Love letter #5
Love Letter #5: The biggest creator pain points from 0 subs to 10M+ subs
Dear Creator,
Before I start, I am going to hold a private Q&A on 10/18 for every creator who 1) replies to this email with their biggest pain point and 2) signs up for my waitlist below.
And please watch the video and subscribe. I'm trying to hit 100K subs. Let me know what my next video should be.
Now, back to the letter...
I have met with and advised over 1000 creators in the past 18 months since I started my law firm for creators.
Yes, my team counted and created a database of all of their issues.
Here are the top issues and what I will cover this week at VidSummit, during my presentation: Lifecycle of a Creator: First Upload to Exit
These are case-studies from actual clients:
1. I started my YouTube channel with my best friend and he now claims he owns 50% of it.
2. An IP Troll is threatening 18 copyright strikes. Help me, I am terrified.
3. I want you to sell my YouTube Channel for $50M
4. I regret giving my app developer a revenue share, help me get out of this contract.
5. I want to license my back catalogue of videos on my YouTube channel, which streamers can we talk to and how many hours of content do I need.
6. I didn't trademark my handle name and now a bigger creator sent me a cease and desist. What do I do?
7. A fast food chain is threatening to sue me for trespassing when I filmed a video without permission. Help.
8. I made $400K with my community launch but I need help protecting my IP and a a tight Terms of Service so they abide by my strict guidelines.
9. My former trademark attorney charged me over $50K but my trademarks are still not final. What do I do?
10. I have over 200 podcast interviews, including one with Robert Downey Junior and every ex-CEO of Disney, help me start a YouTube channel.
I get a lot of "help me start a YouTube channel" as a professional. Many of my clients are professional educational channels, many doctors, lawyers, finance experts, accountants, therapists who all want to share their knowledge with the world. Not for marketing purposes.
These examples are probably 5% of the work I have done in the past 18 months.
I am beyond proud that every one of these issues were resolved by me and my team.
I am living my dream life with a purpose-driven life where my mission is to protect creators and grow their empires.
When I started my law firm for creators 2 years ago, my former colleagues in Hollywood said "don't do it".
"You will be babysitting kids."
"There is no money in that space."
Now?
"Tyler, you are such a pioneer and visionary."
"Come join our big law firm, we can give you a home."
Such short memories.
So I smile and say no thanks. I have more business than I can service, I am having to say no to smaller creators.
But I will not forget them. I am starting a community for those smaller creators.
Launching in the next 2 weeks. I will open the doors to the almost 1000 creators on my waitlist first (48 hours before to the public) to fulfill my promise to them and to thank them for filling out the waitlist. First 100 to sign up to the community will receive a bonus.
This is me with one of my first clients Jenny Hoyos speaking at VidCon just 3 months ago. Sharing what I do as her fractional CEO, growing out her business to 7+figures.
Why I Write These Letters
For 15 years, I protected Hollywood studios.
For the past 18 months, I’ve protected creators.
But only the biggest creators could afford me.
That never sat right.
So I started these Love Letters to give every creator the same playbooks my top clients rely on.
Because you’re not just making videos.
You’re building an empire.
And empires must be defended.
With love,
Tyler
The Creators’ Attorney
Content is King. IP is Queen.
Own the board.
If you want to read the Love Letter #1-4: https://www.tylerchoulaw.com/love-letters
If you no longer wish to receive these emails you may unsubscribe
Love Letter #4
Love Letter #4: Which Creator Products Make More Money?
Dear Creator,
What makes creators more money: a physical product or a technical product?
Last week I was at The Lighthouse x Slow Ventures* Creator event.
Finally met Kevin Espiritu in person! Love Epic Gardening. That is the model every creator should follow.
Caught up with my client Zach Miller who is President of Bucketsquad is the GOAT growing out Jesser’s business. And met Dan Levitt who is MatPat’s manager as well as Jesser and Game Grump’s former managers–he sold his company LongHaul to Wasserman and is OG and super smart when it comes to 360 growth of a creator.
