The Think Media Podcast, Ep 451 – If You Want to Grow an Audience in 2026... Do This! (Pace Morby's New Strategy)

Date: October 2, 2025
Host: Sean Cannell
Guest: Pace Morby – Author, investor, community builder, co-host of A&E's "Triple Digit Flip" and creator of the Pace Morby Show

Episode Overview

This episode features a deep-dive conversation between Sean Cannell and Pace Morby, exploring what it takes to build and scale an authentic online brand and audience as we move toward 2026. They dissect strategies Pace is using to grow impactful communities, create content that resonates, execute real transformations, and ultimately succeed in today’s rapidly shifting creator landscape. The discussion is packed with actionable advice, memorable stories, and concrete examples—applicable whether you’re just starting or aiming to elevate your existing presence.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Redefining the Focus: Right Views > More Views

• Pace emphasizes quality over quantity in building an audience. Rather than chasing massive numbers, he’s obsessed with attracting the right people.
  • “I don’t care about views. I care about the right views. I’d rather have 5,000 of the right viewer than 500,000 of the wrong.” (00:21, 02:08)
• Creators must define exactly who they want to reach. “You gotta define it.” (03:45)

2. Authentic Storytelling and Hook Creation

• The secret to grabbing attention: Speak directly to your audience’s most pressing problems—in their language, not in polished marketing speak.
  • “If you can identify the exact problem your customer is dealing with and meet them where they’re at in one second, they’ll stick around.” (04:49)
• Pace records real-life hooks and pain points by talking to his audience and team, never relying solely on AI:
  • “ChatGPT is not my client. I’m going to ask my clients.” (05:17)

3. The Power—and Limits—of AI for Creators

• AI is helpful for refining content or ideas, but not for originating them:
  • “AI is overrated right now...what people are doing is they're getting rid of the cognitive time under pressure. You're not thinking about your client.” (05:56)
  • Uses AI as a checker, never as a primary content generator.

4. Zero Budget Content Production

• Most of Pace’s most effective content is self-made, shot on simple devices, and shared without editing:
  • “The best two employees I ever had in my life are these two thumbs.” (07:03)
  • “My best YouTube videos are DJI Osmo in my car by myself. Do not edit it, do not touch it.” (11:03)
• Authentic, raw content beats over-produced content for connection and conversion.

5. Documenting Real Transformations

• Instead of only showing his own success, Pace documents the transformation of his clients, showing exactly how real people achieve breakthroughs:
  • Story of helping Maddie, a homeless woman, earn $5,000 for the first time and buy a house using creative finance. (15:26–20:15)
  • “You give a woman $5,000 who’s never seen more than $2,000 in her life… tell me my audience doesn’t need to see every single minute of that.” (18:27–20:15)
• The advice: “Document their journey and show your audience, not your journey, show them the journey they can identify with.” (20:16)

6. Building a Brand that Lasts

• It isn’t what you say about yourself—it's what people say about you behind your back.
  • “Personal brand starts with what people say about you behind your back.” (22:28)
• A strong brand means being recognized for your unique value: “What’s the one word, the one sentence that pops in people’s minds when they think about you?” (23:19)
• Personal connection, offline experiences, and genuine community trump shallow “followership”:
  • Hundreds show up at Pace’s meetups, not because of follower count, but real relationships. (24:20, 27:26)

7. Turning Followers into Community

• Creating true community happens by going above-and-beyond:
  • “It’s not coaching… it’s building community.” (28:39)
  • Pace remembers hundreds of community members’ names, families, and last deals—an outcome of deep care, not automation.
• ROI isn't immediate—think of “watering a magical seed that produces fruit for the rest of your life.” (30:06)

8. Modern Content Strategies for 2026 and Beyond

• Educational-only content is declining in effectiveness; audiences crave authentic, behind-the-scenes, multidimensional creators.
  • “Educational content is dying… People want to see the inside of your life.” (35:57)
• The bridge to standing out in an AI world: Human connection, showing why you do what you do—not just the “how.”
  • "You are the niche. Your vibe will attract your tribe." (39:18)

