Episode Summary: "What platform is best for a new creator?"

MarTech Podcast™ // Marketing + Technology = Business Growth
Host: Benjamin Shapiro
Guest: Danielle Peterson, CMO of Amaze
Date: December 5, 2025

Overview

In this episode, the MarTech Podcast dives into one of the most frequently asked questions in the creator economy: “What platform is best for a new creator?” Host Benjamin Shapiro welcomes Danielle Peterson, CMO of Amaze, to discuss practical strategies for those starting out, including platform choice, building an audience authentically, and monetization tactics—from merchandise to sponsorships. The episode provides real-world insights for creators aiming to make their first $100,000.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Importance of Authentic Audience Building

• Building Connections Over Platform Choice
  Danielle Peterson emphasizes that, for new creators, it’s less about the specific platform and more about being authentic and connecting with an audience.

  • “It’s really about building an audience. And the building an audience piece comes from being authentic and from being able to talk about something that you really care about.” (Danielle Peterson, 01:28)
  • Creators should focus on subjects they are passionate about; this connection is what resonates with audiences.

• Find Your Format Strength
  Benjamin Shapiro suggests that creators leverage their personal strengths when picking a content type:

  • “You’re great at video editing, … Be a YouTuber. ... You want to sit at home and talk in front of a microphone. Start a podcast, right? You’re a great writer—okay? Be on Substack.” (Benjamin Shapiro, 02:11)

2. Platform Selection: No One-Size-Fits-All

• Danielle reiterates that any platform can work, provided the creator brings value and authenticity.
• The initial goal should be engagement and organic growth, which can later be monetized, regardless of platform.

3. Turning Audience into Revenue

• Merchandising as a Monetization Channel
  Danielle discusses the role of merchandise and platforms like Amaze in helping creators earn income:

  • “You come in, you design products based on whatever vertical that you create content in … you sell them to your fans. And the idea is that you’ve created such a connection with them … they would want to buy them from you.” (Danielle Peterson, 02:48)

• Other Monetization Options
  Benjamin outlines several common creator monetization streams:

  • “There’s sponsorships, there’s advertising revenue … some people have products and services and they’re using their content as an ad.” (Benjamin Shapiro, 03:30)
  • He distinguishes between consumer-focused content (merch & sponsorship) and B2B content (brand building, service selling).

4. The Role of Authenticity and Relationships

• Monetization is presented as a byproduct of strong, genuine relationships with the audience:
  • “If you have a connection with your audience, the monetization part happens naturally.” (Danielle Peterson, 04:14)
  • Both guest and host agree that the relationship creators build—with both their audience and collaborators—drives real success.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Danielle Peterson on Authenticity:
  “It’s really less about the platform to me and more about how they’re able to build connections with people that are online. That’s really all that people are looking to do online is build those connections.” (01:38)

• Benjamin Shapiro’s Audience-First Guidance:
  “Have a clear position. Build an audience. Be authentic. Now you’ve got an audience. How do I turn that into dollars?” (02:20)

• On Monetization:

  • “That's one of the main ways that we help creators monetize their fans.” (Danielle Peterson, 02:56)
  • “In my world, it is ABM. Build a brand, sell your service.” (Benjamin Shapiro, 03:40)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:25–01:15 | Episode setup & Topic Introduction
• 01:15–02:11 | The key question: “Which platform should a new creator use?”
• 02:11–02:48 | Choosing platforms based on creator strengths and passions
• 02:48–03:25 | Monetizing audiences: merch and Amaze’s role
• 03:25–04:14 | Other revenue options: sponsorships, ads, products, ABM strategy
• 04:14–04:26 | Final thoughts on authenticity and natural monetization

Episode Takeaways

• Platform choice matters less than having a clear, authentic voice and a genuine connection to your audience.
• Start where your strengths and interests lie (video, audio, writing).
• Once a community is engaged, creators can monetize through merch, sponsorships, services, and more.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships—with fans or business partners—drives long-term creator success.

Guest Contact:
Danielle Peterson, CMO, Amaze – LinkedIn | Amaze Website

Listen to more at: martechpod.com