph discuss why creators are especially susceptible to burnout and offer actionable advice on how to reconnect with our flow state.


Creator resources:

]]> Wed, 17 Dec 2025 01:00:00 -0800 Raptive Raptive 1868 At the end of 2025, so many creators are telling us they’re feeling burnt out. And this phenomenon is more than tiredness or overwhelm: it’s a state of fight or flight, and it could be the thing zapping our creativity. So how do we get out of that state and tap back into our love of making content?


This week, our creator guest, food and lifestyle entrepreneur Laura Fuentes poses this question, and she confesses that creating has been feeling the same old, same old. 


Josh Zimmerman, The Creator Coach, joins as our burnout expert to help Laura (and all of us) get our spark back. Together, he and Steph discuss why creators are especially susceptible to burnout and offer actionable advice on how to reconnect with our flow state.


Creator resources:

]]> entrepreneur, SEO, influencer, search engine optimization, monetization, small business, creator, UGC Creator, influencer marketing , YouTube monetization, digital creators, Solopreneur, SEO tips, social media content creator, raptive, content creators, website building, algorithm changes, Google algorithm updates, going viral, creator economy, brand deals, owned media, data-driven insights, creator economy partner, platform strategy, diversifying income, Revenue per Mille, audience growth, creator burnout, creator business, AI tools for creators, RPM (Revenue per Mille), creator monetization platform, creator coaching, scaling your content No LIVE: How do I stand out? Brand-building secrets from the Hollywood playbook 6 6 LIVE: How do I stand out? Brand-building secrets from the Hollywood playbook full ff33d865-3828-4518-80bf-e575ac891755 https://share.transistor.fm/s/93725109 In a crowded digital landscape, how do you get your brand to stand out? In our first-ever live episode, host Stephanie Woodin gets the lowdown from Emily Robinson, a top entertainment publicist who has launched countless TV shows, products and global brands. Together, they translate lessons from Hollywood publicity to the world of web creators.

Get Emily’s Hollywood insider tips on brand strategy from goal setting to execution, and learn how content creators, influencers, and entrepreneurs can build stronger, more memorable brands online.

Free creator resources:
How do I stand out? Brand-building strategy for creators

]]> In a crowded digital landscape, how do you get your brand to stand out? In our first-ever live episode, host Stephanie Woodin gets the lowdown from Emily Robinson, a top entertainment publicist who has launched countless TV shows, products and global brands. Together, they translate lessons from Hollywood publicity to the world of web creators.

Get Emily’s Hollywood insider tips on brand strategy from goal setting to execution, and learn how content creators, influencers, and entrepreneurs can build stronger, more memorable brands online.

Free creator resources:
How do I stand out? Brand-building strategy for creators

]]> Wed, 03 Dec 2025 01:00:00 -0800 Raptive Raptive 1507 In a crowded digital landscape, how do you get your brand to stand out? In our first-ever live episode, host Stephanie Woodin gets the lowdown from Emily Robinson, a top entertainment publicist who has launched countless TV shows, products and global brands. Together, they translate lessons from Hollywood publicity to the world of web creators.

Get Emily’s Hollywood insider tips on brand strategy from goal setting to execution, and learn how content creators, influencers, and entrepreneurs can build stronger, more memorable brands online.

Free creator resources:
How do I stand out? Brand-building strategy for creators

]]> entrepreneur, SEO, influencer, search engine optimization, monetization, small business, creator, UGC Creator, influencer marketing , YouTube monetization, digital creators, Solopreneur, SEO tips, social media content creator, raptive, content creators, website building, algorithm changes, Google algorithm updates, going viral, creator economy, brand deals, owned media, data-driven insights, creator economy partner, platform strategy, diversifying income, Revenue per Mille, audience growth, creator burnout, creator business, AI tools for creators, RPM (Revenue per Mille), creator monetization platform, creator coaching, scaling your content No Should creators fight back against AI crawlers? 5 5 Should creators fight back against AI crawlers? full fd9b8f27-90fc-49d3-b412-3ba18529d86a https://share.transistor.fm/s/b4f9e944 AI crawlers are coming for your content: Should you block them, or let them in? In this episode of Ctrl Alt Ask, Raptive’s Chief Growth Officer, Marc McCollum, breaks down what every creator needs to know about AI scraping your site.
 
