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0/ What *really* is a creator?
As it became the way to define a new generation, I asked myself that question and came up with a definition:
A creator isn't someone who creates. A creator is an individual who scales without permission.
Here's why:
https://hugo.pm/what-really-is-a-creator/
As it became the way to define a new generation, I asked myself that question and came up with a definition:
A creator isn't someone who creates. A creator is an individual who scales without permission.
Here's why:
https://hugo.pm/what-really-is-a-creator/
1/ The struggle we have to define what a "creator" is reminds me a lot of the struggle we had to define what a "startup" was.
Like many new words trying to define a concept of the internet economy, they often lack a shared understanding of the paradigm shift the internet brings.
Like many new words trying to define a concept of the internet economy, they often lack a shared understanding of the paradigm shift the internet brings.
2/ It took a while until Steve Blank nailed it: “A startup is not a smaller version of a large company, it's a temporary organisation in search for a scalable business model.”
That definition made it clear for everyone what a startup was, and more importantly what it wasn't.
That definition made it clear for everyone what a startup was, and more importantly what it wasn't.
3/ Startups were a new species and therefore needed their own definition. The same needs to happen with Creators.
As we speak—anyone from freelance videographers to WeWork members—are calling themselves creators.
They need a new definition, and here’s my take:
As we speak—anyone from freelance videographers to WeWork members—are calling themselves creators.
They need a new definition, and here’s my take:
4/ A creator isn't someone who creates. A creator is an individual who scales without permission.
Expanding this definition, creators are the combination of 3 elements: Individuality, Leverage and Rebellion.
Expanding this definition, creators are the combination of 3 elements: Individuality, Leverage and Rebellion.
5/ Individuality: Creators are less judged on their talent or passion and more on how good they are at being themselves.
They are authentic individuals who followed the rabbit-hole of their own obsessions and are now weirdly good at something very specific.
They are authentic individuals who followed the rabbit-hole of their own obsessions and are now weirdly good at something very specific.
6/ Leverage: Creators scale themselves through internet-based leverage.
Media, Code & Community have zero marginal cost of reproduction which means creators can multiply their efforts without having to involve other humans.
Media, Code & Community have zero marginal cost of reproduction which means creators can multiply their efforts without having to involve other humans.
7/ Rebellion: Creators don't need to ask for anyone's permission. The internet enables them to bypass traditional gatekeepers & access the general public directly.
They have more ownership, more control & more upside. They trade security for freedom.
They are entrepreneurs.
They have more ownership, more control & more upside. They trade security for freedom.
They are entrepreneurs.
8/ What "startup" did to the company as a social institution, "creator" is doing it to the individual
Creators are to freelancers what startups are to web agencies
The Creator Economy isn't primarily about the future of work, it's primarily about the future of entrepreneurship
Creators are to freelancers what startups are to web agencies
The Creator Economy isn't primarily about the future of work, it's primarily about the future of entrepreneurship
9/ Now that I've clearly defined what is a creator to me, it's now easier to define who is building for them and what is the Creator Economy.
In a next article, I'll share my mapping of the Creator Economy with a listing of 100+ startups focused on building for Creators!
In a next article, I'll share my mapping of the Creator Economy with a listing of 100+ startups focused on building for Creators!
10/ PS: I'm currently digging into the Creator Economy and I'm regularly sharing my analysis of the startups and trends I encounter.
Subscribe to my monthly newsletter on the Creator Economy and talk to you in your inbox! https://hugo.pm/newsletter/
Subscribe to my monthly newsletter on the Creator Economy and talk to you in your inbox! https://hugo.pm/newsletter/
11/ Thx to @jansenniklas @pinverrr @aguilmineau @robindchnt @davenemetz @rafathebuilder @gaby_goldberg @parthi_logan @gonsanchezs @nish_nayak @anquetil @thattallguy @ollieforsyth @ArielRenous @akshaybd, @akarshsanghi @creative_ben @daniellenewnham @lillianmli & my @OnDeck group!
12/ And for the inspiration, big thanks to @naval @daedalium @nicolas_colin @jarroddicker @lijin18 @nbashaw @andrewchen @blakeir @YuanlingY @daveambrose @efeng @nayafia @shl @sariazout
