While everyone's trying to crack the code on sustainable long-form content, Ryan Trahan just dropped a blueprint with his 50-state series.
He blended the Journey and Challenge formats into an endlessly repeatable structure that generates millions of views and has recently raised over $2 million for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
He built his ideal format on these three pillars:
- authenticity: unpolished, friend-like storytelling
- authority: he's mastered this constraint-based format before with his penny and bitcoin series
- access: showcasing unique Airbnbs like treehouses and missile silos that we couldn’t find elsewhere
This combination creates bingeable content that builds anticipation for each new episode while maintaining a genuine connection with his audience.
We dove deep into his viral series in our latest video:
https://youtu.be/VWQozTEmwd4?si=p89gN...
Photo: Ryan Trahan
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I used to think creativity was this mysterious talent you had to be born with.
So often I would stare at a blank page and not know what to write, and wished I was more gifted with creativity.
But after making over 1,000 videos across multiple niches and industries, I started to notice a pattern.
Creativity isn't magic. It's actually a science with a repeatable formula that anyone can learn.
Once I figured out this approach, those painful blank-page moments got rare.
Now I usually have a steady flow of ideas and can keep creating without hitting that familiar wall of burnout.
And having that reliable creative process made all the difference, because it’s what allowed us to grow consistently and reach over 1.3 million subscribers.
I share this same method in one of my videos because I know how frustrating it feels to be stuck creatively.
Check it out here to get the exact template that engineers creativity on demand: https://youtu.be/LhR2xx0B9k8
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I’ve spent over $10,000 experimenting with different cameras and YouTube studio setups.
And what I learned is that proper lighting technique will make your iPhone footage look just as good, if not better, than a cinema-grade camera.
It’s the fundamentals that make all the difference, and it doesn’t need to cost a ton.
Check out our latest video where we break down the lighting, camera, and audio setup that makes any space look like a professional studio (and the exact order to buy them in): https://youtu.be/WT2vdFufUeE
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Many YouTube creators burn out before they blow up because they pick formats that are too expensive, exhausting, or just don't fit their lives.
Colin and Samir almost quit after a decade of struggling with high-effort video essays that took a week to produce for 12,000 views.
But they discovered their winning format using the 3 C's: Compatibility (something you create even without being paid), Cost (sustainable time and energy), and Creativity (endlessly remixable with new ideas).
A format that fits these criteria means you stop burning out and start building momentum consistently.
When you find a signature format that best fits and elevates your brand, you stop competing on views and start owning a category in people's minds.
Sign up for our weekly newsletter Director's Cut to steal our case studies of all the top brands on YouTube and see exactly how they developed their winning formats!
➡️ directorscut.kit.com/ytposts
Photo: Colin and Samir
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Most creators think branding is just picking colors and fonts.
But after working with creators for 6 years, I've noticed something crazy: 90% of brands fail because they don't actually stand for anything.
If you can't explain what your brand stands for in one sentence, you've already lost.
The solution lies in psychology: people don't connect with brands that try to please everybody.
They connect when they feel like you're speaking directly to them and match their emotions.
In my latest video, I break down the exact 3-part strategy we use with our clients to help them differentiate themselves from the competition.
It’s what brands like Patagonia and Notion use to spot gaps in the market and position themselves.
And I show you exactly how to apply this to your own brand. Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIgIb...
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Social media has recently been flooded with AI slop. These weird, surreal, and sometimes horrific content distorts reality and drives massive engagement.
It’s fast, cheap, and totally addictive—but it’s also empty.
No story. No point. Just digital junk food.
But something new has entered the scene. A group of researchers from NVIDIA and Stanford just released studies that show how AI can generate actual stories from simple prompts.
Their model was shown creating a 1-minute video using Tom & Jerry with consistent characters and action.
This is looking more promising for AI-powered creativity, but there’s still a catch.
AI slop and AI stories both do the same thing—they keep people scrolling. Whether it’s junk or genius, both point to a future where people can get lost in endless self-generating content.
Stay updated with our newsletter, where we dive into the latest trends in the creator economy, AI for creators, and building a successful creator business: www.rebel-creator.com/
Photo: Test Time Training
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The era of just asking ChatGPT simple questions is over, and the whole new world of AI agents is changing the creative landscape.
Here are a few ways to level up your AI game:
1. Most people use AI like a helper that answers questions. But start thinking of ways to use agents to carry out tasks automatically and on repeat, or based on triggers.
2. Think about having an army of AI that all specialize in different tasks like research, writing code, or scheduling content. The bigger the context window you force on a single agent, the bigger the margin for error.
3. The AI agent hype has made big promises around getting rich quick. But the reality is that most agents are not that great yet. Instead of chasing the shiniest new AI toys, focus on solving problems that you have deep expertise in, with the AI we already have.
This change is the biggest opportunity for content creators since we first started using social media. Don't just use AI tools because everyone else is. This will just bloat your workflow.
