The creator economy skyrockets & pricey influencer courses

It’s Wednesday, and here’s the scoop…

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Quick updates…

📉 Instagram has been reducing the quality of videos on the app when they receive low numbers of views.

🚀 Justin Flom, a popular YouTube Shorts creator has launched Flo-Magic, a spray-paint kit available at Walmart.

💬 Netflix has created a new feature called “Moments” that allows viewers to share clips from shows to their social media accounts.

👀 Notion has announced a marketplace similar to an app store for finding and sharing Notion templates, including ways for creators to earn money from them.

💻 Adobe warns that artists shunning AI risk irrelevance as the company doubles down on generative tech, saying creatives who refuse to adapt “won’t succeed in this new world.”

😂 Katie Notopoulos at Business Insider tested Meta’s AI clone, trained on her posts, only to find it embodying “millennial cringe” — and to her horror, it even mined her rage-fueled Threads feed for personality cues.

🫣 MrBeast is back in the food game, teaming up with Logan Paul and KSI on “Lunchly” snack boxes—already facing complaints for being moldy. Maybe skip these if your kid’s asking.

The creator economy is growing fast—and growing up

Why it matters: The influencer industry is worth an estimated $250 billion today, and Goldman Sachs predicts it will almost double to $500 billion by 2027.

The details: Forbes’ 2024 Top Creator list highlights the rising power of 50 top creators, who collectively earned $720 million this year and added over 100 million new followers, bringing their reach to 2.7 billion across YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.

Big names moving big money: Creators like MrBeast, Khaby Lame, Emma Chamberlain, and the D'Amelio sisters are now running full-fledged brands. From burgers and coffee to energy drinks and shoes, they’re pushing creator-led businesses nationwide.

Behind the scenes: Some, like Addison Rae, Matt Rife, and Amelie Zilber, have crossed over into mainstream media. Meanwhile, big creators like Dhar Mann and Rhett & Link are now running production studios, employing over 100 people to deliver polished, high-quality content.

The takeaway: With Forbes ranking top creators based on earnings, engagement, and entrepreneurial moves, the list highlights how social media influencers are now translating their massive followings into billion-dollar brands.

Would you pay to learn how to be an influencer?

Well, people are paying thousands to learn how to be one…

Why it matters: As the creator economy hits $250 billion—and is expected to nearly double by 2027—more Gen Zers view influencing as a viable career. Lipovetsky’s new program, Creator Method, charges $3,000 for access to her “playbook” for success.

What’s offered: The academy, launched by Lipovetsky and her husband, includes a library of 80+ videos, weekly Zooms, private group chats, and in-person events. Lessons cover everything from attracting brand deals to mastering iPhone content.

The student mix: The academy draws a diverse group—nurses, therapists, and moms to influencers with up to 250,000 followers—looking to boost their online presence or shift careers. The acceptance rate is high, about 93%, with students from around the globe.

Is it worth it? Critics argue it’s a steep price for info readily available online. Others note the appeal of community and direct access to Lipovetsky. Despite the cost, many students feel the academy’s advice has led to growth, particularly in securing brand deals.

The bottom line: For some, it’s a serious investment in a dream job; for others, it’s a pricey reminder that online success still takes grit and persistence.

Creator notes 📝

Read: The Bezos-Washington Post crisis is getting worse (Business Insider)

Watch: iMac and Mac Mini annoucements (Apple)

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