The Business of Creators: Recent Episodes
Ian Shepherd
The Business of Creators podcast is for content creators and professionals in the creator economy. Each week we speak to the businesses supporting the creator economy with new tools and effective means of monetisation. Subscribe to the show to learn more about the people powering this amazing new industry. The origin of the show is actually a network I set up in 2017 called The Business of Influencers, back when everyone was talking about influencers and not creators. I built the network to bring people together and it grew to more than 500 people as the creator economy boomed. But I've never liked the word influencer.Having spent more than 20 years in the media industry, I am deeply passionate about supporting creative talent. Today I am the co-founder of a business called Electrify Video Partners which invests in creators. And I created this show to raise awareness of this great industry.
Podcasting is changing faster than ever—and the creators who adapt now will have a massive advantage. Check out Riverside 2.0 at https://creators.riverside.com/BusinessOfCreators
In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd sits down with Kendall Breitman, Head of Community at Riverside to explore how podcasting has shifted from traditional media to the creator economy. They discuss why community has become one of the most valuable assets creators can build, how video has transformed podcast discovery, and how AI is helping creators spend less time editing and more time creating.
The conversation also dives into the launch of Riverside 2.0, including powerful new AI features, social publishing tools, multicam recording, newsletter creation, website hosting and workflow automations that help creators produce professional content faster than ever.
Timestamps
0:00 — My experience podcasting
4:21 — The biggest mistake new podcasters make
9:09 — Why video helped this show grow
12:51 — How Riverside made creating easier
16:11 — Why clips are so important now
19:06 — A look at what’s new in Riverside 2.0
22:15 — Using AI without losing your voice
27:11 — Kendall’s advice for future podcasters
Topics Discussed
- How podcasting has evolved into a creator-first business model
- Why community is becoming a creator's biggest competitive advantage
- The importance of video for podcast discovery and SEO
- Building a content strategy before launching a podcast
- How Riverside 2.0 simplifies recording, editing, clipping, publishing, and distribution with AI
- The future of AI in podcasting and content creation
Key Takeaways
- How to build a podcast that attracts an audience instead of hoping people discover it.
- Why community is becoming the biggest competitive advantage for creators in the age of AI.
- The simple content strategy that turns one podcast recording into weeks of high-performing content.
- How AI can dramatically reduce editing and production time without sacrificing quality or creative control.
- The latest tools in Riverside 2.0 that can help you record, edit, publish, and grow your podcast more efficiently.
Listen to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!
The future of the creator economy isn't content—it's something much bigger. In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd sits down with Sid Yadav, Founder and CEO of Circle, to explore why the future of the creator economy is shifting from audiences to communities. Sid shares how creators can build sustainable businesses beyond social media platforms, increase customer lifetime value, and create meaningful transformations for their most engaged fans.
The conversation also dives into Circle Eclipse, the company’s biggest launch to date, introducing AI-powered business building, a marketplace for creator-led transformations, and a white-glove service designed to help creators scale community-driven businesses.
Topics Discussed:
- The difference between an audience and a community
- Why creators need to own their relationship with their audience
- How community-led businesses generate higher lifetime value
- Lessons from successful creators and communities using Circle
- The launch of Circle Eclipse, including Circle AI, Discover and Studios
- Why the future of the creator economy is moving beyond content alone
- Building the “Shopify for the digital economy”
Key Takeaways:
- The most successful creator businesses focus on transformation, not just content consumption
- Communities create stronger relationships and more sustainable revenue streams than audience-only models
- AI can dramatically reduce the complexity of launching and growing a creator business
- Discovery and distribution remain major challenges for creators—and new platforms are emerging to solve them
- The next wave of the creator economy will be built around deeper engagement, ownership, and community
Watch to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!
Most VCs hide behind pitch decks and private networks — Marshall Sandman is building a venture fund on social media, one daily post at a time.
In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd sits down with Marshall Sandman, founder of Animal Capital, to explore how social media is changing venture capital. Marshall shares how posting daily content online has helped him source startup deals, build founder relationships, and grow one of the top-performing seed-stage venture funds of its generation.
Marshall also explains why some of the best investment opportunities exist outside Silicon Valley — and why “boring” businesses may outperform the hottest AI trends.
Topics Discussed:
- How Marshall built Animal Capital from scratch
- Why social media is becoming a competitive advantage for VCs
- How Instagram content is helping source startup deals
- The role creators and celebrities play in startup storytelling
- Why overlooked industries can create massive investment opportunities
- Lessons from investing in billion-dollar startups
Key Takeaways:
- How posting consistently on social media can create real startup deal flow and business opportunities
- Why storytelling and distribution are becoming competitive advantages for modern venture capitalists
- How creators and celebrities can help technical startups communicate complex ideas more effectively
- Why some of the best investment opportunities exist outside Silicon Valley and traditional tech trends
- What founders can learn about fundraising, pitching, and simplifying their message for investors
- Why “unsexy” businesses and service-based companies may outperform overhyped AI startups
Listen to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!
Now anyone can now build a binge-worthy series from scratch.
In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd sits down with Angela Yu to explore how AI is revolutionizing storytelling—and unlocking a new era where anyone can create, own and monetize their own story IP.
Angela shares the vision behind Storeel, an AI-native platform enabling creators to produce serialized, interactive dramas at scale. From micro-dramas to fully AI-generated production workflows, this conversation dives into what the future of entertainment and the creator economy really looks like.
Topics Discussed:
- The rise of short-form, serialized “micro drama” content
- Why AI is unlocking a new generation of storytellers
- How Storeel enables end-to-end content creation and distribution
- The shift from passive viewing to interactive storytelling
- Building a marketplace for creator-owned story IP
Key Takeaways:
- How AI is collapsing production time from years to days for creators
- What it actually takes to succeed as an AI-native creator (and why it’s not about coding)
- Why short-form serialized content is exploding—and how to take advantage of the trend
- How interactive storytelling is changing the way audiences engage with content
- The emerging business model for creator-owned IP in the age of AI
Watch to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!
Most AI-generated content looks impressive — but almost none of it is actually usable for real brands.
In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd sits down with Simon Davis, founder of SecretSauce, to explore how his AI-native platform is solving one of the biggest gaps in AI content creation: turning raw AI output into cohesive, fully on-brand creative you can publish in 30 seconds.
After 22 years in game design, Simon made a bold pivot from building games to building an AI-native creative platform. Instead of complex dashboards filled with dropdowns and design tools, SecretSauce takes a radically simple approach: conversational prompts, brand memory, and production-ready assets that actually follow your brand guidelines.
If you’ve ever generated AI content that “looks good” but doesn’t look like your brand, this conversation will completely change how you think about AI workflows.
Topics Discussed:
- Why most AI-generated content fails in real-world brand production
- The shift from traditional creative workflows to AI-native design
- How SecretSauce builds “brand memory” and enforces consistency
- Using AI to power campaigns, product catalogs, and influencer content
- The future of AI-driven video, distribution, and performance insights
What You’ll Learn:
- How to generate AI content that’s fully on-brand — not just “good enough”
- Why most AI creative workflows are broken (and what to use instead)
- How AI agents can evolve into your built-in creative director
- How small teams can produce studio-level campaigns at a fraction of the time and cost
- Where AI content creation is heading next — from video to performance-driven optimization
Simon also shares how one solopreneur used SecretSauce to launch an entire Chinese New Year campaign and cut marketing time from dozens of hours a week to just two.
Listen to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!
Are brands making a massive mistake by overlooking YouTube?
In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd sits down with creator Larray and CAA talent agent Andrew Graham to unpack why Fortune 500 brands have shifted budgets to TikTok and Instagram and what they’re losing by ignoring the long-form power of YouTube.
They break down the post-pandemic budget shift, the rise of UGC and paid media, and the growing disconnect between what marketers think drives culture and where real community and real revenue are actually built.
If you're a CMO, brand marketer, creator, or operator in the creator economy, this is a must-listen conversation.
Topics Discussed:
- Why brand dollars moved from YouTube to short-form platforms
- The difference between paid media strategy and creator strategy
- How YouTube builds deeper, more loyal communities
- Why long-form content drives stronger purchase intent
- The connected TV opportunity most brands are ignoring
Key Takeaways:
- Why YouTube audiences create “superfans” who buy products, tickets, and merch
- How long-form content builds emotional connection that short-form can’t replicate
- The strategic mistake brands make when they treat YouTube like just another ad platform
- Why creators with strong YouTube businesses build real enterprise value
- How brands can integrate into “hero” content instead of relying solely on paid media
As Andrew puts it: if you want transactions, go short-form. If you want to build an empire, build on YouTube.
Watch to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!
What if the creators promoting your brand didn’t just get paid, but actually owned a piece of it?
In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd sits down with Jeff Frommer, founder of OWM, to break down why the future of the creator economy isn’t more #ads — it’s ownership.
Jeff explains how founders can use equity as a growth engine, why creators should start asking “What do I own?”, and how influence-for-equity partnerships are reshaping distribution, incentives, and long-term value creation.
Topics Discussed:
- Why equity is a founder’s most valuable currency
- The shift from one-off sponsorships to long-term ownership partnerships
- How to value a creator in an equity deal
- The advisor vs ambassador vs co-founder framework
- How OWM structures and brokers influence-for-equity deals
- Why trust and distribution are the last true moats in an AI-driven world
Key Takeaways:
- How to structure influence-for-equity deals without overcomplicating legal or valuation
- A practical framework for deciding whether a creator should be an advisor, ambassador, or co-founder
- Why equity fundamentally changes how creators show up for a brand
- How founders can reduce CAC by aligning incentives instead of renting attention
- What creators should be asking brands if they want long-term upside
- Why AI will create millions of entrepreneurs, but attention and trust will be scarce
If you’re a founder trying to scale distribution or a creator thinking beyond brand deals, this conversation will change how you think about value.
