Seed of the Week

Cultivators,

I know that World Mental Health day was a few days back… and today it is just as important as it was on October 10th…

In today’s creator economy, the pressure to not only produce content but also embody wellness is higher than ever. Brands are eager to tap into the rise of "health influencers," but behind the scenes, there's a missing piece. Many creators are expected to promote mental and physical well-being, yet there’s no system in place to ensure they’re truly healthy themselves.

This disconnect leaves creators vulnerable to burnout, anxiety, and unrealistic expectations, all while encouraging others to pursue wellness. It’s time to rethink how we approach health in the creator community, starting with supporting the mental health of those at the forefront.

This is something that I am looking to address here on Siembra Connect.

I am looking to collaborate with organizations that can help, if you think you can help, reach out to me directly [email protected] 

As I am,

George Torres

Founder, Siembra Connect

Let’s get into this week’s issues with our brand new category look…

Organic Growth

Why do you want more followers if you don’t talk to the ones that engage with you today…?

Cultivator Spotlight

It makes sense to me, that some of the first people I feature on the newsletter are people who I consider my “Day-Ones”… Kathy is not only one of the most successful creators that I know, but she is also one of the sweetest souls I have encountered in my journey. She is literally one of my big inspirations and has been for over 20 years.

There are only a handful that can build community like this lady.

One day soon I will tell you “our story” but for now… let me introduce her as our first Cultivator Spotlight, who also happens to be a dear friend.

Kathy Cano-Murillo, is the founder of CraftyChica®. She is a former syndicated newspaper columnist and now a full-time creativepreneur and has authored a dozen books, including two novels and the best seller – Forever Frida. Kathy is a seasoned speaker and storyteller. Her CraftyChica designs have been sold on HSN, at Barnes & Noble, Michaels, and hundreds of pottery, craft, and fabric shops across the country.

Kathy’s mission is to promote positivity via creativity!

Features include Forbes, The New York Times, Buzzfeed+ more.

Kathy is :

Third generation Mexican-American.

Native Phoenician.

A fourth generation “maker.”

Left-handed, middle child, Sagittarian.

Hates raw onions and bell peppers (raw and cooked).

Connect with Kathy on her creative hub

 CraftyChica, Mexi-style crafts + mucho creativity for crafty chicas

My SIEMBRA Toolkit

Here I feature apps, platforms, or tools that can help creators, entrepreneurs, and professionals work smarter and more efficiently. I primarily focus on tools that I am currently use to build Siembra Connect.

I will start by sharing this platform Beehiiv, I just shared on Threads just a few days ago, that in less than 30 days… I have monetized (I made $3.60) via Beehiiv directly, which is not a lot but I did it with 50 subscribers and three newsletters. I would not have made anything on all the popular social media apps at all. As a matter of fact, a popular food creator had a video that garnered over 1 Million impressions and barely made $36.

I am going the let them tell you all the ways you can make money by delving into your passion of sharing information that matters.

If you happen to sign up for Beehiiv thru my link, I will be sure to add you to a private group where I will help you with all that I am learning building Siembra Connect.

Creator Wellness

Here I will focus on mental health and wellness tips specifically for creators and entrepreneurs. Discuss managing burnout, finding work-life balance, and how to prioritize self-care while maintaining productivity.

Partnership & Brand Opportunities

This week, I would like to dedicate this space to filmmakers of color, trying to find funding for their next projects with potential distribution gateways.

This research I did was prompted by a conversation with my buddy Fred from MochamanStyle.com in a recent visit to Houston ,Texas.

