Call Her Creator with Katelyn Rhoades - Episode 69 Summary

Title: Turn Your Content into Cash: Evan Wray Talks Mavely x Later, Monetization, and Affiliate Marketing
Release Date: May 7, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 69 of Call Her Creator, host Katelyn Rhoades welcomes Evan Ray, the CEO and co-founder of Mavely, to discuss the dynamics of affiliate marketing, monetization strategies for creators, and the impactful acquisition of Later by Mavely. This episode delves deep into how creators can transform their social media presence into profitable ventures, leveraging platforms like Mavely and Later to maximize their earnings and influence.

Evan Ray's Background and Mavely's Journey

Evan Ray begins by sharing his entrepreneurial journey, highlighting his roots in Dayton, Ohio. Starting his career at his father's architecture firm, Evan developed an appreciation for creative endeavors and entrepreneurship. He recounts his first jobs as a waiter and lawn care worker, emphasizing the valuable interpersonal skills and resilience these roles instilled in him.

“One of the biggest lessons from being a waiter is that you never know what anyone's day is coming into it. Sometimes they take it out on you; sometimes you can change it with a smile” (04:11).

Evan's first entrepreneurial venture post-college was Swift Media, an emoji marketing company that partnered with major brands like Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, and Disney to bring branded emojis and stickers to the United States. The success of Swift Media, which was eventually sold to a public company in 2015, laid the foundation for his subsequent venture, Mavely.

Concept of Everyday Influencers

Evan introduces the concept of "everyday influencers," a pivotal element of Mavely's strategy. Unlike traditional influencers with millions of followers, everyday influencers can have anywhere from a handful to thousands of followers. This democratization of influence allows a broader range of individuals—including moms, teachers, and even grandmas—to monetize their social media presence.

“We’ve coined the term ‘everyday influencers’ because you don’t have to be a 5 million follower influencer to have influence” (08:03).

This approach not only expands the pool of potential influencers but also provides brands with access to authentic, niche audiences that might be overlooked by mega influencers.

Monetization Strategies with Mavely

Mavely offers a suite of tools and programs designed to help creators monetize their content efficiently. Evan explains how creators can join Mavely to access over 1,700 brands, create affiliate links, and participate in campaigns that drive sales.

“Once you've gone through the onboarding process, you can see almost 1,700 brands that you likely know and love. You can create links to their products and share them on your social channels. When your followers make a purchase through your link, you earn a commission” (11:33).

Key monetization strategies discussed include:

1. Affiliate Links: Creators can generate links to their favorite products and earn commissions on sales.
2. Campaigns: Mavely facilitates brand collaborations, offering flat-fee campaigns and performance-based earnings.
3. My Shop: A personalized storefront where creators can curate collections of products, providing a centralized place for followers to make purchases.

Kaitlyn Rhoades shares her personal experience, stating, “I shared links to my favorite shoes in my Instagram stories and made $100 in a week. It was that simple” (14:27).

Mavely's Acquisition of Later and Its Implications

A significant highlight of the episode is the discussion on Mavely's acquisition of Later, a prominent player in the creator and influencer marketing space. Evan elaborates on how this merger creates a comprehensive platform that serves both creators and brands, establishing one of the largest creator ecosystems worldwide.

“This acquisition brings together Mavely's creator-first approach with Later's brand-focused tools, resulting in a seamless experience for both sides of the influencer marketing equation” (14:51).

The union enhances functionalities such as post scheduling, campaign management, and data analytics, thereby reducing friction in brand-creator collaborations. Evan anticipates that this partnership will accelerate the growth of the creator economy, positioning influencer marketing as a staple alongside traditional paid social and search advertising.

Content Creation Tips for Affiliate Marketing

Evan provides actionable advice for creators looking to optimize their affiliate marketing efforts:

1. Ask for the Sale: Incorporate clear calls to action in your content. “Simply saying, ‘Shop my link here,’ can significantly increase conversions” (24:19).

2. Optimize Your Bio: Ensure your social media bios accurately reflect your interests and niche to enhance discoverability by algorithms. “Focus your bio on what you love and want to promote to get surfaced faster” (24:19).

3. Leverage My Shop: Utilize the My Shop feature to create a centralized repository of your favorite products, making it easier for your audience to purchase without missing out on fleeting posts. “My Shop gives you a destination to come back to, ensuring consistent sales opportunities” (24:19).

4. Create Collections Around Events: Develop content aligned with key events or trends, such as holiday-themed collages or seasonal must-haves. “Tentpole-related content works exceptionally well for driving engagement and sales” (24:19).

Common Mistakes in Affiliate Marketing

Evan identifies three primary mistakes creators often make and offers solutions to overcome them:

1. Seeking Perfection: Many creators hesitate to post content until it’s perfect, leading to missed opportunities. Evan advises, “Just go for it and see what happens. Learn from each post” (28:56).