Listen to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!
Smosh didn’t just survive two decades on YouTube, it rebuilt itself into a premium comedy company, and this episode breaks down exactly how they did it. In this episode of The Business of Creators, host Ian Shepherd sits down with Alessandra Catanese, CEO of Smosh, to break down how one of YouTube’s most iconic comedy brands is evolving into a premium, future-proof media company.
Alessandra shares how Smosh is balancing creative freedom with sustainable business growth, why YouTube remains central to their strategy, and what it really takes to build a healthy creator-led company at scale. From redefining company culture to diversifying revenue streams and investing in talent, this conversation offers a rare look behind the scenes of a modern creator business operating at a high level.
Topics Discussed:
- Smosh’s evolution from YouTube channel to premium comedy brand
- Why creator companies need clear values, culture, and leadership
- Building sustainable revenue across AdSense, brand deals, merch, and live shows
- Hiring, scaling teams, and maintaining work-life balance
- The future of the creator economy and its convergence with traditional media
Key Takeaways:
- Learn how to evolve a creator brand without alienating your existing audience
- Understand how to structure leadership so creators can stay creative while the business scales
- See how Smosh balances free YouTube content with paid products, merch, and live experiences
- Discover how intentional culture, hiring, and work-life balance drive long-term growth
- Get a clear framework for thinking about the future of the creator economy and where opportunities are opening up next
Listen to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!
You won’t believe how a $2,500 angel investment and a WhatsApp group turned into one of the most powerful female-led creator brands today. In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd talks with Maggie Sellers Reum, founder of Hot Smart Rich about how she turned her creator-led female ambition brand into something so powerful that Steven Bartlett and FlightStory came calling. She shares the full behind-the-scenes of how the deal happened and how she’s scaling her media business without losing its soul.
Topics Discussed:
- The moment Maggie knew HSR was more than just content
- How FlightStory discovered the podcast and why they invested
- Lessons from negotiating your first major deal as a creator
- Why community is HSR’s secret weapon
- Building a real brand beyond virality
What You’ll Learn:
- How Maggie got on Steven Bartlett’s radar — and why DMs matter
- The strategic value of partnerships for podcast and media growth
- Why monetizing a podcast requires more than just great content
- How to position your brand to attract investors (even if you're small)
- The systems Maggie uses to scale as a founder and creator-CEO
Watch to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!
What if your podcast could be the next billion-dollar media company? Georgie Holt is already building them with Steven Bartlett and she reveals exactly how.
In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd sits down with Georgie Holt, CEO of FlightStory & Co Founder of FlightStory Studio, who shares the playbook for turning creators into powerful media brands, using data, AI and obsessive focus on audience value.
You’ll hear how they’ve scaled The Diary of a CEO into cultural phenomena and why the next generation of media empires will be built by creators, not corporations.
Topics Discussed:
- What FlightStory actually does (and why it’s more than a podcast network)
- How to evaluate creators like venture capitalists
- The tools and data behind FlightStory’s “creator radar” system
- Why community and long-form content are essential for scale
- How AI is shaping the future of content creation
What You’ll Learn:
- How to turn your content into a full-scale media brand
- What metrics and experiments actually move the needle
- The mindset shift from “creator” to “founder”
- How to structure a team that helps you scale beyond platforms
- Why audience obsession drives long-term growth
Listen to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!
If you want to understand where the creator economy is heading — and how to build a real business in it — this episode is a must-listen.
Ian Shepherd sits down with Beehiiv CEO and co-founder Tyler Denk to break down the company’s massive new product launch and its mission to become “the operating system for the content economy.” Tyler shares how Beehiiv is transforming newsletters into full-scale media businesses with websites, digital products, analytics, an ad network and more — all in one platform built for both solo creators and major publishers.
Topics Discussed:
- Beehiiv’s new product ecosystem and why they shipped everything at once
- How newsletters, websites, podcasts, and digital products now fit into one unified platform
- Why creators and publishers are moving toward full-stack, consolidated toolsets
- How Beehiiv’s ad network and Boosts give creators instant monetization opportunities
- The role Tyler’s own newsletter plays in shaping Beehiiv’s roadmap and enterprise strategy
What You’ll Gain From This Episode:
- A clear understanding of how top creators are building real, scalable content businesses
- Practical ideas for monetizing your content — even with a small audience
- Insight into how to simplify your creator tech stack for faster growth and less friction
- Strategies for owning your audience and future-proofing your business
- A behind-the-scenes look at how Beehiiv is building tools designed for long-term creator success
Listen to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!
In this episode Ian Shepherd sits down with Amy Madison Luo, CEO of Blueberry, to explore how digital fashion is exploding across platforms like Roblox and Snapchat. They break down how Blueberry creates culture native to gaming, why this moment mirrors the early days of streetwear, and how the next generation of fashion brands might be built entirely inside virtual worlds.
Topics Discussed:
- How digital fashion works inside Roblox and why players treat avatars like real identity
- Blueberry’s design process and how it builds culturally resonant digital brands
- High performing creator collaborations and the strategy behind hits like the Natasha Panda drop
- The launch of Blueberry Creator Studio and how it lets fans design and publish their own looks
- Amy’s journey from law and crypto to leading one of the biggest digital fashion houses
- Where digital fashion is heading across platforms and how AI could transform design
Key Takeaways:
- Understand how digital fashion is becoming a real industry and why it might be the next massive wave in the creator economy.
- Learn how Roblox creators are quietly building multi million dollar brands and what opportunities still exist for early movers.
- Get a behind the scenes look at how digital fashion drops are actually made from design to collabs to distribution.
- Discover how Blueberry is turning fans into co creators and what that means for the future of creator led businesses.
- Hear practical insights you can apply to your own creator strategy especially if you want to build products, IP, or a brand inside gaming platforms.
Listen to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!
Podcasting isn’t just a side hustle anymore, it’s becoming the next major media industry.
In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd sits down with Greg Glenday, CEO at Acast, to reveal how the world’s biggest podcast-only company is scaling globally with open RSS, smarter monetization, and AI that enhances, not replaces, human creativity.
Topics Discussed:
- How Acast turned dynamic ad insertion into a billion-dollar podcast ad backbone
- “Open, not walled”: why being platform-agnostic is Acast’s superpower
- The real ways AI is being used right now — from better ad matching to creative automation
- What makes the UK and Australia such strong podcast markets (and how the U.S. is catching up)
- Why YouTube has become the new podcast discovery engine
What You’ll Learn by Listening:
- How to use AI tools to boost your ad revenue without losing your voice
- Why going “open RSS” could be your best growth move as a creator
- How brands are finally valuing podcasting as a measurable, mainstream ad channel
- The global trends shaping podcasting’s next wave — and where the biggest opportunities lie
- How to future-proof your creator business as the industry matures and ad tech evolves
Watch to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!
Acast #PodcastMonetization #CreatorEconomy #AIforCreators #PodcastGrowth #OpenRSS #YouTubePodcasts #CreatorBusiness #PodcastAdvertising #BusinessOfCreators
1.1 billion people will be creators by 2032 — but who are they, and what does that future look like? In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd dives deep with Ben Woods from MiDiA to explore the eye-opening findings from their latest report on the creator economy.
Ben breaks down what’s really driving this explosive growth: the rise of consumer-creators, the power of video, and how AI is flipping the playbook for creators at every level. Whether you're a seasoned creator, brand, or investor, this episode is packed with insights that will reshape how you think about content, monetization, and community.
Topics Discussed:
- What the 1.1 billion creator forecast actually includes
- Why video is now the default format for all creators
- AI’s impact on workflows, speed, and monetization
- How brands and traditional media are becoming creators
- The evolving pain points: burnout, platform dependence, and time constraints
Key Takeaways:
- The creator economy isn’t just influencers — it includes everyday users reshaping entertainment through content
- AI is lowering the barrier to entry and giving both new and veteran creators powerful tools
- Burnout is real — and most creators are hitting a ceiling on how much they can sustainably produce
- Smart creators are building businesses beyond platforms: franchises, merchandise, live events, and direct audience ownership
- Traditional media and brands are now copying creator playbooks — and succeeding
Listen to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!
What if your customers could become your most powerful influencers — and you paid them less than Facebook ads? In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd sits down with James Watt, co-founder of BrewDog and now founder of Social Tip — a groundbreaking platform aiming to democratize influence. James shares how Social Tip flips the traditional advertising model on its head by turning everyday customers into brand advocates.
They explore James's transition from brewing beer to building tech, what makes Social Tip unique, and how it's gaining traction with both major brands and local businesses. From the power of peer-to-peer marketing to the impact of AI on content creation, this is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of advertising and creator monetization.
Topics Discussed:
- Why James launched Social Tip and what it does
- The outdated nature of traditional advertising models
- How the platform turns everyday customers into influencers
- Early traction with UK brands and plans for US expansion
- Insights from BrewDog and how they inform this new venture
Key Takeaways:
- The Future of Ads Is People, Not Platforms: Peer-to-peer marketing outperforms traditional advertising in both cost and impact.
- Authenticity Beats Influence: Real users with small followings are creating high-performing, genuine content.
- BrewDog Playbook 2.0: Social Tip empowers communities over stunts — a quiet but radical shift in strategy.
- From Coffee Shops to Corporates: The platform is scalable for both global giants and indie businesses.
- Now’s the Time to Build: AI is supercharging entrepreneurship — and the hard stuff is what builds real value.
Listen to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!
If you're a creator and not making six figures yet — this might be why. ThriveCart CEO Ismael Wrixen reveals what actually works in the creator economy after processing over $2 billion in sales — and shares the blueprint behind today’s top-earning creators.
In this episode, Ian Shepherd digs into ThriveCart’s 2025 Creator Economy Report with Ismael, uncovering the future of digital products, why niche creators win, and how AI is opening massive new revenue streams. Whether you’re selling templates, running a membership, or dreaming of high-ticket launches — this is the roadmap to doing it right.
