Getting lost in forums this week - People are so damn talented all over the world. I spent way too many hours on Awwwards looking at web design inspo for a website I’m putting together 😂

This week’s riffs for the creative vandals, outlaws, misfits, and pirates of the internet:

• Create Cooler: This guy creates really helpful content for early-stage creators

• Build Better: New Creative OS System site for static ads

• Earn Easier: Listen to Ben Franklin

• Break The Rules: The coolest website I’ve ever seen (updated!)

• The Hit List: Music to turn up and tune out

Roberto Nickson Is Rad

I stumbled upon @rpn on Instagram last week, and let me tell you, his content is something else.

I mean, I binged a ton of his videos, and this one definitely deserves its own shout-out.

Roberto Nickson is a digital creator on a mission to teach early-stage creators how to build their online presence.

And let me tell you, he does a damn good job at it.

Here’s why you’ll find yourself signing up for his newsletter faster than you can say “algorithm.”

So, what’s His Secret?

Roberto’s secret sauce is something called “edu-tainment.”

Edu-Tainment? What the Hell Is That?

People are glued to video content for two main reasons: education and entertainment.

Combine the two, and you've got a recipe for going viral.

And that’s exactly what Roberto does.

He educates by sharing tactics, tools, and resources that help you kickstart and grow an online business.

But he doesn’t just drop boring how-tos.

Oh no, he spices it up with sleek visuals and engaging presentations.

Think Marques Brownlee but with a fresh twist that’s all Roberto.

Every time you find yourself binge-watching someone’s content, ask yourself: Why?

Is it the look? The sound? The way it makes you feel? Maybe it’s because it makes you laugh?

That’s the magic mix that successful online creators like Roberto have figured out.

They deliver content that’s not only packed with value but also entertaining as hell.

The Viral Flywheel

This is how the top creators build massive online brands.

They produce viral content that hooks people with its value and keeps them coming back with its personality.

They make you want more, and before you know it, you’re clicking the link in their bio, signing up for their email list, buying their products, and joining their community.

It’s a content flywheel that sells like crazy.

Why Does It Work?

Because at the end of the day, people love people, not brands.

And Roberto Nickson gets that.

So if you’re looking to learn how to build stuff online while being thoroughly entertained, give him a follow.

Trust me, you won’t regret it.

The Creative OS System For Ecom Brands

This week’s edition of Build Better isn’t sponsored, and it’s going to be quick—promise.

So, here’s the deal:

There’s this new tool on the block that’s been hitting me with retargeting ads like crazy, and it caught my eye.

It’s called Creative OS.

What’s Creative OS?

Creative OS is a goldmine for ecom brands.

Think of it as your go-to library for proven static assets you can snag in packs or with a monthly subscription.

But they’re not stopping there—they’re also rolling out landing page templates and email templates.

For anyone running an ecom brand, finding fresh ideas that work can be a headache.

That’s why I’m all about tools that save time and energy.

And Creative OS looks like it does just that.

Why Check It Out?

They’ve got expert packs from heavy hitters like Nick Shackelford and Rabah Sahil, so you know the content is top-notch.

If you’re looking for a way to streamline your creative process and drive results…

It’s worth a look 🚀

Newport Beach, 2018

It’s around 1 PM in Newport Beach, CA, back in 2018.

I’m just an intern at the old office of Common Thread Collective when I hear Taylor Holiday shouting a Ben Franklin quote:

Taylor was in the middle of another heated marketing debate with Andrew Faris, while young and clueless me was soaking up every word from these two marketing old heads.

Austin, 2022

Fast forward to Austin, TX, in 2022.

Before I officially moved here, I visited my buddy Kaleb Fossum a few times.

Kaleb knows all the spots I’d dig, and one day, he takes me to this epic retro fashion boutique.

Right behind the cash register, there’s a neon sign blazing with the same Ben Franklin quote.

Talk about a power move—having that quote lit up in front of you as you’re about to hand over your cash.

Why the Neon Sign?

Simple: it’s a mic drop on their pricing strategy.

They don’t need to justify their prices because that sign says it all.

“You won’t find poor quality here!”—that’s the vibe they’re going for, and it’s working.

Austin, 2024

Jump to 2024.

I’m living in Austin, diving deep into t-shirt blanks for this apparel idea I’ve been cooking up.

The most common blanks I find? They’re going for $12-14 a pop.

They’re solid—good quality, comfortable.

But after a few washes, they shrink a bit, and a year down the road, the print fades slightly.

Not deal-breakers, but not quite up to the mark either.

Then there’s the premium stuff, running $17-21 per blank.

That extra $5-7 might not sound like much, but when you’re crunching numbers, every cent counts.

So, What’s the Move?

It’s about more than just numbers.

Ben Franklin’s words echoed in my head as I made my decision.

I chose the better quality tee.

Why?

Because it’s all about creating a stellar brand experience.

A better shirt means a better customer experience, plain and simple.

And yeah, customers would pay the extra $5-7 for that quality.

That’s the kind of decision-making I believe will lead to repeat buyers and build a brand that lasts.

My New Favorite Website (Again)

I’m elbow-deep into a serious web design and creative phase right now, and let me tell you, it’s a blast.

I’ve been cranking out landing pages and crafting killer about pages for clients left and right.

Need Some Creative Juice?

When you're in the zone like this, you need a ton of inspiration.

That’s why I’ve been practically living on the Awwwards website, scoping out some of the coolest sites from around the globe.

And let me tell you, Europe’s designers and developers are on another level—they’re creating some of the most mind-blowing stuff I’ve ever seen online.

Seriously, it's next-level shit.

But So Are We In The States

The website I’m about to show you?

It’s not one of those slick European creations.

It’s something entirely different, and it’s grabbed my attention in a big way.

I won’t spoil it for you just yet; you need to experience it yourself.

Trust Me, Check It Out

Do yourself a favor and check it out on a desktop for the full experience.

Mobile is cool too, but you really want to see this in all its glory. Take a look on your laptop, let it soak in, and we’ll break it down together later.

Give this site a test drive →

Different creative pursuits call for different music to jam to. Here’s what I jammed to this week on The Vomp Playlist: