The Independent Creator

Welcome to the first podcast of the year, where we navigate the turbulent waters of live-streaming platforms. The tides are shifting, and content creators are actively seeking new harbors away from the likes of Twitch, with its growing ad demands, and YouTube, which often sidelines live streamers. Remember the fleeting success of platforms like Mixer and Glimmish? As history cycles, we’re now turning our gaze to the new kids on the block: SharePlay and LiveSpace. Listen in as we explore what these emerging services are bringing to the table in their beta phases, and how they might just be...

Sometimes change is a quiet revolution, humming along in the world of technology while we carry on with our daily tweets and scrolls. But have you stopped to consider the digital exodus from mainstream social media to pioneering platforms? Our year-end retrospective takes you through the leaps in alternative platform technology made in 2023, with a special focus on the rise of federated networks like Mastodon and the innovative strides of platforms like Blue Sky and OwnCast. We marvel at OwnCast’s evolution, from 1.0’s transformative features to the nifty 0.1.2 updates, all aiming to craft a more personal and engaging onli...

Are you looking for the perfect holiday gift for the content creator in your life? Or maybe, you're the creative genius yearning for new equipment to boost your production value! Either way, we've got you covered! We journey through a plethora of microphone options suitable for every budget, from the affordable Fifine USB microphone to the top-tier Shure SM7B. We dispel the myth that great audio quality equals a hefty price tag and discuss the trap of "gear acquisition syndrome" that plagues many creators.

For those just dipping their toes into the vast ocean of content...

In this insightful episode of the Independent Creator Podcast, we delve into the innovative world of self-hosted live streaming with Owncast, an open-source software that's rewriting the rules of broadcasting. Host Josh Bailey demystifies Owncast's functionalities and explores its bold initiative of involving creators in the platform’s continuing growth. The episode also uncovers how Owncast users are leveraging The Fediverse, a decentralized social network, to reach a diverse audience. Engaging soundbites from users and experts lends a well-rounded perspective on Owncast's potential to revolutionize content creation. Tune in for a comprehensive understanding of how Owncast is redefining control an...

Welcome to the Independent Creator Podcast, where we discuss alternative platforms and content creation. In this episode, we announce a major evolution for the show - we're becoming more dynamic, offering more value while refining our content production process. No longer are we sticking to the three stories per episode structure; instead, we're moving to a free-flowing format where we dive into a singular topic or platform in depth. This new approach allows us to provide a more detailed exploration of platforms like Mastodon, Blue Sky, Overcast,

Guilded, XenForo, and more! We also announce a shift in...

Welcome back to the Independent Creator Podcast! I'm overjoyed to share my latest episode with you, where I peel back the layers of my journey as a content creator. Starting from my humble beginnings as a Twitch live streamer under 'Schrodember', I dive into my unexpected transition into Mixer, my eventual progression into the co-host role for Zero Point Report, and how my passion for indie games resulted in 'The First Two Hours' video series.

Throughout the episode, I pull from my experiences and offer perspectives on different streaming platforms. Whether it's the nostalgia-filled rides on Twitch...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.

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...