Topics Discussed:
- What ThriveCart’s $2B in sales data reveals about successful creators
- Key shifts in the creator economy through 2030
- Why community is the most underrated growth engine
- How AI is transforming education, skills, and monetization
Key Takeaways:
- Find out what separates six-figure creators from the rest
- Learn how to use niche positioning to charge more and grow faster
- Discover the best ways to validate your product before you scale
- Get tactical tips to increase conversions and customer lifetime value
- Understand how to future-proof your creator business in an AI-powered world
Listen to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!
What if the next Halo wasn’t built by a massive studio, but by a teenager on Roblox? In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd talks with Alex Seropian, co-creator of Halo and founder of Look North World, about how the gaming industry is being reinvented by creators, communities, and platforms like Fortnite and Roblox.
Seropian explains why he believes we’re entering the Creator Era of gaming—where players aren’t just consumers but builders shaping the future. From empowering young developers through his Creator Label to using AI to bridge platforms, Seropian shares a bold vision for what comes next in interactive entertainment.
Topics Discussed:
- Why the biggest opportunity in gaming now lies in player-creator platforms
- How Look North World funds and mentors next-gen developers
- The role of AI tools in transforming how games are built and shared
- How brands like Hasbro and DoorDash are creating experiences inside games
- Why Roblox, Fortnite, and Minecraft are outpacing legacy studios
Key Takeaways:
- You’ll learn how creator platforms are becoming the new frontier for game development.
- You’ll discover why these ecosystems are more equitable and community-driven than traditional studios.
- You’ll hear how Look North World’s Creator Label gives young devs ownership, funding, and mentorship.
- You’ll understand how AI is reshaping production speed and cross-platform creativity.
- You’ll gain insight into how brands are monetizing engagement through in-game storytelling.
Listen to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!
What happens when AI meets creativity and respects the people behind it?
In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd sits down with Oscar Höglund, CEO & Co-founder of Epidemic Sound, to dive into how AI is transforming music in content creation without replacing artists. From emotional storytelling to fair artist compensation, this is a deep dive into building creator-first tools that actually work. Steve Wright, filmmaker and YouTuber, joins the conversation to share a creator's perspective.
Topics Discussed:
- The vision behind Epidemic Sound and its 16-year journey
- Launching "Adapt" — Epidemic's AI tool that empowers creators
- Steve Wright’s creative process and the role of music in storytelling
- Music’s emotional impact and how it shapes content
- The balance between AI innovation and ethical responsibility
If you listen to this episode, you'll learn:
- How to use music to dramatically elevate your video content
- Why AI doesn’t have to replace artists — it can support them
- How tools like Adapt can save creators hours of editing time
- What smart creators are doing to diversify their income
- How working with creator-first platforms builds long-term success
Listen to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!
What happens when a 23-year-old creator lands a groundbreaking role at ESPN? Katie Feeney is living the dream — and changing the game. In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd talks with Katie about her rise from Musically to becoming ESPN’s first-ever Sports & Lifestyle Creator.
Katie reveals how she creates real-time content at live sports events, builds engaged cross-platform audiences, and bridges the gap between Gen Z and traditional sports media. Whether you're a creator, marketer, or sports fan, this conversation is packed with insights on what it takes to thrive in today’s creator economy.
Topics Discussed:
- Katie’s path from social media intern to ESPN creator
- How to stand out in the saturated world of sports content
- The behind-the-scenes reality of producing content at major events
- Building influence across TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, and Instagram
- Balancing authenticity with professional production support
Key Takeaways — What You’ll Learn:
- How to break into legacy media as a digital-first creator
- Why early adoption of new platform features can lead to explosive growth
- The real metrics that matter (and how to boost them)
- How to handle content chaos at live events with a repeatable system
- Why being platform-diverse protects your brand and increases reach
Listen to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!
She turned finance advice into a multimillion-dollar digital empire. In this episode of The Business of Creators, Dominique Broadway shares how she built her business on Kajabi, what she’d do differently today, and why community and ownership are the future of creator success.
Ian Shepherd also speaks with Kajabi’s Allie Fernando, who unpacks exclusive data behind their $10 billion milestone — and what it really takes to scale from six to seven figures as a creator.
Topics Discussed:
- Dominique Broadway’s path from Wall Street to creator CEO
- How Kajabi creators are making money without millions of followers
- The power of communities, memberships, and bundling
- Building a lean business that earns more and works less
- What AI is changing behind the scenes of creator tech
Key Takeaways:
- How to price your digital products based on real-world value
- Why moving your audience from social to email is essential for revenue
- The difference between creators who earn six figures and those who hit seven
- How to simplify your tech stack without losing performance
- What every creator should focus on before launching their first product
Listen to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!
This is how a YouTube channel turned one tool into over $6.5 million with no paid ads. In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd talks to Ian Hillier, COO of Hacksmith Industries, about how they transformed a side project into a massive Kickstarter success.
Launching products for sale? Start with a .store domain. Top creators like MrBeast, Dude Perfect and Hacksmith use .store to build clean, memorable web addresses like YourName.store, boosting clicks, driving sales and making it crystal clear where fans can shop. Grab yours now: https://go.store/boc11
Hillier shares the full journey — from failed prototypes and risky investments to building a scalable product line and transitioning off the content treadmill. If you’re a creator thinking about launching your own product, this is a must-watch.
Topics Discussed:
- How Hacksmith’s multi-tool became a $6.5M Kickstarter hit
- The difference between white-labeled vs. built-from-scratch products
- The mindset shift from sponsorships to self-sustaining product sales
- Lessons from manufacturing, design, and community feedback
- Why premium products win in the creator economy
Key Takeaways:
- Learn how to validate and scale a physical product with your audience
- Discover the real costs and timelines behind high-quality product development
- Understand why custom, premium products outperform generic ones
- Hear the strategies Hacksmith used to build hype without paid ads
- Get actionable advice for launching a product that actually sells
Listen to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!
What does it take to turn a 120-square-foot shed into a thriving multi-million dollar creator brand? In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd sits down with Jonathan Katz-Moses — master woodworker, inventor, and YouTube creator — and Billy Parks from Slow Ventures to reveal the mindset, strategies, and partnerships that fueled Jonathan’s explosive growth. From surviving a life-changing attack to launching patented tools that dominate the woodworking niche, Jonathan shares how resilience, innovation, and community have powered his journey.
Topics Discussed:
- Jonathan’s remarkable backstory and leap into full-time making
- Bootstrapping a creator-led product business to scale
- Turning audience feedback into best-selling inventions
- Partnering with investors without losing control
- How collaborations with other creators lead to breakthrough products
What You’ll Learn If You Listen:
- How to identify the right moment to seek investment for your creator business
- A proven framework for using your audience to guide product development
- How to protect your creative independence when working with investors
- The real process (and timeline) behind creating innovative, patented products
- Why strategic collaborations can unlock new revenue streams and brand growth
Listen to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!
Creators Are Becoming Studios — Here’s What That Means for You. In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd sits down with Zach Blume — a 15-year veteran of the digital content space — to break down the shift from snackable content to premium storytelling on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.
Zach shares lessons from building one of the longest-running independent creator studios and why the next frontier in the creator economy isn’t about virality — it’s about ownership, brand-building, and big creative bets.
Topics Discussed:
- The rise of premium content in the creator economy
- What brands are getting right (and wrong) in creator partnerships
- Why short-form episodic content is taking over social
- How investing in creative R&D leads to breakout talent
- Lessons from navigating 15+ years in digital media
Key Takeaways:
- Learn why creators who treat their channels like studios are set to win
- Discover how to attract brand deals that go beyond simple sponsorships
- Understand how trends like "social TV" are opening new creative lanes
- Get insight into how top studios think about longevity, team culture, and staying ahead of the curve
Listen to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!
Think selling merch is just about slapping your logo on a t-shirt? Think again — this episode reveals what really drives sales in 2025. This episode is packed with surprising, actionable insights on what actually works in creator commerce today.
Launching products for sale? Start with a .store domain. Top creators like MrBeast, Dude Perfect and Colin & Samir use .store to build clean, memorable web addresses like YourName.store, boosting clicks, driving sales and making it crystal clear where fans can shop. Grab yours now: https://go.store/boc10
Ian Shepherd sits down with Aaron Day, CEO of Amaze, to unpack how creators are using AI, data, and community to launch products that actually sell. From NBA stars to crab-loving YouTubers, Aaron shares what separates the creators making real money from those spinning their wheels.
Topics Discussed:
- The evolution of creator-led product launches in 2025
- How creators are using audience data and AI to drive smarter decisions
- Key differences between micro-creators and large creators when it comes to success
- What really makes a creator brand “authentic” and sticky
- Behind-the-scenes stories from high-performing creator campaigns
Key Takeaways:
- Why creators who collaborate with their audience during product development see massive conversion rates
- What makes creators like Katie Shoger and Alex Caruso stand out — and how they keep their products selling
- How TikTok Shop has reshaped creator attitudes toward “selling” without being salesy
- Why access to capital is the hidden bottleneck behind pre-sales — and what needs to change
- How integrating product stores with platforms like YouTube can 7X your revenue
Listen to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!
What if one person could build a $100 million brand — without a team? Pietra’s new AI assistant is making that future possible right now.
Launching products for sale? Start with a .store domain. Top creators like MrBeast, Dude Perfect and Colin & Samir use .store to build clean, memorable web addresses like YourName.store, boosting clicks, driving sales and making it crystal clear where fans can shop. Grab yours now: https://go.store/boc9
In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd sits down with Ronak Trivedi and Tala Akhavan, co-founders of Pietra, to explore how their new AI assistant is revolutionizing e-commerce. They dive into the powerful potential of AI-powered digital workers and how this new tech is helping solo creators build and scale brands like never before.