I saw a great conversation between two creators who have two drastically different businesses.
Gohar Khan has a GREAT business where he reviews college application, essays by using current college students at the Ivy League.
Jonathan Katz-Moses has a woodworking YouTube channel and he sells woodworking tools. He is one of Slow‘s recent investments and he gave such great insights as to how to work with factories in China and why Chinese factories are just better. He tried manufacturing in the US and it just was not comparable to the speed, the quality and the cost of Chinese factories.
If you want to get to the punch line: without a doubt, a technical product is going scale and 10x way faster than physical products.
I’m in the process of spinning out one of my client’s apps and we will probably be able to sell it for $10 to $50 million. Now we don’t have to sell his YouTube channel.
Physical products are way harder and you can never scale in the same way. You have to deal with customers, returns and customer satisfaction.
Not to say you don’t have to with technical products as well, but the goal is to build a product that’s as close to perfect as possible.
You build it once and sell it 1 million times.
Now, you have to have a great developer or CTO, and make sure you contract properly. I recently had to exit a developer for one of my clients and it was so painful.
Like crawling through broken glass.
Here’s advice if you have money to pay a developer or give equity in cash to a CTO/cofounder: please pay upfront it.
If you offer a situation where you’re going to do a share of revenue, and the app ends up being wildly successful, you might regret the rev-share.
I really leaned towards physical products until two failed product launches with my clients which took a lot of my time and investments, with no returns.
I’m about to launch a product that I’ve been building for a year and delayed by perfectionism. I have almost 1000 creators on this waitlist and I am excited to launch.
I will be announcing it at VidSummit when I’m speaking- so excited to be on the stage again. Derral Eves runs the best creator conference with MrBeast who co-owns VidSummit. Derral is the only one that records every session. None of the other ones do it. His attention to all detail is so appreciated.
The first hundred creators will receive a discount and I open up the waitlist for 48 hours before I open it to the public. Join the waitlist here.
*Slow Ventures is interesting for creators because they recently raised $60M dollars to invest in creators’ channels and businesses. The fact that PE funds and VCs are interested in investing in creators is a great sign. The creator economy is quickly becoming just “The Economy.”
Why I Write These Letters
For 15 years, I protected Hollywood studios.
For the past 18 months, I’ve protected creators.
But only the biggest creators could afford me.
That never sat right.
So I started these Love Letters to give every creator the same playbooks my top clients rely on.
Because you’re not just making videos.
You’re building an empire.
And empires must be defended.
With love,
Tyler
The Creators’ Attorney
Content is King. IP is Queen.
Own the board.
If you have a question or want to share a paint point–reply to this email and say LOVE LETTER (or contact@tylerchoulaw.com) and I will reply. I read EVERY reply.
I have 3 questions for you:
I am experimenting to see if a Sunday newsletter is a good day. Can you let me know? I know some other creators send their newsletters on Sundays. What is the best day of the week for you? I will always be your guinea pig, like this community that I am launching. More on that soon.
Also, this was one of my LinkedIN posts from the week, I write there 2-3 times a week, do you follow me there? Did you see the post already from LI? Yesterday I wrote about whether creators should have managers. Please give me a follow on LinkedIN. It is THE most powerful platform to be on right now. Are you on LinkedIN?
Would you be interested in a small think tank Zoom session with me before I launch my community? I want an intimate conversation to make the community a great experience for all creators. If yes, reply to this email and share where you are in your creator journey and your 3 biggest pain points.
Love Letter #3
Tyler’s Love Letter #1
Love Letter #3: 5 Brand Deal Mistakes Every Creator Must Avoid
Most creators make all 5 mistakes. Here’s how to fix them....
Brand deals are one of the fastest ways to make money as a creator.
They can also be the fastest way to lose money or even your rights.
Over the past 18 months, I’ve reviewed and negotiated hundreds of sponsorships.
Here are the 5 biggest mistakes I see again and again and how to avoid them.
