Career Briefs: Creator Edition (yes, that includes you)

Dear Reader:

While you may not think of yourself as a professional creator, in the future of work, it is likely that you will be asked to adopt some of the skill sets and behaviors of creators in order to be successful. The rise of the creator economy has given us unprecedented access to new tools and technology, democratizing the ability to create and share content. This has also put pressure on individuals to act as their own personal marketing departments. It's becoming more common for "ordinary people" to leverage websites like Canva to create professional-looking designs for their personal marketing or own equipment like selfie lights and teleprompters, which were once only used by professionals.

As industries become more content focused, I believe these skills will become even more relevant and marketable in a job search. This issue is action-packed with content related to the rise of the creator economy. It also includes resources and tools to help you level up your personal branding and more comfortably wear the hat of creator.

Rooting for you,

Briefcase Coach Originals: The Creator Economy

The creator economy has experienced tremendous growth in recent years. According to a report by SignalFire, the creator economy is projected to be worth over $2.2 trillion by 2025, up from $104 billion in 2018. As the world becomes more digital and interconnected, we can expect to see more people than ever before taking their creative talents online and building successful careers as creators.

This winter, I did a deep dive into the creator economy. I talked to several creators in different markets and talked to them about the main drivers behind their businesses and how they define success. My latest article is a scratch on the surface of a booming economy that spans industries and is constantly evolving. I look forward to exploring this topic further in future articles and conversations with experts.

Pivoting from the Side Hustle

Many creators start in the creator space as a side hustle—a smart way to dip a toe into creating with minimal risk. A study conducted by the Academy of Management Journal confirms that businesses grown gradually on the side while the business owner is still employed full-time at another company are 30% less likely to fail. Dan Gusz of Zapier gives practical advice for taking a side hustle to a full-time business.

Gen Z isn’t as risk-averse and are more willing to dive in head first, and the opportunity to make money is prevalent. Entrepreneur and fellow creator Gary Vaynerchuk discusses with Business Insider why this trend could be a problem for companies. He says, “These kids are not growing up in the world we grew up in.” Younger people have more options than ever to make money “selling stuff on Facebook Marketplace or eBay, making Google Adwords, doing small brand deals on TikTok.” This shift, Vaynerchuk said, makes working for a company less appealing.

Tips from the Creator Experts

YouTuber Ben Johnson’s how-to-video on video lighting is one of the best I’ve seen. His video includes links to purchase the exact lighting used in his video in the text.

Emmy award-winning TV producer and speaking coach Paula Rizzo says it’s OK to use scripted dialog in content creation occasionally. Her article discusses when and how best to use a teleprompter to produce winning content.

Neal Schaffer is an expert on social media and its power of influence. While he agrees Twitter isn’t as “cool” as some other platforms, he argues that it holds significant power for creators. In this article, he gives advice on how to write a compelling Twitter header to gain more followers and elevate one’s brand.

As a creator, it is essential to produce original content that the target audience is excited about. In other words, avoid cliches. A cliche is defined as “a phrase or opinion that is overused and betrays a lack of original thought.” In this article, Forbes’s panel of experts outlines 15 common cliches to avoid in professional communication.

Cool New Tools

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