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Internet Basics
Online CommoditiesConsumer and Creator
1. Creator = Consumer2. The Active Consumer3. “Creator-GTM”3.A. Where the Viral Things Are4. The Anonymous Economy5. Pre-founder: People-focused investingNonTechnicals
5.A. Pre-founder: NontechnicalsCreator Studies
1. Intro to Creator Studies2. Intro to Creator Policy4. A Spectrum of Influence5. Influencing Influencers3. The History of the Creator Economy3. Creator Segmentation2. View: ResearchInvestment
TCM/C-TAMRevisiting Community InvestingRethinking Consumer LTV“Organic” = unpaid?Introducing: On-Page Collaboration, LiveWriting, anti-Press PublishVC Managers: Finding your styleWomen’s Consumer (2022)The “online” buttonTranslation
“GenZ”DirectoryPersonal Journal
An intro to Personal JournalAdvice for a Y1/Y2 woman in VCAdvice for a Y3 woman in VC My love letter to JournalistsWomen and Wikipedia “Pedigree”“Context”“Examples”Me & PaulVery Specific AdviceWhy I dropped outHow to be Jealous© EM 2024
1. Intro to Creator Studies
The “creator economy” is fairly straight forward and popular term. However, the creator ecosystem is not. Creator, even as an identity is rarely defined.
In this section, we define exactly what are the individual dynamics and systems either set in place or structured to support an ecosystem that then creates the economy part of the “creator economy.” Creator Studies is interdisciplinary to media studies, sociology, psychology and network theory considering that it studies the progress of a term, an identity of individuals with shared experiences, and a community.
Definition and Scope
Definitions
Although the origins of the term “creator” or “creator economy” are mostly unknown, in the past ten years as it pertains to an individual with online influence, it is safe to say that there are relative understandings to the definition.
“Creator”: An individual who plans on or actively generates value to the creator ecosystem by producing and sharing content such as videos, images, articles, audio (music, podcast, or audiobook) online. These pieces are first distributed to an audience online.
Full-time Creator: An individual who obtains the majority of their income from online influence (brand deals or paywalled content).
Part-time Creator: An individual who creates content online.
Creator Economy: The economic ecosystem that emerged around individuals who create, distribute, and consume content.
Creator Ecosystem: The interconnected network of individuals, platforms technologies and industries that collectively support and sustain the activities of content creators. It contains the components and relationships involved in the creation, distribution, and consumption of digital content.
Influencer: An individual who has the ability to affect the opinions, behaviors and purchasing decisions of a specific audience.
Influencer vs. Creator
Often times, “creator” and “influencer” have been used interchangeably. Anecdotally, these terms can be used when referring to two genders. In fact, the difference between the two [similar themes to Spectrum of Influence].
Influencer
Niche Expertise | Influencers tend to have credibility and connection that allows for their followers to focus on their individual views over others. This comes from either lengthy and/or culturally prevalent experience or from credential. |
_______________ | CAN BE…. |
Brand Deals | Influencers tend to make income off of brand-focused transactions (co-creator collaborations or brand collaborations) for money. |
High Trust | |
Audience Centric | Influencers tend to have a more engaged audience naturally. This can be driven by their ability to connect with an audience. |
Creator
Content Centric | Content creators create content for… content’s sake. Their product focuses on their quality of content and how the content fits in with… similarly keyworded pieces of content. |
Varied Content | Creators are less likely to stick to one topic and nice of content. |
Artistic Expression | —— |
Key Concepts and Principles
Core Concepts
Digital Content Creation
Online Communities
Formation
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Characteristics of Online Communities
Power Dynamics of Online Communities
There’s never been a better time to be a fan of either a celebrity or online persona with influence. There’s also never been a better time to be a celebrity of online person of influence. Online communities give both parties an opportunity to share their talents, create content, and communicate with the other at almost any time of any day.
Traditionally, offline individuals of influence were, obviously, stuck to either their work or how the media portrays them.
Fandom: Fandom refers to the collective community of fans who share a common interest, passion, or devotion to a particular celebrity, TV show, movie, or cultural phenomenon.
Stans or Stan Culture: "Stan" is a term derived from the Eminem song of the same name and is used to describe an extremely devoted and enthusiastic fan. Stan culture refers to the intense, often obsessive, loyalty and support shown by fans.
Parasocial Relationship: A parasocial relationship is a one-sided emotional connection that a fan develops with a celebrity, where the fan feels a sense of intimacy and connection even though the celebrity is unaware of the individual.
Celebrity Worship Syndrome (CWS): CWS is a term used to describe an intense and obsessive interest or adulation of a celebrity, characterized by behaviors such as collecting memorabilia, closely following the celebrity's life, and feeling a deep emotional connection.
Fame-Seeking Behavior: This term is used to describe behaviors exhibited by individuals who actively seek attention and recognition from celebrities, often through social media interactions, attending events, or trying to gain the celebrity's notice.
Fan Engagement: Fan engagement refers to the various ways in which celebrities interact with their fans, including social media interactions, fan events, and other forms of direct communication to foster a sense of connection.
Fanbase: A fanbase is the collective group of fans who support and follow a particular celebrity. The size and dedication of a fanbase are often indicative of a celebrity's popularity.
Fan Loyalty: Fan loyalty refers to the level of dedication and allegiance that fans have toward a celebrity. Loyal fans are likely to support the celebrity through various ups and downs in their career.
Fan Hierarchy: In some fan communities, there may be a hierarchy among fans based on factors such as the depth of knowledge about the celebrity, level of engagement, or length of time spent as a fan.
Fan Service: Fan service refers to actions or gestures by celebrities aimed at pleasing and satisfying their fanbase. This can include special shoutouts, exclusive content, or other efforts to acknowledge and appreciate fans.
Celebrity Endorsement: Celebrity endorsement involves a celebrity publicly supporting or promoting a product, brand, or cause. Fans may be influenced by their favorite celebrity's endorsement choices.
Fan Culture: Community & Creator Relationship
Audience Engagement Codewords: Subtle Communications
Subtweet Culture Audience Participation: Edits, Mobilization of Fans for Positive and Negative Movements
Influencer Theory
Digital Ethnography
Significance and Contributions
Financial Contributions
The Creator Reputation
2023 Connotation
Even worse, I’ve realized that the “creator” genre has been seen as a “phase” - of course, this context was created from VCs. This is naturally incorrect and a few reputable names within the creator ecosystem have spoken out on how this connotation is generally incorrect.
2024 Connotation
The creator economy is not the entire state of creators as individuals, as a job or as a community.