One of the best things to ever come out of the internet is the creator economy. However, this new economy didn’t come alongside the invention of the world wide web. It took quite a while before people discovered the internet’s true and full potential. Once people got a hold of how the internet is full of endless possibilities, they came forth and basked on these possibilities and opportunities.
Before the internet age, ‘big media’ sat on the high throne of news and entertainment. We used to live in a world where a small number of companies dominated what we viewed, read, and listened to. And for us to contribute to a certain conversation, we had to be newsworthy to be featured in their stories or be employed by one of the media groups. However, the internet turned the tables on these companies. And eventually, the media decentralized.
On the internet, we can find various types of content that we love to read, watch, or listen to countless times. And a decent portion of this content isn’t owned by traditional media companies. Much of this content is written, filmed, or spoken by ordinary people like you and me. Fortunately, we’re now consuming and distributing content that we fancy without involving traditional media companies. Welcome to the creator economy era.
How Did the Creator Economy Come to Be?
Way back in the 1990s, creators already existed in the traditional setting. These creators are referred to as journalists, musicians, authors, and other creative personalities. But in the 2000s, a great shift transpired. Most people already owned digital cameras and personal computers. Alongside this shift was the emergence of several online content-sharing platforms. These platforms enabled creators to attract followers and increase their reach and engagement.
In 2010, another wave of platforms emerged and offered new methods of monetization, such as subscriptions to specific pages. Creators then realized that they could target various audiences in a particular niche without being employed by large media companies. From then on, the creator economy slowly grew and people discovered its benefits to creators and viewers alike.
What is the Creator Economy?
The creator economy meaning simply refers to a class that focuses on community builders, independent content creators, and curators. You may ask, “what is a creator?” Creators include bloggers, influencers, and the various tools that assist them in their work.
In this economy, the audiences could wield power, too. They could take part in giving content suggestions to the creators. And the produced content could be viewed or accessed anytime, giving viewers a free hand to view what they want whenever they want to.
Impact of the Creator Economy on Influencer Marketing
One way that marketers drive conversions is through influencer marketing. It’s an increasingly popular marketing strategy that promotes brands through creators or influencers. Whether it’s a campaign or any other promotion type, marketers collaborate with content creators to gain brand awareness and increase sales.
The rise of the creator economy has positively affected the influencer marketing industry’s growth. This new economy gives ample opportunities for every creator to increase in number and popularity, giving marketers a better shot at influencer marketing.
How is the Creator Economy Shaping the Future?
We’re pretty consumed with the various content we see online. And often, we don’t realize that the creator economy is shaping our future. Here’s how:
Reshaping content access
Because the creator economy emerged alongside new technology, it’s easier for the audience to access content without time constraints. You don’t even need to pay for subscriptions on most platforms.
Creating job opportunities
One priceless aftermath of the creator economy is the countless job opportunities that it has opened. It’s the fastest-growing form of small business. Around the globe, more than 50 million people see themselves as content creators. And a decent 2 million pursue full-time careers as content creators.
Inspiring the next in line
If it isn’t obvious yet, the creator economy is continuously inspiring the next generation. More young people aspire to become YouTube stars or bloggers now. Even kids that are just opening gifts or playing with their toys are gaining millions of fans on social media.
Redefining workers’ distinct roles
The creator economy developed a sense of fulfillment among workers or creators in the job. It gave full control over how creators spend their time, and the drive to be their own boss. Most importantly, the influencer industry-inspired people to gain creative and financial freedom without being confined in an office cubicle.
How Big is the Creator Economy?
Somebody once declared that in the near future, everybody will be famous within or for 15 minutes. However, what we didn’t see coming was that the “fame” would be simultaneously experienced. US YouTuber statistics revealed that 75% of kids ages 6 to 17 desire to be YouTubers. Unlike in the 80s and 90s, children don’t want to be athletes or musicians anymore.
As mentioned by Forbes, 50 million people joined the creator economy in 2020. You read it right—not 500,000 or 5 million, but 50 million! That’s how big the economy is in 2020. Imagine how much the creator economy market would expand in the years to come.
How Can Creators Earn Money?
Historically, creators had to work with record labels, film companies, and publishing houses if they wish to earn a living out of their creative endeavors. Today, the difference is astounding. Creators can now earn tons of money without the need for contracts with big media companies or managers.
Creators use various platforms to make money. YouTube and TikTok are for filmmakers, Tumblr and WordPress for bloggers, and Instagram and Pinterest for photographers. The common types of content are ad revenues, merchandise, tips from fans, live events, and sponsored comments.