Our guest this week, Nate Hake, founder of Travel Lemming, shares why he’s already blocking AI bots, and why he thinks creators must unite to demand fair compensation from AI companies. From copyright lawsuits and licensing deals to the truth about traffic loss, this episode is a must-listen for all creators who publish online.

Free creator resources:


Resources for Raptive members:

]]> AI crawlers are coming for your content: Should you block them, or let them in? In this episode of Ctrl Alt Ask, Raptive’s Chief Growth Officer, Marc McCollum, breaks down what every creator needs to know about AI scraping your site.
 
Our guest this week, Nate Hake, founder of Travel Lemming, shares why he’s already blocking AI bots, and why he thinks creators must unite to demand fair compensation from AI companies. From copyright lawsuits and licensing deals to the truth about traffic loss, this episode is a must-listen for all creators who publish online.

Free creator resources:


Resources for Raptive members:

]]> Wed, 19 Nov 2025 01:00:00 -0800 Raptive Raptive 1541 AI crawlers are coming for your content: Should you block them, or let them in? In this episode of Ctrl Alt Ask, Raptive’s Chief Growth Officer, Marc McCollum, breaks down what every creator needs to know about AI scraping your site.
 
Our guest this week, Nate Hake, founder of Travel Lemming, shares why he’s already blocking AI bots, and why he thinks creators must unite to demand fair compensation from AI companies. From copyright lawsuits and licensing deals to the truth about traffic loss, this episode is a must-listen for all creators who publish online.

Free creator resources:


Resources for Raptive members:

]]> entrepreneur, SEO, influencer, search engine optimization, monetization, small business, creator, UGC Creator, influencer marketing , YouTube monetization, digital creators, Solopreneur, SEO tips, social media content creator, raptive, content creators, website building, algorithm changes, Google algorithm updates, going viral, creator economy, brand deals, owned media, data-driven insights, creator economy partner, platform strategy, diversifying income, Revenue per Mille, audience growth, creator burnout, creator business, AI tools for creators, RPM (Revenue per Mille), creator monetization platform, creator coaching, scaling your content No Am I too niche to attract advertisers? 4 4 Am I too niche to attract advertisers? full 2fb69cd7-1733-425e-95fb-e1b7ca0b9bd5 https://share.transistor.fm/s/52becb1f As a creator, your niche is your superpower for finding and retaining an audience. But is honing a super-specific category leaving advertising dollars on the table?

This week, Jess Coppom of Make & Do Crew, wonders if she should expand her crochet content to attract advertisers. 


To give Jess the best advice, we pulled in MaryRay Lombardo, Raptive’s SVP of Advertising Partnerships. She explains why advertisers are drawn to creator sites, and what they’re looking for. She brings the latest research to help creators find ways to attract more ad dollars without alienating their devoted audiences. 


Free creator resources:


Resources for Raptive members:

]]> As a creator, your niche is your superpower for finding and retaining an audience. But is honing a super-specific category leaving advertising dollars on the table?

This week, Jess Coppom of Make & Do Crew, wonders if she should expand her crochet content to attract advertisers. 


To give Jess the best advice, we pulled in MaryRay Lombardo, Raptive’s SVP of Advertising Partnerships. She explains why advertisers are drawn to creator sites, and what they’re looking for. She brings the latest research to help creators find ways to attract more ad dollars without alienating their devoted audiences. 


Free creator resources:


Resources for Raptive members:

]]> Wed, 05 Nov 2025 01:00:00 -0800 Raptive Raptive 1335 As a creator, your niche is your superpower for finding and retaining an audience. But is honing a super-specific category leaving advertising dollars on the table?

This week, Jess Coppom of Make & Do Crew, wonders if she should expand her crochet content to attract advertisers. 


