Welcome to Created, the newsletter that’s more affordable than Netflix’s $82B offer to buy Warner Bros. Here’s what we got today:
- I built a company to solve creators’ finance and operations problems
- Why YouTube could make or break Netflix's acquisition of Warner Bros
- Outlier of the week
Inside The Launch of Our New Creator Business
The fastest way for creators to lose money isn’t a bad video — it’s bad finances.
And the truth is, I’ve met so many creators who lost thousands of dollars because their taxes were a mess, or their accountant “didn’t understand YouTube”
So I finally decided to do something about it.
Introducing Boring Stuff
Creators hate the boring stuff: taxes, bookkeeping, and operations. But in reality, they need them, especially as they grow into companies of their own.
So I teamed up with my wife Amanda, Varun Bhuchar (former COO/CFO for Airrack and Yes Theory), and Zack Honarvar (Airrack & Yes Theory manager).
And we built Boring Stuff: a company to handle the taxes, bookkeeping, payroll, and operations creators avoid and often lose money on.
Over the past 12 months, we tested it quietly with Airrack, The Try Guys, and Yes Theory.
“Boring Stuff has been a game changer. I feel like I’m breathing easier and making better videos because they handle all my non-creative tasks. Plus, they’re helping me save money in places I had never thought of. If you’re a creator, Boring Stuff is a no-brainer,” Airrack said.
Why I Built This
Before creator interviews, I spent years inside YouTube and Instagram. I’ve seen both sides of this industry.
And here’s the uncomfortable truth:
Creators are becoming media companies… but still running their finances like freelancers.
Most accountants don’t know what a brand deal looks like, how write-offs work for production, or why creators need different systems entirely.
So we built a team that actually does.
All on a retainer, no revenue share.
So let us handle the boring stuff and you can focus on the stuff you care about: making great videos.
We’re offering a free 30-min consultation, just click here. No strings attached.
The Netflix–Warner Deal Might Come Down to YouTube
Netflix is trying to buy Warner Bros. Discovery for $82.7B, one of the biggest entertainment deals in decades.
And suddenly…YouTube is at the center of the fight.
Why This Deal Got Messy Fast
Days after Netflix announced the deal, Paramount slammed back with a $108.4 billion hostile bid backed by Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners.
Their pitch was simple: Our offer is bigger, cleaner, and easier for regulators to approve.
That’s when Netflix pulled out its unexpected trump card.
Netflix’s Argument
On the same day as Paramount’s bid, Netflix co-CEO Greg Peters told investors:
“If we buy Warner Bros., we go from 8% of viewed hours today in the United States to 9%. We’re still behind YouTube at 13%.”
Translation: We’re not the monopoly. YouTube is the real giant.
He then pointed out that Paramount + Warner Bros. would control 13.8%, overtaking YouTube and potentially raising more antitrust red flags.
Regulators now have to decide: Is YouTube the real market leader?
If yes, Netflix’s deal suddenly looks far less threatening.
Our Take
For years, Netflix treated YouTube like an annoying neighbor.
Now? It’s their best legal defense.
This moment proves something creators have known for years: YouTube is the most powerful platform in entertainment, powerful enough to sway an $82B merger.
🎯 Weekly Roundup: Thumbnails
Why we love these YT thumbnails:
- Perfect symmetry & F1 spectacle instantly catches your eye (Ludwig)
- Uncanny half-Lincoln half-robot face & schematic backdrop make this impossible to scroll past (Defunctland)
- Kara’s shocked, exhausted face in an ordinary subway instantly hints at a wild backstory (Kara and Nate)
- A DIY Demogorgon set coming to life taps into the behind-the-scenes magic fans love (Isaac Carlton)
🚀 Weekly Outlier
This video by Cody Mitchell has 2M views, which is 109 times higher than the channel’s average. Here’s why it took off:
- Masterclass Made Simple: Turns 9 years of camera knowledge into clear, visual demos that make fundamentals feel intuitive.
- Real-Time Problem Solving: Shows mistakes, fixes, and thought processes, making the learning feel immediately usable.
- Settings With Purpose: Explains why each camera setting matters, tying every adjustment to a real creative outcome.
🏆 The Created Referral Program
Know someone who’d also love this newsletter? Refer them and get gifts.
Refer 1 friend: you’ll get my Infinite Ideas book. It’s my 8 best tips to find viral ideas for your next upload.
Refer 5 friends: you’ll get my Top 50 Thumbnails book. It includes a detailed breakdown of why they work so you improve your packaging.
Trust me, these books are packed with more tips than most paid courses.
Copy this unique link and email, text, or post it: [RH_REFLINK GOES HERE]
👋 See You Inside
Join our Discord of 5,700 creators who help each other grow and give feedback on your ideas, videos, and thumbnails. Totally free.
Nothing great is created alone.
– Jon
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