DECEMBER 14, 2021

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Welcome to The Tilt, a twice-weekly newsletter for content entrepreneurs. Each edition is packed with the latest news, strategies, and tactics, plus inspiring creator stories and exclusive education, all to help you create, grow, and monetize better.

Features in this issue (view online):

• Full Tilt: Most Popular Gift Idea From The Tilt Community​
• Entrepreneur: Life in the World’s Northernmost Town​
• Stan: Everyday Life Turns Into Content Business

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When creators craft gift guides in exchange for something of value from a sponsor brand – money, merch, etc. – they are required by law to disclose that relationship.

But The Tilt’s gift list doesn’t require any such disclosure. We went to The Tilt community on Discord, so our recognition is simply a big thanks to Denise Wakeman, Heath Dingwell, Ashley Stryker, Tess 600, Brian Piper, and Joe Pulizzi for their input.

And if you’re all set for 2021, take note for all your 2022 celebrations.

Interestingly, several creators recommended pen and paper. I never knew how intriguing fountain pens are until reading the conversation. Ashley says The Goulet Pen Co. is one of her favorite places, while Lamy fountain pens are great for beginners.

Fellow fountain pen enthusiast Tess says she uses inexpensive writing tools from Staedleter or Kaweco.

Though he didn’t put fountain pens on his list, The Tilt founder Joe Pulizzi stayed old school, too, suggesting an “actual notebook with paper.”

Tess, though, prefers to take that paper into the more modern age with a reMarkable 2 tablet. They gifted themselves one a bit ago and finds it “indispensable” as well as a “conversation starter.”

It’s new school because it’s a tablet that looks and feels like paper. It’s old school because it can’t surf the internet, download apps, etc. But it can send the created files (.pdf, .png, and .svg) through email, Dropbox, or Google Drive.

Denise suggests a monthly coffee bean subscription. Here’s a fun list of coffee subscription services from Bon Appetit. If you like your coffee hot (or warm), Joe’s idea for an Ember coffee warmer might do the trick. It’s the world’s first temperature-controlled mug. Travel and stay-at-home versions are available.

Denise also says she would appreciate like Amazon or Bookshop.org gift card to keep up to date on marketing books. AppSumo gift card also would be good.

Heath has a great idea – a tech starter set for creators beginning the journey. It would include web hosting for a year, a site theme, and technical help to get the site up and running. “It allows people to jump into content entrepreneurship while minimizing the tech ‘headaches’ for those who aren’t technical.

​Creator coins or NFTs are a unique gifting opportunity for content entrepreneurs. It can be the thing that launches them into seeing and learning how a creator coin or NFT can be beneficial to their creator brand. It also can be a good way to learn what to do and what not to do as other creators navigate this new stream. (And of course, we’re big fans of $TILT coin, and it’s been at a particularly good deal on Rally the past few days.)

Lastly, don't forget merch from their favorite communities or creators! The Tilt's 'create' T-shirt is our founder's favorite.

– Ann Gynn

To discover some health (physical and mental) gifts and a few more ideas, read the longer story.

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ICYMI: The Tilt Launches CEX [In Person Event]

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Finally...a conference for content creators by content creators

Tired of creator events that focus on the big social platforms? No more. The Tilt's Joe Pulizzi and Brian Clark (founder of Copyblogger) have teamed up to bring you CEX – Creator Economy Expo. The event will be held May 2-4, 2022, at the Arizona Grand Resort in Phoenix, AZ. There are only 500 tickets available.

Our mission is to bring you the brightest minds and most vibrant voices who help creators develop into successful entrepreneurs who build profitable digital businesses.

​Secure Your Spot Today and Save With Early Bird Pricing

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Entrepreneur: Cecilia Blomdahl

Biz: Cecilia Blomdahl​

Tilt: Life in the world’s northernmost town

Time to First Revenue: 2 years

Channels: TikTok (1.5M), YouTube (182K), Instagram (186K), Website​

Rev Streams: Merch, Google AdSense, sponsored ads

Our Favorite Actionable Advice:

• Take a unique angle: Though Cecilia’s environment seems like a natural for content creation, she became inspired after using a drone to capture it in a unique way.
• Appreciate TikTok vs. YouTube: YouTube, where she earns most of her revenue, requires well-produced video. TikTok, where she has the most followers, prefers videos that are far from perfected.
• Treat creation like a job: As Cecilia worked to build her audiences, she consistently published content even though she didn’t make any money for two years.

– Kelly Wynne

To learn more about Cecilia and what earns her enough money to support her full time, check out the longer story.

Know a content creator who’s going full tilt? DM us or reply to this email.

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Caught on ... Twitter​

“Creators, READ YOUR CONTRACTS BEFORE SIGNING THEM.” – Justin Moore

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In 2011, a friend introduced German Garmendia to YouTube, kicking off his journey that has led to over 45M subscribers. The Chilean gained a mostly Latin American following by filming videos of him goofing off while doing everyday tasks – applying for jobs, working out on his gym days, meeting new companions.

German creates content in Spanish. Some credit his success to his choice to only speak in his native language and his content’s mimicking popular telenovelas tropes and LatAm entertainment.

Why we’re a Stan: German recognizes the value of authenticity and relatability to attract your primary audience eventually can lead to connecting with and crossing over to other demographics.

– Shameyka McCalman

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• ​Taking Control of Screen Time (Content Inc. podcast)
• ​New Strategy – Stop Producing Social Media Content (This Old Marketing podcast)
• ​$100 Billion in SBA Loans and Grants Still Available (Small Business Trends)
• ​2 Easy Ways to Use Artificial Intelligence at Your Small Business (Inc.)
• ​Health Insurance Marketplace: When Is the Deadline To Purchase a Health Care Plan? (Marca)

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Your team for this issue: Joe Pulizzi, Ann Gynn, Laura Kozak, Marc Maxhimer, and Dave Anthony, with an assist from Angelina Kaminski, Kelly Wynne, Shameyka McCalman, and Don Borger.

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