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In this episode of my Independent Creator Podcast, I dive deep into chatbots - what they are, why streamers use them, and the different types available. I explain the key differences between locally installed vs cloud-based bots and demonstrate features of popular options like BeepBot, MixItUp, and Aitum. I provide an overview of what chatbots can do, from commands and channel points to automation and integrations with services like Discord. I also discuss considerations for choosing a bot like cost, features, and platform support. Don't miss this in-depth look at an essential tool for live streamers. Stay tuned for a live Q&A with me and other creators after the episode. Whether you're just starting out or growing your community, you'll learn something new to take your streams to the next level. Thanks for tuning in - see you next week!00:00 Introduction to Chatbots01:19 Importance of Chatbots for Content Creators08:09 Locally Installed vs Cloud-Based Chatbots30:15 Review of Atom41:36 Review of Mixitup48:00 Conclusion and Call to Action ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of the Independent Creator Podcast, I dive into some alternative monetization options beyond just Twitch subscriptions. We'll explore platforms like StreamLoots, Ko-Fi, and FourthWall that offer streamers a bigger cut of earnings.I'll outline how each one works, including the percentage you get to keep compared to Twitch's 50% sub-cut. I also share tips for integrating these services into your streams through alerts and promotions.But is there such a thing as too much monetization? As your host, I give my perspective on how to promote alternatives without being annoying. Overall, my goal with this discussion is to provide genuinely helpful information for any content creator looking to expand their business.Be sure to check out future episodes where I explore additional topics to help support your success as an independent streamer or creator. For ongoing learning resources, you can also visit my website at thisindiecreator.com. I hope you find value in this podcast and wish you the best in your content journey. ★ Support this podcast ★

Welcome to another episode of the Independent Creator Podcast where it's all about helping you navigate the tricky world of content creation. This time around, I'm tackling an essential, yet often misunderstood, component of live streaming and video creation - music.Today, I shed light on how to navigate the minefield of copyright-free and DMCA-free music. I break down the various options available for content creators who need music for live streams or YouTube videos.An integral part of this episode revolves around the potential pitfalls of using non-copyrighted music from YouTube playlists. The risk of your content being hit with demonetization, copyright claims or strikes is real and could have irreversible consequences for anyone who doesn't take copyright seriously. If you've ever wondered what could happen if you play copyrighted music without permission, I go into detail about the potential repercussions on platforms like YouTube and Twitch.In this episode, I discuss a few reliable sources of DMCA-free music, including Epidemic Sounds, and highlight the importance of ensuring that the music you use is genuinely free to use.This is not just a discussion about the legalities of music copyright, but a discussion about the initiative. The episode explores how content creators can take ownership of their content, ensuring that their hard work isn't wasted due to copyright claims. I discuss specific examples, outlining strategies and providing tips on how to keep all the rights to your content.No matter whether you're a small or mid-sized content creator, understanding music copyright is crucial in the thriving world of content creation. This episode is not just a lesson on copyright, but an eye-opener for anyone who wants to protect their hard work.Make sure you tune in to find out how to diversify your content, why proof of permission is important, and what you can do if your content gets flagged. I will also share some great sources for free and copyrighted music to keep your content flowing without obstacles.Hope you're ready for an enlightening discussion about music, copyright, and content creation. Let's dissect the complexities of DMCA, copyright law, and content creation together. ★ Support this podcast ★

As an independent creator, it's crucial to take control of your content rather than relying solely on platforms like YouTube and Twitter. In this episode, we discuss the importance of owning your creative work by building your own website, diversifying your content distribution, and monetizing directly with fans. Learn why you should centralize your videos, posts, music, and more on your own site to escape algorithms and potential censorship. Discover how to leverage social media to drive traffic while retaining control of your content. We talk about various options for building your creative hub from WordPress to Ghost and beyond. Don't cede power as a creator - own your distribution, audience, and destiny by taking charge of your content ownership.00:00 Introduction: Owning Your Own Content00:30 The Problem with Centralized Social Media04:22 Relying Solely on Social Media Platforms05:22 Taking Ownership of Your Content06:19 Creating Your Own Website or Blog07:18 Using Social Media as an Advertising Method08:45 Limiting Interactions on Social Media09:44 The Benefits of Taking Ownership10:43 Considerations for Marginalized Creators11:38 Creating Your Own Website or Blog (Continued)12:39 Exploring Different Platforms: Ghost, Substack, WordPress13:37 Finding the Right Platform for You14:34 Diversifying Content Hosting15:33 Utilizing PeerTube for Video Content16:02 Using CastoPOD for Podcasts18:59 The Challenges of Competing with YouTube20:27 Exploring Other Hosting Options22:21 Diversifying Content Hosting (Continued)25:16 The Importance of Taking Control28:45 Conclusion: Controlling Your Content Destiny ★ Support this podcast ★

