"To help creators level up, tool builders will need to consider the levels of creators in a more nuanced way."

"the creator economy has its own levels that require creators and companies to match each other’s needs for the most effective outcomes."

"Level 1: Hobbyists are typically those who create content for fun or on the side."

"The big pain points at this level are that these folks either don’t have the time or money to invest into their business or lack distribution and marketing. Often, they struggle to to reach a certain level of production value or quality content, too."

"Level 2: Full-time creators are those who can support themselves with their creative work."

"Creators’ pain points at this level are usually inexperience running a business, which takes time away from creative endeavors, as well as the lack of time and resources to market their work."

"Level 3: Stars are those who can typically form partnerships with external brands, such as media companies, record labels, publishers, and others to maximize their reach."

"the real pain point is figuring out how to leverage one’s brand into business and financial success."

"Level 4: Moguls are those who build businesses that not only evolve, but have staying power, outliving the creator themselves."

"One major draw of the creator economy is the allure of being able to take control of one’s own livelihood and forge a business independently, without the backing of mainstream labels or publishers."

"Builders for the creator economy need to know which groups in their target demo are over-indexed and which are underserved. The most successful creator platforms have a deep understanding of their user base and a laser-focus on addressing those pain points and needs. The best opportunities help creators get better at creating and building their business."

"he billions of dollars poured into the creator economy might suggest that the space is oversaturated, but that’s far from the truth. There are tons of burgeoning hobbyists who need help with marketing."

"Those that group all “creators” together risk missing out on the next phase of opportunities: particular tools that help breakout stars grow their business, improve the quality of their content, and offer bespoke resources to solve specific pain points."

"To help creators level up, tool builders will need to consider the levels of creators in a more nuanced way. Today, those levels are too often underserved by technology."

"But this divergence should also force businesses and platforms in the creator economy to be clear about who they set out to serve: Are they enabling the 99 percent to chase their childhood dreams?"

"But much like the creator economy itself, solving those unique pain points can be lucrative if creator platforms serve a niche audience."

"Similarly, the creator economy has its own levels that require creators and companies to match each other’s needs for the most effective outcomes."

"The big pain points at this level are that these folks either don’t have the time or money to invest into their business or lack distribution and marketing."

"Often, they struggle to to reach a certain level of production value or quality content, too."

"The biggest challenge here is maintaining fame and relevance"

"In terms of leveling up, the real pain point is figuring out how to leverage one’s brand into business and financial success."

"The distinction between Level 2 and Level 3 therefore correlates with different forms of success, but also depends on the creator’s values."

"“Do you want to be rich or be king?”"

"For those who become stars, their success becomes dependent on fame, which feeds a constant (sometimes virtuous, sometimes vicious) cycle to maintain relevance and maximize any opportunity."

"Historically, I’ve seen that Black entertainers are more likely to branch out on their own and are more likely to end up on tables like the one above — partly because many Black creators have struggled to achieve the same backing and validation as their non-Black peers at different points in their careers."

"Rock, pop, and country stars that are structurally taken care of are less incentivized to branch out on their own."

"Builders for the creator economy need to know which groups in their target demo are over-indexed and which are underserved."

"The most successful creator platforms have a deep understanding of their user base and a laser-focus on addressing those pain points and needs."

"But there’s still a huge business opportunity in other levels of the creator economy, especially in areas that look beyond the standard “creator tools.”"

"Currently, the jump from full-time creator to star or mogul often relies on bespoke, often expensive solutions."

"Indify, for example, is a startup that helps artists receive funding from investors and connects artists with experienced business partners."

"Plus, those investors can be creators themselves, which creates a two-sided marketplace. A comedian could invest in an artist, for instance, then use that artist’s music in their next standup special. Both creators win."

"Creators still need to know how to build a sustainable business (or partner with those that do), and those skills are often markedly different from the ones they use to create their content."

"They will require solutions tailored to their various business needs, whether in marketing, copyright expertise, investing, operations, community-building, or product launches."

"The companies that recognize this trend — and build tools for a particular swath of creators — will have a tremendous advantage. I believe it will unlock new levels of creativity for creators."