The Moment When Everything Changes

CREATOR NEWSLETTER


As Florida took its latest hurricane battering yesterday (you can donate to the Red Cross here), a man in a boat on Tampa Bay was busy becoming the internet’s latest main character. Meet Lieutenant Dan, the one-legged skipper who went from trying to ride out a hurricane on a boat, and ended his day with a streaming deal and the promise of a new $50k+ vessel. Not a bad turnaround.

It remains to be seen if the streaming contract will be lucrative, if the new boat will materialize, and if Lieutenant Dan can parlay his newfound attention into a sustainable career as a creator. At best, he can do a tour of late night shows and buzzy podcasts, spin up a formidable podcast a la Talk Tuah, and maybe sign a multi-year spokesperson deal with Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.

At worst, he’s getting inundated with offers and contracts he can’t make sense of, he could feel a sense of imposter syndrome (he’s certainly not the only ex-convict living on a boat in Tampa), and he may not know where to turn next to turn his 15 minutes into something more lasting. Does he get a manager? An agent? A lawyer? Business manager? All of the above? None?

For anyone trying to make it as a creator, it’s important to think about that moment when everything changes before it happens. Do you have a lawyer you could call in a jam to review a manager contract? If a brand reaches out, do you have a sales-minded friend who can help negotiate your rate? All the biggest creators have a great team of people around them helping with all this stuff, and it’s so much easier to find (and trust) those people before you have your viral moment, not during it.

So give it a think. If you went viral tomorrow, who would you call to help you navigate the influx of opportunities and attention? If you’re scratching your head, that’s fine too. It’s actually one of the reasons why we started our Discord, so at the very least you could talk to us and each other about where to turn next.

We wish Lieutenant Dan the best in his newfound career as a creator, and offer our primary advice: Never sign anything without talking to a lawyer you’re paying for first (remember, other people’s lawyers are not working for you). Also: Strike while that iron is hot!


CULTURE

TikTok Could Help Free Lyle and Erik Menendez

Menedez Brothers

An advertisement for Teachable shows a man typing on a laptop, choosing between the options course, download or coaching for creating a new product

Transform your creator business — on your own terms.

With Teachable, you can turn your expertise into fully customizable digital products. Whatever your passion, share it with others in exactly the way you want with courses, community, downloadable content, and more.


IN THE BIZ


TOOLS REVIEW

The Camp Snap Camera Was Designed for Kids but Is an Addictive Alternative for Creators Tired of Modern Perfection

The Camp Snap camera is a LoFi delight for creators sick of perfection.

By John-Michael Bond, Passionfruit Contributor

Camp Snap 1.3 camera review

PLATFORMS

Gavel over hand holding phone with tiktok app and tiktok background

13 States Sue TikTok Over Child Safety

‘TikTok claims that their platform is safe for young people, but that is far from true.’ 

By Charlotte ColomboPassionfruit Contributor


JOB BOARD


YOUTUBE MADE ME DO IT

Content for Creators.

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

Newsletter Signup

Latest Newsletters

  • 🎮 Paving the Way for Black Women in Gaming

    🎮 Paving the Way for Black Women in Gaming

    CREATOR ECONOMY NEWSLETTER Issue 43 | June 9, 2022 Gaming is often a hostile environment for women and people of color. However, while gaming remains predominantly white and male, a recent study from NewZoo shows there is demand for more diversity in the industry and for companies to commit to curbing hate toward minority gamers.…

  • 💸 Would You Tell This TikToker How Much You Make?

    💸 Would You Tell This TikToker How Much You Make?

    CREATOR ECONOMY NEWSLETTER Issue 42 | June 2, 2022 The Great Resignation persists as people continue to demand better compensation and working conditions from their jobs. Workers at massive companies like Amazon, Apple, and Starbucks are pushing to unionize for more benefits and protections after the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic. A Pew Research Center…

  • 🕹️ TikTok Mega-Star Launches Web3 Gaming Company

    🕹️ TikTok Mega-Star Launches Web3 Gaming Company

    CREATOR ECONOMY NEWSLETTER Issue 41 | May 26, 2022 Like most ventures on the blockchain, play-to-earn gaming has been met with a lot of skepticism. In addition to the environmental impact and volatility of the crypto market at-large, gamers have brought up concerns unique to play-to-earn gaming. Critics say these games are costly to enter,…