Complexly

Since we’re on social, let’s highlight the accounts giving me inspiration right now. These are my #Hot5 social accounts I’m following for May, in order: 1. @thisisnickys 2. @complexly 3. @unkwnzj 4. @masterworks.io 5. @thestaceloydshow

Two young fish are swimming along one day and meet two wise old fish who ask them, "How's the water?" One of the young fish turns to the other and asks, "What's water?" Fact-checking our new #DigitalLiteracy curriculum by using methods outlined in this @complexly series about fact-checking digital information....then on to more sources and #LateralReading for #KidsFringe next weekend 🧩🐉

Part 1 of our conversation with @hankgreen is out now, and if you haven’t heard of him, let us introduce you. Nearly 30 years on the internet. Billions of views. Vlogbrothers, VidCon, Complexly, Crash Course, SciShow, bestselling books. One of the most quietly influential people in digital media, and one of the few who has been here since before there was anything to win. Hank Green built his career by doing one thing consistently: chasing whatever opportunity was in front of him and figuring it out as he went. On this episode of Signed, he talks about what that has actually looked like over three decades, and what the internet has become because of people like him. This one is for anyone who has ever tried to build something online. Link in bio to listen.

He started making YouTube videos in 2007 when it was still an experiment. Nearly 30 years later, @hankgreen has co-created Vlogbrothers, co-founded VidCon, co-founded Complexly (home to Crash Course and SciShow), and established himself as one of the most thoughtful voices in digital media. On Part 1 of this episode of Signed, Hank sits down with Anita to talk about what the internet looks like after three decades of building on it, and what it has cost. The creator economy has grown up. Hank isn’t sure that’s entirely a good thing. From what it actually takes to break through as a creator today, to why topic selection matters more than any title or thumbnail, to the difference between platforms that treat you like a business partner and platforms that run like casinos, this conversation is one for the ages. Part 1 is out now. Link in bio to listen.

Most marketing analysis obsesses over product, ecomm, and FMCG brands. But what about brands whose product is intangible? As a marketer who works almost exclusively with service businesses, that’s what interests me most. Here’s what I’ve been studying. And what I took away from each. 1. @deathtostock Stock images for people who hate stock images. Immaculate messaging that doesn’t try to appeal to everyone. They’re speaking to the people who value creative direction and boldness. Lightbulb moment: I don’t need to define myself by what I am. Sometimes the sharpest positioning is defining myself by what I’m not. 2. @katemerryweather__ A LinkedIn coach whose tone of voice is so distinctly witty, contrarian, and funny. Her email subject lines are genuinely a work of art. In an era of AI-generated everything, she writes like how she actually speaks and it cuts through. Lightbulb moment: Personality is a strategy. A real human’s tone of voice genuinely cannot be replicated. 3. @complexly The media company behind Crash Course, SciShow, and more, founded by John and Hank Green, who I have been obsessively following since I was 12. They’ve built a vast audience around one premise: curiosity and joy are worth your time. It spans everything from astrophysics to psychology. Lightbulb moment: A broad audience isn’t the death of good marketing, a vague audience is. Complexly isn’t for everyone. It’s for curious people. That’s specific enough. Anyway. That’s enough studying other people’s marketing. Let’s talk about yours. I’m launching a workshop series this June, three hyper-specific sessions on the skills that actually sell your offer: messaging, email, and hooks. Early bird pricing closes 13 May. Link in my bio. Which brand do you think is nailing their marketing right now? Drop it below (product or not) 🫶

How much does it really cost to produce a YouTube show? Complexly CEO Julie Walsh Smith breaks it all down. Complexly is behind shows like CrashCourse and SciShow. Full episode out on Thursday!

Last week I went on a work trip to New Orleans…. Came away from it so grateful & excited to work for such a cool (and now nonprofit! ) company making such cool stuff… I wish I had sketched more jazz musicians but I did spend the bulk of my time in #meetings so this is mostly what I drew…

This new @bizarrebeastsshow episode is WILD. Did you know that some parasitoid wasps make their own viruses??? And that they use those viruses to mess up the immune systems of their hosts?!? Find out all about Braconid wasps in our new episode on YouTube! And this month we got to work with another rad Missoula artist, @rage10000 ! Be sure to check him out and get the pins through the pin club! #bizarrebeasts #enamelpins #wasps #parasiticwasp Scroll for bonus photos of our silly roommates appreciating art and taking a dip. 🐍🐍♥️

Happy March!! In this episode, we hear from Dr. Paige Madison, who currently works for Complexly as a script editor for PBS Eons. She is also a science writer, most recently working with National Geographic. In addition, she is writing her first book, which is due to be published in 2027. Her dissertation research focused on paleoanthropology, or the science of human origins, specifically looking at controversial fossils in science’s history. Here, Paige talks about the difficulties she had writing and defending her prospectus during her PhD. Check it out wherever you stream your podcasts! (Link below and also in bio!). Listen here 🎙️: /e/episode-24-dr-paige-madison/

What do you wanna know?!

#angelagiarratana #hankgreen #askhankanything #spork

POV: Catching a glimpse of your senior photo while at your grandparent’s house. #angelagiarratana #hankgreen #askhankanything