Topics Discussed:
- The launch of Pietra’s AI assistant for e-commerce operations
- How AI can automate 80–90% of a business’s backend processes
- Real-world use cases from creators and brand owners using Pietra
- Ethical and creative implications of AI in entrepreneurship
- The duo’s early days at Uber and their approach to tech-driven problem solving
Key Takeaways:
- Learn how Pietra’s AI assistants automate the most time-consuming parts of running a business — from sourcing to fulfillment to marketing
- Discover how solo entrepreneurs can now scale brands faster than ever, with minimal overhead
- Understand the real-world impact of AI on creativity, brand authenticity, and founder focus
- Hear behind-the-scenes stories from Pietra’s early days at Uber and how those lessons shaped their tech
- Get inspired by real case studies of creators and celebrities using Pietra to bring product ideas to life in just hours
Listen to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!
What if your kid’s favorite YouTuber could also make them fall in love with science? That’s exactly what CrunchLabs is doing — and today, Jim Lee, the company’s President and COO, reveals how.
Launching products for sale? Start with a .store domain. Top creators like MrBeast, Dude Perfect and Colin & Samir use .store to build clean, memorable web addresses like YourName.store, boosting clicks, driving sales and making it crystal clear where fans can shop. Grab yours now: https://go.store/boc8
In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd sits down with Jim to explore how CrunchLabs transformed from a kitchen-table idea with Mark Rober into a multimillion-dollar creator brand redefining STEM education. From high-tech toy kits to school curriculums and viral collaborations, Jim shares the blueprint behind building a purpose-driven creator business that’s both wildly fun and deeply educational.
Topics Discussed:
- How CrunchLabs launched and scaled with Mark Rober
- Building and testing subscription products like BuildBox and HackPack
- Using content and physical products to spark interest in STEM
- Collaborations with Dude Perfect, chess.com, and more
- The future of CrunchLabs in the classroom
What You’ll Learn:
- The behind-the-scenes story of a top creator brand's launch and growth
- How to pair content with products to create powerful engagement
- What it takes to keep kids (and adults) excited about STEM
- How creators can expand into education without losing their brand magic
- Practical advice on testing, partnerships, and authentic storytelling
Listen to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!
What happens when you combine a viral creator with a disruptive candy brand? In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd dives into the story of 1UP with co-founders Michael Schenker, and Chris Koch — the team behind the bold new candy brand launched with FaZe Rug. From rapid product innovation to landing Walmart distribution in months, they share how they’re building a Gen Z-first CPG company with creators at the core.
Launching products for sale? Start with a .store domain. Top creators like MrBeast, Dude Perfect and Colin & Samir use .store to build clean, memorable web addresses like YourName.store, boosting clicks, driving sales and making it crystal clear where fans can shop. Grab yours now: https://go.store/boc7
Topics Discussed:
- The origin and growth strategy behind 1UP Candy
- How FaZe Rug became an authentic co-founder — not just a face
- Equity, royalties, and what creator partnerships really look like
- Navigating retail launches and the power of viral product experiences
- Future product categories in protein and kids’ nutrition
Key Takeaways:
- Learn how to structure meaningful creator partnerships beyond sponsorships
- Discover how to use consumer insights and social trends to build breakout products
- Understand what retailers really want from creator-led brands
- See how a lean team used speed, testing, and authenticity to win shelf space
- Get inspired by how to turn creator influence into long-term brand equity
Listen to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!
Want to know the secret to going viral and getting paid on Snapchat? This episode breaks it all down. Ian Shepherd sits down with Varshini Satish, Talent Partnerships Lead at Snapchat, to explore how Snap is rapidly becoming one of the most creator-friendly platforms in 2025 — with a strong focus on authenticity, monetization and deep audience engagement.
Topics Discussed:
- What Varshini’s team does to elevate creators inside Snapchat
- How Snap identifies top creators through both data and culture
- Best practices for content strategy and posting cadence on Snap
- New monetization tools and easier eligibility for creators
- The future of AR, dual-camera content, and Snap’s unified content feed
Key Takeaways:
- Learn exactly how to grow and monetize your content on Snapchat in 2025
- Discover why copying your TikTok or Instagram strategy won’t work on Snap
- Find out how to balance Stories and Spotlight for faster audience growth
- Understand what Snapchat’s new monetization requirements are — and how to meet them
- Get inspired by creator success stories and practical tips to stand out on the platform
Listen to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!
Launching products for sale? Start with a .store domain. Top creators like MrBeast, Dude Perfect and Colin & Samir use .store to build clean, memorable web addresses like YourName.store, boosting clicks, driving sales and making it crystal clear where fans can shop. Grab yours now: https://go.store/boc6
What if your next big payday didn’t come from AdSense or brand deals—but from a product your audience actually wants to buy? In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd dives deep with Miles Sellyn, VP of Creator Partnerships at Rare Days, to explore how top creators are turning their audiences into thriving digital product businesses.
Topics Discussed:
- The rise of memberships and subscriptions in the creator economy
- Real examples of million-dollar product launches
- How to validate product ideas using your DMs and comments
- Frameworks for pricing and ongoing marketing
- The future of creator-led software products
What You’ll Learn If You Listen:
- How to spot the right product for your audience (hint: it’s hiding in your DMs)
- The step-by-step process top creators use to launch and scale products
- Proven strategies to price, market, and grow your digital offerings
- How to shift from “posting and hoping” to building a long-term business
- Tools and mindset shifts to overcome the fear of selling to your audience
Listen to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!
What happens when a college freshman drops out and builds a social media empire from scratch? Teddy Solomon did exactly that — and now Fizz is dominating college campuses across the U.S.
In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd sits down with Teddy Solomon to uncover how Fizz tapped into Gen Z’s craving for authenticity, creating a platform where real conversations thrive — without influencers, filters, or pressure to be perfect. From viral launch hacks to scaling without a marketing budget, this is how to build products Gen Z actually wants.
Topics Discussed:
- The origin story of Fizz during the pandemic
- How they hacked early growth and scaled across 300+ campuses
- Why anonymity and authenticity work together
- How Fizz’s content moderation system keeps things safe and local
- The roadmap for monetization and post-college expansion
Key Takeaways:
- Learn how to grow a product without spending a dime on marketing
- Discover why Gen Z is rejecting traditional social platforms
- Understand the psychology behind anonymous, high-engagement content
- See how hybrid moderation models balance community and safety
- Get inspired to build platforms rooted in real-world identity and connection
Listen to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!
Launching products for sale? Start with a .store domain. Top creators like MrBeast, Dude Perfect and IShowSpeed use .store to build clean, memorable web addresses like YourName.store, boosting clicks, driving sales and making it crystal clear where fans can shop. Grab yours now: https://go.store/boc5
What happens when one of the world’s biggest podcasters backs your startup? In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd dives into the exclusive story behind Steven Bartlett’s investment in Stan — and how co-founders John Hu and Vitalii Dodonov are quietly powering the next generation of creators.
From cold emails and relentless hustle to building a platform that’s generated over $300 million for creators, John and Vitalii share what’s working, what’s next, and how AI is changing the game.
They Discussed:
- How John’s cold outreach landed a deal with Steven Bartlett
- The mission behind Stan and its explosive growth
- Monetization strategies that actually work: digital products, subscriptions, and coaching
- How AI can empower (not replace) creators
- Why community and simplicity are the new edge for creator tools
Key Takeaways:
- Learn exactly how John got Steven Bartlett’s attention — and what made him say “I’m obsessed”
- Discover the three product types generating the most income for creators today
- Get actionable advice on pricing your first product and avoiding common creator traps
- Hear how Stan’s founders think about AI’s role in amplifying—not diluting—creativity
- Find out what separates creators who make it from those who burn out
Listen to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the podcast for more insights on the business of creators!
Launching merch? Start with a .store domain. Top creators like MrBeast, Dude Perfect and IShowSpeed use .store to build clean, memorable web addresses like YourName.store, boosting clicks, driving sales and making it crystal clear where fans can shop. Grab yours now: https://go.store/boc1
In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd sits down with Charles Haynes, Founder and MD of Ziggurat XYZ, to explore how niche creators are building thriving businesses beyond brand deals. Charles shares his journey from recognizing a market shift in YouTube viewership to managing creators who turn passions like woodworking, miniatures, and coffee into profitable product lines.
This conversation is packed with real-world examples — from Squidmar Miniatures’ million-dollar Kickstarter to James Hoffmann’s artisan coffee accessories — and reveals what it really takes to launch a successful creator-led product.
They Discussed:
- The difference between agents and managers in the creator economy
- Evaluating if a creator is ready to launch a product
- Case studies: Emil of Squidmar, James Hoffmann, Bourbon Moth, and more
- Product strategy, fulfillment, pricing, and long-term brand building
What You’ll Learn from This Episode:
- How to assess whether your audience is ready for a product — and what signals to look for
- The difference between a creator selling merch vs. building a product business
- Real examples of niche creators turning small audiences into major revenue through physical products
- The importance of pricing correctly — and why underpricing can hurt your brand
- Practical advice on pre-orders, fulfillment logistics, and avoiding common pitfalls
Watch to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!
What if shopping felt more like a stadium packed with fans than a boring scroll through product listings? In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd chats with Nick Bell, CEO of Fanatics Live, about how he’s transforming the world of collectibles through live commerce — blending entertainment, community, and commerce into one addictive experience.
They dive into how Fanatics Live fits into the broader Fanatics empire, the psychology behind collecting, and why creators are central to this fast-growing platform. Whether you’re a creator, entrepreneur, or fan of the hobby, Nick shares powerful insights on where the industry is headed — and how you can be part of it.
