💫 How Smosh Survived 16 Years of the Internet

CREATOR ECONOMY NEWSLETTER


Together with:

Yesterday marked the start of VidCon, and the Passionfruit team is here to give you the rundown of what’s going on in Anaheim. After nearly three years away due to the pandemic, the conference is back, and the energy is chaotic. From legendary YouTubers to rising TikTokers, we are bound to get a fascinating look into the creator economy and culture. 

In honor of VidCon, we thought it would be fitting to feature Smosh in this week’s newsletter. The YouTube comedy outfit was one of the first internet stars, and now it has grown into a cross-platform, multi-million subscriber media company. Passionfruit reporter Grace Stanley spoke with the team to get insight on their 16-year old journey.


FROM THE INSIDE

From Myspace to Mythical, Smosh co-founder Ian Hecox and CEO Daniel Tibbets share how the brand has grown over 16 years

“What they delivered from the comic perspective is extremely impactful on an entire generation.”

By Grace Stanley, Passionfruit Reporter

Smosh

Dear Alyne

Level up your content creation skills

Want to create better content? NAS Academy’s Become a Better Creator with Dear Alyne crash course has all of the info you need to build and nurture a huge digital following. Learn how to turn your passion for content creation into a sustainable career.


FROM THE INSIDE

Keely Cat-Wells, C Talent

C Talent founder Keely Cat-Wells is making the creator economy more accessible to Disabled creators

Create a 5 year plan. Create a big plan.’

By Grace Stanley, Passionfruit Reporter


TIPS & TRICKS

Sadie Jean

Musician Sadie Jean discusses how she adjusted to newfound TikTok fame

‘I’m learning how to manage my time better so that I have time to actually live my life.’

By Grace Stanley, Passionfruit Reporter


IN THE BIZ

  • Influencers and consumers have posted videos and reviews reporting gastrointestinal issues from Daily Harvest’s French Lentil + Leek Crumbles. (via NBC News)
  • Agency Havas Media is partnering with Spotter, a creator investment company, to allow Havas’ brand clients to better connect with diverse talent in the creator economy. (via Adweek)
  • Meta is introducing more monetization options for creators on Facebook and Instagram including interoperable subscriptions across platforms, more monetization opportunities using Reels, and an extended revenue sharing freeze. More details on Zuck’s Facebook.
  • Coinbase is lowering influencer affiliate payouts amid the crypto crash. (via Insider)

TIKTOK MADE ME DO IT

I’m deep into BookTok—so much so that I’m being recommended at-home library cataloging tools!

Content for Creators.

News, tips, and tricks delivered to your inbox twice a week.

Newsletter Signup

Latest Newsletters

  • 📣 What You Need To Know About the First East Coast VidCon

    📣 What You Need To Know About the First East Coast VidCon

    CREATOR ECONOMY NEWSLETTER Issue 73 | October 6, 2022 VidCon, the beloved digital creator convention founded by John and Hank Green, is turning 13 next year. Within that time, the event has grown beyond what anyone could have imagined in 2010, scaling to multiple conferences in various global cities since it was acquired by Paramount…

  • ⚔️ Disabled Creators Say Social Media Is a Double-Edged Sword

    ⚔️ Disabled Creators Say Social Media Is a Double-Edged Sword

    CREATOR ECONOMY NEWSLETTER Issue 72 | October 4, 2022 Content creation can be a stressful job, but there is often additional pressure placed on disabled creators who often rely on social media income to make a living. Like all creators, disabled influencers use social media to make money and connect with their communities. They experience…

  • 📱 TikTok Live’s Enigmatic Rising Star

    📱 TikTok Live’s Enigmatic Rising Star

    CREATOR ECONOMY NEWSLETTER Issue 71 | September 29, 2022 There’s one TikTok creator who has been creeping their way onto my feeds: Itzpsyiconic. It’s a welcome presence, as clips from his TikTok Live streams always crack me up.  The creator, whose real name is Kelon, amassed a sizable following with his cast of characters: the…