How Simon Built a Self-Development Channel to 130K YouTube Subscribers
Who is Simon Pittman?π
Simon, the founder of Better Creating, is a London-based content creator and Notion Ambassador with a background as a theatre director. He shifted to digital content creation in 2019, using his skills to help others simplify life through productivity tools and systems.
What problem does Better Creating solve?π
Better Creating solves the problem of managing life's chaos and clutter by offering simple tools and resources to help people get organized and live more intentionally, making it a hit for those overwhelmed by the endless demands of modern life.
How did Simon come up with the idea for Better Creating?π
Simon, the founder of Better Creating, stumbled upon his business idea during a challenging period of his life when the pandemic interrupted his theater career. As a freelance theater director, Simon found himself with extra time and a desire to organize his chaotic work-life balance. This led him to discover new productivity systems, such as Notion, which he used to declutter his digital spaces and streamline his tasks.
Initially, Simon's exploration of these tools was a personal project aimed at improving his own life. However, he soon realized that others might benefit from his experiences and insights. Encouraged by positive feedback from early content he created for a theater company, he started documenting his process on YouTube, sharing productivity tips and organizational templates.
Faced with the challenge of turning his passion into a sustainable business, Simon leaned on community feedback and inspiration from others in his field. He began creating digital products, like Notion templates, which addressed common organizational challenges. This approach validated his ideas and allowed him to adjust his offerings based on user needs. Ultimately, the key lesson Simon learned was the power of consistently showing up, learning new things, and sharing valuable insights with a community eager for simplified productivity solutions.
How did Simon build the initial version of Better Creating?π
Better Creating's initial product development was focused on creating and distributing Notion templates and a comprehensive video course. Simon, the founder, leveraged his experience as a content creator and Notion Ambassador to establish a streamlined process for developing these digital products. The initial prototypes consisted of basic Notion templates, such as a stoic journaling template, created by utilizing Notion's inherent database functionalities which enabled users to customize and generate new entries from predefined prompts. This development process, from concept to prototype, was fairly rapid, often within a day for simpler templates.
Simon utilized tools like Notion itself, Chrome extensions, and other integration tools to automate and gather content efficiently. He applied a methodical approach by consulting other template creators and taking insightful recommendations, which eased initial fears and experimentation. Despite his creative background, Simon faced challenges in balancing user interface design and functionality, ensuring the templates not only met consumer needs but also were intuitive and user-friendly.
Building the templates was a surprisingly engaging experience for Simon as it tapped into his organizational and creative skills. Some challenges included addressing user feedback on functionality and iterating on template complexity to better serve a broader audience, all of which required responsive modifications over time.
How did Simon launch Better Creating and get initial traction?π
YouTube Channel Launchπ
Simon launched Better Creating as a YouTube channel in 2019. Initially, he focused on documenting his personal journey to become more organized and productive, sharing insights and strategies he learned along the way. He posted weekly videos, which gradually attracted viewers interested in productivity and digital tools like Notion.
Why it worked: YouTube is an excellent platform for sharing knowledge and building a community. By consistently posting valuable and relatable content, Simon gradually grew an audience that appreciated his insights on productivity and organization.
Notion Templates and Coursesπ
As Simon's audience on YouTube grew, he started offering Notion templates and a "Notion From Scratch" video course. These digital products were tailored to help individuals get organized and simplify their lives, leveraging the power of Notion, a popular productivity tool.
Why it worked: By tapping into a niche market that was already invested in productivity and Notion, Simon could provide tangible value that his audience was willing to pay for. His Notion templates and courses became a natural extension of the content he was already known for, thus reinforcing his brand and business.
Initial Customer Base through Contentπ
Simon leveraged his YouTube channel and email list to cultivate his initial customer base for digital downloads and courses. The channel served as a way to showcase his expertise and directly engage with potential customers, while the email list allowed for more personalized communication and marketing.
Why it worked: By using his existing platforms to promote his products, Simon effectively targeted an audience that was already interested in his content. This strategy helped convert viewers into paying customers, who were already familiar with and trusted his work.
What was the growth strategy for Better Creating and how did they scale?π
YouTubeπ
Better Creating started as a YouTube channel in 2019, where Simon, the founder, focused on productivity content, Notion tutorials, tech reviews, and organizing systems. As of now, the channel boasts over 150,000 subscribers. Simon's breakout success came with videos like a Stream Deck review and an iPad optimization guide, which significantly increased viewership and engagement.
Why it worked: YouTube provided a platform to reach a wide audience interested in productivity and digital organization. Videos like the Stream Deck review and others targeted a popular niche, capturing attention and driving subscriber growth. The regular posting schedule and quality content helped build a loyal audience. Regularity and consistency in content delivery keep subscribers engaged and attract new viewers.
Notion Templatesπ
Simon leveraged his expertise by creating and selling Notion templates as digital products. His offerings include a LifeOS template and other specialized templates focused on productivity and personal organization. The simplicity and functionality of these templates have contributed significantly to his business's revenue, making up the largest income stream.
Why it worked: The rise of digital organization tools like Notion generated demand for customizable templates. Simon's templates offer practical solutions that save users time, meeting the needs of a specific audience looking for efficiency gains. Being an early entrant in the Notion marketplace allowed him to establish credibility and capture a niche market early on.
Email Marketing/Newsletterπ
Simon runs a mailing list to keep subscribers engaged with updates on new content, ideas, and digital product releases. This direct line of communication helps in promoting the newest Notion templates and engaging the audience beyond YouTube.
Why it worked: Email marketing provides a way to maintain a direct connection with followers, transforming one-time viewers into loyal customers. By offering value through tips and updates, Simon nurtures a community interested in ongoing digital product offerings, leading to regular engagement and higher conversion rates.
Brand Partnerships and Sponsorshipsπ
In addition to digital products, Simon collaborates with brands for partnerships and sponsorships, creating additional revenue streams. These collaborations often involve promoting tech products that align with his audience's interests.
Why it worked: With a focused niche and a sizable, engaged audience, Simon can attract brands looking to connect with his followers. The quality of his content and relevance to tech and productivity ensure that brand promotions feel organic to his channel's theme, enhancing trust and effectiveness.
What's the pricing strategy for Better Creating?π
Better Creating prices its Notion templates from as low as $5 to around $100, focusing on digital downloads that enhance productivity with notable offerings like the LifeOS template.
What were the biggest lessons learned from building Better Creating?π
- Embrace Diversification: Balancing a theater career with Better Creating, Simon illustrates the power of diversification in ensuring stability and creativity.
- Consistency is Key: Simon dedicated himself to weekly YouTube videos, showing that regular content creation builds audience trust and growth.
- Quality Over Quantity: Even with a smaller audience, Simon prioritized delivering high-value Notion templates, demonstrating that quality can lead to significant income.
- Adaptability Through Feedback: The evolution from initial projects to a more refined business model underscores the importance of adapting based on audience engagement and feedback.
- Lean on Community Support: By becoming a Notion Ambassador and engaging with fellow creators, Simon leverages community ties to enhance learning and business opportunities.
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More about Better Creating:π
Who is the owner of Better Creating?π
Simon Pittman is the founder of Better Creating.
When did Simon Pittman start Better Creating?π
2020
What is Simon Pittman's net worth?π
Simon Pittman's business makes an average of $/month.
How much money has Simon Pittman made from Better Creating?π
Simon Pittman started the business in 2020, and currently makes an average of .
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
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