Topics Discussed:
- The concept and evolution of Fanatics Live
- How live commerce differs from traditional e-commerce
- Cultural differences between UK and US collectors
- The role of creators and how they earn on the platform
- The future of creator monetization and community building
What You’ll Learn:
- How to turn collecting into a thriving business and community experience
- Why creators are moving from ad-based revenue to deep community monetization
- How Fanatics Live equips creators with tools to engage fans and drive sales
- The power of curating niche audiences and building long-term loyalty
- What the rise of live commerce means for the future of digital shopping
Watch to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!
In this episode Ian Shepherd is joined by Jesse Feister, new Executive Director of The Webby Awards, to unpack why creators are finally getting their due at one of the internet's most prestigious award shows. From redefining what "creator" means to how the awards process works, Jesse offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the internet’s cultural fabric is being reshaped.
They discuss:
- Why 2025 marks a turning point for creators at the Webby Awards
- Defining what makes someone a “creator” versus a traditional digital talent
- How creators are judged: metrics, innovation, and storytelling
- Parallels between the music industry and the creator economy
- The 2025 Webby Award ceremony: key winners and emerging trends
- Gen Z’s digital behavior and the rise of “brain rot” content
Key Takeaways:
- Learn how the Webby Awards evaluate creator content beyond just views and followers
- Understand the evolving definition of a “creator” in today’s digital landscape
- Get insights on how AI is shaping content creation — and how to use it as a tool
- Discover what top creators are doing to stand out in niche and mainstream spaces
- Hear practical advice for emerging creators on building audience and creative resilience
Listen to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!
In the latest episode Ian talks with Tom Verrilli, Chief Product Officer at Whatnot, about how live shopping is reshaping the way products are sold online. From collectibles to luxury handbags, Whatnot is empowering creators and small businesses to turn passion into profit — all through the power of live, interactive video.
They discuss:
- How Whatnot blends e-commerce with live video to create trust and community
- Why the “mall experience” is making a digital comeback
- Key monetization models for sellers on Whatnot (auctions, flash sales, fixed-price)
- How creators turn taste and curation into full-time income
- Why live shopping is booming in the West after success in Asia
- The future of live e-commerce and Whatnot’s vision for global growth
Key Takeaways:
- Discover how live shopping is creating new revenue streams for creators and sellers
- Learn what makes a top-performing seller on Whatnot — from product curation to on-screen charisma
- Understand why trust and interactivity are reshaping e-commerce experiences
- Get inspired by real examples of creators turning niche passions into full-time businesses
- Find out why the US is catching up to Asia in the live commerce space and what that means for you
Listen to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business, and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!
Launching merch? Start with a .store domain. Top creators like MrBeast, Dude Perfect and IShowSpeed use .store to build clean, memorable web addresses like YourName.store, boosting clicks, driving sales and making it crystal clear where fans can shop. Grab yours now: https://go.store/boc2
In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd chats with Ahad Khan, CEO of Kajabi, about how creators can move beyond platform dependency to build sustainable, scalable businesses. They dive into Kajabi's rebrand, major creator success stories, and what the future holds for the creator economy.
Topics Discussed:
- What Kajabi is and how it supports creators
- Challenges creators face today — and how to overcome them
- Success stories from creators like Ali Abdaal and Taking Cara Babies
- Kajabi’s recent rebrand and the message behind it
- The power of owning your audience versus relying solely on platforms
- Key highlights from Kajabi Heroes Live and the importance of community
- Predictions for the future of the creator economy and AI’s role
Key Takeaways:
- Learn how to transition from "content creator" to entrepreneur by building a business around your brand.
- Discover strategies to own your audience instead of relying on social media platforms.
- Get inspired by real-world success stories of creators who turned niche knowledge into six- and seven-figure businesses.
- Understand how Kajabi’s tools and philosophy can help you launch, validate, and grow your digital products.
- Gain insights into future trends — including how to stand out in a world where AI makes content creation easier but brand trust becomes essential.
Watch to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!
Launching your own store? Start with a .store domain. Top creators like MrBeast, Dude Perfect and IShowSpeed use .store to build clean, memorable web addresses like YourName.store, boosting clicks, driving sales and making it crystal clear where fans can shop. Grab yours now: https://go.store/boc5
What if a TikTok video could change your life? In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd talks to Kat Norton, better known as Miss Excel, about her incredible journey from corporate consultant to multi-millionaire course creator. Kat shares how a single idea—sharing Excel tips on TikTok—evolved into a business that now serves over 25,000 customers with 12 digital courses and a team of 17.
Topics Discussed:
- How Kat started Miss Excel as a “secret” TikTok account
- Going viral and landing her first corporate client within days
- Building and launching her first Excel course in just one week
- Using webinars and bundles to scale into a multi-million dollar business
- The role of intuition, mindset, and manifestation in her growth
- Hiring and scaling a remote team
- Her creative course design process and use of AI
- Managing energy and building a life-first business model
Key Takeaways:
- Taking "messy action" is key to starting and scaling as a creator
- Authenticity and emotional connection make content more memorable
- Diversified income and product bundling can unlock exponential growth
- Mindset and self-belief are foundational to success
- Systems and delegation free up energy for creative leadership
Watch to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!
Launching merch? Start with a .store domain. Top creators like MrBeast, Dude Perfect and IShowSpeed use .store to build clean, memorable web addresses like YourName.store, boosting clicks, driving sales and making it crystal clear where fans can shop. Grab yours now: https://go.store/boc3
In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd speaks with Saurabh Shah, CEO of Warren James, the powerhouse behind premium product launches for creators like Hassan Piker, CallMeChris, Brittany Broski and Mythical Entertainment.
Whether you're a creator, entrepreneur, or investor, this episode is your complete playbook for turning content into commerce.
What You’ll Learn:
- How Warren James helps creators develop custom, high-quality products beyond just hoodies and tees
- Why unique storytelling, community insights, and creative risk-taking lead to sellout launches
- How they use data, AI, and “art meets science” to predict merch success before launch
- Why product-market fit, not just audience size, drives real sales
- Go-to-market playbooks: Teasers, drops, bundles, and viral campaigns
- Pricing strategies based on audience segmentation and feedback loops
- How creators are building food, plush, comic book, and retail brands—not just merch
- The role of sustainability, sourcing, and real-time feedback in long-term brand building
In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd sits down with Kyle Scott, GM at Thinkific and former NBC producer, to explore the booming Expert Economy—and how creators and professionals alike can build real businesses by monetizing their expertise online.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
- What the “Expert Economy” is—and how it differs from the traditional creator economy
- Why subject matter experts (including doctors and lawyers) are turning to Instagram and LinkedIn to drive leads
- Kyle’s proven framework for positioning and pricing a digital product or course
- The biggest mistake creators make when launching a course—and how to avoid it
- How AI is making it easier than ever to get started with content, community, and monetization
- The key metrics (like LTV to CAC) that determine whether your course will be profitable
- Why transformation sells more than information—and how to frame your offer around that insight
Whether you're a creator, coach, consultant, or just curious about launching a digital product, this episode is packed with insight, examples, and practical strategies you can use today.
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the Creator Economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the pioneers shaping the industry and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Visit the new website at electrify.video.
Subscribe to this show for more interviews from industry leaders shaping the Creator Economy.
From intelligent chatbots streamlining your workflow to ML algorithms supercharging your YouTube performance, this episode is a sample of the cutting-edge tech reshaping the creator landscape. Essential listening for forward-thinking creators, tech enthusiasts, and digital entrepreneurs ready to leverage AI for success.
Featuring groundbreaking insights from:
- Conor Eliot from Opus Clip: Exploring the most potent AI tool revolutionizing content creation
- Sean Kim, President at Kajabi: Unveiling a game-changing AI chatbot for creator scaling
- Zeev Farbman, CEO at Lightricks: Demystifying advanced editing tools for next-level content
- Charles Weill, Founder of Creator ML: Mastering YouTube optimization with machine learning
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the Creator Economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the pioneers shaping the industry and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Visit the new website at electrify.video.
Subscribe to this show for more interviews from industry leaders shaping the Creator Economy.
Over the last 3 years we have interviewed some amazing guests on The Business of Creators podcast. As we reach the end of 2024, we have compiled a number of compilations with some of the best bits from our interviews.
This one features exclusive interviews with:
- Iggy Azalea: Hip-hop icon turned creator economy trailblazer
- Megan Lightcap from Slow Ventures: Insider scoop on creator investments from Slow Ventures
- Alexis Nikole aka The Black Forager: Unearthing success in niche content
- Melvin Hedlund, Founder of Senior Studios: Revealing how top YouTubers monetize Minecraft
Learn how established artists pivot, investors spot talent, and niche creators thrive. Uncover the secrets behind authentic content and gaming empires.
Whether you're a budding influencer or curious about the creator economy, this episode is packed with insights you can't miss!
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the Creator Economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the pioneers shaping the industry and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Visit the new website at electrify.video.
Subscribe to this show for more interviews from industry leaders shaping the Creator Economy.
In this exclusive interview, Nolan Sykes, Editor-in-Chief of Donut Media, shares insights into the channel's journey, challenges, and exciting future. Discover how Donut is navigating industry changes, embracing new talent, and launching innovative products like Real Mechanic Scrub. Learn about the impact of recent departures, the importance of authenticity, and the future of automotive content creation.
Key Takeaways:
- Learn how Donut Media is adapting to industry shifts and the departure of key talent.
- Discover the channel's focus on informative content, personal connections, and relatable builds.
- Hear about the process of bringing in new talent like Tristan Kim and Stephanie Gutierrez.
- Get insights into the development and launch of Real Mechanic Scrub.
- Explore the channel's vision for the future, including live events and short-form content.
- Get Nolan's perspective on AI's impact on automotive content creation.
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the Creator Economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the pioneers shaping the industry and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Visit the new website at electrify.video.
Subscribe to this show for more interviews from industry leaders shaping the Creator Economy.
