Episode 4 - Real Creator Talk with Dan Roth

Creative Amplifiers

Hello, my friends, and welcome to the creative amplifiers. Live podcast show stream type thing. How are we all? Hello, hello, hello. Welcome. Yes, doing well. How is everybody today? Starting to show a bit more professionals worked brilliantly. Yeah, I think so. It's seamless Absolutely. We have some people in the house.

Marcus, how are you? Thank you so much for being here. Um, very exciting. The VHS Club video podcast. Hey, Katie. How are you, Katie? Thank you so much. George, thank you so much for being here. And Neil, look at this. All of these placeholders are working beautifully. I told you it was worth doing that extra bit of practice.

Absolutely. Hey, Roy, thanks for joining as well. Look at this stuff. Quite a few people joining today. This is great because of our special guest, isn't it? Yeah, exactly. Exactly. We're going to, we're going to bring Dan Roth on very shortly. But just first of all, we had a couple of things that we wanted to talk about.

The first was, um, and I'm sure you know this already. You may well have already entered, but there is the Ecamm Obsbot, um, competition to get a tiny two. Um. I've already entered. Um, Neil, Lisa, have you entered? I haven't because I have one. I don't think I could, I could take any more cameras in my studio, but uh, maybe I should just try before tomorrow.

Tomorrow is the last day, right? I think tomorrow is the last day and you have to go to the, um, Ecamm live Instagram account, I think. And you have to put why it is that you want to be. Um, why, why you'd like one? Um, you have to have the hashtag, um, love Tiny two, I think is the, is the hashtag. And you have to have followed D cam and also the spot on Instagram as well.

So, um, if you haven't done that, I think you've still got a few hours. Obviously you can't do that until you're finished watching the live stream, but really doing Exactly. Um, yeah. Appreciate you doing that. Thank you very much, Katie. Yay, . Thank you. Indeed. One other, um, thing I think we wanted to, to point out to people is that we.

Do actually have a audio version of this podcast as well. So not only are we, you know, video in our wonderful studios, but you can listen to us in the car, in the gym, anywhere you want, really, uh, as long as you have a device to play a podcast and we are an Apple podcast, Spotify. Everywhere. I think not in YouTube podcasts yet, but you don't need to be there.

We're everywhere. So come and join us as well. Audio wise, if you'd like to, if you don't want to see this, you can always listen to it. It's far better sometimes. And the most enjoyable thing is the fact that Neil and I have both been listening to it and actually enjoying it. I was doing it on my commute when I was going to, to one of my, um, work placements last week, I think Neil, you're out sunbathing or something and listening to yours.

Listen to you. So I think Lisa said you, you were also listening to it on the way back. I actually had a long drive yesterday and listened to it. And I was like, Oh my gosh, we have a podcast. Yeah, we do. And we thought it comes across really nicely bearing in mind. Obviously this is very visual, but actually the way we've sort of seemed to have, um, managed to.

talk a lot, which is very much like us seems to seems to work well and comes across brilliantly just from an audio point of view as well. So as we actually hadn't mentioned that in our first sort of four episodes or so we should have mentioned that it's out there on all those normal podcast platforms.

So yes, so Thanks very much for being here. Thank you to some people that we've not seen before and really do appreciate you spending the time. Please do keep the stuff going in the comments. If you have a question for Dan, when we start chatting with him, do that. We can, um, ask him some of those as well, as we go through towards the end of his conversation.

And I think we should bring down on what you think. Yes. Absolutely. Bring on our special guest today. Here we are. Hey Dan. Thank you so much for being here. Hey everyone. Speaking of the tiny two, that's the box right behind me. Um, I have a bad habit of getting it to zoom in on my face, so apologies ahead of time if anybody gets too close and personal, uh, on today's show.

