Several folks have recently asked me what content creation involves and what I (and many other content creators) actually do. So today’s newsletter is a (brief) look inside my own personal “sausage factory.”
As a one-man band and self-employed creative, I’ve become a bit like an emperor—constantly switching hats to manage the many aspects of my creative empire. Here are the roles I juggle on a regular (if not daily) basis:
Artist = Creating visual art and sharing the process and/or final product.
Business Analyst = Breaking down and interpreting data, events, and trends.
Blogger = Writing and publishing long- and short-form content on specific topics.
Brand Ambassador = Representing and promoting my platforms and products.
Chief Creative Officer = Ensuring the creative process stays on track and exciting.
Chief Executive Officer = Balancing the business side of things with creative work.
Chief Financial Officer = Managing the finances, budgeting, and paying the bills.
Chief Technical Officer = Maintaining and troubleshooting my devices and software.
Commentator = Offering insights and opinions on media, events, and issues.
Community Manager = Building engagement and fostering interaction within my audience.
Content Strategist = Planning content that entertains, informs, and inspires.
Curator = Collecting and sharing relevant content from various sources.
Designer = Creating original graphic designs for everything from branding to merch to digital art.
Historian = Researching and sharing stories tied to LGBTQ+ history and culture.
Marketer = Promoting my work and reaching new audiences.
Moderator = Managing my community to ensure positive engagement and a safe space.
Producer = Bringing content ideas to life from concept to execution.
Support Manager = Handling customer and subscriber inquiries.
Writer = Crafting everything from ad copy to social posts to video descriptions.
For those of us who’ve stepped into the world of content creation—whether by accident or choice—the days of doing just one or two things are long gone.
No complaints—it’s just the reality of wearing many hats in this creative kingdom. The hustle (and struggle) are real, sometimes mighty real.
The truth is, content creation isn’t just about creating. It’s about constantly learning, adapting, and playing every role needed to bring a vision to life. Some days I’m deep in creative flow, and other days I’m troubleshooting tech issues or analyzing trends. It’s a balancing act, but it’s also what makes this work so rewarding.
As chaotic as it may seem from the outside, every hat I wear helps shape and support the bigger picture.
While this “emperor” can sometimes feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of hats, I wouldn’t trade any of them for a simpler crown…or a 9-to-5 job. Because at the end of the day, every role I play helps tell a story. My story. My empire. Clothing optional.
Thanks for reading and subscribing!
Clint
FOUND PHOTOS OF THE DAY
ON THIS DAY = OCTOBER 2
BIRTHDAYS
1869 = Mahatma Gandhi = Indian freedom fighter, activist and philosopher
1879 = Wallace Stevens = American poet
1890 = Groucho Marx = American comedian and actor
1928 = George McFarland = American actor
1938 = Rex Reed = American film critic
1945 = Don McLean = American singer-songwriter
1948 = Donna Karan = American fashion designer
1949 = Annie Leibovitz = American photographer
1951 = Sting = English singer-songwriter and actor
1971 = Tiffany Darwish = American singer-songwriter
1970 = Kelly Ripa = American actor and talk show host
1988 = Brittany Howard = American singer-songwriter and guitarist
EVENTS
1789 = The United States Bill of Rights is sent to the various States for ratification.
1959 = The Twilight Zone premieres on CBS.
1967 = Thurgood Marshall is sworn in as the first African-American justice of the United States Supreme Court.
1985 = Rock Hudson dies of AIDS-related complications in Beverly Hills, California, at the age of 59.
1995 = English rock band Oasis release (What's the Story) Morning Glory?, their second studio album.
2005 = Playwright August Wilson dies in Seattle, Washington, at the age of 60.
All those roles? Well, I guess that explains why I never seem to have a free moment. I do mostly independent contract work and it's just go, go, go and more go......
It's still way better than a 9 to 5 job.