Latest news with #creatorEconomy
Washington Post
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
Creator to Creator
Creator to Creator Today's creators are rewriting the rules, reshaping culture, and setting the stage for the future of media. YouTube creators and podcasters Colin Rosenblum and Samir Chaudry join The Post's Dave Jorgenson from Cannes to break down the evolution of the creator economy (00:05:53), balancing business with authenticity (00:09:40), the rise of personalized AI-driven content (00:25:43), and why 'YouTube is the new TV' (00:31:48). Conversation recorded on Monday, June 16, 2025 at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Where AI and top professionals help you learn and earn
CEEK is running full steam with brand new features geared at empowering everyone who wants to turn their unique perspective into content. Known for unforgettable experiences with Bon Jovi, Lady Gaga, Universal Music and Magic Gaming, the platform enables users (ceekers) to engage deeper on any and every screen. CEEK's mission is turning content into currency by enabling creators to sell, stream or license their creations on any device: mobile, TV, VR/AR, web, wearables, and protecting it from AI companies training on it for free. 'Today, most creators don't make enough to even pay for the content they create. We saw this need years ago and successfully created a platform that them earn with AI, virtual commerce, in the Metaverse, live coaching and many other ways that weren't available twenty years ago when most social media platforms were built,' says CEEK Founder Mary Spio. CEEK has incorporated AI tools that help you create and even interact with fans in your own authentic voice, so you can amplify who you are 24/7. No experience or coding needed to get started. Mary Spio is seeking to redefine the creator economy, turning anyone into bonafide professionals with polished work worthy of worldwide recognition. On CEEK, fans, labels, collectors and studios can directly buy ownership rights in content they love and benefit from its potential value—turning fans into owners and creating a powerful viral loop where ownership drives promotion and attracts more fans. No more chasing algorithms or dealing with trolls. It comes as no surprise that top professionals, sports teams, educators, life coaches and practically anyone looking to inspire, educate, and share what they love, know or do, are choosing to call CEEK home for their content.
Forbes
4 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
How The Creator Economy Is Reshaping Modern Marketing – And Why Brands Are Paying Attention
The creator economy has moved beyond niche marketing – it's now central to how brands build trust and grow. It's a $250 billion global force reshaping how brands build loyalty, drive engagement and grow their businesses. Once viewed as a playground for influencers, today's creator economy is at the center of serious business strategies — and it's only getting bigger. Goldman Sachs predicts it could nearly double to $480 billion by 2027, according to their 2023 Creator Economy report. Brands are adapting fast. Across industries, businesses are moving from traditional influencer partnerships to more structured, community-driven programs. They're not just sponsoring creators – they're building platforms to empower them. Lowe's Creator Network partner Chris Loves Julia Courtesy of Lowe's Social media has democratized content creation, and consumers increasingly trust the voices they follow online – especially millennials, Gen Z and even Gen Alpha, generations shaping the future of brand loyalty. According to a recent study from Sprout Social, 61% of consumers say they trust recommendations from creators more than they trust brand advertising. Creators bring authenticity, relatability and niche expertise — the ingredients brands need to build real connections in a crowded digital marketplace. Even for a home improvement brand like Lowe's, creators are valuable partners who help to build credibility and affinity. Statista reports there are now over 200 million creators globally, ranging from full-time digital entrepreneurs to part-time hobbyists. These creators aren't just marketing channels. They are community leaders, entrepreneurs and culture builders. The shift has been so significant that it even dominated conversations at CES this year, where a panel on the creator economy highlighted how creators are reshaping not only marketing, but commerce and culture at large. Brands today are rethinking what it means to partner with creators. In the past, traditional influencer marketing was transactional — one post, one campaign. But the new wave of partnerships is deeper and more collaborative. Companies now are building communities that help creators grow their brands, not just promote products. These programs offer tools like customizable storefronts, access to startup funding for business ventures, product samples, project sponsorship and long-term sponsorship opportunities — a far cry from the one-off campaigns of a few years ago. Lowe's Creator Network partner Chris Loves Julia Courtesy of Lowe's Retailers are taking note. Lowe's, for example, recently launched the first creator network in home improvement and DIY, designed to support creators at every stage of their journey. Their platform provides opportunities for creators to build real-world projects, inspire their audiences and grow sustainable businesses. Early partnerships include digital creators like MrBeast, DadSocial and Chris Loves Julia, signaling a move toward community-building rather than simple brand endorsements. These programs are not just marketing tactics, they're growth strategies. Empowering creators to build authentic relationships with their audiences leads to deeper loyalty and long-term trust – and the brands that they partner with will reap the benefits. As the creator economy matures, brands that succeed will be the ones that recognize creators as more than content producers. They are entrepreneurs, innovators and community builders. The most forward-thinking companies are blending commerce and culture, embracing a wide range of creators – from household names to niche leaders, who inspire real-world action, not just digital clicks. By investing in long-term partnerships, brands are positioning themselves not just as advertisers but as collaborators in creators' business growth. Social commerce is at the heart of this evolution, and it is expected to reach $2.9 trillion by 2026, according to Statista. Creators are leading the way, shaping how consumers discover, engage with and buy from brands. In this landscape, structured creator networks mutually benefit brands and creators. They build community and loyalty in ways traditional advertising cannot, while giving creators the tools and resources they need to turn passion into a sustainable business — a win-win. The creator economy isn't slowing down. If anything, it's becoming more essential to brand strategy. Companies that empower creators — offering real support, building trust and fostering community — will be the ones that build a lasting brand legacy. The future isn't just about reaching audiences and generating clicks. It's about building together every day to shape culture, commerce and community.
