From one busy parent to another… psssst get in a little closer, the secret hack to growing online is being efficient with the little time you have. Queue the insanely affordable Part-Time Creator Academy by TSM Media.
Hey there, fellow wanna-be content creators but are actually just casual dads who are half asleep most of the day (we've all been there). If you’re anything like me, your day probably goes something like this, wake up to a tiny human (who's also your boss) demanding breakfast at the crack of dawn, spend half the morning cleaning up cereal that somehow ended up on the ceiling (never knew how that can happen?), and then squeeze in some “me time” after bedtime, which usually means scrolling through TikTok or Instagram while wondering why your own posts don’t get more love.
Sound familiar? I know it does, because I’m literally describing myself.
I've good some good news for you, I recently found an online course called The Part-Time Creator Academy, designed to help busy parents like us create viral content without spending hours that we literally do not have. Since you're reading this, you're probably wondering: 'Is Part-Time Creator Academy worth it?' Well, I tested it, and here's everything you need to know before you invest your time.
Now, before you roll your eyes and think, “Oh great, another thing I need to add to my endless to-do list,” just hear me out. The whole idea behind this course is learning how to make videos go viral in your spare time, yes, those precious pockets of freedom over the weekend or during evening hours when the kids are finally asleep. And trust me, if a tired dad like me can find value in it, so can you.
So, sit back, relax your back and let me walk you through what makes this course worth checking out.
So what exactly is the Part-Time Creator Academy? It's a step-by-step online course by TSM Media that teaches you how to make short-form videos go viral on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube Shorts - even if you have zero experience. Whether you want to grow your personal brand, start a side hustle, or finally crack the algorithm, this course is built to help you do that. Parents like us don’t have 40 hours a week to dedicate to becoming TikTok famous. It’s all about working smarter, not harder.
The course focuses on something called the Steal Like an Artist Framework . Don’t worry, it doesn’t involve any actual stealing (I promise). Instead, it’s a method for creating content that grabs attention, keeps viewers hooked, and most importantly, gets shared. Think of it as your secret weapon for making videos that people can’t scroll past.
According to Mitch, the brains behind the course, this method didn’t come out of nowhere. He didn’t sit down one day and think, “Hey, I’ll just slap together some random tips and call it a framework.” Nope. This thing is the result of months, seriously, months of trial and error.
Here’s how he describes it, after years of struggling to get even a few hundred views on his videos, Mitch decided to treat content creation like a science experiment. He analyzed what worked, ditched what didn’t, and fine-tuned every step of the process until he had a repeatable system (simple right?). And when I say repeatable, I mean it. We’re talking about a formula that works whether you’re promoting your side hustle, sharing parenting hacks, or just trying to make people laugh with your chaotic dad life.
Now, here’s the part that honestly caught my attention, Mitch claims this framework is designed for people who don’t have hours to waste staring at their phones. The entire course is only two hours long. Two hours! That’s shorter than most kids’ birthday parties, and we all know those feel like they last an eternity.
The beauty of it is that you can watch it in parts. Maybe you watch one module during nap time, another after the kids go to bed, or even binge the whole thing on a lazy Sunday afternoon while pretending you’re “working.” Either way, it’s short enough that you won’t feel like you’re adding yet another overwhelming task to your plate.
And honestly, that’s what makes this course stand out to me personally. I will never have time to sit through a 20 hour course, especially if the delivery is not the best. And It’s not about cramming your schedule full of extra work, it’s about giving you tools you can actually use without burning yourself out. Because let’s be real, no one needs more stress in their life. What we need are simple, actionable strategies that fit into our already chaotic routines.
Let me tell you a little bit about Mitch because his story is kind of inspiring. Four years ago, he was basically where a lot of us are now, broke, frustrated, and posting videos that barely get 450 views. Seriously, if a video hit 700 views, he considered it a win (I would too to be honest).
But instead of throwing in the towel and just giving up, Mitch decided to dig deeper. Over five months, he analyzed, created, posted, optimized, you name it. And eventually, he cracked the code. That’s when the Steal Like an Artist Framework was created.
To test his new system, Mitch made a post on a fairly new TikTok account he shared with his brother. Two days later? 10 million views. TEN. MILLION. VIEWS. A week after that, another post blew up with 2.5 million views, like what?
Seems fairytale-ish? That's what Mitch thought as well. He wondered if the framework would work for someone else. Now comes his friend, who sold car air fresheners, not exactly the most needed product, right? But guess what? Using the same strategy, her fourth post got close to 1 million views, and the next one racked up 500K views. In three days, she made $4,500 from those videos, all free to make.
Fast forward a few years, and Mitch has used this framework to help tons of creators and businesses go viral. Oh, and did I mention Nike just casually flew him to New York City (all expenses paid) to collaborate with them?
Now, he’s taken everything he’s learned over the last four years, the editing tricks, the idea generation hacks, the posting strategies, and boiled it down into this course. His goal? To teach busy folks like us how to crush it online during our off-hours.
Let’s start with the basics because, honestly, if your accounts aren’t set up right from the get-go, you’re already making the wroooong first step. Mitch takes this part seriously, he walks you through everything you need to know about creating TikTok and Instagram accounts that are primed for growth.
