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- The Difference Between Creators and Influencers.
The Difference Between Creators and Influencers.
Can you tell the difference? From business models, content niches to the tools they use.
James Song
May 29, 2024
We all consume content.
But do you know the difference between content from a creator and content from an influencer?
Take a look at these (maybe too real) examples…
A) You book your summer holiday based on what you saw on Instagram.
B) You quit your job based on what you learnt from a digital nomad.
One was an influencer, one was a creator.
A pretty graphic I made! Pretty happy with the colour scheme!
*I define ‘platform native’ as their success being directly related to their growth on platforms such as Youtube, Tiktok, Instagram. Non-platform natives are celebrities in traditional industries such as music or acting that also have social media accounts.
I’ve noted these key categories where creators differ from Influencers:
The business models they use to monetise
The niche of their content
The tools they use
One thing unites them though. For the most part, they use the same platforms to reach their audience.
1. Creators monetise by selling to their audience. Influencers sell via their audience.
Creators mainly sell via their craft, subscriptions, digital products.
e.g Michael Houck (US) sells subscriptions for his newsletter targetting startup founders.
Influencers monetise through brand partnerships, affiliate and advertising.
e.g Amelia Dimoldenberg (UK) uses Youtube Adsense on her funny interviews with people in the music industry.
A new wave of businesses founded by influencers has happened in recent times. E.g Emma Chamberlain (US) launched her own coffee chain ‘Chamberlain Coffee’.
Emma Chamberlain launched her coffee chain in 2020 at the age of 19!
2. Creators focus on education. Influencers focus on entertainment.
Colin & Samir (US) attribute their success to Youtube where they mainly interview other creators and deep dive on the Creator Economy. They also have a newsletter summarising their weekly learnings and updates.
Lara Acosta (UK) helps people improve their personal branding and grow their presence on Linkedin.
3. Creators and Influencers both rely on content and the same platforms.
All of the above record, edit and publish content (most of them by themselves - at least at first).
Whilst they also share the same channels to reach their audience and fans such as Youtube and Instagram - platform native creators also use suite of new tools such as Substack and Beehiiv (Newsletters), Patreon (Exclusive Content) and Stan and Beacons (Link in Bio).
I categorise myself as a platform native creator. I am an artist, content creator and newsletter writer (amongst other things).
Who knows maybe one day I’ll be able launch my own coffee shop!
If you enjoyed this article feel free to share the link to my newsletter or forwarding this email to any friends or colleagues!
