👨🏽‍🏫 The Rise of the Creator-Educator

CREATOR ECONOMY NEWSLETTER


As marketers look to cut budgets amid a looming recession, creators are pivoting to find other ways to make money besides brand deals. Online learning has always been a path for creators to diversify their income, and it seems to be only growing as a method for creators to monetize their talents and engage their audiences amid a downturned economy.

This month, course creator platform Thinkific released its 2023 Digital Learning Trends Report to understand current trends in digital learning, side hustles, and the creator economy. In an interview with Passionfruit contributor Alexandra Bower, Thinkific cofounder and CEO Greg Smith, alongside multiple creators familiar with the platform, shared insights on Thinkific’s latest report and detailed what creators need to know about its findings.


FROM THE INSIDE

Thinkific CEO Greg Smith shares findings on the rise of the creator-educator


Light up your new year with new gear

Make your content shine with the Lume Cube Mobile Creator Lighting & Audio Kit. The essential 3-in-1 setup gives you everything you need to create the next viral TikTok.


ONE GREAT TIP


TOK WATCH

Streamer Hasan Piker was temporarily banned on Martin Luther King Jr. Day after getting mass reported

The popular leftist TikToker was temporarily banned over mass reporting of a Black Lives Matter video, he said.

By Jacob Seitz, Passionfruit Contributor


IN THE BIZ


TIKTOK MADE ME DO IT

Content for Creators.

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

Newsletter Signup

Latest Newsletters

  • How to Start a Podcast Without Crying.

    How to Start a Podcast Without Crying.

    CREATOR NEWSLETTER Issue #342 | May 20, 2025 – Liz Plank, Passionfruit Contributor PERSONALITIES Outdoor Boys’ Luke Nichols Quits Channel After Becoming Too Famous Nichols admitted that he found the fame difficult. By Charlotte Colombo, Passionfruit Contributor → READ THE FULL STORY SPONSORED This cannabis startup pioneered “rapid onset” gummies Most people prefer to smoke cannabis, but that isn’t always an option if…

  • Grok Has Gone Wild

    Grok Has Gone Wild

    CREATOR NEWSLETTER Issue #341 | May 15, 2025 – Taylor Lorenz, Passionfruit Contributor PERSONALITIES Beast Games Has Been Renewed For Two More Seasons The announcement is hardly surprising. By Charlotte Colombo, Passionfruit Contributor → READ THE FULL STORY SPONSORED There’s a reason mobile home parks are getting so much institutional love They remain one of the key affordable-housing sources nationally, have limited supply…

  • If You’re Maxxing Thank an Incel

    If You’re Maxxing Thank an Incel

    CREATOR NEWSLETTER Issue #340 | May 13, 2025 – Andrew Fiouzi, Contributing Editor  PLATFORMS TikTok Is Giving Small Businesses $1 Million In Free Ads 500 small businesses are getting lucky. By Charlotte Colombo, Passionfruit Contributor → READ THE FULL STORY SPONSORED The Science City You Didn’t Know You Needed to Visit Did you know that the world wide web was born in…