About the Episode‍

JT Barnett is a content creator, entrepreneur, and founder of CreatorX, a headhunting firm that matches creators with consumer brands to ideate, film, edit, and post content on their behalf. He has worked with major brands like Microsoft, Skechers, and Nissan.

In this episode of “Uploading…,” JT shares strategies for creating compelling content, building an audience, and monetizing through brand partnerships. He emphasizes the importance of enjoying the creative process, engaging with a niche audience, and using feedback to inform content decisions.

JT also gives practical advice on topics such as developing signature content series, avoiding burnout, using AI tools in the creation process, and more.

Today, we'll cover:
- JT's transition from pro athlete to content creator and entrepreneur
- The importance of organic social media engagement over paid ads
- Impactful content strategies for YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn
- How to build a signature content series to stand out and grow an audience
- Insights on partnering with creators to drive business growth and success

3 Strategies for Success From JT Barnett

1. Focus on fulfillment in the creation process

‍

When you're creating content, it's easy to get caught up in the endless pursuit of views, likes, and engagement. But as JT points out, the key to long-term success and fulfillment lies in finding joy in the act of creating itself.

If you focus solely on chasing vanity metrics, you risk burning out and losing sight of what truly matters. Instead, embrace the intrinsic rewards of the creative process—the thrill of exploring new ideas, the satisfaction of honing your craft, the joy of collaborating with others who share your passion.

Remember, even if your audience seems small, the impact you're making is significant. A few hundred views might not feel groundbreaking, but that's like having a whole auditorium of people hanging on your every word.

Make the most of the opportunity to build deep, meaningful connections with your niche community, and cherish the chance to make a difference in their lives through your content.

2. Embrace authenticity over polish

‍

In the age of TikTok, audiences are craving a new kind of authenticity. They want raw, unfiltered, and relatable content. To truly connect with your viewers, JT suggests approaching your content like a casual FaceTime conversation with a close friend.

Don't be afraid to show your imperfect, unpolished side. Those are the qualities that make you human and relatable. Your audience wants to connect with someone who understands their struggles and isn't afraid to be vulnerable.

This is especially true on platforms like TikTok, where users are used to seeing off-the-cuff, lo-fi content. If you try too hard to mimic the polished look of traditional media, you'll just end up alienating your audience. Instead, embrace the raw, unscripted nature of the medium, and let your true personality shine through.

3. Develop a signature content series

‍

Everyone is trying to make it as a content creator nowadays and it can be tough to stand out from the crowd. One strategy that JT recommends is developing your own signature content series.

A signature content series gives your audience something to latch onto and look forward to on a regular basis.

The trick is to choose a theme that speaks to who you are and what you're all about. Then, commit to exploring that theme from every angle, week after week, month after month.

Before you know it, your series will become synonymous with your personal brand.

When your followers see a new episode or installment, they'll know exactly what they're getting. They'll trust you to deliver the goods every single time, and they'll keep coming back for more.

Episode Timestamps‍

00:00 How CreatorX helps brands leverage influencers
04:04 From being a pro athlete to building a 7-figure business
07:53 Case study: Poppy’s content strategy success
10:25 Where to start creating content; choosing a platform
13:20 Strategies for making podcast clips engaging
15:40 How to reach and engage your niche audiences
17:37 Best practices for optimizing social media profiles
20:18 What is a signature series and how to come up with one
23:59 How to create content consistently and avoid burnout
25:51 The importance of perspective on viewership
28:33 How to approach content monetization
30:57 Long-form vs short-form organic video content
34:53 Content strategy for JT’s personal brand and CreatorX
36:58 JT’s content workflow and team
39:24 How to expand niche as a content creator
42:57 Social media content trends to watch out for in 2025
45:16 Strategies for podcast guest outreach
47:48 Best practices for using AI in content creation
51:07 Adding musical score to podcast clips vs posting them as is
52:13 Best aspect ratio to use for LinkedIn videos
53:01 Creator tools and agentic workflows
54:33 What data to look at when developing a brand strategy
55:46 How to get podcast sponsors

Why Brands Partner with Creators: “You might actually have the ideas, but when you go to film it, you just don't know the technique, you don't know how to edit, you don't know how to create in an actual capacity. Even if people have ideas, they need makers, they need people to do it. There's something really missing here where brands are going to need these creators, and creators also want these kinds of jobs to work within companies." — JT Barnett, 00:06:52 → 00:07:02

Why Creators Need to Engage Niche Audiences: “Whose accounts do you really enjoy that you could see yourself being somewhat similar to? And I don't think of it in a way of like, let's go copy that person. I think of it like, let's go and make friends with everybody that's in their audience. Because if that person has an audience of fitness minded people and you love their content, there's a really good chance that that audience is also going to be the audience that you're trying to get to follow you and care about you." — JT Barnett, 00:16:17 → 00:16:34

Content Creation and Monetization: “I think a lot of people want to monetize too soon... And the people that actually make money from it find enjoyment in the process of what they're doing. So I think that literally on day one, I would be like, I need to find a way to actually enjoy this." — JT Barnett, 00:29:14 → 00:29:25

‍