To give Jess the best advice, we pulled in MaryRay Lombardo, Raptive’s SVP of Advertising Partnerships. She explains why advertisers are drawn to creator sites, and what they’re looking for. She brings the latest research to help creators find ways to attract more ad dollars without alienating their devoted audiences. 


Free creator resources:


Resources for Raptive members:

]]> entrepreneur, SEO, influencer, search engine optimization, monetization, small business, creator, UGC Creator, influencer marketing , YouTube monetization, digital creators, Solopreneur, SEO tips, social media content creator, raptive, content creators, website building, algorithm changes, Google algorithm updates, going viral, creator economy, brand deals, owned media, data-driven insights, creator economy partner, platform strategy, diversifying income, Revenue per Mille, audience growth, creator burnout, creator business, AI tools for creators, RPM (Revenue per Mille), creator monetization platform, creator coaching, scaling your content No How do I win on YouTube? 3 3 How do I win on YouTube? full 55b5dcaf-b929-4c77-9009-0890aef156b1 https://share.transistor.fm/s/330f953d What does YouTube really want? For years, it was long-form content, where more minutes meant more revenue. But after the TikTok takeover, YouTube abruptly pivoted to short-form, which is great for getting creators more eyeballs, but not as great for ad dollars. 


This week’s creator, Aimee Page of the Crazy Craft Lady, has had success on YouTube with long-form content. But should she suddenly start creating short-form content to keep up with this trend? How should creators meet the algorithm at this moment? And, most of all: where do they find the time?


Fresh off Made on YouTube 2025, we’re joined by Linda Petta, who delivers the hottest updates about what YouTube is doing to help creators out. Linda shares the best strategies she’s learned from years of helping creators achieve the biggest ROI from their efforts. 


Free creator resources:

Resources for Raptive members:

]]> What does YouTube really want? For years, it was long-form content, where more minutes meant more revenue. But after the TikTok takeover, YouTube abruptly pivoted to short-form, which is great for getting creators more eyeballs, but not as great for ad dollars. 


This week’s creator, Aimee Page of the Crazy Craft Lady, has had success on YouTube with long-form content. But should she suddenly start creating short-form content to keep up with this trend? How should creators meet the algorithm at this moment? And, most of all: where do they find the time?


Fresh off Made on YouTube 2025, we’re joined by Linda Petta, who delivers the hottest updates about what YouTube is doing to help creators out. Linda shares the best strategies she’s learned from years of helping creators achieve the biggest ROI from their efforts. 


Free creator resources:

Resources for Raptive members:

]]> Wed, 22 Oct 2025 01:00:00 -0700 Raptive Raptive 1656 What does YouTube really want? For years, it was long-form content, where more minutes meant more revenue. But after the TikTok takeover, YouTube abruptly pivoted to short-form, which is great for getting creators more eyeballs, but not as great for ad dollars. 


This week’s creator, Aimee Page of the Crazy Craft Lady, has had success on YouTube with long-form content. But should she suddenly start creating short-form content to keep up with this trend? How should creators meet the algorithm at this moment? And, most of all: where do they find the time?


Fresh off Made on YouTube 2025, we’re joined by Linda Petta, who delivers the hottest updates about what YouTube is doing to help creators out. Linda shares the best strategies she’s learned from years of helping creators achieve the biggest ROI from their efforts. 


Free creator resources:

Resources for Raptive members:

]]> entrepreneur, SEO, influencer, search engine optimization, monetization, small business, creator, UGC Creator, influencer marketing , YouTube monetization, digital creators, Solopreneur, SEO tips, social media content creator, raptive, content creators, website building, algorithm changes, Google algorithm updates, going viral, creator economy, brand deals, owned media, data-driven insights, creator economy partner, platform strategy, diversifying income, Revenue per Mille, audience growth, creator burnout, creator business, AI tools for creators, RPM (Revenue per Mille), creator monetization platform, creator coaching, scaling your content No How do I get my traffic back? 2 2 How do I get my traffic back? full 65b506f2-36c4-4492-b300-8e8f2bc0ea18 https://share.transistor.fm/s/d877da03 Where did all my clicks go? This is a common question we’ve been hearing over the last few years as traffic has plummeted for creators across the board.