Mistake #1: Not Asking for More
The first offer is never the best offer.
Brands expect you to negotiate.
Fix: Anchor high. Ask for 2× upfront. Trade down later for add-ons: bundled posts, exclusivity, faster payments.
Mistake #2: Ignoring Usage Rights
If a brand wants to reuse your content on their own channels or in ads, that’s not free.
Fix: Price usage separately and cap the term. 30–90 days is standard. 10-20% of the base for every 30 days.
Mistake #3: Accepting “Perpetuity”
Forever is not a deal. It’s a trap and leak.
Fix: Limit usage. If they want more, they pay more.
Mistake #4: Skipping Approval Rules
Endless edits can kill momentum.
Fix: Lock in 1–2 approval rounds max and send a concept deck before filming.
Mistake #5: Not Understanding Indemnity
This is the clause that decides who pays if something goes wrong.
One-sided indemnity can bankrupt you.
Fix: Make indemnity mutual and cap liability at the deal value.
Quick Negotiation Checklist
Fee: Ask 2× first. Offer bundles (YT + Shorts + IG).
Usage: Define where, how long, and charge extra.
Term: 30–90 days; no perpetuity.
Approvals: 2 rounds max, concept deck upfront.
Payment: 50% upfront, net 15–30. Late-fee clause.
Indemnity: Mutual + capped.
Exclusivity: Narrow scope, time-bound, priced in.
FTC/Disclosures: Clear, final say in your voice.
Insider tip: when you’re negotiating and it feels overwhelming, remember—even the biggest deals are built one bite at a time like when you tackle a BigMac.
Should You Get a Manager?
Managers can open doors. But here’s the truth: most focus on their biggest clients. If you’re under 100K subs, you may not get their full attention.
Fix:
Keep contracts non-exclusive.
Keep terms short (6–12 months).
Make sure commission only applies to deals they touch.Always keep audit rights.
Manager or not, you are the CEO. You cannot outsource running your own business. Own it.
Why I Write These Letters
For 15 years, I protected Hollywood studios.
For the past 18 months, I’ve protected creators.
But only the biggest creators could afford me.
That never sat right.
So I started these Love Letters to give every creator the same playbooks my top clients rely on.
Because you’re not just making videos.
You’re building an empire.
And empires must be defended.
With love,
Tyler
The Creators’ Attorney
Content is King. IP is Queen. Own the board.
P.S. Next week, I am announcing something I’ve been building for a year. For you. Join the almost 1,000 creators already on the waitlist. Creators Attorney Collective
P.P.S. If this helped, forward it to one creator who undercharges. Let’s fix that. Or share a pain point and I will answer with thoughts.
P.P.P.S. Some readers skim. But the ones who read closely notice little details I hide. If you caught it this time, hit reply. You might win a free 30-min call. It is the name of my son’s favorite lovey and it’s delicious. It was bigger than him when he was born.
Love Letter #2
Tyler’s Love Letter #1
Love Letter #2: Copyright Strikes Are Out of Control
A Note Before We Begin
After I sent Love Letter #1, I heard from so many of you. Emails, DMs, texts etc.
I asked you to tell me your biggest fears, and you did. Loudly. The pain points were wide-ranging, but one surfaced again and again with urgency and weight.
Copyright strikes. Not algorithm shifts. Strikes.
The kind that erase your work, destroy income, and turn your business into a legal liability overnight. This letter is for every creator who’s been blindsided by the system and left to fend for themselves. I’m going to walk you through the real risks and the real protections. Because no one else will.
TL;DR: How to Protect Your Channel from Strikes
Claims = nuisance (someone else gets the money).
Copyright Strikes = legal risk (3 = channel termination).
Community Strikes = platform risk (3 = termination under YouTube’s rules).
Demonetization = business risk (ads shut off across your channel).
Fair Use won’t stop a strike on YouTube. It only applies in court.
The fix: register your videos and thumbnails, trademark your name and logo, keep proof of ownership, and diversify your revenue.
Every week, my inbox fills with the same story.
