I'm making some predictions in this post. As I look at the economy and my business a couple trends emerge too me. We are moving away from big institutions to more of a creator economy. What I mean by creator economy is where individuals (creators) build businesses by leveraging digital platforms, content creation, and direct audience engagement. Instead of relying on traditional institutions (corporations, big media companies, or big businesses), creators generate income through their skills, expertise, and unique content. Here are a couple models emerging I'm using myself and observing.
Aspects of the Creator Economy
Direct--to-Audience Model – Creators connect directly with their audience via social media, websites, or email lists, bypassing traditional gatekeepers.
Multiple Revenue Streams – Instead of a single income source, creators earn from various streams like ad revenue, sponsorships, product sales, courses, memberships, and more.
Personal Branding – Success in the creator economy depends on building trust and a strong personal brand. People follow creators because of their unique voice, skills, or perspective. David C Baker has taught me this, he has mastered it.
Decentralization of Business – Platforms like YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Patreon, and Shopify allow individuals to operate independently without relying on large corporations.
Passion-Driven Work – Many creators build businesses around their passions (woodworking, art, education, fitness, etc.), turning expertise into income.
The creator economy favors small, independent businesses over large institutions, meaning people trust and support authentic, real-world expertise.
We are seeing a mass exit from big institutions now in our economy and culture. Here are some examples:
Homeschooling is an exit from the industrial school system
Crypto-currency is an exit from the Fed
Remote work is an exit from the 9-5 grind and sitting in traffic for 3 hours a day
Defi is an exit from Wall Street
Social media is an exit from mass media
Creator economy is an exit from employment
So what does all this mean for someone running a portable sawmill? I can become more than just a sawyer by building a brand around expertise. Content creation (videos, blogs, social media) can drive traffic to my sawmill services and diversify income streams through education, product sales, or sponsorships. Instead of relying solely on local customers, I can reach a global audience interested in woodworking, DIY projects, or sustainable lumber sourcing.
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