Our creator this week, Organically Addison, has noticed that Google is ranking Quora or Reddit forums above her gluten-free recipes. Is that where her traffic went? 


Tom Critchlow, Raptive’s EVP of Audience Growth, joins Stephanie to explain  what happened. As it turns out, it’s a bit more complicated than just favoring community forums. But there’s good news: Tom has a bunch of simple, tactical SEO tricks you can apply today to help improve your traffic.


Free creator resources:

Resources for Raptive members:

]]> Where did all my clicks go? This is a common question we’ve been hearing over the last few years as traffic has plummeted for creators across the board.


Our creator this week, Organically Addison, has noticed that Google is ranking Quora or Reddit forums above her gluten-free recipes. Is that where her traffic went? 


Tom Critchlow, Raptive’s EVP of Audience Growth, joins Stephanie to explain  what happened. As it turns out, it’s a bit more complicated than just favoring community forums. But there’s good news: Tom has a bunch of simple, tactical SEO tricks you can apply today to help improve your traffic.


Free creator resources:

Resources for Raptive members:

]]> Wed, 08 Oct 2025 00:05:00 -0700 Raptive Raptive 1960 Where did all my clicks go? This is a common question we’ve been hearing over the last few years as traffic has plummeted for creators across the board.


Our creator this week, Organically Addison, has noticed that Google is ranking Quora or Reddit forums above her gluten-free recipes. Is that where her traffic went? 


Tom Critchlow, Raptive’s EVP of Audience Growth, joins Stephanie to explain  what happened. As it turns out, it’s a bit more complicated than just favoring community forums. But there’s good news: Tom has a bunch of simple, tactical SEO tricks you can apply today to help improve your traffic.


Free creator resources:

Resources for Raptive members:

]]> entrepreneur, SEO, influencer, search engine optimization, monetization, small business, creator, UGC Creator, influencer marketing , YouTube monetization, digital creators, Solopreneur, SEO tips, social media content creator, raptive, content creators, website building, algorithm changes, Google algorithm updates, going viral, creator economy, brand deals, owned media, data-driven insights, creator economy partner, platform strategy, diversifying income, Revenue per Mille, audience growth, creator burnout, creator business, AI tools for creators, RPM (Revenue per Mille), creator monetization platform, creator coaching, scaling your content No Should I break up with Google? 1 1 Should I break up with Google? full 60a99cca-2174-4fbf-af1c-88bf618b1af8 https://share.transistor.fm/s/f93ef099 The relationship between Google and creators has hit a rough patch. What was a match made in heaven–Google provided the platform, and creators provided the quality content searchers were looking for–has soured. With the rollout of AI Overviews and AI mode, creators are feeling left in the lurch, losing clicks and struggling to see a future with Google. The team behind the Inspired Taste website shares their story and asks: Is it time to break up with Google?

Stephanie brings in expert Paul Bannister, Raptive’s Chief Strategy Officer, to counsel the pair and share his wisdom on how creators can look at this moment in their relationship with Google and build a stronger future in the face of AI. 


Free creator resources:

What Google’s June 2025 core update means for creators

What the DOJ’s ruling on Google means for creators and publishers

How creator-led retreats help build a stronger brand


Resources for Raptive members:

How to improve content quality, according to Google’s latest Search Quality Rater Guidelines

5 high-impact email plays that drive growth

About page vs. author page: why both matter for brand and creator credibility 

Auto-DM tools: 7 expert tips for driving social traffic and email sign-ups


]]> The relationship between Google and creators has hit a rough patch. What was a match made in heaven–Google provided the platform, and creators provided the quality content searchers were looking for–has soured. With the rollout of AI Overviews and AI mode, creators are feeling left in the lurch, losing clicks and struggling to see a future with Google. The team behind the Inspired Taste website shares their story and asks: Is it time to break up with Google?

Stephanie brings in expert Paul Bannister, Raptive’s Chief Strategy Officer, to counsel the pair and share his wisdom on how creators can look at this moment in their relationship with Google and build a stronger future in the face of AI. 