A strike lands.
A video disappears.
A channel is on the edge of being shut down.
Creators are panicked and scared.
Strikes don’t all look the same.
Some are filed by trolls looking for a payout.
Some come from competitors trying to slow you down.
Some are triggered automatically by the platform.
But once you understand where they come from, you can protect yourself before they land.
The IP Vultures Are Real
One creator I worked with was blindsided by an IP troll.
The troll claimed ownership of clips buried in old reaction videos.
Not even new uploads. Videos from years ago.
The message was simple.
Pay up.
Or risk the channel.
We pushed back, and it took months of negotiation and legal expense to resolve.
That creator could absorb the cost.
But most can’t.
And this is the problem.
Trolls know the system favors speed and pressure.
But here’s the flip side.
Another creator I advised faced a similar demand.
A troll threatened strikes, but when pressed for proof of ownership, they couldn’t provide any.
The claim fell apart.
The difference? The creator had enough documentation and leverage to call their bluff.
The Platforms Won’t Protect You
Social Media Companies' role is not to protect creators. Their role is to protect themselves from liability.
Under the DMCA, they are required to remove content when they receive a valid takedown notice and then forward that notice to the creator.
That’s it.
They don’t investigate the truth.
They don’t stand between you and a bad actor.
This is why IP trolls thrive. They know the platform will comply first and ask questions later.
But now there are millions of claims each day. The sheer volume is insane.
Platforms incentivize creators to succeed for reasons I’ll cover in a future letter, but they cannot help with strikes because as they say, “that is legal and we cannot touch legal.”
The Fair Use Reality
Fair use is real, and courts have upheld it many times.
But here’s the challenge. It only comes alive in litigation.
It doesn’t prevent a takedown on YouTube.
It doesn’t stop a troll from filing a strike.
That doesn’t mean you’re helpless.
It means prevention matters more than cure. Clean catalogs. Clear contracts. Proper registrations.
And always keep documentation within reach.
This is how you shift the leverage back to you.
The Bigger Picture I’m Seeing
I believe I am the early warning system for what’s happening to creators.
Because I work with hundreds of them, from those just starting to those with audiences in the
tens of millions, I see the patterns before they hit the headlines.
And right now, the risks are multiplying:
Copyright Registration: I now register both videos and even thumbnails for clients with the U.S. Copyright Office. Why? Because when your work is registered, you can actually enforce your rights in court and recover statutory damages. Without registration, your rights are paper-thin.
Trademarks: I trademark creator names, logos, and even profile photos. Why? Because when a copycat channel pops up (and they will) platforms respond faster to takedowns if you own the trademark. It’s proof of brand identity, not just content ownership.
Copycat Channels: These are exploding. Entire accounts built to mimic, impersonate, and siphon revenue from real creators. Some even run ads against stolen content. Without registrations and trademarks in place, fighting back is slow, expensive, and often ineffective.
What I know is this. The same forces that hurt creators today are warning signs for where the industry is heading tomorrow.
And that’s why I write these letters.
Claims vs. Strikes vs. Community Guidelines vs. Demonetization
A quick reset, because these terms get thrown around all the time.
Claims (Content ID):
Triggered automatically by YouTube’s Content ID system.
The copyright holder can block the video, track analytics, or monetize it themselves.
Annoying, but not lethal.
Copyright Strikes (DMCA Takedowns):
Filed by a copyright owner under the DMCA.
Video removed. Strike on your record.
Three strikes equals channel termination.
This is the biggest legal risk.
Community Guideline Strikes:
Issued directly by YouTube for breaking its rules, things like spam, harassment, or “reused content.”
Not tied to copyright law at all.
But just like DMCA strikes, three equals channel termination.
And one strike can already limit features like livestreaming or monetization.
Demonetization (AdSense Suspension):
YouTube shuts off ads across your entire channel.
It doesn’t matter if you have strikes or not.
If they decide you aren’t brand safe, revenue stops.
Know the difference:
A claim costs you money.