9. Formats, Consistency, and Energy

• Focus on content formats you are truly excited about—passion fuels consistency.
  • "Format gets in my way, it’s more friction... I need my vision to be exciting and compelling or else I won’t post." (41:37)
  • “Do the thing you’re excited about. Just get it posted.” (43:51)
• Scripts/AI are used sparingly, only to check or refine ideas, not to replace the creator’s voice. (43:55, 43:59)

10. The Power of Enough: Sustainable Success

• Protecting your personal life and values is foundational to a lasting brand:
  • “There’s a lost art of being happy with enough.” (47:44)
  • Pace now refuses travel that keeps him overnight from his family, by design, not willpower.
• Design your “perfect day” and align your actions—and your brand—to it. (49:30)

11. Start Now: Overcome Perfectionism and Comparison

• Building an audience means embracing failures—flat tires come with the vehicle:
  • “You’re going to have some flat tires, you’re going to have the Kendricks come after you—expect it. It’s part of having the vehicle you really wish you wanted.” (54:47)
• Don't let imposter syndrome win. “Just document the things you’re learning on a daily basis. It is that simple.” (55:43)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I don’t care about views. I care about the right views. I’d rather have 5,000 of the right viewer than 500,000 of the wrong.” (00:21, Pace Morby)
• “You are the niche. Your vibe will attract your tribe.” (39:18, Pace Morby)
• “If you can identify the exact problem your customer is dealing with…and meet them where they’re at in one second, they'll stick around.” (04:49, Pace Morby)
• “ChatGPT is not my client. I’m going to ask my clients.” (05:17, Pace Morby)
• “The best two employees I ever had are these two thumbs.” (07:03, Pace Morby)
• “You give a woman $5,000 that’s never…had $5,000 ever in her life…tell me my audience doesn’t need to see every single minute of that.” (18:27, Pace Morby)
• “Personal brand starts with what people say about you behind your back.” (22:28, Pace Morby)
• “It’s not coaching… it’s building community.” (28:39, Pace Morby)
• “Educational content is dying… People want to see the inside of your life.” (35:57, Pace Morby)
• “There’s a lost art of being happy with enough.” (47:44, Sahil Bloom via Pace Morby)
• "You’re going to have some flat tires..." (54:47, Pace Morby)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Defining the right audience: 00:21–03:46
• Crafting hooks & using customer language: 04:09–06:38
• AI for creators – strengths & limits: 05:54–06:56, 43:59–44:20
• Zero budget production & authenticity: 07:03–13:10
• Case study - Transforming Maddie's life: 15:26–20:15
• Real transformations vs. generic advice: 20:16–21:41
• Brand as what people say about you: 22:28–23:19
• Building true community: 24:08–29:11
• ROI of authentic connection: 29:52–31:08
• Why "education-only" is dying: 35:57–39:18
• Formats: follow your passion, not "rules": 41:37–43:51
• Protecting family & having “enough”: 46:22–51:26
• Overcoming obstacles & starting now: 54:47–56:06

Action Steps & Takeaways (What To Do In 2026 and Beyond)

• Define your specific ideal audience—don’t chase generic views or followers.
• Speak to real problems, using your audience’s words (not AI’s!).
• Document transformations of real people; let them be the “hero” of your content.
• Use accessible tech (your phone, DJi Pocket); raw, authentic content works.
• Build true community—know names, stories, show up offline.
• Let passion drive your format and consistency.
• Share both your journey’s highs and lows; embrace authenticity over perfection.
• Protect your personal life; design your “perfect day” and let your brand serve it.
• Community, transformation, and connection will take you further in an AI-saturated world than ever-more “efficiency.”

Resources & How to Connect

• WhereIsPace.com – Find Pace’s upcoming meetups, free resources, and get face-to-face.
• Pace Morby on YouTube / The Pace Morby Show
• Think Media & Sean Cannell – YouTube Secrets book, coaching, and more.
• Recommended reading:
  • Never Lose a Customer Again by Joey Coleman
  • Superfans by Pat Flynn
  • Five Types of Wealth by Sahil Bloom

This episode offers a powerful playbook for grown-up creator strategy—real stories, hard-earned wisdom, and immediately actionable perspective for the evolving world of audience-building and brand-building in 2026 and beyond.