The hottest Creator Economy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

The paywall dilemma

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 399 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
💼 Business Media Trends Creator Economy Subscription Models Digital Platforms Content Strategy
  1. Hiding articles behind a paywall can lower subscription rates. Many readers feel they've gotten enough info from just the headline and first few lines, so they don’t feel the need to pay.
  2. The creator economy is growing, with many people earning six-figure incomes from smaller audiences. This means that you don’t need a huge following to be successful anymore.
  3. Media companies, like BuzzFeed, are shifting to build their own social networks. This helps them keep audiences engaged on their own platforms and improves their chances of future success.

Now is the time for creators to build on their own land

Substack • 2703 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
💼 Business Digital Media Creator Economy Social Platforms Audience engagement
  1. Creators should have their own space on the internet rather than relying solely on social media. This gives them control over their content and audience.
  2. Platforms like Substack allow creators to own their work and generate direct income from subscribers. This is a more reliable income source than traditional ad revenue.
  3. Using platforms like Substack as a home base doesn't mean abandoning other social media. It allows creators to deepen connections with fans while still reaching new audiences.

Why is Spotify held to a different standard than Meta?

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 449 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
💼 Business Media industry Digital Media Content Strategy Creator Economy
  1. Spotify pays a lot to music rights holders, $10 billion in a single year, helping revive the music industry. Yet, artists still criticize Spotify more than they do other platforms like Meta, which pay much less to creators.
  2. There's a big shift from traditional media to independent outlets, as many journalists are launching their own platforms instead of staying with legacy media. This trend shows a growing frustration with mainstream media's control over narratives.
  3. When platforms share revenue with creators, like Fortnite does, it encourages more content and benefits everyone. But relying on AI for content can lead to low-quality output that doesn't hold much value.

The price of payments

Substack • 1191 implied HN points • 12 Aug 24
💼 Business Creator Economy Digital Payments App Store Subscription Models
  1. Creators using platforms like Patreon are facing new costs because of Apple's requirement for in-app purchase systems and their associated fees. This change might lead creators to either raise prices for subscribers or absorb the costs themselves.
  2. Apple's in-app purchase system is very effective for making payments easy and safe, but it also puts a financial strain on creators who use these platforms for their work.
  3. The rise of the creator economy is shifting the dynamic between creators and platforms, as creators are seeking more control over their relationships and earnings. There's an opportunity for creators and platforms to innovate and work together for better solutions.
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Going cold turkey as a solopreneur

Kenny’s Sub • 79 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Creator Economy Solopreneurship Income Strategies Work-life balance
  1. There is a lot of misinformation in the creator economy, and it's important to recognize what is genuine versus what is just noise. It's easy to get caught up in trends that aren't based on real experience.
  2. As a solopreneur, you can choose to focus on what truly matters for your lifestyle, instead of just chasing profit. Finding a balance between work and personal life helps you enjoy what you do.
  3. Experimentation is key when building your business. Trying out different ideas helps you find what fits your values before committing to a specific path.

Redefining the Future of the Creator Economy

The New Internet by Jeff Morris Jr. • 10 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
💼 Business Creator Economy Venture Capital Software Development Entrepreneurship E-commerce
  1. The creator economy has exploded since 2019, allowing many artists and influencers to turn their online popularity into profitable businesses. They create content, build audiences, and find various ways to earn money.
  2. Investors are shifting focus from traditional 'creator stack' platforms to supporting creators directly. This new model involves investing in creators for a share of their future earnings, recognizing that creators could also build software and tech businesses.
  3. Advancements in AI are changing how creators work, enabling them to create software without big teams. More creators are moving towards building apps and software products, expanding beyond just making content.

The future of creator-led brands

Cosmos • 39 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
💼 Business Creator Economy Content creation E-commerce
  1. Creators are becoming key leaders in brands, partnering with them to launch products and enhance storytelling.
  2. Top creator educators on platforms like YouTube are generating significant revenue from their content, building substantial businesses.
  3. Major platforms like Reddit, Pinterest, YouTube, Spotify, and TikTok are actively engaging in partnerships and initiatives to empower creators and enhance their offerings.

Fantastic Builders and Where to Find Them, 5th Installment

Building the Builders • 6 implied HN points • 02 Dec 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Startups Leadership Creator Economy Personal Development
  1. Success looks different for everyone. What may seem like a failure to one person can be a stepping stone to success for another.
  2. It's important to define what success means to you personally, rather than just following society's expectations.
  3. Living your life authentically, without pressure from others, is key to finding happiness and fulfillment in what you do.

🎢 LinkedIn doesn't want you to go viral

Cosmos • 19 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
💼 Business Social media Creator Economy Venture Capital Online Platforms
  1. LinkedIn is updating its content distribution algorithm to prioritize relevant knowledge over viral content.
  2. Tools like Karat Insights are helping content creators understand their earnings and industry benchmarks.
  3. The use of AI in marketing and content production can lead to misleading experiences and scams, highlighting the importance of consumer awareness.

The Creator Search Fund

Working Theorys • 48 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
💼 Business Creator Economy Partnerships
  1. Many creators excel in building audience and brand but struggle to create sustainable businesses; the key is to commercialize themselves by developing products and services.
  2. The traditional search fund model focuses on acquiring existing businesses, while the creator search fund seeks to partner with creators to build new product lines together.
  3. In a creator search fund, strategic phases involve funding the search, finding a creator partner, aligning on a commercial strategy, defining roles and ownership, and finally building the product line.

Fastest Growing Creator Economy Companies in 2024

Golden Pineapple • 1 HN point • 01 Feb 24
💼 Business Creator Economy Companies Monetization Data Analysis
  1. The creator economy has experienced significant growth in recent years, evolving into a multi-billion dollar industry.
  2. Companies are playing a crucial role in supporting creators by providing various services like content creation tools, financial management, and analytics.
  3. Beehiiv and Patreon are leading the way in the creator economy, with impressive growth and popularity in the industry.

The Evolution of the Creator

Digital Native • 0 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Creator Economy Digital Tools AI Development Social media Content creation
  1. The idea of being a 'creator' is evolving. It's not just about influencing others but also about creativity and self-expression.
  2. New technologies, especially AI, are making it easier for anyone to create content. This means more people can make cool stuff with less effort.
  3. Successful creator businesses need to focus on three main things: making good content, sharing it widely, and finding ways to earn money from it.