Free creator resources:

What Google’s June 2025 core update means for creators

What the DOJ’s ruling on Google means for creators and publishers

How creator-led retreats help build a stronger brand


Resources for Raptive members:

How to improve content quality, according to Google’s latest Search Quality Rater Guidelines

5 high-impact email plays that drive growth

About page vs. author page: why both matter for brand and creator credibility 

Auto-DM tools: 7 expert tips for driving social traffic and email sign-ups


]]> Wed, 24 Sep 2025 02:00:00 -0700 Raptive Raptive 1581 The relationship between Google and creators has hit a rough patch. What was a match made in heaven–Google provided the platform, and creators provided the quality content searchers were looking for–has soured. With the rollout of AI Overviews and AI mode, creators are feeling left in the lurch, losing clicks and struggling to see a future with Google. The team behind the Inspired Taste website shares their story and asks: Is it time to break up with Google?

Stephanie brings in expert Paul Bannister, Raptive’s Chief Strategy Officer, to counsel the pair and share his wisdom on how creators can look at this moment in their relationship with Google and build a stronger future in the face of AI. 


Free creator resources:

What Google’s June 2025 core update means for creators

What the DOJ’s ruling on Google means for creators and publishers

How creator-led retreats help build a stronger brand


Resources for Raptive members:

How to improve content quality, according to Google’s latest Search Quality Rater Guidelines

5 high-impact email plays that drive growth

About page vs. author page: why both matter for brand and creator credibility 

Auto-DM tools: 7 expert tips for driving social traffic and email sign-ups


]]> entrepreneur, SEO, influencer, search engine optimization, monetization, small business, creator, UGC Creator, influencer marketing , YouTube monetization, digital creators, Solopreneur, SEO tips, social media content creator, raptive, content creators, website building, algorithm changes, Google algorithm updates, going viral, creator economy, brand deals, owned media, data-driven insights, creator economy partner, platform strategy, diversifying income, Revenue per Mille, audience growth, creator burnout, creator business, AI tools for creators, RPM (Revenue per Mille), creator monetization platform, creator coaching, scaling your content No Introducing Ctrl Alt Ask: The creator advice show Introducing Ctrl Alt Ask: The creator advice show trailer 7db7000f-b61c-40a8-a7dd-b4d4a46755d1 https://share.transistor.fm/s/da7615da The advice show for web creators who are going through it. Each week, host Stephanie Woodin and an expert guest take calls from creators who are up against today’s challenges: AI updates, diversifying revenue streams, rebranding, or struggling with burnout – and we bring you actionable, data driven advice. 


If you want to leave a question or an idea for a future episode, get in touch at ctrlaltask@raptive.com. 

]]> The advice show for web creators who are going through it. Each week, host Stephanie Woodin and an expert guest take calls from creators who are up against today’s challenges: AI updates, diversifying revenue streams, rebranding, or struggling with burnout – and we bring you actionable, data driven advice. 


If you want to leave a question or an idea for a future episode, get in touch at ctrlaltask@raptive.com. 

]]> Wed, 17 Sep 2025 08:33:12 -0700 Raptive Raptive 75 The advice show for web creators who are going through it. Each week, host Stephanie Woodin and an expert guest take calls from creators who are up against today’s challenges: AI updates, diversifying revenue streams, rebranding, or struggling with burnout – and we bring you actionable, data driven advice. 


If you want to leave a question or an idea for a future episode, get in touch at ctrlaltask@raptive.com. 

]]> entrepreneur, SEO, influencer, search engine optimization, monetization, small business, creator, UGC Creator, influencer marketing , YouTube monetization, digital creators, Solopreneur, SEO tips, social media content creator, raptive, content creators, website building, algorithm changes, Google algorithm updates, going viral, creator economy, brand deals, owned media, data-driven insights, creator economy partner, platform strategy, diversifying income, Revenue per Mille, audience growth, creator burnout, creator business, AI tools for creators, RPM (Revenue per Mille), creator monetization platform, creator coaching, scaling your content No