We dive into the future of Web3 with Harry Horsfall, CEO of Flight3, as he explores how blockchain technology is revolutionizing the creator economy. From Bitcoin's parallel with 1997's internet adoption to groundbreaking developments in NFTs and digital communities, discover why we're just at the beginning of the Web3 revolution and what it means for creators, brands, and entrepreneurs.
Key Takeaways:
- The shift from Web2 to Web3 enables creators to own their data and receive direct micropayments
- Major brands like Manchester United are already leveraging Web3 for fan engagement through digital collectibles
- UK regulatory frameworks need updating to balance consumer protection with innovation
- Flight3's recent Zebu Live event attracted 4,000 attendees from 40 countries, highlighting growing institutional interest
- Regulatory clarity, not technology, remains the primary barrier to mass adoption
- Community building remains crucial but requires authentic long-term engagement rather than short-term token sales
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the Creator Economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the pioneers shaping the industry and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Visit the new website at electrify.video.
Subscribe to this show for more interviews from industry leaders shaping the Creator Economy.
Discover how young digital natives are revolutionizing corporate culture, marketing, and social activism through content creation and hear about ZCON, the groundbreaking conference where Gen Z content creators and Fortune 500 executives converge to reshape the future of business.
Ian speaks with Regina Harris, from Digital Brand Architects and Olivia Frary, Head of ZCON at UTA Next Gen, who share exclusive insights on Gen Z's unprecedented influence in corporate America. Learn why major brands are turning to teenage content creators for business strategy and how social media authenticity is becoming the new currency of success.
Key Takeaways:
- Why Gen Z creators are "content machines" and how their natural content creation differs from previous generations
- The evolution from "haul culture" to conscious consumption in social media marketing
- How teenage fan pages became training grounds for today's most influential marketers
- The power of digital activism and how Gen Z is making social movements more accessible
- Best practices for brands looking to partner authentically with young creators
- The future of corporate conferences and why diversity in leadership can't wait
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the Creator Economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the pioneers shaping the industry and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Visit the new website at electrify.video.
Subscribe to this show for more interviews from industry leaders shaping the Creator Economy.
Mike Donoghue, CEO of Subtext, about the power of text message marketing for creators, influencers, and brands. Learn how SMS subscriptions are outperforming traditional social media and email marketing strategies.
Key Topics:
- SMS marketing vs social media algorithms
- Text message engagement rates (98% open rate!)
- Case study: Creator earning $500,000/year through SMS
- How music labels use text messaging for fan engagement
- Building an owned audience with SMS subscriptions
You'll discover:
- Why creators are switching to text message marketing
- How to monetize your audience with SMS subscriptions
- Techniques for creating high-value SMS content
- The future of creator-audience relationships
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the Creator Economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the pioneers shaping the industry and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Visit the new website at electrify.video.
Subscribe to this show for more interviews from industry leaders shaping the Creator Economy.
In an exclusive interview with paranormal investigation duo Sam and Colby, they discuss their journey from YouTube stars to big-screen filmmakers. Discover how these ghost-hunting content creators are pushing the boundaries of the creator economy and taking their audience on thrilling new adventures.
Key Insights
- Sam and Colby's new film "The Legends of the Paranormal" hits 350+ Cinemark theaters for a 7-day release
- Behind-the-scenes look at their creative process for YouTube videos and feature films
- Sneak peek at this year's Hell Week series - "something no other paranormal crew has ever done"
- How they're expanding their brand through merchandise deals with Zumiez and Hot Topic
- Balancing content creation with business ventures and fan experiences
In this eye-opening conversation, Sam and Colby share:
- The challenges of adapting their YouTube style for a theatrical release
- How they keep their annual Hell Week series fresh and exciting
- Their strategy for engaging fans beyond the screen through merchandise and experiences
- The benefits and challenges of being a creator duo
- Exciting plans for 2025 that will surprise their audience
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the Creator Economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the pioneers shaping the industry and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Visit the new website at electrify.video.
Subscribe to this show for more interviews from industry leaders shaping the Creator Economy.
Join us as we dive deep into the incredible journey of Kit Chilvers and Iyrah Williams, the young British entrepreneurs behind Pubity Group. Discover how these two teens turned their passion for football memes into a global social media phenomenon reaching billions of views per month!
Key Topics:
- How Pubity Group started from humble beginnings in 2014
- Building a Gen Z-focused social publishing empire
- Partnering with major brands like Subway, GymShark, and Hinge
- The secret sauce: data-driven content strategy and community engagement
- Future plans for expansion in the US market
Learn from these social media masters about:
- Identifying trends and understanding algorithms
- Building engaged online communities
- Turning social media audiences into sustainable businesses
- Creating authentic branded content that resonates with Gen Z
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the Creator Economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the pioneers shaping the industry and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Visit the new website at electrify.video.
Subscribe to this show for more interviews from industry leaders shaping the Creator Economy.
Join us as we dive deep into the groundbreaking $500 million acquisition of Influential by Publicis Groupe. Discover how this deal is reshaping the creator economy and influencer marketing landscape.
In this episode:
- The rise of Influential and its journey to becoming a leader in influencer marketing
- How data-driven approaches are transforming creator collaborations
- The future of the creator economy and its projected growth
- Insights on effective influencer marketing strategies for brands
- The role of AI in the evolving world of creator marketing
Key Takeaways:
- Learn why Publicis chose Influential and the strategic advantages of this partnership
- Understand the growing importance of measurable ROI in influencer campaigns
- Gain valuable advice for brands looking to leverage creator marketing effectively
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the Creator Economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the pioneers shaping the industry and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Visit the new website at electrify.video.
Subscribe to this show for more interviews from industry leaders shaping the Creator Economy.
OnlyFans creators are emerging as leaders in the adoption and integration of AI! These innovative content creators are leveraging AI to transform their operations, enhance audience engagement, and redefine the boundaries of personalized content delivery.
In the latest episode of the Business of Creators our guest is the founder and CEO of SuperCreator, a company at the forefront of developing AI tools for content creators. We'll explore how AI is transforming the way OnlyFans creators engage with their audiences, manage their content, and scale their businesses.
Here are 3 takeaways from the episode
-
AI-powered tools are emerging to help content creators manage and scale their one-on-one interactions with fans, potentially transforming how creators engage with their audience.
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The creator economy is shifting towards more personalized, niche content experiences, with AI enabling creators to provide tailored interactions at scale.
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Data shows that a small percentage of top fans (around 15%) often account for the majority of a creator's revenue (up to 80%), highlighting the importance of identifying and nurturing high-value relationships.
Whether you're a content creator, a tech enthusiast, or simply curious about the future of digital media, this episode offers valuable insights into how AI is reshaping the creator economy.
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the Creator Economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the pioneers shaping the industry and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Visit the new website at electrify.video.
Subscribe to this show for more interviews from industry leaders shaping the Creator Economy.
TheSoul Publishing is a digital media powerhouse you may not have heard of, but their content reaches billions across social media. In this episode, Victor Potrel, Senior Vice President of Partnerships and Creator Services, pulls back the curtain on how TheSoul has become one of the world's largest digital studios, with a staggering 2.5 billion subscribers.
We dive into the strategies behind TheSoul's meteoric rise including:
- How they've mastered both long-form and short-form video
- The role of data and AI in their content creation process
- And their expansion into creator services and music
Victor also shares his journey from YouTube to Lego and finally to TheSoul, offering unique insights into the evolving digital landscape. Whether you're a content creator, marketer, or just curious about the future of digital media, this episode is packed with valuable insights you won't want to miss.
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the Creator Economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the pioneers shaping the industry and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Visit the new website at electrify.video.
Subscribe to this show for more interviews from industry leaders shaping the Creator Economy.
In this episode of we sit down with Jordan Barclay, better known as EYstreem - a 21-year-old YouTube sensation who has amassed over 10 million subscribers. Jordan takes us on a fascinating journey through his career, from his early days as a young content creator balancing school and YouTube, to building a thriving media company with multiple channels and nearly 100 team members.
Jordan shares insights on:
- Diversifying content across multiple YouTube channels
- Building and training a team for the creator economy
- Using data analytics and audience psychology to drive content strategy
- The future of the creator economy and the impact of AI
Whether you're an aspiring creator or a seasoned entrepreneur, Jordan's story offers valuable lessons on turning passion into a sustainable business in the digital age.
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the Creator Economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the pioneers shaping the industry and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Visit the new website at electrify.video.
Subscribe to this show for more interviews from industry leaders shaping the Creator Economy.
In this episode, we sit down with Lucy Guo, the innovative founder of Passes, a platform revolutionizing the creator economy. Lucy shares her insights on how Passes is empowering content creators to build sustainable businesses and forge deeper connections with their audiences. From the platform's unique focus on direct messaging to its expansion into college sports, Lucy offers a fascinating glimpse into the future of content monetization.
Three Key Takeaways:
- Direct Fan Engagement is King: Lucy reveals that the majority of creator revenue on Passes comes from direct messages and subscriptions tied to DMs. This highlights the importance of personal interaction in building a loyal, paying fanbase.
- Diversification is Crucial: Passes is helping creators move beyond traditional brand deals to more reliable income streams. Lucy emphasizes that many creators now derive 80-100% of their income from the platform, underlining the importance of diversified revenue sources.
- Consistency Drives Success: For aspiring creators, Lucy's advice is clear - consistency is key. Daily content creation, especially on platforms with high discoverability like Instagram Reels and TikTok, is crucial for growth and success.
Listen in as Lucy discusses Passes' partnerships with top athletes, upcoming features like their marketplace, and her vision for creating "unicorn creators" in the evolving digital landscape. Whether you're a content creator looking to monetize your passion or simply interested in the future of digital entrepreneurship, this episode offers valuable insights into the changing face of the creator economy.