2. Neglecting Engagement: Failing to interact with followers can hinder growth. Evan emphasizes the importance of community interaction: “Engage with your followers through comments, polls, and DMs to build a loyal audience” (30:25).

3. Inauthentic Promotions: Promoting products that don’t align with personal values or audience interests can erode trust. Evan urges creators to be genuine: “Ensure that what you promote is truly something you believe in and that resonates with your audience” (31:33).

Success Stories Highlighted

Evan shares inspiring success stories, including that of a teacher who leveraged Mavely to transition from a full-time teaching job to a thriving influencer career. Starting with zero followers, she focused on sharing valuable content related to education and gradually built a half-million-plus follower base. Her dedication to authenticity and strategic use of affiliate links allowed her to monetize her passion effectively.

“She started by sharing her Disney vacation experiences and gradually expanded to home goods, ultimately building a full-time business” (43:03).

This narrative underscores the potential for everyday individuals to achieve significant success through consistent effort and the right tools.

Future Trends in Affiliate Marketing

Evan anticipates substantial growth and evolution in the affiliate marketing landscape:

1. Increased Sophistication: The industry will become more data-driven, allowing creators to tailor their content based on performance metrics. “Affiliate marketing will transition from a startup phase to a mature, data-oriented industry” (36:47).

2. Expansion into Major Brands: Large CPG companies like Procter & Gamble and Nestlé are expected to increasingly adopt influencer marketing, adding more depth and resources to the sector. “Mega brands will start tapping creators, bringing higher standards and more structured collaborations” (36:47).

3. Diversification of Niches: Beyond fashion and beauty, niches such as B2B content on LinkedIn, toys, electronics, and home goods are gaining traction, offering creators diverse opportunities to monetize their unique content. “There’s a blue ocean of opportunities in niches like B2B LinkedIn content creation” (36:31).

Evan envisions 2025 and beyond as a period where influencer marketing rivals traditional ad channels in effectiveness and budget allocation.

Getting Started with Mavely

For creators eager to embark on monetizing their social media presence, Evan outlines a straightforward pathway:

1. Sign Up for Mavely: No follower count restrictions. “Sign up for Mavely, start creating, and integrate your favorite brand links” (39:37).

2. Create Content: Begin sharing authentic content related to products you love and use.

3. Engage with Your Audience: Utilize tools like polls and DM automation to foster interaction and gather feedback.

4. Iterate and Learn: Adapt based on what resonates with your audience, continuously refining your strategy.

Kaitlyn reinforces this advice, highlighting the importance of authenticity and strategic engagement: “If you don’t respond to your followers, the algorithm won’t favor your content” (31:55).

Community Building and Final Advice

Evan underscores the significance of community in the creator journey. He discusses Mavely and Later’s meetups, both virtual and in-person, aimed at fostering connections among creators. These gatherings provide invaluable opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, and support, mitigating the isolation that can accompany solo content creation.

Final advice from Evan centers on proactive engagement and authenticity: “Go out there, start posting, ask for the cookie. Engage with your audience and build genuine relationships” (49:43).

Kaitlyn echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the transformative potential of social media when leveraged thoughtfully: “There are ways to monetize what you love, and platforms like Mavely make it accessible for everyone” (45:52).

Conclusion

Episode 69 of Call Her Creator provides a comprehensive exploration of how creators can effectively monetize their social media presence through platforms like Mavely and Later. Evan Ray’s insights into everyday influencers, strategic content creation, and the future of affiliate marketing offer invaluable guidance for both novice and seasoned creators aiming to transform their passion into profit.

For more information and to connect with Mavely, listeners can visit joinmavely.com or download the Mavely app from the App Store. Additionally, exploring Later’s resources at later.com can further enhance your social media marketing strategies.

Notable Quotes:

• Evan Ray (04:11): “You never know what anyone's day is coming into it. Sometimes they take it out on you; sometimes you can change it with a smile.”

• Evan Ray (08:03): “You don’t have to be a 5 million follower influencer to have influence.”

• Kaitlyn Rhoades (14:27): “I shared links to my favorite shoes in my Instagram stories and made $100 in a week. It was that simple.”

• Evan Ray (24:19): “Simply saying, ‘Shop my link here,’ can significantly increase conversions.”

• Evan Ray (28:56): “Just go for it and see what happens. Learn from each post.”

• Evan Ray (36:47): “Affiliate marketing will transition from a startup phase to a mature, data-oriented industry.”

• Evan Ray (49:43): “Go out there, start posting, ask for the cookie. Engage with your audience and build genuine relationships.”

This summary captures the essence of Episode 69, providing listeners with actionable insights and inspiration to monetize their social media presence effectively.