This week I explore Owncast, an open source self-hosting solution for live streaming. Owncast gives creators like me complete control by allowing us to set up and run our streaming server. I walk through the simple setup process - from signing up for a VPS provider like Hetzner to completing the one-click Owncast install in under 10 minutes. Then we dive into customizing every aspect of the platform from the admin panel. Options include setting your instance name and description, uploading a custom logo, tweaking video quality presets, and more. I also cover social features and how to interact with followers, as well as accessing advanced customization through CSS and scripts.By the end, I've transformed a default Owncast server into a fully customized live-streaming platform tailored to my needs and style. For any independent creators looking for alternatives to centralized services, Owncast provides a powerful open-source option worth checking out. Tune in to hear my full review!00:00 Introduction to OwnCast01:02 Overview of OwnCast05:24 Integration with the Fediverse07:53 Alternatives to OwnCast09:21 Setting up OwnCast on Hetzner13:42 Creating an Account on Hetzner19:03 Logging in to the Server19:33 Setting up OwnCast on Hetzner22:31 Customizing Your OwnCast Instance23:31 Changing the Password and Stream Key25:30 Configuring Video Settings27:00 Adding a Logo and Offline Message28:57 Filling Out Instance Details32:21 Hiding the Viewer Count33:50 Controlling Search Engine Indexing34:20 Indexing and Directory Listing35:19 NSFW Content and Directory Visibility36:18 Customizing Flavor Text37:42 Using Markdown Syntax39:09 Taking Time to Familiarize with Owncast40:08 Chat Settings and Join Messages41:36 Established Users Only42:33 Blocking Offensive Names and Spam43:02 Rocket Chat and GitHub for Help44:27 Custom Emojis and CSS Theming45:34 Configuring Social Features47:51 Browser and Custom Notifications49:20 Blocking Instances and Domains50:49 Adding Social Links53:04 Viewer List and Chat Log54:35 Customizing Appearance with CSS and JavaScript55:34 Integrations and WebHooks56:34 Customizing Notifications58:30 Managing Followers and Blocking Users01:05:28 Conclusion and Q&A ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode, we dive into the power of online communities for independent creators. We start by exploring the influence of forums as platforms for gathering and sharing information, highlighting how they shaped audiences and provided easily searchable resources. Next, we delve into Discord, a popular modern community platform, and its effects on information sharing and collaboration among creators and their audiences. While Discord offers great features, we also discuss its limitations, such as the inability to be searched from the outside web. We then introduce Guilded as an alternative platform to Discord, discussing its advantages for content creators and their communities. Guilded provides a solution for those looking to move away from the Discord silo, offering unique features and benefits. But we don't stop there! We also explore the Matrix protocol as another alternative to Discord and Guilded. We discuss its decentralized nature and how it provides greater control and privacy for content creators. We analyze the benefits of using the Matrix protocol for building communities and how it addresses the limitations of other platforms.In conclusion, we emphasize the importance of online communities for independent creators and encourage listeners to explore different platforms. Whether it's forums, Discord, Guilded, or the Matrix protocol, finding the right community platform can help creators thrive and connect with their audience on a deeper level.00:00 Introduction and History of Online Communities01:25 The Decline of Forums and Rise of Reddit07:44 Zenfuro and Envision PowerBoard27:27 Gilded as an Alternative to Discord37:59 Matrix as an Open-Source Alternative45:46 Joining the Independent Creator Community ★ Support this podcast ★

In this riveting episode, we journey through the dynamic world of video podcasting. How do you transition from a novice to a seasoned videocaster? What are the best platforms to host your visual stories, and how do you keep an ever-growing collection of episodes streamlined and easily accessible to your audience? We'll dive deep into the nuts and bolts of hosting, discussing the pros and cons of various platforms, and sharing invaluable tools and strategies to keep your content organized. Suppose you've ever felt overwhelmed by the logistical side of video podcasting. In that case, this episode is your guide to mastering the backend, so you can focus on what you love—creating outstanding content!00:00 Introduction to the Independent Creator Podcast01:26 The Rise of Video Podcasts04:21 YouTube's Entry into the Podcast Space06:20 Setting Up a Video Podcast on YouTube08:15 Using Captivate as a Podcast Hosting Platform11:58 Self-Hosting with CastoPod13:25 Organizing Podcast Episodes with Notion ★ Support this podcast ★

What is the deal with Threads, everyone flocked to it and now over half are gone. Mastodon continues to be a powerhouse for the open-source crowd and that's perfectly alright. Bluesky continues to trot along being the exclusive cool kid's table, just with invites.00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview02:00 The Introduction of Audio Podcasts05:47 Discussion on Threads10:14 Introduction to Mastodon31:14 Discussion on TweetDeck43:53 Conclusion and Invitation to AnyCreatorHub.com ★ Support this podcast ★

Pilot episode but we do pack a lot of information into our first one though. Going over the latest experience I had while testing out the new live-streaming service, Shareplay. Currently in closed beta but it does offer some potential that will definitely have to back in on it when it opens up further and more of its unavailable features are released.Live Space is in open beta and is another of the upcoming live-streaming platforms that actually offer more than just live streaming. Incorporating a Twitter-like feed into the mix, you can offer your viewers and community more features to keep them within the site.Owncast, our fan favorite continues to impress us by releasing a new update. Fixing some issues we had encountered and bringing some new features to the channel page. We got a resizable chat and the option for pop-out chat as well as many other improvements.★ Support this podcast ★