We can, we can certainly change scenes or do something different. We can do a close up on Neil or something or. You can't talk with your hands and have a tiny two and I'm, I talk with my hands a lot and the first thing it does is zoom in on my nose. Um, so, uh, but yeah, thank you Katie for being here.

Listen, everybody. I have to give a shout out. If you're watching this, you're trying to figure out what to do for dinner. Please go to Lisa's website, take a look at some of her videos, get some inspiration, um, some amazing recipes and videos on there. Oh, thank you. Very good. And I couldn't agree more. And we were only just talking, um, pre pre going live about recipes and food and various things for upcoming events, which we will keep secret for now, but I'm sure we will, we will share in due course and everything.

So, so Dan, for those people that actually may not have come across you before, or actually don't know some of your background. Just tell us your sort of journey from how you sort of got into Ecamm, how you found it. And I know you've had a transition in your sort of professional life in the last few years.

Well, I mean, my transition has been since I was a kid, uh, you know, most people don't know that my degree is actually in journalism. So I've been a creative for the bulk majority of my life. Um, But when I moved from New Jersey out to California, it would kind of got put on the back end. And then, um, through actual, through actual pain came progress.

Early on, um, during the pandemic, I was a father of twin daughters, unemployed, um, no real place to go. So I decided to show up on social media for the first time and decided to do it my way. And I started producing content and really testing out different forms. Uh, and then over time, uh, I became somewhat of an expert in it.

And then Gabe Liao, who I don't like to give credit to for anything, um, Introduced me to Ana and Fulgens and, and from there to Ecamm and, um, you know, I have to give a shout out to Katie because, um, everybody hears me shout out Katie all the time, uh, one of the most loyal, incredible people that you'll ever meet.

So, you know, I really. joined in order to level up and I stayed because people here seem to tolerate me better than most. Um, so that's where I've come from and along the way I've learned video editing and I've gotten a chance to work with Anna and Fulgens, um, in a lot of capacities. So it's been a really special, uh, experience.

Yeah, love it. And, and so take us into your sort of LinkedIn journey as it were, because I know you've got some great, great projects on [00:07:00] the go, but just sort of why was LinkedIn the thing that you kind of really. Really sort of leaned into from from that sort of professional idea But also what why it's sort of taken off and sort of been your mainstay Well at first I you know I'd be disrespectful if I didn't say hi to the people in the audience that have either come to see me or Come to see the episode.

Please like and you know, ensure that you're Giving some love to, to Mark, uh, Lisa and, and somewhat Neil, uh, so LinkedIn. So I'm very open about the fact I'm ADHD neurodiverse. I deal with anxiety and depression. And when I came on the site, uh, really what wound up happening. Is I decided I really want to come through.

It's exactly who I am, that there's some what of a bait and switch in the job market where you try to show up how other [00:08:00] people want you to be. And I decided if I was going to push through, it was going to be, um, I don't like the term authentic, authentic, but I tried to come through authentically me. What I wound up finding was that there was a niche.

That I was able to fill and I created a post that generated 100, 000 views every week, a thousand comments. Um, I was gaining roughly a thousand followers per week and I'm a huge believer that if you have a platform, you have a responsibility. So. Knowing that people were viewing my profile already, I started creating content focused on mental health, focused on topics that most people don't discuss.

And I was doing it on a site that really was not something that most people looked at. So I was one of the original people that was coming on saying, well, how can we take this environment and really bridge the gap between content creator, but also a thought leader and. How you use it as a responsibility to showcase.

Things. Um, and that's why I chose it. And as far as why I haven't gone to different platforms, you know, I've always used YouTube as a repository. I need to get better with it. But for me being neurodiverse, it was very difficult for me to learn all the algorithms and all the idiosyncrasies with each one.

So I would multipurpose my content on all these different sites, but without the focus and attention to detail that I did on LinkedIn, um, So that kind of brings it full scale. Um, but then, you know, again, meeting Gabe meeting, you know, Stephanie Garcia was the first person that I met from the ECAM fam in person.