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the Creator Economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the pioneers shaping the industry and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Visit the new website at electrify.video.
Subscribe to this show for more interviews from industry leaders shaping the Creator Economy.
In this episode, we're joined by Josh Reader, CEO of CreatorCut, a company helping creators finance and produce bigger projects through fan investment. Josh shares his journey from traditional media at AMC Networks to the creator economy, and discusses how CreatorCut is empowering creators to own their intellectual property while unlocking the financial power of their fan communities.
Key takeaways from this episode:
- CreatorCut helps creators finance projects by selling equity to their fans, aligning fan passion with creator success and providing a new funding model for larger-scale content.
- Josh is currently focused on comedy, food, and travel genres, working with creators to develop series concepts that can translate to connected TV platforms.
- The creator-fan relationship is paramount - creators are extremely protective of their fan communities, prioritizing fan impact even above monetization when considering new opportunities.
Listen in as Josh shares insights on bridging traditional media and the creator economy, and his vision for empowering creators to take their content and careers to the next level.
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the Creator Economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the pioneers shaping the industry and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Visit the new website at electrify.video.
Subscribe to this show for more interviews from industry leaders shaping the Creator Economy.
Get ready to level up your knowledge of the gaming industry's hottest trend - in-game content creation! Join us as we dive into the world of Overwolf, where passionate gamers are turning their modding skills into cold, hard cash.
In this latest episode we have not one but two guests. We welcome Shahar Sorek, CMO of Overwolf - the powerhouse platform revolutionizing user-generated content in gaming, and Sean Philip van Zyl, aka Garuga123 - the mod maestro behind some of Ark's most popular prehistoric additions. We discuss
- An insider's look at the booming creator economy in gaming - from Minecraft to GTA, and how Overwolf is aiming for a billion-dollar payout to creators by 2030.
- The art and science of mod-making as Gurugo123 shares his creative process and the challenges of balancing passion with profitability.
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the Creator Economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the pioneers shaping the industry and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Visit our new website at electrify.video.
Please subscribe to this show for more interviews from industry leaders shaping the Creator Economy.
In the latest episode of the Business of Creators, Ian speaks with Iggy Azalea about crypto and the creator economy.
Iggy explains Dream Vault, her new crowdfunding platform. They also discuss the launch of her meme coin $MOTHER and the double edged sword of celebrities and crypto.The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the Creator Economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the pioneers shaping the industry and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Check out electrify.video.
Please go check it out and subscribe to the show for more interviews from industry leaders shaping the Creator Economy.
Alexis Nikole is taking the internet by storm with her unique blend of eco-friendly lifestyle content. The former social media manager turned full-time creator has amassed a huge following for her fun, educational videos showcasing her passion for foraging and cooking with wild ingredients.
From those humble beginnings, sharing photos of foraged greens and simple meals, Nikole's audience exploded when she started creating fun, educational videos on platforms like TikTok. Her secret sauce is blending education and entertainment.
After years of juggling her day job with her growing creator career, Alexis took the leap in 2022 to pursue content creation full-time.
And now she has ventured into products, with a collaboration with sustainable homecare brand Blueland. I spoke to Alexis about her journey and this new product launch.
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the Creator Economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the pioneers shaping the industry and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Check out electrify.video.
Please go check it out and subscribe to the show for more interviews from industry leaders shaping the Creator Economy.
The world famous Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity recently announced LIONS Creators to accelerate the growth of the creator economy within the creative marketing mix. In this latest episode Ian is joined by Simon Cook, CEO of Cannes Lions, to discuss the initiative ahead of the show later this month.
We discuss the history of this 70 year old event, the rationale behind LIONS creators, and what to expect at the show. If you’ve always wondered what this event is about, or want to know exactly what they’re doing to connect brands with creators at this year's show and whether you should be attending, then take a listen!The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the Creator Economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the pioneers shaping the industry and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Check out electrify.video.
Please go check it out and subscribe to the show for more interviews from industry leaders shaping the Creator Economy.
Check out the new Creator Chatbot that can capture email leads, offer promotions and recommend products to purchase.
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the Creator Economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the pioneers shaping the industry and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Check out electrify.video.
In this latest episode Ian is joined by Sean Kim, President and Chief Product Officer at Kajabi, to discuss their brand new AI-powered chatbot called Creator.io.
Sean explains what this innovative tool offers creators, from increasing sales and engagement to providing 24/7 customer support. Sean also shares insights into how some creators are already leveraging Creator.io, as well as his vision for the future of AI in this space.
Whether you're an established creator or just starting out, this conversation will give you a glimpse into the game-changing potential of AI for scaling your business and connecting with your audience like never before.
Please go check it out and subscribe to the show for more interviews from industry leaders shaping the Creator Economy.
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the Creator Economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the pioneers shaping the industry and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Check out electrify.video.
Over the last few months I’ve been diving head first into learning about the leading platforms supporting creators with digital products and courses. And in this episode I speak with Olivia Owens from Teachable. She explains:
- How Teachable supports creators
- Provides some examples of creators that are having success on the platform
- Shares her tips for creators thinking about launching new products.
There is a lot of information packed into this episode which I’m sure you will enjoy.
Please go check it out and subscribe to the show for more interviews from industry leaders shaping the Creator Economy.
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the creator economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the pioneers shaping the industry and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Check out electrify.video.
In the latest episode Ian speaks with Alex Chavez-Munoz, Director and Co-founder at Wild Vision and Viral Talent. We cover
- Everything you need to know about content syndication, including how to determine which content will work and in which genre
- The huge growth in TV via OTT and FAST TV
- Lessons learned during Alex’s long career working with creators
Please go check it out and subscribe to the show for more interviews from industry leaders shaping the Creator Economy.
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the creator economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the pioneers shaping the industry and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Check out electrify.video.
In the first episode of 2024 Ian speaks with Lindsey Gamble, Associate Director of Influencer Innovation at Mavrck. In this podcast Lindsey explains his thoughts on:
- The most important trends in influencer marketing right now
- The opportunities for influencers on LinkedIn
- How to build campaigns with micro and nano creators
Please go check it out and subscribe to the show for more interviews from industry leaders shaping the Creator Economy.
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the creator economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the pioneers shaping the industry and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Check out electrify.video.
In the latest episode Ian speaks with Brian Freeman, the founder of Creatorland. Brian is building the LinkedIn for content creators and he explains:
- The core mission and vision of the platform and how it differs from traditional platforms like LinkedIn
- How creators are already using Creatorland to grow their business including some early success stories and
- How he’s building partnerships to help brands reach out to creators
Please go check it out and subscribe to the show for more interviews from industry leaders shaping the Creator Economy.
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the creator economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the pioneers shaping the industry and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Check out electrify.video.
In the latest episode Ian speaks with Evan Britton, the founder of Famous Birthdays. This isn’t just a website but a treasure trove of data on celebrity and creator culture!
In this episode Evan explains:
- How they collect the data
- How businesses and creators should think about using Famous Birthdays and
- How some of the biggest creators like Addison Rae and Charlie D’Amelio were discovered on the platform
There is a lot of information packed into this short episode!
Please go check it out and subscribe to the show for more interviews from industry leaders shaping the Creator Economy.
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the creator economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the pioneers shaping the industry and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Check out electrify.video.
Feastibles, Prime and Chamberlain Coffee are all excellent examples of creator backed businesses that are disrupting traditional FMCG brands. But how do you get an influencer to promote your start up brand in exchange for equity?
In this latest episode Ian speaks with Scott Van den Berg of Influencer Capital, a new fund that invests with influencer marketing in startups. They partner up with web’s most recognizable faces to put startup brands in front of millions of consumers in exchange for equity.
I speak with the founder Scott to find out why start ups should think about doing an equity deal with influencers and how to construct a deal. This concept could be huge!
Please go check it out and subscribe to the show for more interviews from industry leaders shaping the Creator Economy.
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the creator economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the pioneers shaping the industry and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Check out electrify.video.
In this latest episode Ian speaks with Conor Eliot, Head of Creator Partnerships at Opus Clip.
Opus Clip is a generative AI video tool that repurposes one long form video into multiple short form videos in just one click. I've had a play around and it's pretty impressive what the technology can do already. I know that a number of top creators are using it and I wanted to get them on the show to tell us all about it.
In this episode we discuss how Opus Clip can help a creator edit videos in seconds and the future of AI in video production. You don't want to miss it!
Please go check it out and subscribe to the show for more interviews from industry leaders shaping the Creator Economy.
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the creator economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the pioneers shaping the industry and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Check out electrify.video.
In this latest episode Ian speaks with YouTube's Creator Liaison Rene Ritchie to find out more about the new monetization opportunities.
Rene's role is to will serve within YouTube as an advocate for creators and work with creators to help understand YouTube. In this episode we discuss:
- The new ways for emerging creators to earn revenue on YouTube sooner
- How YouTube balances the company's goals and creator needs
- The latest insights from YouTube on how to think about Shorts
- Rene's recommendations for creators, having now spent a year on the inside at YouTube!
Please go check it out and subscribe to the show for more interviews from industry leaders shaping the Creator Economy.
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the creator economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the pioneers shaping the industry and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Check out electrify.video.
In this latest episode Ian speaks with Farbod Mansorian, the CEO of Unilingo. Farbod is the pioneer of translating YouTube videos into multiple languages. We discuss
- Why creators should convert their content into other languages
- How they can do it and how much they can make
- Which languages to choose
- YouTube's multi-language track vs channels in multiple languages
- How AI will affect translation services
And much, much more! You can get in contact with Farbod on Twitter @farbodmansorian.
Please go check it out and subscribe to the show for more interviews from industry leaders shaping the Creator Economy.
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the creator economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the pioneers shaping the industry and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Check out electrify.video.
