The Business of Creators

In this episode Ian Shepherd is joined by Jesse Feister, new Executive Director of The Webby Awards, to unpack why creators are finally getting their due at one of the internet's most prestigious award shows. From redefining what "creator" means to how the awards process works, Jesse offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the internet’s cultural fabric is being reshaped.They discuss:- Why 2025 marks a turning point for creators at the Webby Awards- Defining what makes someone a “creator” versus a traditional digital talent- How creators are judged: metrics, innovation, and storytelling- Parallels between the music industry and the creator economy- The 2025 Webby Award ceremony: key winners and emerging trends- Gen Z’s digital behavior and the rise of “brain rot” contentKey Takeaways:- Learn how the Webby Awards evaluate creator content beyond just views and followers- Understand the evolving definition of a “creator” in today’s digital landscape- Get insights on how AI is shaping content creation — and how to use it as a tool- Discover what top creators are doing to stand out in niche and mainstream spaces- Hear practical advice for emerging creators on building audience and creative resilienceListen to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!

In the latest episode Ian talks with Tom Verrilli, Chief Product Officer at Whatnot, about how live shopping is reshaping the way products are sold online. From collectibles to luxury handbags, Whatnot is empowering creators and small businesses to turn passion into profit — all through the power of live, interactive video.They discuss:How Whatnot blends e-commerce with live video to create trust and communityWhy the “mall experience” is making a digital comebackKey monetization models for sellers on Whatnot (auctions, flash sales, fixed-price)How creators turn taste and curation into full-time incomeWhy live shopping is booming in the West after success in AsiaThe future of live e-commerce and Whatnot’s vision for global growthKey Takeaways:Discover how live shopping is creating new revenue streams for creators and sellersLearn what makes a top-performing seller on Whatnot — from product curation to on-screen charismaUnderstand why trust and interactivity are reshaping e-commerce experiencesGet inspired by real examples of creators turning niche passions into full-time businessesFind out why the US is catching up to Asia in the live commerce space and what that means for youListen to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business, and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!

Launching merch? Start with a .store domain. Top creators like MrBeast, Dude Perfect and IShowSpeed use .store to build clean, memorable web addresses like YourName.store, boosting clicks, driving sales and making it crystal clear where fans can shop. Grab yours now: https://go.store/boc2 In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd chats with Ahad Khan, CEO of Kajabi, about how creators can move beyond platform dependency to build sustainable, scalable businesses. They dive into Kajabi's rebrand, major creator success stories, and what the future holds for the creator economy.Topics Discussed:- What Kajabi is and how it supports creators- Challenges creators face today — and how to overcome them- Success stories from creators like Ali Abdaal and Taking Cara Babies- Kajabi’s recent rebrand and the message behind it- The power of owning your audience versus relying solely on platforms- Key highlights from Kajabi Heroes Live and the importance of community- Predictions for the future of the creator economy and AI’s roleKey Takeaways:- Learn how to transition from "content creator" to entrepreneur by building a business around your brand.- Discover strategies to own your audience instead of relying on social media platforms.- Get inspired by real-world success stories of creators who turned niche knowledge into six- and seven-figure businesses.- Understand how Kajabi’s tools and philosophy can help you launch, validate, and grow your digital products.- Gain insights into future trends — including how to stand out in a world where AI makes content creation easier but brand trust becomes essential.Watch to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!

Launching your own store? Start with a .store domain. Top creators like MrBeast, Dude Perfect and IShowSpeed use .store to build clean, memorable web addresses like YourName.store, boosting clicks, driving sales and making it crystal clear where fans can shop. Grab yours now: https://go.store/boc5  What if a TikTok video could change your life? In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd talks to Kat Norton, better known as Miss Excel, about her incredible journey from corporate consultant to multi-millionaire course creator. Kat shares how a single idea—sharing Excel tips on TikTok—evolved into a business that now serves over 25,000 customers with 12 digital courses and a team of 17.Topics Discussed:- How Kat started Miss Excel as a “secret” TikTok account- Going viral and landing her first corporate client within days- Building and launching her first Excel course in just one week- Using webinars and bundles to scale into a multi-million dollar business- The role of intuition, mindset, and manifestation in her growth- Hiring and scaling a remote team- Her creative course design process and use of AI- Managing energy and building a life-first business modelKey Takeaways:- Taking "messy action" is key to starting and scaling as a creator- Authenticity and emotional connection make content more memorable- Diversified income and product bundling can unlock exponential growth- Mindset and self-belief are foundational to success- Systems and delegation free up energy for creative leadershipWatch to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!