A copyright strike risks your channel.
A community strike risks your channel in a different way, at the platform’s discretion.
And demonetization threatens your entire business.
The Fallout of Losing Your Channel
Imagine waking up to the email.
Your channel is gone.
Years of uploads, deleted.
AdSense, shut off.
Brand deals, canceled.
Your income, gone overnight.
I’ve spoken with creators who felt their entire world collapse in a single click.
And the truth is, recovery is brutal.
You can appeal.You can escalate.
You can file a counter-notification.
But it is slow, uncertain, and risky.
By the time the system catches up, your business may already be gone.
The Good News
You are not powerless.
The same system trolls exploit can be turned to your advantage if you prepare early.
Creators who register their content, trademark their brand, and keep proof of ownership are building businesses that last.
I see creators everyday protecting themselves, winning deals, and licensing their catalogs for real money.
This isn’t about fear.
It’s about control.
And you have more of it than you realize.
What You Can Do Now
Here is what I tell every creator:
Register your content with the U.S. Copyright Office. Yes, videos and thumbnails.
Trademark your channel name and profile image. It’s your fastest weapon against impersonators.
Use clean B-roll and licensed music. Keep receipts.
Avoid reaction content as your main format. It is legally fragile.
Keep proof of ownership. Store your licenses, receipts, and contracts in one place.
Diversify revenue. YouTube is a platform, not your business model.
Move your fans to your own land (aka email list). If your channel goes dark, your community should not.
Protection is not about fighting after the fact.
Protection is about building safeguards before disaster strikes.
Creators, you are not at the mercy of trolls or copycats. You can take steps today to protect your business and your livelihood.
Because you are not just making videos. You are building an empire.
And empires must be defended.
With love,
Tyler
The Creators’ Attorney
Content is King. IP is Queen.
P.S. I’ll go deeper into this in a new YouTube video, walking through fair use myths, how trolls exploit the DMCA, the rise of copycat channels, and exactly what happens when you lose your channel. If you prefer to watch instead of read, you’ll find it on my channel this week.
P.S.S. If this feels longer than most newsletters you read, it’s because I do not want to gatekeep. This Love Letter is part of a larger Creator Legal Strike Guide I’m writing, as well as my book on the Law and Business of Creators.
Over the last 18 months, especially the past 8 months while I disappeared from making videos and writing newsletters, I realized something. Only the biggest creators were getting access to me and my playbooks. That never sat right with me.
I started these Love Letters to change that, to give every creator, at every size, the same tools and protections my top clients rely on.
I see the problems before they make headlines, and I believe it’s my duty to give you the playbook. Consider these letters your early access.
Reply with what you want me to write about in the next Love Letter. And share with me: are you being affected by strikes?
Love Letter #1
Tyler’s Love Letter #1
Love Letter #1: The Real Blueprint to a $50M Creator Business
Being a creator is the American dream.
You do not wait for permission from Hollywood studio heads. To deem your story worthy.
You turn a camera on, tell your story, and people show up. Sometimes millions. That is brave. That is a business.
Over the past 18 months, I have audited 150+ creator businesses.
Most creators have 1-3 revenue streams. You need 15 to exit one day.
Some creators make 6 figures with one community or course launch.
Many creators do not realize they are a business.
They think their YouTube channel is their business.
It is not.
Your YouTube channel is the marketing arm of your business.
You are the business.
You are the media company.
You are the holdco of the future.
But what is your business?
I want to help you figure it out, as I have done for many creators.
A client story that shows the path
Last year a client received a $35M offer for his content business and we walked away. With the right structure, I believed they could reach a $50M to $100M outcome in three to five years.
So I convinced him to not sell. This year they are on track for $12M in revenue across more than 15 streams, and expansion isn’t slowing down any time soon. That is not luck. That is design.
What separates the five-figure hustle from the eight-figure enterprise
Investors and buyers are watching. Venture firms invest and take stakes. Strategic acquirers and private equity groups buy companies.