She lives about half an hour. Down south in San Diego from me. It's just incredible human being as you three know And just really love the community plus to Katie's credit. I even [0 got a mug named after me This is the Dan mug, which is coming back to the store soon And it's because I was here. Let me grab this to show everybody.

I was one of the first to get this and This does nothing, it can, so I can fit three of these inside the Dan mug, and Katie eventually got tired of me harping on, um, asking for larger mugs, now I'm trying to do the same thing to get triangles.

But that's what you gotta do, is keep greasing that wheel until you get what you need, and you know, if you need that much coffee, you need that much coffee. So I'll tell you the same thing I told Doc. I've got. Four and a half year old twin girls. I don't so much drink his much coffee as I need that so that if they knock it over, it doesn't spill.

Um, so, you know, everybody looks at me and says, you just must drink so much coffee. I drink maybe two cups of coffee in a day, three, if I'm feeling really spicy. Um, but this is a protection against hot burning lap. Um, that's what it is. Wow. That's a big mug. Um, Katie, it was funny about this. Is when Katie told me about this, she goes, Dan, I put up a 30 ounce mug for you.

It's called the Dan mug. And I looked at it. I'm like, Katie, this is not 30 ounces. So I took a measurement. I'm like, Katie.

You know, usually it's men that, um, that fake the size of things, but this is 24, not 30. Um, so she had to, she had to go back and make the edit. Um, I'm in trouble, sorry. You're not in trouble. I'm gonna, I want to ask you a couple of questions though. I want to know more about your news, your newsletter, um, The Honest Accomplice.

And I saw that, um, I wouldn't, what inspired you to come up with that? And what is the name? mean? What? How did that arrive? What's funny about that is I'm putting up my next newsletter and actually change her name. Um, but let me, but I'll go through the progression. So I am a firm believer. Sorry. I just saw Katie's comment.

Um, so I'm a firm believer that you have to take people on a journey with you. And when I first started, I got known for recruitment. That was what my post was about that generated that large audience. So first my newsletter was the honest recruiter. Um, and I did a lot of talking about different trends within recruitment, but A lot of the work that I do in corporate and at home is in dealing with anti racism, um, narrowing the gender and racial wealth gap, uh, pay equity, things like that.

And one of my main topics that I talk about as a professional speaker is bridging the gap between ally and accomplice. And for those that aren't familiar with the difference, and I don't want to delve too far into this because it could go into a completely different direction, is an ally is somebody that basically says, Oh, I sympathize with you.

Um, without actually doing any action. Uh, an accomplice is somebody, or a co conspirator, if you will, is somebody that looks at a situation, sees the systems of oppression that have caused these issues, and then goes about You're Making changes or taking risk in doing so, whether it's speaking up and speaking out and potentially alienating themselves from races or otherwise.

And because of that, I really wanted to put a focus on that in the work that I was doing. This is going to be a bit triggering, but I was asked right after the Buffalo shooting, I Talley, whose mother lost her life. And it was through the work that I was doing that I was really able to build. Uh, this platform, but I wasn't doing it as a podcast.

I was doing it as live events because I found that with LinkedIn specifically, there was more return, more yield, a higher rate of views by utilizing a live event strategy, as opposed to a standard podcast, which on the platform does less than 10 people on average. Whereas if I built something up, I could generate, you know, three, 500, a thousand people easily, but getting back to.

What you were asking with the newsletter. So I was doing a lot of discussions on that. Um, Now most LinkedIn experts will tell you not to change your URL. They'll tell you not to change your name very often, but again, going with progression. Uh, One of the things that [00:15:00] I really focused on recently is, well, what is the overarching concept of everything that I do from being a parent to being a creator to everything else?

Um, and it's mental health. Everything falls under it. It's an umbrella, regardless of whether it's anti racism, regardless of whether it's women's rights, regardless of whether it's just talking about, uh, anxiety and depression. So I renamed my URL. My newsletter, um, and I am in the process of building out a podcast, a monthly podcast, and it's going to be called Mental Health Motivated.

