What's your strategy for staying up-to-date on Creator Economy trends?

The best strategy for staying up-to-date on Creator Economy trends is to curate a diverse information ecosystem. Follow relevant thought leaders, industry publications, and influencers in the creator space on social media and subscribe to newsletters and podcasts dedicated to this domain. Actively participate in relevant online communities and forums to engage in discussions and share insights. Attend industry events, webinars, and conferences whenever possible, and network with professionals in the field. Lastly, dedicate time each week to research and learning to ensure you stay informed and adapt your strategies accordingly in this rapidly changing landscape.

Not only the leaders, but I think we "seasoned" folk need to be vigilant in terms of seeing what the consumption generation is into. 40 and 50 year olds can't and won't resonate with 20 and 30 year old spending patterns and drivers if attention isn't paid to the platforms they use, the type of content that should be created, etc. Don't be stuck on Facebook when your target audience is hanging out on Tik Tok and Snapchat 👀

As a start, I always look at the historical major shifts in the industry..1980s mainframe and workstation to PCs, 1990s the internet, 2000 social media and advertising giants and later acceleration in business to business. Yes, I have gray hairs. Also, other past technology trends …major advances in CPU architecture, aka 8086, Terabyte HD, SSD, 4G, 5G multinational Cloud Computing, Smart phones, reusable rocket technology, E Cars and CI/CD rapid software development. Presently, I am placing my bets on Security (Zero Trust, Cyber, Edge), localization of social media and advertising (blogs are not dead, just much easier to build, rank and monetize), large scale data catalogs and data warehouses

Following creators is important, but often times they don't discuss the business side of creating. Instead, you should follow the entrepreneurs who frequently serve or work with creators! My recommendation of creator economy operators to follow: 1. Jay Clouse 2. Avi Gandhi 3. Eric Wei 4. Colin & Samir 5. Jon Youshaei

Following their footsteps can provide invaluable insights and inspiration for your own journey. Highlighting the diverse roles these creators play is strategic. Whether they're influencers, educators, entrepreneurs, or artists, each brings a unique perspective that can contribute to your growth. Mentioning various platforms where you can find these creators is practical. Social media, newsletters, podcasts, blogs, and online communities offer a wealth of content and interactions that you can tap into.

Embracing new platforms can broaden your horizons and keep you at the forefront of trends and opportunities. Highlighting the diversity of platforms available is crucial. From video apps to podcasting tools, each platform offers a unique way to engage with your audience and share your content. Mentioning that experimentation doesn't require full commitment is strategic. Testing out platforms allows you to explore their potential without feeling obligated to stay on if they don't align with your goals.

From YouTuber to accidental Facebooker: I began with sketches on YouTube in 2014, with modest success. After pivots and hard lessons, our travel & food vlog reached 1M+ subscribers and 100M views. When the pandemic hit, I shifted to home content. As YouTube introduced 'Shorts' competing with TikTok, my AdSense earnings fell. Despite having Shorts with millions of views, revenue from them was minimal. After another pivot, I reestablished traffic on YouTube. Surprisingly, my content flourished even more on Facebook. Now, Facebook gives me more watch time, followers, and revenue. Key takeaway? Stay hungry, stay foolish. The 'single platform' advice is a myth. Leveraging content across platforms diversifies viral opportunities.

To remain updated with trends the simplest way to connect with active communities focused on your field. If you are a content marketer, you can benefit from joining Slack communities such as Creative Biz Founders, Start-Up Exchange, and Digital Nomads World.

Better than joining large online communities...you should surround yourself with 4-5 other creators chasing similar goals and share your learnings with each other. This is the exact playbook Mr.Beast used in the early days of his channel to master YouTube.

These platforms offer a dynamic space for mutual growth, learning, and collaboration. Highlighting the diversity of platforms where online communities thrive is strategic. From Facebook groups to Discord servers, each platform provides a unique setting for connecting with fellow creators. Emphasizing relevance when selecting communities is crucial. Joining groups that align with your niche, experience level, or interests ensures that interactions are meaningful and focused.

Participating in and hosting virtual events can be transformative for your growth and engagement. Attending webinars, workshops, and conferences is strategic. These events provide concentrated knowledge and insights from experts, giving you the opportunity to expand your understanding of trends and industry shifts. Highlighting the networking aspect is key. Engaging with fellow attendees can lead to meaningful connections, collaborations, and partnerships that amplify your impact as a creator.

I have been going through the industry updates every morning before starting work and getting consumed in the day. In my opinion, the best and simplest way to do it is google alerts. One email with all the top stories delivered right in your inbox everyday. The key however is to create a strong habit of going through it everyday. I prefer morning time before starting my day but different people would have different times of the day when they can take time out. Figure out what works with you and ensure you don't skip it. It's the easiest and the best possible way of keeping yourself updated with the latest in the industry.

I subscribe to a lot of newsletters and podcasts. Here's a list of creator economy content I'd personally recommend to friends: 1. Colin & Samir YouTube Channels 2. The Publish Press (^^ their newsletter) 3. The Karat Podcast 4. TubeFilter