‘I didn’t have a roadmap and now I do’: How creators built clearer next steps at the Raptive Retreat

At this fall’s Raptive Retreat in Seattle, creators and publishers came together to explore what’s changing, share ideas, and leave with stronger connections and more confidence about what comes next.

Before arriving in Seattle, Krissy Allori of Self Proclaimed Foodie wasn’t actively investing in her website. After more than a year of barely touching it, she was burned out and ready to give up.

After three days at the Raptive Retreat, she had a change of heart.

“Something happened on the last day that totally changed my mind,” she said. “I did a complete about-face and have been going a mile a minute since I got back.”

Throughout the retreat’s sessions with Raptive experts, conversations with peers, and social time in between, Krissy heard new ways to think about her business, discovered practical ideas, and found the encouragement to act on them.

Setting the stage

We all know publishing is changing quickly. Search and social platforms are shifting, AI is opening more possibilities (and even more questions), and you’re constantly deciding where to focus your time.

At the retreat, fresh perspectives on these topics shaped conversations from the start. More than 100 of Raptive’s Platinum Elite and Luminary creators and publishers joined 40 Raptive team members in Seattle to explore the evolving landscape, get personal advice connected to their businesses, and spend time with others who understand the work better than anyone else.

“As someone who is relatively new to Raptive, I found [it] invaluable,” said Michelle Verkade of A Latte Food. “So much of the information in the sessions confirmed what I hoped from Raptive—innovation and helpful, actionable tools for us to succeed. I feel more confident and overall less overwhelmed.”

Timely topics, practical takeaways

The live presentations and discussions covered the biggest changes happening in publishing, but centered on what to do with what you can still control.

Making sense of what’s changing

CEO Michael Sanchez kicked off the event and emphasized the importance of innovation to prepare for what’s ahead, including key ways to protect your content, adapt to AI, and build stronger relationships with audiences. 

“Whatever you hear about AI, people need you,” he said. “They need your authenticity and your voices. Our job is to make sure you thrive.”

Attendees also got an early look at Raptive Intelligence, our new business unit that connects trusted human content with the AI, retail, commerce, and enterprise systems that are shaping how people discover, decide, shop, and act. 

“The support that Raptive provides in allowing us to grow and embrace the changing landscape makes this tumultuous time feel manageable,” said Kristen Chidsey of A Mind “Full” Mom. “[I] love seeing how to positively use AI while remaining true to ourselves.”

Turning ideas into next steps

Other sessions explored just that—from Raptive Compass, the new AI-powered dashboard experience, to hands-on AI labs where attendees learned to provide AI with the right context, maintain human judgment, and automate recurring tasks into useful skills.

For Krissy, the conversations sparked surprising ideas for utilizing AI for Self Proclaimed Foodie.

“Through the presentations and discussions with other creators, I learned that I have basically been using AI like a grandma,” she said.

In the time since the retreat, Krissy used AI to organize and prioritize her site’s content and SEO work, update key recipes with more accurate information, and build a new growth plan for Pinterest and other channels.

Raptive’s team of in-house experts also shared guidance on top areas of interest, including:

• What’s worth your time in SEO right now
• How to evolve your social strategy to deepen audience relationships
• Proven ways to bring readers back through email
• Data-led insights to balance monetization and user experience

“I feel motivated again,” says Jessica Formicola of Savory Experiments. “I didn’t have a roadmap and now I do.”

Helpful advice tailored to each creator and publisher

In addition to their talks from the main stage, these same experts and their teams hosted more than 140 1:1 conversations throughout the event.

The 1:1 meetings gave attendees a chance to connect session topics to their own sites and priorities—joining specialists in areas including email, ad performance, SEO, and social to gain actionable next steps.

“My SEO 1:1 session was the highlight of this retreat,” said Rosie Alexander of I Heart Recipes. “So much information and insight in such a little amount of time. I can’t wait to dive in!”

Clarity through conversation

Some of the most meaningful moments happened simply through sharing questions and experiences with one another. 

“Hearing creators and the Raptive team talk openly about the challenges we’re facing made me feel less alone and gave me a renewed sense of confidence in my business,” says Erren Hart of Erren’s Kitchen.

Erren joined Andy von Hirschberg of Visual Capitalist and Natasha Kravchuk of Natasha’s Kitchen on stage for a very special creator perspectives panel. The panelists were candid about their personal hurdles in a changing industry, and honest about what they’re trying and where they’re finding inspiration next.

Seattle beyond the sessions

Of course, the experience wasn’t complete without a taste of Seattle. From a Pike Place Market food tour to a private dinner and glassblowing demonstration at the iconic Chihuly Garden and Glass to a scenic boat ride in Elliott Bay, attendees left the laptops behind to build a greater connection with one another.

Leaving with next steps

A three-day retreat can’t predict exactly how publishing will change, or solve every challenge. Far from it. But it gave creators and publishers space to ask questions, hear how others are responding, and leave with a clearer idea of where to focus.

“I haven’t felt this level of excitement since I first started,” said Krissy. “I couldn’t wait to wake up at 4 am to work on my blog.”

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Raptive Retreats are just one way we help creators and publishers move forward. Across our network, we pair ad monetization with expert guidance, actionable insights, and tools to help you navigate what’s next.

Curious what Raptive could do for your business? Request a site review to find out how we can help you grow.