There has never been a better time for creatives to be alive.
Less than ten years ago, creatives had to be discovered by someone in their field and identified as talented in order to have a shot at making it on their chosen path.
Gatekeepers told the vast majority of passionate creatives that their work wasn’t good enough to be considered.
Today, creatives don’t have to wait for gatekeepers to validate their work.
They can validate their work themselves.
Creatives have all the tools they need to launch and sustain their own career and the creator economy provides new opportunities to monetize their creative works and reach new audiences.
Here are five ways that the creator economy has changed the playbook for creatives.
- Low-Cost, End-User Tools — End-user tools are pieces of tech (software and hardware) designed for anyone to use with little to no expertise. With tech becoming less expensive and easier to use, creatives can produce a high-quality product with minimal financial risk and in less time than ever before.
- Robust Online Platforms—With the rise of online platforms that enable creators to sell their products and services directly to fans, artists are able to build a sustainable income stream from their work and retain greater control over their creative output. Sites like gumroad, teachable, and convertkit were developed with creatives in mind.
- More Artistic Freedom—The creator economy allows artists to bring things into the world on their own terms. This can lead to increased artistic freedom and flexibility to create, allowing artists to focus more on their craft without gatekeepers getting in their way.
- Better Community—The creator economy can help foster greater community and connection between artists and their fans, creating new opportunities for collaboration and shared experiences.
- More Financial Stability—Developing alternative revenue streams through the creator economy allows creatives to diversify where they make their money so they can keep doing what they love.
It is an exciting time to be a creative. Those who can see the creator economy as an opportunity for personal and financial growth have an opportunity to not only survive but thrive in their creative pursuits.
(Photo Credit: Surface)
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