TechCrunch
4 days ago
- Business
- TechCrunch
Patreon will increase the cut it takes from new creators
Patreon, a creator monetization platform that offers membership programs and digital goods, announced on Monday that it is changing its pricing structure. Currently, Patreon takes an 8% cut or a 12% cut from creators, depending on their selected tier — though the 8% plan is far more popular. The new pricing plan instead offers one universal tier, which keeps 10% of creator earnings. Existing Patreon creators need not worry — this price increase will only affect creators who publish a new Patreon page on August 4, 2025. 'Since we last updated our prices six years ago, Patreon has expanded beyond just payments to include media hosting, community, and discovery,' the company wrote in a blog post. Price increases are never particularly popular announcements to make, but Patreon has a point — it has added a slew of new features over the last several years. These include native video hosting, livestreaming, free memberships, digital goods sales, and gift subscriptions. Still, if you've ever considered setting up a Patreon account…you may want to get on that in the next few weeks and lock in that 8% rate. Techcrunch event Save $200+ on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Save $200+ on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Boston, MA | REGISTER NOW
Forbes
4 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
How Freelancers Can Use Stan To Diversify And Monetize Their Expertise
Freelancer working from home The creator economy is no longer reserved just for influencers, content creators, and those with large social media followings. The rise of SaaS platforms like Stan has empowered freelancers and solo business owners to monetize their skills and expertise further by selling digital products online. This growing industry complements the traditional freelance model of working directly with clients and exchanging time for money. It makes sense: most freelancers face the challenge of growing their business, working with multiple clients, hitting max capacity, and capping their revenue. Let's explore how freelancers can use Stan to diversify and monetize their business further. Stan is an all-in-one e-commerce platform. It allows freelancers (or anyone looking to monetize their knowledge) the ability to set up an online storefront and sell digital products. These could be eBooks, templates, courses, memberships, and more. Stan users can grow an email list and can utilize an appointment booking system for coaching and consulting services. Crossing the $30 million mark in annual recurring revenue, Steven Bartlett, entrepreneur and host of The Diary of a CEO, recently became a co-owner of the growing company. It's easy to see why it's on an upwards trajectory; Stan makes it possible for anyone to diversify their business in a scalable and sustainable way without requiring a large existing audience. Freelancers typically manage a fluctuating number of clients and revenue and operate as one-person businesses, so diversifying into different revenue streams is essential. As the adage goes: "Don't put all your eggs in one basket.' Freelancers already possess a wealth of knowledge, so it makes sense to package this knowledge into evergreen products that can be sold at any time to anyone around the world, with no client work required. Better yet, Stan allows time-strapped freelancers to create an online store without the need for existing coding or website development skills. It simplifies the freelancer tech stack with its built-in tools like payment systems and email builders. There are a couple of key steps to making the most of this new revenue stream. Firstly, freelancers will need to create a digital project to sell on Stan. Here are the most common types: By selling digital products like these online, freelancers can sustainably scale their revenue by creating an offering once and selling it over and over again. Creating a digital product and adding it to a Stan Store is just the first part of the process. The next step is to drive traffic to the store. Here are a few ways freelancers can use social media to do this: Creators are making money via social media and e-commerce platforms every day, so there's no reason why freelancers can't seize the opportunity as well. Platforms like Stan empower freelancers from all kinds of professions and niches to monetize their expertise and diversify their business in new ways.
