The advice show for creators that tells it like it is. Host Stephanie Woodin takes calls from web creators grappling with the big questions: burnout, branding, revenue, and keeping up with AI and SEO changes. Each episode, an expert guest or fellow creator joins Stephanie to answer your questions with research-backed, practical advice you can put to work in your own business.
Brought to you by Raptive, the full-service creator media company that empowers creators to turn their passions into thriving, profitable brands.
Do you have a question? Record yourself on video or audio, or write it up and email it to ctrlaltask@raptive.com. Anonymous questions are welcome!
This episode presents eight essential tips for web creators, distilling advice from SEO experts and ad strategists to help independent publishers improve search performance and attract advertisers.
11 Feb 2026TRANSCRIPT
How do I optimize for Google Discover?
Tim Konrad and Tom Critchlow explore Google Discover, explaining its impact on website traffic and how content creators can optimize their strategies to improve visibility in this interview episode.
28 Jan 2026TRANSCRIPT
The discoverability hack for small entertainment sites
SEO Expert Eddie Mercado discusses with Jamie Broadnax of Black Girl Nerds how small entertainment sites can leverage their niche and optimize content for Google to increase discoverability in this interview episode.
14 Jan 2026TRANSCRIPT
How do I grow my Substack?
Substack is no longer just an email platform, it has grown into a fully fledged social media site. But does that mean you need to start one? Best-selling author, podcaster and Substack aficionado Jo Piazza joins to share how Substack fits into her larger creator and marketing ecosystem.
The question asker this week is Steve Snyder (mailto:clubtraderjoes@gmail.com) of Club Trader Joes. He’s started a free Substack and gained some traction, but how can he grow it and build a community? And how can he turn it into a monetized income stream?
Additional resources:
Jo Piazza’s Podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/under-the-influence-with-jo-piazza/id1544171101)
Jo Piazza’s Substack (https://jopiazza.substack.com/)
17 Dec 2025
How do I keep creating when I’m burnt out?
Burnout expert Josh Zimmerman coaches food and lifestyle entrepreneur Laura Fuentes on practical strategies to reignite her creative spark and overcome creator burnout in an interview with Steph.
3 Dec 2025
LIVE: How do I stand out? Brand-building secrets from the Hollywood playbook
Entertainment publicist Emily Robinson shares Hollywood brand-building secrets with host Stephanie Woodin, offering content creators strategies to develop memorable online brands in this interview episode.
19 Nov 2025
Should creators fight back against AI crawlers?
Marc McCollum and Nate Hake explore the critical decision facing online creators regarding AI crawlers, weighing the benefits and drawbacks of blocking them to protect content and demand fair compensation in this interview.
5 Nov 2025
Am I too niche to attract advertisers?
Jess Coppom questions if her crochet niche limits advertising potential, as MaryRay Lombardo advises on attracting ad dollars without alienating audiences in this interview.
22 Oct 2025
How do I win on YouTube?
YouTube expert Linda Petta advises Aimee Page, the Crazy Craft Lady, on leveraging both long-form and short-form content to maximize creator revenue and adapt to algorithm changes in this interview.
8 Oct 2025
How do I get my traffic back?
Tom Critchlow, Raptive’s EVP of Audience Growth, discusses with Stephanie how Google's search rankings impact content creator traffic, offering SEO strategies to regain visibility in this interview.
24 Sept 2025
Should I break up with Google?
Inspired Taste website creators discuss their strained relationship with Google due to AI Overviews, as Paul Bannister advises on building a stronger future amidst AI changes in this interview with Stephanie.
17 Sept 2025
Introducing Ctrl Alt Ask: The creator advice show
Host Stephanie Woodin introduces Ctrl Alt Ask, a show providing actionable, data-driven advice to web creators navigating challenges like AI, revenue diversification, and burnout.
Inside a recent episode
8 essential tips for web creators
Published 25 Feb 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] Why not give your audience something that they'll genuinely love? They're following you for a reason. Number six, we heard some wise words from Josh Zimmerman. Creators have a lot of roles. So, cut yourself some slack. Yeah, they have around 16 to 20 jobs. […]
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