The Library

Brock Williams and Chris Lin of Yummertime share their perspective on being both a couple and business partners and how they make it work.

What do we mean when we talk about business finance?

A simple guide to understanding what goes into your budget and what you can expense.

Another reason why when you get paid matters.

How you can put yourself in a strong position to get paid.

Are you being strategic when it comes to revenue?

And why should you make preparing for it a priority.

We sit down with lawyers Julie Matlof Kennedy & Danny Miller and dive into the theory and practice of being an effective negotiator…

Getting real about what you want from your finances.

It’s different for everyone.

What you actually need to know.

You can do this.

The very basics, because it’s okay if you don’t know them. We’ll help.

There’s some gray area, let’s discuss.

Figuring out if you’re ready, and what “ready” means.

Everything to consider when you’re considering making the leap.

Yes, you do need to keep things separate.

The most common financial missteps to correct, asap.

Beloved food blogger and influencer Tieghan Gerard of Half Baked Harvest joins Trove for a discussion about building, connecting with and…

Not sure where to start? We have some ideas.

From a $21K salary to one of New York’s most sought after DJs and cultural influencers—and the principles that got him there.

Brendan Fallis shares how he built a career as a tastemaker, but still struggles to define himself.

Krystal Bick joins us as we explore the unique opportunities and benefits that come alive by tapping into the creative resources around you.

Right now, your focus is a simple one.

Consistency & your own recognizable aesthetic.

Time to grow your audience.

Get organized for building a sustainable business.

You can’t do everything alone.

Time to grow your business.

Something new?

There’s no such thing as “too many influencers.”

Hilary Sloan joins us to discuss owning your content, owning your audience, and the power of platforms that feel "old" to us—but in reality…

Going beyond delivering good content—and how it earns you repeat business.

To get new business, get good at this.

Be kind, be vocal, and show them what you can do.

Who is making big decisions?

You need to get noticed to land partnerships.

Here’s why.

Think about the things you’ll be remembered for.

Go beyond the traditional check-in email.

Grace Atwood offers her insight into cultivating partnerships, and why networking and relationships are the backbone of your business

Going beyond just getting the job done.

Seriously though, courtesy counts for so much.

And we mean it.

Everyone needs this reminder. Everyone.

It matters more than you think.

Preparing for this unfortunate situation is simply smart.

What’s the right balance for your brand and your audience?

Plan, don’t panic.

Sometimes what’s hardest to say is also 100% the right thing to say.

Let’s literally get down to business.

Lydia shares her creative journey that has taken her from behind the lens to in front of it and how she is pushing the envelope in the plus…

Two quick pre-partnership questions.

The actual basics to know before you sign a contract.

There’s no exact science, but there IS information you should know.

Spoiler: Sometimes.

And what makes sense for your earning potential?

Be aware of the important stuff.

Help with gathering your thoughts and planning next steps when this happens.

And why this is absolutely key to repeat business.

The influencer industry’s bread and (branded) butter.

Zanita sits down and talks about the evolving influencer landscape and how to grow as a creative.

And better yet, why do brands want to partner with influencers?

Know your partnership types, so you know what’s possible

The key performance indicators to keep top of mind.

The roadmap to review before you partner.

The one thing you can’t forget in the face of opportunity.

Get clear on goals before you begin.

More than just the basics.

So...why is a brand working with you?

Spoiler: Everyone.

This week: partnerships. Where do we start?

Don’t shy away from the tough stuff.

Kat (President & COO of Focus Brands) shares with us how to handle the tough conversations as a leader.

How do you know to make this (pretty big) change?

We never want them to happen, but they do.

The ins and outs of a tough process.

There’s a right way (and a very wrong way) to handle it.

How to approach a team member’s less-than-amazing performance.

File under: open and honest communication.

Taking time to process everything you learned.

Knowing the “don’ts” makes you more confident in the “dos”

Before you let someone go, be ready with a plan for what happens after.

The very opposite of hire slow.

What if an employee has an employment contract, and you need to fire them?

They’re really smart, but you probably haven’t used one before.

Performance Improvement Plans, defined.

Our approach for the actual conversation.

You interviewed—what’s next?

We sit down with HR expert Caitlin Wilterdink to discuss how to onboard properly.