For example, should you use an existing account or start fresh? If you’ve been posting random stuff for years, does it make sense to keep going with that same profile, or is it better to hit reset? He breaks down the pros and cons so you can decide what works best for your goals.
And here’s something I didn’t think about before taking the course, your username and profile picture actually matter. Like, a lot. He explains why having a clear, consistent brand (even if you’re just a dad sharing funny parenting moments) can help people recognize and remember you. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about being intentional.
And if you’re wondering whether businesses should handle their accounts differently than personal creators, he covers that too.
Now, let’s talk about niches. If you’re like me, you might be thinking, “I’m just a tired dad who only has time to film the cat sleeping in a loaf position, do I really need a niche?” The short answer is yes. But don’t panic, it’s not as limiting as it sounds.
Your niche is basically the reason people will keep coming back to watch your content. Maybe you’re all about sharing hilarious parenting fails, or maybe you’ve got a knack for turning everyday dad life into relatable comedy gold. Whatever it is, The host emphasizes that picking a niche doesn’t mean you’re stuck in a box, it means you’re giving your audience a reason to stick around.
He shows you how to find a niche that works for you. He talks about whether some niches are better than others (they are), and even dives into which ones tend to attract more money-making opportunities. For instance, lifestyle and humor niches might not always pay as well as finance or tech, but they’re easier to grow organically.
The blueprint? Don’t stress too much about finding the “perfect” niche. Just pick something you enjoy talking about, and the rest will fall into place.
Okay, this is where things get juicy. Let’s be real for a sec, most of us have no clue why some videos blow up while others flop. Is it luck? Timing? Magic? According to Mitch, it’s none of those things, it’s all about the idea.
In this section, he introduces his startegy which we mentioned earlier, the 4 Elements of a Viral Idea Framework. I won’t spoil all the details (you’ll have to take the course for that, hehe), but essentially, it’s a way to evaluate whether your video concept has what it takes to go big. Think of it like a checklist: Does it grab attention immediately? Is it relatable? Does it evoke emotion?
What I love about this part is how actionable it is. Mitch gives you tools to generate unlimited ideas, not just one or two, but enough to keep you posting consistently for months. He also breaks down the structure of viral videos, showing you exactly how to format yours for maximum impact.
Alright, so you’ve got your niche, your ideas, and your strategy, but how do you actually make the videos? This is where the Production & Editing section comes in.
First off, he reassures you that you don’t need fancy gear to create great content. Your phone is more than enough. He walks you through the best camera settings for both iPhone and Android, so your videos look sharp without requiring a photography degree.
Then there’s editing. If you’re anything like me, the thought of editing sounds exhausting. But he keeps it simple by teaching you how to edit for free using tools you probably already have. No subscriptions, no complicated software, just straightforward steps to polish your videos and make them ready to post.
He also shares tips on shooting practices, like how to frame your shots and avoid common mistakes that scream “amateur.” By the end of this section, you’ll feel way more confident about hitting record.
Posting a video isn’t as simple as clicking “upload” and hoping for the best. He dives deep into the sauce of optimizing your posts for maximum reach.
For example, did you know your video description can either improve or tank a video's performance? Or that hashtags aren’t just optional extras, they’re important for getting discovered? All of this is covered, step by step, for both TikTok and Instagram.
Oh, and I almost forgot the analytics. He teaches you how to read your stats and use them to improve future videos. Instead of guessing what works, you’ll have data to guide your decisions.
Finally, let’s talk about everyone’s favorite topic, money. Because if you’re putting effort into creating content, you might as well get paid for it, right?
The guys at TSM Media cover the three main ways to turn your growing audience into income, brand deals, affiliate marketing, and selling your own products or services. They even included a bonus tool called the TMS Brand Deal Calculator , which helps you figure out exactly what to charge brands based on your follower count and engagement rates.
The course is valued at $59.99, which might feel like a lot at first glance. But when you consider everything you’re getting, the frameworks, the monetization strategies, the bonus tools, it starts to feel like a pretty solid deal. Especially since the methods taught in the course have been tested and proven to work, not just for the creator but for others too.
Here’s the breakdown:
Well in all honesty, It’s quick, actionable, and perfect for busy (and tired all the time) parents who want to grow their online presence without the stress. If filming yourself still feels intimidating, A $59.99 course that's short, straight to the point and has all the blueprints you need for online success and more.
At the end of the day, The Part-Time Creator Academy feels like a solid choice for anyone tired of guessing what works online. TSM Media just outdone themselves by providing a clear framework that’s easy to follow, even for dads who are busy most of the day.
If you’re ready to stop stressing about why your videos aren’t getting traction and start seeing real results, this course is a great place to start.
And if filming yourself still feels overwhelming, don’t forget about Comfy On Cam by One Peak Creative. It’s a longer, more detailed course that I covered before on austinplease.com focused on helping you feel confident in front of the lens. Together, these two courses give you all the tools you need to succeed online while still having the time to be a kick ass parent.
Disclosure: I may receive affiliate compensation for some of the links below at no cost to you if you decide to purchase a paid plan. You can read our affiliate disclosure in our privacy policy. This site is not intending to provide financial advice. This is for entertainment only.
