Intro
Remember when everyone thought influencers and Youtubers were just inflated personalities with no real purpose? They’re having the last laugh now. In 2022 the creator economy was valued at a whopping $16.4 Billion. Yes, folks, billion..not million.
Given the fact that it is going to keep gaining momentum, the question on most people’s minds is: “What’s next?” Fast Company recently published an article about 2023 trends. Here are the highlights:
Authenticity
This is arguably the most pivotal recent change in social media. Content consumers are responding best to real, relatable creators who post unpolished content. Gone are the days when glossy, aspirational influencers reigned supreme, while “regular” people stared back at the screen feeling inadequate. Top-performing content now features creators who look, act and live in ways similar to their audience.
Reaching Small, Niche Communities With Micro Creators
It used to be ALL about follower count. The engagement was also an important metric, but always a sub-metric of the top priority: “number of followers.” In 2022, though, it became increasingly clear that engagement is in fact more important. And, as it turns out, creators with smaller followings have higher engagement. They are also more effective at tapping into highly specific communities and distinct niches
Content Curation
People who consume content are completely overwhelmed by the sheer amount of content available. One of the ways they seek relief from the onslaught is by discovering creators who curate distinct content. Creators who stick with a predictable set of topics, and apply time and energy to post about them in-depth, are gaining a lot of traction. Something akin to a trust-based relationship evolves. Their followers turn to them again and again for exactly the content they want. They develop loyalty to the creator’s ability to curate.
Scroll & Shop
Social media shopping rocketed in popularity over the last two years. All of the major platforms rolled out in-app shopping links. Then they realized that creators (who are the pulse of the platforms) were unhappy about being left out, and added functionality for the creators to earn money as well. Then, live shopping broadcasts were hot and profitable for brands. Creators found a way to make money selling live as well. The point? Shopping on social media will continue to rise in 2023.
To read more, check out the full Fast Company article HERE