The deals that clear the highest bars share the same foundations.
Build these four pillars:
1. Own the audience and the rights
Newsletter: own your list and your direct relationship [You have to build on your own land because what happens if the algorithm changes or you lose your channel?]
Trademarks and IP: file and maintain, then license with clarity
Content library: organize, register, and track every asset
2. Diversify cash flow with intention
Platform revenue: AdSense or platform shares are helpful but not the base
Brand deals done right: renewals, clear IP terms, usage, equity where warranted
Merch and physical products: margins you control, products that fit your brand DNA
Courses and digital products: turn expertise into repeatable value
Affiliate: align with what you actually use and love
Paid community: move fans off rented land and into a space you own
3. Build real products and partnerships
Software products: creator-led tools and apps are often the most profitable revenue stream
Revenue share partnerships: participate in backend cash flow, not only front-end fees
Equity-based collaborations: become an owner, not just the face (i.e., Alix Earle w/ Poppi)
4. License what you have already created
Brand licensing and clips packages: get paid twice for work you already made
Streamer and platform licensing: place back catalog where it can earn passively
AI licensing: the market is emerging and negotiation matters, especially on consent and compensation (i.e., AI licensing will hit $10B this year, yes, with a B)
In the next few emails, I will show you the exact 15 revenue streams that you need to have to grow your creator business.
Simple operating rules that compound
Treat content like your marketing engine, not your single product
Build one durable product line at a time until it stands on its own
Standardize contracts and deal memos so your rights do not leak
Protect your downside with smart entity structure and insurance
Protect your upside with trademarks, copyrights, and clean cap tables
Where I have been and what is next
I know I disappeared. I stepped back from publishing and from your inbox to serve creators hands on. I also spent the last eight months on the road speaking and teaching at creator gatherings around the world. The Billion Followers Summit in Dubai. SXSW in Austin. The AI Summit at MIT. Cannes Lions. VidCon. Next up is VidSummit. Every room reinforced the same truth. Creators are not a trend. Creators are the next generation of media owners.
My work has focused on representing some of the largest content creators in the world and building a team so I can serve more of you. Many clients are placing their channels and catalogs into trusts for their children. Your channel will be worth more than real estate one day.
Leaders like Dhar Mann and MrBeast are proving what modern studios can look like when the creator holds the keys. They (and you) are the future studio heads.
Why Love Letters?
I have become too exclusive. Only the biggest creators can afford to hire me.
And that does not sit well with me. I started my law firm For CREATORS (it is literally in my firm name).
It is my life’s mission to protect creators and grow their empires.
So now that I have a team, I am going to be of service to ALL creators of all sizes. I will start writing more (working on a book too), making more videos on YouTube and writing more on LinkedIN (my favorite platform).
In the coming weeks, I will share the exact playbooks I use with my big creator clients. Feature case studies of mistakes creators are making.
Share legal protections that prevent the most painful mistakes. Deal structures that turn attention into assets. Checklists that help you get acquired later, or simply own forever with peace of mind.
Next week
I will break down the three biggest pain points I see right now…
starting with the surge in copyright strikes and community guideline violations. Every week I hear from creators who are getting strikes or losing their channels.
Most of these mistakes are preventable if you know what to avoid.
We are building this together.
You are building an empire. You just might not see it yet.
If you are early, I am proud of you for starting. If you are scaling, I am here to help you protect what you built and multiply it.
With love,
Tyler
The Creators’ Attorney
Content is king. IP is queen. IP is the foundation of your entire creator business.
P.S: Hit reply and tell me your biggest pain point right now as a creator. Or ask me a question.
I will respond to the first 50 people who reply. There are almost 2000 of you on this email list so I cannot reply to all but I might answer and feature your questions in my next email.
Let me know if you are okay with me featuring your name and include your handle and we can all support your channel!
If you want to have access to more of my education, I write weekly on LinkedIn and share lessons on how to protect and grow creators like why it is so important to trademark your handle and name because re-branding is a pain. Give me a follow there.