TikTok Drama, Shelby Sapp’s Success & My Newsletter Era!

Hey there… let me (re) introduce myself! 👋

If you don’t know me, I’m Gigi Robinson, a social media strategist, speaker, and educator dedicated to helping creators turn their stories into thriving businesses. As a creator myself with 500K followers across my platforms @itsgigirobinson.

And I’ve experienced firsthand the challenges and opportunities that come with building a creator facing business. From landing brand deals to navigating algorithm changes, I know how overwhelming it can be—and that’s exactly why I’m (re)starting this newsletter, but officially, and - for real this time.

Why this newsletter?
I want to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to run a creator-focused business—from both the creator and entrepreneur perspectives. Whether you're just starting out or scaling to new heights, I’ll be sharing actionable insights, industry trends, and personal lessons that can help you stay ahead in this ever-evolving creator economy. I will also be sharing a lot of my personal stories working with brands on negotiating, networking and creating impactful content together.

Where I'm headed in 2025 🚀
Looking ahead, my goal is to grow and scale this community by providing even more resources, mentorship opportunities, and collaborations that empower you to monetize your passions and build sustainable businesses. Together, we'll navigate the evolving landscape of content creation, brand partnerships, and digital entrepreneurship.

So, welcome to your weekly dose of creator economy insights, where we break down the biggest trends, spotlight inspiring creators, and equip you with actionable tips to level up your brand. And buckle up, because it’s going to be a good one… 👇

📰 This Week in Creator News

1. TikTok’s Legal Battles Intensify in the U.S.
📱 The U.S. government is once again raising concerns over TikTok’s data privacy policies, with lawmakers proposing new legislation that could lead to a potential nationwide ban. Mr. Beast is allegedly attempting to join a pool of investors to purchase TikTok. If you’re a TikTok-first creator, now’s the time to explore YouTube, Triller, Clapper and Instagram Reels to safeguard your content and audience.

Takeaway: Diversification is key. Start repurposing content across platforms to reduce dependency on any single one. If you want to simplify your life, just use

2. Creators Push Back Against Meta’s TikTok-Like Features
📸 Meta’s recent push to make Instagram and Facebook more like TikTok—emphasizing short-form videos and algorithmic feeds—continues to disappoint creators. Many feel the shift is diluting their ability to connect authentically with their existing audiences. The lack of focus on community-building tools, like robust DMs or engagement for carousel posts, has left creators frustrated.

💡 Takeaway: Don’t rely on platforms that feel misaligned with your content style. Instead, double down on spaces where your audience engages most authentically—be it newsletters, niche platforms, or growing platforms like Threads.

✨ Creator Spotlight: Shelby Sapp

Who: Shelby Sapp – Gen Z entrepreneur, sales trainer, and social media influencer. She’s the founder of She Sells Academy, an online program dedicated to empowering women in high-ticket sales. I came across her content when she was just getting started on social media and was instantly drawn to the way that she just puts herself out there. Her mindset is contagious.

What She Did Great: Shelby turned her experience in door-to-door pest control sales into a thriving online business. By sharing her journey and "no BS" approach to sales on TikTok and Instagram (amassing over 550,000 followers on instagram alone), she built a loyal audience and recognized the need for female sales mentorship. In 2023, she launched She Sells Academy, which has trained over 1,500 women globally in remote high-ticket sales, helping them achieve financial independence and she just had her first ever IRL conference for her community.

What You Can Learn:

• Authenticity sells. Shelby’s transparency and relatability created trust and engagement.

• Find your niche. Addressing an underserved market (women in sales) helped her stand out and monetize effectively.

• Use social media as leverage. TikTok and Instagram has played a huge role in scaling her personal brand and business.

💡 Takeaway: Build trust through storytelling, identify gaps in your industry, and use social media to amplify your voice.

Quick Creator Tip!

Struggling to land brand deals? Send a concise, personalized pitch email. Focus on:

1. Who you are and why your audience aligns with their brand.

2. A key value proposition—how you can drive awareness or conversions.

3. A call-to-action (e.g., offering your media kit or scheduling a quick call).

BONUS, if you tag a brand organically in your posts, you can reference that and include it when you pitch to the brand to show brand loyalty.

🛠 Tools & Resources of the Week

1. OpusClip – Easily edit your video and podcast content with AI-powered tools like text-based editing and automatic captions.

2. Vista Social – Plan, schedule, and analyze your social content across all platforms, helping you stay consistent with your posting strategy.

3. Reading Recommendation: “Mel Robbins, Let Them Theory” – Insights on strengthening your mindset by focusing on what you can control in environments and in relationships that you can’t control. 

That's a wrap for this week! 🎬

Now go create something amazing and tag me in your wins on social—I'd love to celebrate with you!

- Gigi

P.S. Have a topic you’d love me to cover? Hit reply and let me know!

Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in this newsletter may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you! I only recommend products and services that I genuinely love and believe will add value to your life. Your support helps me continue creating content to inspire and empower. Thanks for being here!