Ctrl Alt Ask

How do I keep creating when I’m burnt out?

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:Meet Josh Zimmerman, The Creator Coach

LIVE: How do I stand out? Brand-building secrets from the Hollywood playbook

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

Should creators fight back against AI crawlers?

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:Why we still recommend blocking AI crawlersCloudflare prioritizes creators and publishers with new AI crawler controlsWhen it comes to AI negotiations, publishers are stronger togetherWhy ‘Do not scrape’ policies matter more than you thinkProtecting your content from unauthorized useResources for Raptive members:How to manually block common AI crawlersHow to block common AI crawlers with the Raptive Ads WordPress pluginKeep “good bots” unblocked to maximize ad revenue

Am I too niche to attract advertisers?

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:Raptive & Nielsen 2024 case study on brand effectiveness in the creator ecosystemRaptive Intelligence: Smarter ad targeting for better campaignsMeet Katie Swanson, Manager, Email Identity PerformanceResources for Raptive members:What is programmatic advertising?9 ways to improve user experience

How do I win on YouTube?

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:The next 20: Powering the future of entertainment together at Made on YouTubeResources for Raptive members:Turn your video views into sales with YouTube Shopping