Top 3 takeaways from SXSW for NYC's creator economy

Author

Brett Dashevsky
March 14, 2024

I’M WALKIN’ HERE WITH

Hey! Welcome to the Creator Economy NYC newsletter — the premier place for all things creator economy in the Big Apple.

We’re back in NYC after an exciting time at SXSW! It was amazing to be there, repping NYC and bringing together the creator economy from near and far. Even had the pleasure of seeing some of you New Yorkers there!

In this week’s newsletter, we’re spotlighting some key takeaways from discussing key topics like owning your audience, rethinking brand partnerships, and today's underrated platforms for creators.

There were a lot of golden nuggets, so let’s get into it.

Other stops along the way:

  • Upcoming events — happening next week!

  • Community callouts

  • Community perks

  • News bits

  • Personal picks

Was this email forwarded to you?

PARTNERED WITH ARTNERSHIP

In the heart of the creator economy lies a shared struggle: the quest for connection.

Whether it's the desire for collaboration or the need for support, it's a challenge that resonates deeply with many of us, myself included!

But, a sustainable future for the creator economy relies on coming together no matter what you call yourself, the kind of work you make, or where it's consumed.

That’s where Artnership comes in — a new app that enables you to quickly connect with fellow creators, make meaningful connections, and start collaborating.

The outcome: amplify your reach, tell new stories, build your business, and expand the possibilities of your creativity. 

FINALLY — the limit to creativity does not exist 🤯

Just for our community, they’re rolling out a limited number of early invites, and they’d love to invite some creators (like you) to try it and provide feedback.

EVENT SPOTLIGHT

Top 3 takeaways from SXSW for NYC's creator economy

Before we dive in, I want to share a recent revelation: South By Southwest has absolutely nothing to do with Southwest Airlines.

Maybe that was obvious to some, but not to me. And I will own it. 😂

The name is actually a play on the name of the 1959 Alfred Hitchcock film North by Northwest (not to be confused with "North West,” daughter of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West).

The more you know!

Anyway…

At our recent event at the conference, hosted with Passionfruit in partnership with Teachable, we brought together over 150 attendees for an incredible day filled with new connections, flowing drinks, lots of tacos, and, most importantly, an insightful panel discussion.

Moderated by myself, we heard from industry leaders Olivia Owens (Teachable), Brendan Gahan (Creator Authority), and Shira Lazar (What’s Trending) on a few hot topics shaping the creator economy today.

Without further ado, here are the top 3 must-know takeaways:

1. Embrace platform fluidity, own your audience

TL;DR: Your digital presence is built on shifting sands. Don't let platform changes catch you off guard; future-proof yourself as a creator.

While social media platforms can offer immense exposure, they're also volatile environments subject to rapid change (take the potential TikTok ban for example!)

Creators should not solely rely on these platforms for audience engagement or revenue.

To ensure longevity, cultivate direct relationships with your audience through channels you control, like newsletters or private communities. Additionally, diversify your income sources beyond traditional advertising to include products, courses, or other offerings that align with your brand.

Explore platforms like beehiiv or Teachable!

2. Unlock the potential of LinkedIn

TL;DR: LinkedIn is an untapped goldmine for creators seeking meaningful engagement and growth.

This is the second panel we’ve hosted where LinkedIn was emphasized as a platform to start creating on! I think the message is clear now…

Unlike other platforms that prioritize reach, LinkedIn focuses on fostering genuine connections and delivering valuable content, leading to more engaged audiences.

This platform is also a rapidly evolving space for influencer marketing, with a significant increase in brand investment on the horizon.

Creators should leverage LinkedIn's unique environment to deepen relationships with their audience and explore new avenues for collaboration and monetization.

3. Rethink creator-brand partnerships

TL;DR: Shift from transactional to transformational partnerships to amplify credibility and long-term success.

Many brands and marketers mistakenly view creators merely as channels for content distribution.

However, creators offer much more, including credibility and a loyal following built on strong, parasocial relationships.

Forging long-term partnerships with brands — akin to athlete endorsements — can lead to more authentic engagements and mutual growth. This approach emphasizes the value of strategic collaborations over one-off deals, benefiting both creators and brands.

Bonus: Operate like a business

TL;DR: From day one, treat your creative endeavor as a business to maximize income and impact.

Successful creators understand the importance of defining their media properties, unique selling points, and suitable revenue streams based on their audience's preferences.

Essential growth tools include developing an email list and implementing off-platform monetization strategies. These practices not only ensure financial stability but also help creators maintain control over their content and community engagement.

In last week’s newsletter, we shared some actionable legal advice to help with this thinking!

CITY HAPPENINGS

Kickstart your morning with enriching insights and convos over a taste of New York with bagels, pastries, and coffee alongside fellow leading creators, digital media experts, and marketers.

We've assembled a diverse panel of industry experts to discuss the latest trends, predictions, and strategies shaping the creator economy:

We hope you can join us – RSVP to get on the list and for additional details!

Subscribe to the events calendar here.

COMMUNITY CALLOUTS

COMMUNITY PICKS & PERKS

As valued members of Creator Economy NYC, you now have exclusive access to hand-picked offers designed to support and enhance your creative and professional journey.

  • Just for you: Get 3 months FREE on the Linktree PRO plan.

  • Code: creatoreconomynyc

  • Why Linktree PRO? Enjoy premium features including extensive customization options and actionable analytics to elevate your online presence. I personally use the PRO plan and have enjoyed the customization aspect and ease of use.

  • Just for you: Enjoy 20% off your first 3 months on any beehiiv paid plan.

  • Bonus: This comes after a complimentary 30-day free trial, exclusively for our community members.

  • Why beehiiv? If you're looking to launch or enhance your newsletter, beehiiv provides unmatched services and tools to help you connect with your audience effectively. It’s what this newsletter is built on!

THE NEWSSTAND

PERSONAL PICKS

  • I ate at a restaurant in Austin called “Suerte.” Top tier, I highly recommend you eat there if you’re ever in town.

  • My thoughts on why Snapchat shouldn’t be ignored in the event of a TikTok ban.

  • This report by Vogue on “Gen Z Broke the Marketing Funnel.” A ton of interesting insights and stats in here.

STAND CLEAR OF THE CLOSING DOORS PLEASE

Thanks so much for reading! Let me know what you thought by replying back to this email.

See you next week,

Brett

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