Aside from uploading content, creators may directly sell their creative pieces online. Some of the prominent online marketplaces are Amazon, Etsy, and eBay. If you need a free marketing platform that will help you tell your stories and earn efficiently, read this Partipost review.
Social Media’s Role in the Creator Economy
Social media is the fuel that drives the creator economy. It gave birth to marketplaces where creators could make a living. With the growing convenience of social media use, more successful creators build a solid following and share their content on multiple platforms.
In 2019, the average US adult spends 38 minutes on Facebook per day. Teens to mid-20s devote 3 hours of their day to social media. Generally speaking, internet users spent approximately 2 hours and 22 minutes per day on social media. This figure gave creators an overview of their opportunities to promote content to a target audience.
What is the Future of the Creator Economy?
The global revolutionary developments in communities, media, and technology are endlessly pushed by the creator economy. Numerous apps, software, and platforms are developed every year and the digital landscape is experiencing non-stop growth.
Clash, the newest social media platform in 2020, is a perfect example. It was developed by creators for creators and has a monetization-first approach. The web developers sought out a platform that supports seamless partnerships with notable brands. Clash also values the internet as a glamorous source of income for creators.
How to Become a Successful Content Creator
Creating content and earning thousands of dollars out of it is a wonderful thought to entertain. However, the road to becoming a successful content creator isn’t as glamorous as it looks online. To help you out, here are some habits that successful content creators possess.
Search through your industry daily
Creating resonating content requires you to get a grip on what’s going on in your industry. Successful content creators always search for industry trends and news. This helps them understand their niche better and their audience’s present mindset. Hence, make it a habit to search daily on relevant industry news.
Write regularly
Successful creators know the importance of flexing their writing muscles. By doing so, they could sort through creative insights in their heads. Hence, figure out new ideas and get in the habit of writing regularly. It may not be a polished 2000-word essay, but a good 10-15 minutes of jotting down some thoughts would do.
Consider your audience
Creators are at the mercy of their audience—a bitter pill to swallow, right? At the end of the day, your fans pay for your bills, so it’s just fair to take them into utmost consideration. If you truly connect with your audience, you’ll discover interests and creative thoughts that would be helpful for your craft. Thus, understand your audience, identify their interests, and address their needs.
Establish your voice
You aren’t the only content creator in the industry, and that’s a reality. It also means that you aren’t the only one offering advice, thought leadership, or observations that the industry wants. Hence, you have to establish your voice and overall presence. Again, foster a solid relationship with your audience.
Understand your KPIs
The internet is a huge space, and it’s difficult to make your content discoverable all by itself. Publishing your content online doesn’t necessarily generate the traffic that you want. If you wish to be popular, you should focus on a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) and optimize your content for it.
KPIs refer to chosen specific metrics that measure how well your content is doing. These indicators include direct traffic, social media traffic, organic traffic, and submissions. Looking for a tool that will provide you advanced analytics? Read this MightyScout review.
Network as much as you could.
Networking is a time to hear others and consider their ideas along with your own. One practical way to network is through engaging with Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn users. You may follow leaders in your industry, share your thoughts, and participate in group discussions. Once you can successfully do that, in-person networking would be easy.
Provide solutions
As mentioned above, you should address your audience’s needs. Try uploading content that provides solutions and not just commentaries. If you want your audience to remember your content, don’t just lay down the things that you know.
For example, when you endorse a product, explain its importance and the benefits it offers. The more satisfied your audience’s specific needs are, the more they’d visit your channel or blog.
Is Content Creation Worth the Try?
If it’s in your heart to showcase your artistry to a global audience with little to no limitations, then you get a whopping yes. However, always remember that the ladder to fame and success isn’t an easy one. Sometimes, you’d experience rejection and disappointments. But you have to use them as stepping stones to learn and improve your skills.
Most importantly, create content because it’s your passion. Don’t do it primarily for the money and the fame. If money and fame are your driving forces, you’d end up feeling dejected and impatient whenever something unfavorable happens. Always pour your heart out onto your content, then pay and recognition would eventually make their way to you.
Final Thoughts
Creators face various challenges, particularly now that the competition is high. More creators are emerging every year, if not every month. Newbies might think they have nothing to offer that ‘seasoned’ creators haven’t offered yet. However, there remains sufficient hope for the creator economy to continually expand along the years.
The new economy opens the door for aspiring creators to pursue their passion, and even make a living out of it. In today’s COVID-infested world, the creator economy provides unique and abundant opportunities to people. These opportunities include working from the comfort of your own home and concentrating on the skills that you’ve advanced over time.
If you’re interested about marketing in the time of COVID-19, read our article, “COVID-19 Age: How Influencer Marketing Changed During the Pandemic” to get a glimpse of the current marketing trends and opportunities.
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