Launching merch? Start with a .store domain. Top creators like MrBeast, Dude Perfect and IShowSpeed use .store to build clean, memorable web addresses like YourName.store, boosting clicks, driving sales and making it crystal clear where fans can shop. Grab yours now: https://go.store/boc3 In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd speaks with Saurabh Shah, CEO of Warren James, the powerhouse behind premium product launches for creators like Hassan Piker, CallMeChris, Brittany Broski and Mythical Entertainment.Whether you're a creator, entrepreneur, or investor, this episode is your complete playbook for turning content into commerce.What You’ll Learn:How Warren James helps creators develop custom, high-quality products beyond just hoodies and teesWhy unique storytelling, community insights, and creative risk-taking lead to sellout launchesHow they use data, AI, and “art meets science” to predict merch success before launchWhy product-market fit, not just audience size, drives real salesGo-to-market playbooks: Teasers, drops, bundles, and viral campaignsPricing strategies based on audience segmentation and feedback loopsHow creators are building food, plush, comic book, and retail brands—not just merchThe role of sustainability, sourcing, and real-time feedback in long-term brand building

In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd sits down with Kyle Scott, GM at Thinkific and former NBC producer, to explore the booming Expert Economy—and how creators and professionals alike can build real businesses by monetizing their expertise online.What you’ll learn in this episode:What the “Expert Economy” is—and how it differs from the traditional creator economyWhy subject matter experts (including doctors and lawyers) are turning to Instagram and LinkedIn to drive leadsKyle’s proven framework for positioning and pricing a digital product or courseThe biggest mistake creators make when launching a course—and how to avoid itHow AI is making it easier than ever to get started with content, community, and monetizationThe key metrics (like LTV to CAC) that determine whether your course will be profitableWhy transformation sells more than information—and how to frame your offer around that insightWhether you're a creator, coach, consultant, or just curious about launching a digital product, this episode is packed with insight, examples, and practical strategies you can use today.The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the Creator Economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the pioneers shaping the industry and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Visit the new website at electrify.video.Subscribe to this show for more interviews from industry leaders shaping the Creator Economy.

From intelligent chatbots streamlining your workflow to ML algorithms supercharging your YouTube performance, this episode is a sample of the cutting-edge tech reshaping the creator landscape. Essential listening for forward-thinking creators, tech enthusiasts, and digital entrepreneurs ready to leverage AI for success.Featuring groundbreaking insights from:Conor Eliot from Opus Clip: Exploring the most potent AI tool revolutionizing content creationSean Kim, President at Kajabi: Unveiling a game-changing AI chatbot for creator scalingZeev Farbman, CEO at Lightricks: Demystifying advanced editing tools for next-level contentCharles Weill, Founder of Creator ML: Mastering YouTube optimization with machine learningThe Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the Creator Economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the pioneers shaping the industry and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Visit the new website at electrify.video.Subscribe to this show for more interviews from industry leaders shaping the Creator Economy.

Over the last 3 years we have interviewed some amazing guests on The Business of Creators podcast. As we reach the end of 2024, we have compiled a number of compilations with some of the best bits from our interviews.  This one features exclusive interviews with:Iggy Azalea: Hip-hop icon turned creator economy trailblazerMegan Lightcap from Slow Ventures: Insider scoop on creator investments from Slow VenturesAlexis Nikole aka The Black Forager: Unearthing success in niche contentMelvin Hedlund, Founder of Senior Studios: Revealing how top YouTubers monetize MinecraftLearn how established artists pivot, investors spot talent, and niche creators thrive. Uncover the secrets behind authentic content and gaming empires. Whether you're a budding influencer or curious about the creator economy, this episode is packed with insights you can't miss!The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the Creator Economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the pioneers shaping the industry and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Visit the new website at electrify.video.Subscribe to this show for more interviews from industry leaders shaping the Creator Economy.

In this exclusive interview, Nolan Sykes, Editor-in-Chief of Donut Media, shares insights into the channel's journey, challenges, and exciting future. Discover how Donut is navigating industry changes, embracing new talent, and launching innovative products like Real Mechanic Scrub. Learn about the impact of recent departures, the importance of authenticity, and the future of automotive content creation.Key Takeaways:- Learn how Donut Media is adapting to industry shifts and the departure of key talent.- Discover the channel's focus on informative content, personal connections, and relatable builds.- Hear about the process of bringing in new talent like Tristan Kim and Stephanie Gutierrez.- Get insights into the development and launch of Real Mechanic Scrub.- Explore the channel's vision for the future, including live events and short-form content.- Get Nolan's perspective on AI's impact on automotive content creation.The Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the Creator Economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the pioneers shaping the industry and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Visit the new website at electrify.video.Subscribe to this show for more interviews from industry leaders shaping the Creator Economy.

We dive into the future of Web3 with Harry Horsfall, CEO of Flight3, as he explores how blockchain technology is revolutionizing the creator economy. From Bitcoin's parallel with 1997's internet adoption to groundbreaking developments in NFTs and digital communities, discover why we're just at the beginning of the Web3 revolution and what it means for creators, brands, and entrepreneurs.Key Takeaways:The shift from Web2 to Web3 enables creators to own their data and receive direct micropaymentsMajor brands like Manchester United are already leveraging Web3 for fan engagement through digital collectiblesUK regulatory frameworks need updating to balance consumer protection with innovationFlight3's recent Zebu Live event attracted 4,000 attendees from 40 countries, highlighting growing institutional interestRegulatory clarity, not technology, remains the primary barrier to mass adoptionCommunity building remains crucial but requires authentic long-term engagement rather than short-term token salesThe Business of Creators is a podcast for content creators and everyone interested in the Creator Economy. On this show Ian Shepherd speaks with the pioneers shaping the industry and digs deeper to get the scoop on new ways to create, distribute and monetize content.Ian is co-founder of Electrify Video Partners, a company investing $m in established creators to accelerate their growth. Visit the new website at electrify.video.Subscribe to this show for more interviews from industry leaders shaping the Creator Economy.