In this episode, Mike & Ben break down the creator subscriptions, software, and tools they personally pay for, and which ones are actually worth it for Amazon Influencers and content creators.As you grow in the Amazon Influencer Program, YouTube, or content creation in general, it’s easy to feel like you need to pay for every tool that promises faster growth. The truth is, most creators can go very far using free tools, and upgrading too early often leads to wasted money without improving results.We talk through the free tools every creator should start with, including Canva, iMovie, CapCut, and cloud storage, and when it actually makes sense to upgrade to paid software like Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve, or other editing platforms.We also break down the tools that can directly improve efficiency and increase earnings, including Oink and Viral View for Amazon Influencer product research and Creator Connections, Geniuslink for international affiliate linking, vidIQ for YouTube optimization, Keepa for product research, and ChatGPT for workflow efficiency.In addition, we share how we personally manage our creator subscriptions, including how to audit tools regularly, avoid unnecessary monthly expenses, and evaluate whether a tool is truly saving time or making money.We also discuss real-world creator tool costs, what we currently spend per month and per year, and how we decide whether a subscription is worth keeping or canceling.If you’re an Amazon Influencer, YouTube creator, or content creator trying to grow your income while avoiding unnecessary expenses, this episode will help you understand which tools matter, which ones can wait, and how to build your creator stack the right way. ________________________ JOIN THE COMMUNITY If you are looking for deeper strategy, accountability, & honest conversations with other serious content creators, the Creator’s Leverage Guild was built for exactly that. Learn more and join here: Creator’s Leverage Guild _____________________ CHECK OUT OUR 2 NEW EBOOKS THAT JUST LAUNCHED! The AIP Master Guide - Stop guessing your way through AIP. The AIP Master Guide is your go-to resource for setup, backend navigation, Store IDs, payments, uploads, and more. Leveraging Brand Deals Playbook - Stop leaving money on the table. The Leveraging Brand Deals Playbook helps you pitch smarter, negotiate better, and turn free product offers into real paid opportunities._____________________ WORK 1-ON-1 WITH MIKE AND BEN Get personalized guidance on content strategy, monetization, brand deals, and scaling your creator business. • Book a 1-hour coaching call • Save with a 4-session coaching package Sign Me Up! _________________________ JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY Connect with other Amazon Influencers and content creators, ask questions, and stay up to date on what is working right now. Amazon Influencer Success Facebook Group _________________________ TOOLS AND RESOURCES FOR CREATORS Viral Vue Make smarter content decisions and grow faster. Try Viral Vue here Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for life Oink Track earnings and performance across platforms. Try Oink here Use code STRAHL10 for 10% off for life Descript Edit podcasts and videos faster and easier. Check out Descript here Geniuslinks: Our #1 Deeplinking Pick! Try Geniuslinks! VidiQ: Our #1 pick for YouTube channel Insights! Try VidIQ Keepa: Makes advanced product research for AIP a breeze! Try Keepa Lasso: Deeplinking for Blogs & YouTube Get Lasso Kadence WP: Great amazing websites for blogsNotion: Super helpful AI Agenthttps://www.notion.com/productCanva: So many uses! Our go to for creating thumbnails.https://www.canva.comChatGPT: My go to for AI help with brainstorming and planning!https://chatgpt.com Affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. __________________________ CONTACT Have a question, collaboration opportunity, or topic request? Email: mike@creatorsleverageguild.com