Black Public Media (BPM)
A nonprofit supporting Black multimedia storytellers through production grants, pitch opportunities, and development programs.
Black Public Media

Film Independent & Netflix Partnership
This initiative provides grants to Black filmmakers to produce short films that debut on Netflix platforms.
Film Independent & Netflix

National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Media Projects
NEH offers grants for media projects that incorporate humanities scholarship, including documentary films.
https://www.neh.gov/program/media-projects 

Black Film Space
This organization offers a variety of grants and finishing funds for Black filmmakers, such as the $3,000 Tongal finishing fund.
Black Film Space

ARRAY Alliance
Created by Ava DuVernay, ARRAY provides grants and resources to support underrepresented voices in film.
ARRAY Alliance

Sundance Institute's Documentary Fund
Sundance provides financial support to filmmakers from marginalized communities, focusing on projects that promote social justice.
Sundance Documentary Fund

Ford Foundation's JustFilms
Offers grants to filmmakers who focus on social justice and inequality, supporting diverse creators.
Ford Foundation JustFilms

Firelight Media's Documentary Lab
Provides funding and mentorship to documentary filmmakers from underrepresented communities.
Firelight Media Documentary Lab

ITVS Diversity Development Fund
Offers up to $25,000 in development funding for documentary projects that tell stories from underrepresented communities.
ITVS Diversity Development Fund

Chicken & Egg Pictures
Supports women filmmakers, including African American creators, working on documentary films.
Chicken & Egg Pictures

Warner Bros. Discovery Access
Provides funding and professional development for underrepresented creators working in TV and film.
Warner Bros. Discovery Access

Tribeca Film Institute All Access Program
Offers grants and networking opportunities for filmmakers from underserved communities, including African American creators.
Tribeca All Access

Creative Capital
Provides up to $50,000 in financial support and career development for innovative projects in film.
Creative Capital

Cultivate & Connect

Here are some upcoming events…

Miami has never seen a gathering of Latinas Poderosas like this…

DAYS TO SHINE MIAMI

Days to Shine Miami 2024

Fri, Oct 25, 2024 - Sat, Oct 26, 2024 10:00am - 10:00pm

Regatta Harbour

Regatta Harbour, 3385 Pan American Dr, Miami, FL 33133, United States

BUY TICKETS HERE

Cultivator News

Here are some of this week’s leading headlines

Platform Updates and Features

• Instagram's Threads: Meta's new text-based social media platform has seen significant growth, challenging Twitter's dominance. https://about.instagram.com/threads

• TikTok's AI Tools: TikTok has introduced new AI-powered features for creators, including text-to-video generation and automatic captions. https://support.tiktok.com/en/using-tiktok/creating-videos/ai-generated-content

• YouTube's Shorts: YouTube's short-form video platform continues to expand, with new monetization options and features. https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/12504220?hl=en

Influencer Trends and Partnerships

• Micro-Influencers: Brands are increasingly partnering with micro-influencers for more authentic and targeted campaigns. https://influencermarketinghub.com/

• Subscription-Based Models: Influencers are experimenting with subscription-based platforms to offer exclusive content and perks to their followers. https://medium.com/membership

• Brand Collaborations: There has been a surge in creative brand collaborations and influencer partnerships, resulting in unique and engaging content. https://influencermarketinghub.com/

Creator Economy Growth

• AI-Generated Content: AI tools are being used to assist creators in generating content, such as videos, images, and text. https://blog.medium.com/how-were-approaching-ai-generated-writing-on-medium-16ee8cb3bc89

• Creator Funds: Social media platforms are investing in creator funds to support emerging talent and encourage content creation. https://www.tiktok.com/legal/tiktok-creator-fund-terms

• Creator-Owned Platforms: Creators are building their own platforms and communities to diversify their revenue streams and maintain control over their content. https://substack.com/

Challenges and Opportunities

• Platform Algorithms: Creators are facing challenges with platform algorithms that can impact content visibility and reach. https://blog.hootsuite.com/tiktok-algorithm/

• Monetization: Finding sustainable monetization strategies remains a challenge for many creators, especially those with smaller followings. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3tBe7Ytzsao

• Mental Health: The pressures of maintaining a public persona and constantly creating content can impact creators' mental health. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/16/health/mental-health-tiktok-harvard.html

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this newsletter may be affiliate links or partnerships, meaning I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them. These partnerships help support my work, but I only recommend products and services I believe in. Thank you for supporting the community!