In this latest episode Ian speaks with Jordi van den Bussche aka Kwebbelkop. Jordi is one of the most forward thinking creators in the industry and has a team of 75 supporting him on his various ventures. We discuss
- His ten year career as a creator on YouTube
- The challenges with mental health as a creator
- His entrepreneurial ventures
- Why he thinks virtual influencers are the future
- His experience creating VTuber Bloo
And much, much more! This is one of my favourite episodes.
Please go check it out and subscribe to the show for more interviews from industry leaders shaping the Creator Economy.
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the creator economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the companies supporting creators with exciting new tools and platforms and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Check out electrify.video.
In this latest episode Ian speaks with Avi Gandhi one of the most experienced and connected executives in the creator economy. Avi shares his thoughts on:
- His Biggest lessons working with creators
- How creators should be thinking about AI and tools like ChatGPT
- YouTube Shorts monetisation
- Creator financing
And much, much more!
Please go check it out and subscribe to the show for more interviews from industry leaders shaping the Creator Economy.
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the creator economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the companies supporting creators with exciting new tools and platforms and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Check out electrify.video.
In this latest episode Ian speaks with Megan Lightcap from Slow Ventures and the Creator Fund.
This Creator Fund is designed specifically to invest capital in individuals to help them build their brands & create more long-term value. They invest anywhere from $100K to $5M in each person in return for anywhere from 1-5% of a creator's future earnings over their careers.
In this episode Megan explains exactly what they are looking for in an investment opportunity and how they review these with some real examples of creators that they're actively working with.
Please go check it out and subscribe to the show for more interviews from industry leaders shaping the Creator Economy.
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the creator economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the companies supporting creators with exciting new tools and platforms and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Check out electrify.video.
In this latest episode Ian speaks with the founders of Fanfix, a platform that enables creators to connect with and earn from their most loyal Gen Z fans.
In the show Harry and Simon explain the broad variety of creators that are using the Fanfix platform, best practices for promotion and monetizaton and some of the new features that are in their product pipeline.
It was amazing to hear how far they've built the company in less than two years and not surprising to learn that some creators are making 7 figure sums on the platform!
Please go check it out and subscribe to the show for more interviews from industry leaders shaping the Creator Economy.
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the creator economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the companies supporting creators with exciting new tools and platforms and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Check out electrify.video.
In this latest episode Melvin Hedlund from Senior Studios and Ian talk about the huge impact that Minecraft continues to have on the creator economy. Melvin is just 19, yet in 2022 his company worked on more than 3000 projects in this booming industry with creators such as The Sidemen and Lazarbeam.
Please go check it out and subscribe to the show for more interviews from industry leaders shaping the Creator Economy.
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the creator economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the companies supporting creators with exciting new tools and platforms and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Check out electrify.video.
What's the future of the Creator Economy? In the latest episode Ian speaks with the founding partner of Creator Ventures Sasha Kaletsky who explains how the firm began when Sasha and YouTuber Caspar Lee began investing in creator businesses, what they found when they mapped the progress of more than 500 creator start ups, and how Sasha believes social media will move from follower platforms to content platforms and what that means for a creator.
Please go check it out and subscribe to the show for more interviews from industry leaders shaping the Creator Economy.
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the creator economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the companies supporting creators with exciting new tools and platforms and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Check out electrify.video.
How do you build a team as a content creator? With the challenges of ever evolving platforms, new formats of content and more and more ways to make incremental revenue, many creators I speak to are finding their time is getting spread thinner and thinner and they don’t have time for what they enjoy most.
In the latest episode of the Business of Creators podcast Ian speaks with Jackson Williams, who is leading Creator Partnerships at Stir.
Jackson explains how top creators like Airrack and Ryan Trahan are using Stir to enable their production teams to participate in the revenue from each video. Jackson also shares lots of other advice for building a team.
Please go check it out and subscribe to the show for interviews from industry leaders shaping the Creator Economy.
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the creator economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the companies supporting creators with exciting new tools and platforms and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Check out electrify.video.
In this episode Ian speaks with Charles Weill from CreatorML.com. In this show you will get to hear Charles's take on what’s more important for the success of a YT video, Click Through Rate (CTR) or Average View Duration (AVD), how to optimise your thumbnails and titles and how to double the views of your old YouTube videos. Charles's analysis comes from using machine learning to crunch millions of data sets in a way that’s never been done before! You're guaranteed to learn something new in this video.
If you want to save $20 on the first month's subscription of CreatorML then join here with this discount code https://creatorml.com/?via=ian
You can find Charles on Twitter here @CharlesWeill
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the creator economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the companies supporting creators with exciting new tools and platforms and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Check out electrify.video.
In this episode Ian speaks with Mateo Price from creator analytics agency AMA. Mateo explains what happened when he reached out to a leading creator with advice, details the most important metrics to focus on as a creator and shares his thoughts on what you should be doing with YouTube Shorts. There's a lot of great advice in here that you don't want to miss.
If you want to hear more stories like this then be sure to subscribe to this show and follow me on Twitter @ishepherd for daily recommendations on the creators you need to be following right now.
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the creator economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the companies supporting creators with exciting new tools and platforms and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Check out electrify.video.
In this episode Ian speaks with the manager of the Sidemen - Jordan Schwarzenberger. The Sidemen are the biggest creators in the UK right now with millions of fans across every single social media platform. They’re also pioneering entrepreneurs and in this episode Jordan tells us about the huge team they have working for them helping to create new ventures including a fried chicken business, a vodka brand and an exclusive membership club.
If you want to hear more stories like this then be sure to subscribe to this show and follow me on Twitter @ishepherd for daily recommendations on the creators you need to be following right now.
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the creator economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the companies supporting creators with exciting new tools and platforms and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Check out electrify.video
In this latest episode Ian is joined by James Davidson, Director of Talent Strategy at esports and apparel business 100 Thieves.
The organization was founded in 2017 by Matthew "Nadeshot" Haag. Investors include Scooter Braun and Drake.
100 Thieves is arguably one of the most important companies in gaming and creator culture with more than 150 employees, recently raising $60m valuing the business at more than $460m.
In this episode James tells us about some of the amazing things going on in the business and how they support their content creators.
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and professionals working in the creator economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the companies supporting creators with exciting new tools and platforms and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Check out electrify.video
In this episode Ian is joined by the CEO of Vudini, Ricky Hill.
Vudini is an AI driven YouTube keyword and publishing tool which promises to help you get your videos discovered on YouTube.
In this episode Ricky tells us about some of the magic behind Vudini and what it can do.
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and professionals working in the creator economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the companies supporting creators with exciting new tools and platforms and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Check out electrify.video
In this episode Ian is joined by the CEO of Lightricks Zeev Farbman.
If you've not heard of Lightricks you will definitely heard of their 11 apps which include Facetune and Videoleap.
In this episode Zeev tells us all about the apps and some of the other exciting developments in the pipeline!
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and professionals working in the creator economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the companies supporting creators with exciting new tools and platforms and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
In this episode Ian speaks with Alban Brooke from Buzzsprout - podcast hosting and distribution made easy. Full disclosure, I use Buzzsprout, I think it’s a great service and I wanted to get Alban on to tell us all about it.
In this episode Alban gives so much amazing advice about starting and optimising a podcast. This is one of my favourite episodes and I think you’re going to learn a lot from it.
For more information on Buzzsprout go to www.buzzsprout.com
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Check out electrify.video
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and professionals working in the creator economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the companies supporting creators with exciting new tools and platforms and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
In this episode Ian speaks with Jared Loman from Kajabi - a platform giving creators a whole host of ways to monetize. Whether it’s online courses, coaching, memberships, podcasts, newsletters, communities they've got it. What's more, they don't take a percentage of the revenue you earn.
For more information on Kajabi go to kajabi.com
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Check out electrify.video
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and professionals working in the creator economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the companies supporting creators with exciting new tools and platforms and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
In this episode Ian speaks with Ryan Patrick Duffy from Knowable - an audio-only course platform that offers original courses that are taught by experts and creators in their field. Ryan shares information about the platform and words of wisdom for the creator economy.
For more information on Knowable: https://knowable.fyi
Knowable on the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/knowable-audio-courses/id1458674567
Knowable creator application: https://create.knowable.fyi/
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Check out electrify.video
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and professionals working in the creator economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the companies supporting creators with exciting new tools and platforms and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
In this episode Ian speaks with Jason Sew Hoy from Supercast - a membership platform for podcasts. In this episode Jason explains all about the platform including how to share exclusive content, reward members and monetize. If you are a podcaster, or are thinking about launching one, you don't want to miss it!
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Check us out at electrify.video
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and professionals working in the creator economy. On this podcast Ian Shepherd speaks with the companies supporting creators with exciting new tools and platforms and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
In this episode Ian speaks with Michael Sieb from Type Studio. Type Studio is a text-based video editor. Instead of editing in the classic video time-line, you simply edit your video by editing the transcribed text. Michael shares more about the platform and we discuss the broader creator economy. I hope you enjoy it.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Check us out at electrify.video
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and professionals working in the creator economy. On this podcast Ian Shepherd speaks with the companies supporting creators with exciting new tools and platforms and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
In this second episode Ian speaks with Lyonel Douge and Vic Boddie from TipSnaps. TipSnaps is a platform for Creators to monetize their fan-base and followers and holds the distinction of being the first black owned creator platform. We cover so much in this episode from the focus on under-represented creators to some amazing case studies of creators from around the world.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth.
The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and professionals working in the creator economy. On this podcast Ian Shepherd speaks with the companies supporting creators with exciting new tools and platforms and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.
In this first episode Ian speaks with Simon Ellington. Simon is co-founder of Ko-fi, a free, friendly way to accept donations, memberships and sales directly from fans. They discuss everything from monetizing your audience to the future of the creator economy.
Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth.