Not to start on a negative note (I blame the full moon), BUT…

I’ve only been gone for a week and Beehiiv has changed its entire UI for writing my newsletter. I kinda hate it. Please don’t change things for the sake of changing things, Beehiiv!!

In other, more positive news, my fishing trip with my father for some R&R was very needed and gave me the necessary reset that will keep me pushing on all fronts. From my own content creation to getting out in Denver and getting some exciting businesses using the all-new version of CreatorPad, the rest and reset with my family was exactly what I needed to fill my creative cup.

If you’re an avid reader of this newsletter, you already know that I’m a massive supporter of taking the time you need to recharge. As creators, our batteries can be depleted so easily, and running on empty for weeks at a time is a setup for disaster. From worse content and concepts to frustration in relationships with clients and beyond, burning ourselves out does nothing for anybody, especially for ourselves and our audiences. If you’re not feeling in the creative spirit due to being overwhelmed, take this as a sign to take a step back and recharge. The world will keep turning, and your brain will thank you. So creators, don’t let me catch you killing yourself over posting, I might just send you on a week-long fishing trip (and I’m coming with 😈).

To keep the ball rolling, this week, I’ll be continuing with my one-story approach for this newsletter. Transparently, I already miss the multi-story coverage as there has been SO much news since my last issue. But alas, if I’m trying something new, I gotta stick with it for a bit. So ladies and gents, in this issue, I’ll be covering a band and group of creators who recently went on tour throughout the US. I’ve written about this group before, so when I heard they were coming to Denver, I had to snag some tickets to see them in person. And I’m pleased to say that it was better than I could have ever expected.

Support from A ‘Smaller’ Audience

A few months back, I covered a band on YouTube called OMA (pronounced OH-EM-AY) in the creator spotlight section of my newsletter. For the uninitiated, OMA is a group from the UK that plays hip-hop instrumentals wherever they may be. From parks to abandoned tunnels, rooftops, beaches, cliff sides, and beyond, OMA has been providing me the backdrop vibes for work, creating, hanging with friends, and more.

I wanted to cover OMA today as they’re an incredible example of small creators reaping the benefits of having a killer audience and leveraging that audience in person. OMA can remind us all that you don’t need millions of subscribers or followers to make waves and bring people together. Sometimes, sold-out tours can come from just a few thousand dedicated fans.

As OMA came out on stage in Denver (yet another sold-out show on their tour), the audience was buzzing with anticipation. There were hundreds of people packed into a tiny venue, and it was a strange feeling knowing that everyone was there because of the power of the internet. There was a sort of camaraderie in all of us knowing this niche internet band playing instrumentals was here for us, the viewers.

Akin to the comment section of their YouTube videos, the vibes were high, and the crowd was intensely positive. It’s rare to have someone apologize to YOU when you’re working your way through a crowd. But that was the camaraderie at play. Our little (big) niche community made it so everyone felt comfortable, at ease, and respectful of everyone in the audience. It’s what OMA wants and expects, after all.

As the set begins and the band does their thing, the crowd sings along to the non-existent vocals. Tour merch is flying off of the table as dedicated fans race to grab a piece of their favorite YouTube band’s history (you already know I grabbed a tee), yet again showcasing the love and support that their audience holds for them.

As the concert continued, OMA showed nothing but love for their origins. Leaning into the fact that all of this was possible (speaking about their US tour and beyond) because of the internet. The internet gave them a platform, it gave us the ability to binge-listen to OMA and others, and it brought all of us like-minded music lovers from one city together in one room.

OMA is a testament to the strength of a community that you can build as a creator. Whether it be a few hundred or a few thousand fans, if you’re entertaining a following of any kind, you likely don’t realize the fantastic support you have from your fans.

So, creators & readers, please don’t overlook this story as an anecdote. OMA is not the first or the last group of creators to command an audience and get incredibly strong support from their “small” fan base. Lean on your audience, and you just might be surprised at the outcome.

Thank you to OMA for an amazing show, and thank you to the audience and fans for this incredible realization and inspiration for this piece. I can’t wait to see the big things that OMA continues to do, and I hope you gained a bit of confidence and inspiration for yourself in hearing their story.

Hope you enjoyed this week’s post. See you next week ✌️