Be strategic and focus on the tools that can assist in your bottleneck tasks.
If you want to see how I’m currently building an AI clone to help with my creative process, check out my latest video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY2Tv...
Join our newsletter for in-depth coverage on the creator economy, the impact of AI on creators, and practical tips for building a thriving creator business: www.rebel-creator.com/
Photo: Scientific American
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Patreon released The State of Create 2025, an in-depth study examining the current landscape of the creator economy.
It highlights the shifting dynamics between creators, platforms, and audiences, emphasizing the growing challenges of building sustainable businesses in a rapidly evolving digital environment.
Here are the key takeaways:
- The Algorithmic Shift: 53% of creators report that it’s more challenging to connect with their followers today than it was five years ago.
Platforms are prioritizing algorithm-driven feeds over follower-based distribution, making it harder for creators to reliably reach their audience.
- Short-Form vs. Long-Form Content: 61% of fans notice an increase in short-form content on their feeds. However, 52% of fans believe long-form content offers more value, and 49% are more inclined to pay for it.
While short-form content dominates feeds and engagement metrics, long-form content is perceived as more valuable by audiences, especially concerning monetization.
- Financial Sustainability: 57% of creators state that the ability to reach large audiences is crucial for their success, yet 51% find it harder to build a fan community today than five years ago.
A significant number of creators feel that platform monetization alone is insufficient, leading to increased reliance on direct fan support, memberships, and diversified income streams.
- Creator Autonomy: 60% of creators express concerns that platforms like Instagram do not always show their most important work to fans.
Many creators are seeking greater control over their businesses by focusing on owned platforms—such as email lists, websites, and memberships—rather than relying solely on social media.
To build a sustainable business that we own and control, the shift in 2025 is more towards deepening relationships with true fans rather than growing a massive audience of shallow followers.
For more snippets like this, check out our newsletter where we cover the latest news on the creator economy, AI for creators, and creator business: www.rebel-creator.com/
Photo: Patreon
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Growing on YouTube is the reason we were able to leave our jobs as burnt-out doctors and now wake up each day excited to work.
It wasn’t easy to get to this point. It took years of trial and error, staying consistent, and learning how to actually make money from it all.
After helping many creators start their own journeys, we’ve noticed the same struggles over and over again. It always came down to a lack of a solid strategy and a community of like-minded people to grow with.
That’s why we are launching the Rebel Creators membership. It’s a space designed for YouTubers looking to grow their audience and create a sustainable business around their channel.
Inside, you’ll get access to our frameworks built with AI systems we’ve fine-tuned over 6+ years on YouTube:
- AI-powered content system – we now produce quality videos in half the time, and with half the team size thanks to these AI workflows
- Virtual monetization playbook – monetize your YouTube channel without being salesy
- Your own AI clone – Create scripts & copy faster, in your own voice that doesn’t “sound AI”
- A real creator community – Feedback, workshops, and collabs with people on the same journey
But this isn’t just another course. It’s a community for Creators who are serious about building something real.
We’re bringing together a group of driven YouTubers who are ready to grow, collaborate, and take their channels to the next level.
For a limited time, you can join at Founder Pricing—50% off ($997 instead of $2,000 - installment payments are possible). If you sign up now, you’ll keep that lifetime discount!
Spots are limited, so send us an email at info@cajunkoi.com if you want to join the Rebel Creators!
If you’d like to stay up-to-date on the Rebel Creators Membership and get the latest insights on the creator economy, AI-powered tools, and strategies to grow your creator business, subscribe to our newsletter: www.rebel-creator.com/
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Great content isn’t just about what you teach—it’s about how you tell the story.
The best creators don’t just deliver information; they create a transformation that keeps you hooked. Here are three storytelling techniques used by the top 1% creators:
1. Expectation Subversion – The easiest way to grab attention is to challenge what your audience believes to be true. Start with a statement that aligns with common knowledge—then flip it. This contrast creates curiosity and mental tension, forcing the brain to seek resolution.
2. Define Your Ending First – Ever listened to someone ramble endlessly with no clear point? That’s what happens when you don’t structure your story around a peak moment. Before you start filming, identify the one key realization or emotion you want your audience to feel. Then work backward to build up to it. The best stories aren’t long—they’re focused.
3. Story Rhythm – Storytelling is like music—it needs variation. If every sentence is the same length, your delivery feels robotic. Mix up your pacing: sometimes short and punchy, other times descriptive and immersive. This keeps engagement high and your audience hooked.
We share more storytelling techniques in one of our latest videos where we break down in depth examples from the top creators on our platform.
Don't miss out! Our newsletter covers the latest trends in the creator economy, AI tools for creators, and expert advice on growing your creator business: www.rebel-creator.com/
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Mike and Matty are brothers who both left their careers as medical doctors for Youtube. They now help businesses and creative teams grow on Youtube. On this channel, they share the Ai systems and strategies they used to grow over 1-million subs on Youtube and 7-figure businesses.
Joined 17 May 2020