CREATOR ECONOMY NEWSLETTER
Issue #88 | Dec. 1, 2022
While many creators face unpredictable income, pay disparity, and burnout, the public perception of the influencer lifestyle is often luxurious. Because of this, creators can face a lot of heat when they complain about their jobs.
This week, Passionfruit contributor Eve Upton-Clark spoke with creators and mental healthcare experts about the taxing mental nature of social media careers, and how creators might risk alienating their audiences when speaking out about their workload.
Also, we hear from Passionfruit contributor Catherine Shuttleworth about a unique vision board design platform, which is building a strong niche community and honing in on creators’ needs for self-expression outside of the mainstream.
– Grace Stanley, Newsletter Editor
THE HIGHLIGHT
Amidst burnout and instability, should creators complain about their jobs?
“The job itself is not back-breaking. It’s more mentally taxing, and I think that’s really hard to grasp unless you’re doing it.”
By Eve Upton-Clark, Passionfruit Contributor
ONE GREAT TIP
“It still is possible to get a $300 Zoom recorder, put something down with your friends, and upload it for free to one of the various podcast distributors. … Just give it a shot. If you’re having fun doing it, it’s really worth doing.”
—Chapo Trap House producer Chris Wade on getting started. Read more in our March 2022 interview.
FROM THE INSIDE
Up-and-coming design platform Landing is growing a niche online community for creators
As more creators seek self-expression and community through their work on social media, apps outside of the mainstream are springing up.
By Catherine Shuttleworth, Passionfruit Contributor
IN THE BIZ
- Pinterest shut down its Creator Rewards program, which awarded creators with cash for creating high-engagement posts under monthly themes. (via TechCrunch)
- Meanwhile, Snapchat announced its launch of short-form video “challenges” with cash prizes for creators.
- YouTuber Unspeakable launched a Lego-themed restaurant. (via the Publish Press)
- Twitter stopped enforcement of its policy against COVID-19 misinformation. (via NPR)
- Pearpop, a company that connects creators and brands for paid collabs, raised $18 million. (via Tubefilter)
TIKTOK MADE ME DO IT
We’re loving this trend of using a photo generator to put ourselves in different time periods.