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Seed of the Week

Cultivators,

As one of the first creators on the web, I’ve seen firsthand how the digital landscape has transformed everything. Creators are now shaping how the world consumes content, but the road to real success in this space is still very tough. Social platforms give us incredible reach, then take it away but they also keep us locked into unfair revenue models and leave us chasing ever-changing algorithms. It’s frustrating. And it’s one of the reasons I created Siembra Connect—to give creators like us the tools, resources, and community to build something real and sustainable.

The truth is, we can’t just depend on the platforms.

Today, I am sharing the Kajabi’s “Reality Check” report which is actually a very informative landing page to advertise their platform… but the stats are very real.

^{Disclaimer: I have no affiliate or sponsor relationship with Kajabi}

Stats like these really hit home for me because it laid bare the issues we face daily—issues we’ve probably felt but never really talked about openly. It’s time we take control of our creative work and stop letting the system dictate our success. That’s the mission behind Siembra Connect: to help creators thrive on their own terms.

I did a deep dive, and these were my takeaways.

1. The Illusion of Overnight Success:
I’ve been there—scrolling through social media, seeing creators blow up and wondering, “What am I doing wrong?” But the reality is, most of us aren’t cashing in millions. Most of us are grinding, and it can feel disheartening when the big wins seem out of reach.

Siembra Connect is my way of saying, You’re not alone in this. Let’s build a path that’s not about quick fame, but about long-term growth.

My truth is my success over the years has come in waves.

2. Owning Your Content and Audience:
The biggest lesson for me: control what’s yours. I’ve seen too many creators pour their heart into content only to have platforms change the game on them—suddenly, the reach is gone, the revenue dips. Siembra Connect is here to help creators own their audience and their content, so no one can pull the rug out from under us. When you own your platform, you own your destiny.

Part of owning your content is protecting your intellectual property. Some thing that creator Jools Lebron knows very well.

3. Diversifying Your Income:
We can’t rely on just one stream of income—sponsorships and ads are great, but they’re not enough. I’ve learned the importance of exploring new ways to earn, whether it’s launching digital products, offering coaching, or creating membership communities. Siembra Connect is here to support creators in finding these new pathways so we’re not at the mercy of a single platform or revenue source.

4. Tech Tools that Actually Work for You:
I get it—tech can be overwhelming. But the right tools can change everything. Kajabi is one option, but through Siembra Connect, we’re all about finding the tools that work for you—tools that automate the boring stuff so you can focus on creating and connecting with your audience.

So, Where Do We Go from Here?

The creator economy can be a tough grind, but we don’t have to go it alone or settle for whatever crumbs the platforms throw our way. The “Reality Check” report is a wake-up call, but it’s also a guide. And through Siembra Connect, we’re building something where creators can truly own their work, diversify their income, and thrive in a way that’s sustainable and fulfilling. This isn’t just about success—it’s about freedom.

And that’s why I’m here. That’s why I built this. For us.

As I am,

George Torres

Founder, Siembra Connect

Here is the link below to the full report…

Organic Growth

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Cultivator Spotlight: The Dining Traveler

I love Jessica van Dop DeJesus so much because she embodies everything the Siembra community stands for. As The Dining Traveler, she’s been a trailblazer in the travel and food world, seamlessly blending her rich cultural experiences with her passion for storytelling. Jessica’s unique perspective, shaped by her military service and extensive global travel, inspires everyone to embrace diverse cultures through food and adventure. Her ability to uplift underrepresented communities, veterans, and women through her platform makes her an essential voice in the travel and hospitality industries.

She is a friend, a personal inspiration when it comes to doing impactful work with high production value… learn about her journey and connect with her on socials.

PS… She is also one of the Siembra Initiative founding members.

Soooo who is The Dining Traveler?

Jessica van Dop DeJesus is an award-winning travel and food digital content creator, author, and social media strategist. She began traveling as a young Marine over 25 years ago and has been to over 60 countries on and off duty. She spent most of her post-collegiate years Living and working abroad. The journey began with a military tour in Okinawa, Japan, six years in Belgium (with a year in Germany in between), and back to living in Washington, DC. She now divides her time between Brussels, Belgium, Washington, DC, and Western New York.
Her husband is from Rotterdam, The Netherlands, and she’s fallen in love with Dutch culture and travels there several times a year. She comes from a bicultural upbringing as she grew up in Puerto Rico and Western NY State. All of these experiences give her a broad perspective on food and travel.

Visit The Dining Traveler To Lear More & Connect

My SIEMBRA Toolkit

Here are the 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 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.

^{Note: some of these may not be current headlines but have very valuable info.}

Partnership & Brand Opportunities

This week, I would like to dedicate this space to Here are some potential funding sources for podcasts created by people of color, along with their links:

Foundations and Grants

• Ford Foundation: https://www.fordfoundation.org/

• W.K. Kellogg Foundation: https://www.wkkf.org/

• Open Society Foundations: https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/

• National Endowment for the Arts: https://www.arts.gov/

• Corporation for Public Broadcasting: https://www.cpb.org/

Fun fact, I am launching a podcast soon, I am sharing this with you before I have even applied, let me know if you learn anything I can share with the collective.

Cultivate & Connect

Here are some upcoming events…

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

I love AI… because I believe in Human Led creativity.

I see AI as an invaluable creative partner that enhances my content in ways that were previously unimaginable. It allows me to streamline the process, giving me more time to focus on the heart of storytelling while still maintaining authenticity and creativity. With AI as a tool, I can dive deeper into research, generate fresh ideas, and refine my work more efficiently. It’s not just about saving time; it’s about using technology to push the boundaries of what's possible in content creation, allowing me to produce more meaningful and impactful work.

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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!