Um, so the great thing about that is, like I said, with the umbrella, I could still talk about anything I want, but the overarching theme is how is this affecting you? Do you need to take that space? Do you need to have that air, um, in order to continue having these conversations? I think it's super important as a content creator.

And I love that you're doing this. We all change, you know, we're going to, there's different iterations of ourselves along the way. And so to be aware of it's time to make that pivot. I don't like that word, but time to make that pivot, that change and, um, put out the content that you want to put out, but also that will benefit people who.

Need to hear the message. So I commend you for not listening to people, you know, LinkedIn experts saying don't do this. Don't do that. And I think that's something we should all, you know, there's a certain follow your heart and follow your brain before you listen to other people, I think. In order to get the message out that you want.

Well, here's the thing about it. And I'm not somebody that holds themselves in the highest of esteem, but there's a ton of people that call themselves experts. There's very few people that have done what I've done. Um, now I don't talk about it. I don't need to, I don't need to be braggadocious. I don't need to pat myself on the back, but most LinkedIn experts can't say that they've had a post that's generated a hundred thousand views for nearly two years.

Most LinkedIn experts can't say that they generate seven to 10 million views per year. Most LinkedIn experts can't say that they've used influencer marketing to fund nonprofits across the world. But these are the things I do because they're important to me. And I believe in putting people in positions of opportunity with the utilization of your platform.

Um, so those experts can talk all they want, um, but going back to something that used to be said when I was in school, uh, scoreboard. And then you could fill in the rest of what they would say, but, uh, so I, I really don't adhere to what these people are telling you because most people are telling you the sky is blue because they know if they say the sky is blue, you can't disagree with them unless you're colorblind like me.

Um, then I can, but as the kids say, now you have the receipts, like you have the stuff to back you up. I just pulled out a little, yeah. Hip thing. Got a way to put it. My old age. Uh, yeah, and that's what, that's what's interesting. I don't know what the kids say now because my four year olds are only repeating Bluey.

Um, yeah, I don't know. I don't think I've watched anything adult in like three years. Um, but yeah, content creation, that's what it's all about. You have to, if there's not a progression, then, then you plateau. Um, you know. One of the reasons I started working with Ana and Fulgens wasn't because I necessarily needed their help, but I believe in working with people that are better than you so that you rise to their level.

And Fulgens is so much better at me at putting together these [00:19:00] packages and these profiles in Ecamm and having the lower thirds and creating things that are so unique. I may know the strategy. But Anna and Fulton's are way better at that. So I'd rather team up with them and, um, instead of doing something on my own, that that's not going to be as high quality.

And it's through learning from people like Doc, from people like Neil, not so much Mark. Um, I'm just, I'm just messing with you, Mark. Uh, okay. I, you know, I'm being serious, but I have to also keep my sarcastic wit. Um, That it helps you all the way because I would be nowhere if I did if I had just tried to continue Doing the same thing I was doing six years ago You know, I get to work with companies across the world now I was a partner with Elgato.

My entire studio is decked out with Elgato and it's only because I've learned from people Yeah, amazing. And I think, I think also it's one of the things that we've learned as a, as a show as we've ort of come together since creator camp is that sense that we're learning from each other and we've got different skill sets.

And there's something, there's something about the way that we're doing it, which is is amazing and supportive in the community and the collaboration. And I, and I've, I've experienced that even this afternoon, I've been doing my own podcast. I've been recording, I've got the same setup, same situation, a few different colored lights.

Um, but it felt very different when it was just my complete responsibility. And then here we are, we show up, we do our pre show, have a great laugh. And here we are getting a chance to chat to you. And, um, yeah, it's a completely different feel. And I think you're right. The more, the more you can. Be supported by other people and support other people.

It really is a way of great success....