I interviewed everybody, now what?

You’re really going to choose someone now.

Know them when you see them.

Aka “The Fun Part.”

There are basic principles you can master here.

Technically no, but...

The key components of employee contracts, and why they help your business.

So what do you actually call them?

Aligning incentives with different compensation methods.

They’re becoming more common, and you should consider them.

It’s an irreplaceable part of the hiring process, but what is it really ?

What to do before day one.

What does this vital part of the process actually entail?

When your own employees could potentially compete with you.

Prepwork, organization, and hopefully some really good cover letters.

We cover all things interview with Mary Orton, co-founder of Trove and editor of Memorandum.com.

The Cliff’s Notes of this whole “hiring” thing.

Stay organized and pay attention to the details.

Stick to the plan.

Why do they want to work for you? A cover letter should make that clear.

Your first pass at narrowing the field.

Know what to look for when you’re looking through the pile.

Ghosting is never cool.

There’s more to what you’re offering than the basics.

Spoiler: Prepare, prepare, prepare

A lot, actually.

All the need-to-knows before you begin interviewing.

And why you should take these calls seriously.

Developers, Lawyers, Accountants, etc.

Protecting information during the interview process.

Thinking of building a team? This is your roadmap.

Getting all the hiring tips from Camille Styles.

Answering your questions on when “busy” becomes “too busy.”

A few key signs and a few key questions to ask yourself.

Define the day-to-day, it matters.

How communicating clear expectations can be your secret to hiring success.

Which option is the best fit for your business?

Questions you need to ask yourself as you evaluate the cost of a hire.

You’re not just investing money in a new hire, you’re investing time.

10 steps to create a job description that attracts talented candidates.

Where do you even find people?

(They’re not optional.)

Learn from your peers!

It’s a control thing.

Key differences you need to know before you hire.

What’s on Trove this week? We’ll dive into protecting your assets and your brand.

We're covering copyright law, and the details might surprise you.

The internet gives your photos reach—but that isn’t always a good thing?

The image ownership basics.

Your options in the event of copyright infringement.

More specifically, why should you register them right now?

Your Images = Copyrights. Your Brand = Trademark.

And you’ve probably seen it before.

Options available to you.

A little something from the experts.

Did you know you have one?

Copyright's little gray area.

And when do you need one?

Do you work with photographers? Read this.

Dealing with websites that post user-generated content.

Essentially...money.

What’s on Trove this week? Your guide to our content on incorporating your business.

We discuss the benefits of incorporating your influencer business with Diana Lopez, a veteran CPA with 20 years experience.

Incorporating protects an influencer’s business & personal assets.

3 steps that make things a lot less daunting.

Amounts vary state-to-state, but don’t let these fees sneak up on you.

Spoiler: Lots of reasons.

The time for tough conversations is now.

To-dos once you’ve chosen an LLC as the right entity for you.

Hint: Taxes have a lot to do with it.

Share your experiences with the Trove community.

The incorporation information you need, wherever you live.

Know the basics about this entity.

Technically it’s not an entity, but instead an election regarding your taxes.

The simplest business structure to protect your personal assets.

The simplest form of doing business.

Note: They are different from an Operating Agreement.

We recommend you have one of these.

Hint: You need one.

Your reference guide for all the great resources we have on personal data security

Online security expert Dr. Lorrie Cranor is our guest on the Trove podcast, Influencer Business.

Developing simple, secure habits that keep your information safe, sane, and moving forward.

A note from our CEO to influencers

An influencer’s unique vulnerability—and why protecting your information is essential.

Adding the next layer of security to your business.

The influencer business bible.

Who wants an influencer’s personal information, and what damage will they do with it?

It’s not fancy, but it’s free.

To-dos that keep your business safe and form secure habits.

Good passwords are about two things: math and unpredictability.

The most common schemes used by hackers & thieves to steal your information.

Some of the key sites that are collecting your personal details and how to block them.

It’s not business, it’s personal. Unless you’re an influencer, then it’s both.

A password for your password.

Hint: One is secure, the other isn’t.

A privacy screen for all your online activity.

The differences make all the difference.

It’s all about context.

Keeping your online activity hidden from view since 2006.