Keeping It Currant: a newsletter at the intersection of the creator economy & social impact

Welcome to the latest issue of Keeping It Currant, a newsletter by Social Currant & Girl and the Gov® focused on sharing insights on how to navigate the intersection of the creator economy and the political and social impact space. Before you scroll, make sure to pop in and say hello in the Social Currant creator-dedicated Slack channel, here.

RESOURCE ROUND-UP

Something to save, something to use

• SCOTUS is booked and busy making decisions on cases that will have a big time impact. One of those cases is centered around trans rights, SCOTUS v. Skrmetti. So, you can make yourself booked and busy making content educating your community about this monumental case using this toolkit collaboratively put together by Social Currant and the ACLU.

• If you’re pitching yourself or your related media unit, may we recommend tapping the numbers and findings from Pew Research in their latest report focused on “American’s News Influencers.” It’s giving,” if you want results, hire a news influencer.”

• Self-care is a must always, and this guide provides a framework for moving through these next months and beyond as a political content creator – and anyone looking to create a healthy news-doomscroll-productivity-and-peace balance in their life.

• ‘Netflix and chill’ meet ‘Netflix and content create’ with this creator toolkit that can be used to thoughtfully share the new documentary on hyper consumerism and toxic corporate practices, BUY NOW! The Shopping Conspiracy. 

• Improve your inbox [by subscribing to this newsletter] and these impact-related reads that share everything from key political stories to action items to topic-specific reporting, and more that can keep you informed, and your audience as well.

• New to Bluesky? Not sure where to find some of your faves? Tap into this list of political content creators and create the feed you want to see. And yes, you can follow them all with the click of one button.

FAQS

Classic questions, quick answers

Content creation and social media work isn’t cut and dry — it comes with questions on how to navigate its windy path. And those questions are ones we answer here, from fellow creators.

“So everyone is jumping on the Bluesky bandwagon. I’m already on so many platforms. Do I need to be on this one too?”

You’re far from the only one asking this question. We’ve seen over the years that social media platforms from time-to-time will have a big surge, like Lemon8, and then go back into general irrelevancy. That especially makes it really hard to be motivated to add another platform to the roster. The difference in this case is, Bluesky, so far, isn’t suppressing political content, so growth is decently possible. And secondly, the app has sustained growth for a while, so it has already “proven” itself to be a platform with some roots to it. Both of those positives are things to consider, especially if political content is your core niche. 

That said, there is only a finite amount of time in the day and creative energy to go around. In that same vein, it’s quality over quantity - so if the quality of the content you’re going to be able to push out there to make it worthwhile won’t be up to your standards, maybe it’s a no. If you have the bandwidth and/or are looking to expand the type of content you create, then maybe it’s a yes.

We can’t make a sweeping decision for everyone on joining or not because transparently the app might not be a fit for everyone’s content/audience goals – and that’s okay. You don’t need to be on every platform to be successful – enough of them so that you have your eggs in more than one basket? Yes, but it does not have to be every basket. So, at the end of the day, you have to ask two questions before making the decision to hop on the bandwagon or not – is my target audience on/using the platform? And secondly, if it’s not my audience using the platform, are there people or organizations on Bluesky that I’d benefit from interfacing with? Those answers will help lead you to the right decision for you.

“I’ve done a few brand campaigns and I’m not sure how to set boundaries with the brands themselves. What’s generally appropriate when trying to strike the balance?”

The brand’s goal – any business really – is to get as much bang for their buck. It doesn’t mean that they’re going to take advantage of you. It doesn’t mean that they’re going to disrespect you. But it does mean that if the opportunity for them to get more than what they’re paying for, they might just take it. Again, this is not an always occurrence. However, it is important the mentality that leads their decision making when trying to create a boundary. That means you need to be firm in your boundaries and your contractual obligations from the start. A few guidelines for doing that:

• Make the creation of the contract collaborative. You can assert your boundary by directly demanding what you need in a contract. Those elements can be more than just the pay, but include everything from edit rounds to how many work hours total you will be providing them. 

• Additionally when it comes to creating a collaborative contract, include specific scenarios in which you are able to walk away from the contract itself if need be. You can set the scenarios that would be a breach of contract – it’s not just the brand. Making it known will help create a boundary.

• Do not negotiate against yourself. If you have a budget requirement, an hours requirement, etc, stick firm to that. The more you move on this, the more your boundary weakens/isn’t taken seriously.

• Micro-behaviors like texting you instead of emailing you often require not letting them happen from the jump as well. Share your business hours and how you like to communicate. If they try to breach that, it’s an awkward but necessary conversation to have.

Content creation and influencing is a business. Businesses have boundaries, and so should you.

Have questions on how you can add political content into your own content pillars? Drop us a line [and a question] at [email protected] for consideration in an upcoming FAQs segment.

CREATOR CIRCLE

Chat with fellow creators

If you’ve ever tried to explain “what you do” to your friends that aren’t content creators and/or the things that come across your desk, you’ve likely gotten quite a few bewildered looks. Cue, the SC Creator Circle – where creators get to speak with other creators about being creators, virtually. From discussing recent content, setting goals, and chatting through the stressors that come with online life, the Creator Circle provides an opportunity to chat through it all with people that get it. Should attending the next Creator Circle be of interest, join the SC Slack here for upcoming dates and times.

THE TOOLBOX

Tips n’ tricks for editing, monetization, and more

• MONETIZATION → For live streamers that collect tips from their audience, StreamElements allows you to create a free profesh looking tipping page that makes it easy and intuitive for audience members that wish to share their appreciation monetarily.

• VIDEO → Whether you use Descript or another platform for editing video content, these nine tips for creating the best video content are applicable.

• PHOTO → Thanks to an emphasis on Carousels, photo content is back. This guide shares five platforms that can help you create graphics and high-performing imagery to post to your feed. It also includes four editing tools to consider adding to your rotation.

• AI → The amount of AI tools coming to market can be a bit overwhelming. Tap into Sproutsocial’s AI toolkit, which shares the AI essentials for social media managers and creators.

• COMMUNITY → Building community is an essential pillar to content success. This guide from YouTube can help you do just that on the long-form meets short-form platform.

CURRANT AUDIO LIBRARY

TikTok & Reels audios to have saved

• Use this audio to share your reaction to a hypothetical situation where someone asks “do you know them” about a person you no longer associate with or never did based on a particular set of beliefs/values, etc. 

• Use this audio from Wicked to share an announcement – whether it’s yours or a news announcement relevant to your content.

• Use this audio to highlight a Frye Festival-esque move made by Trump and his administration-to-be.

• Use this audio to highlight someone that could benefit from using mouth tape…during the day.

• Use this audio to point out that someone is not smarter, they’re actually just louder.

HEADLINES

News at a glance from ‘round the creator sphere

• Social Media Today: Instagram Makes it Easier To Remove Inactive Profiles From Your Audience

• Digital Information World: Why Is Instagram Removing Following Hashtags Feature

• Insider Radio: Pew Finds A Third Of Social Media’s New Influencers Are Also Podcasters

• Lindsey Gamble’s Newsletter: Why Instagram Story Highlights Are Moving to the Profile

• Tubefilter: Despite gains among its rivals, Twitch still accounts for 82% of streaming hours
  

LET’S GET SOCIAL

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