Hi,
The creator economy and online business are in a bit of a pickle. By 2025, we may see some major shifts in this space.
A little context:
In the early days of making money from content, only a few people had the skills to make it work—and they were valued by companies for it. As social media grew, so did the pay. Business-savvy creators and solopreneurs began to realize they could earn even more by teaching what they knew and, often, by selling the dream and the lifestyle that went with it.
But as more people became creators and online entrepreneurs, companies saw an opportunity. With more talent to choose from, they began lowering pay, knowing there would always be someone eager to take whatever they offered.
No wonder we’re facing a burnout epidemic—it’s the result of an unsustainable cycle. But I believe a shift is coming in 2025. Here are my predictions:
Going Global—but not just in English
Creating content in English is still a great way to reach a global audience, but the space is crowded. And let’s not forget: approximately 75% of the world’s population doesn’t speak English! That’s a lot of untapped potential. One way to stand out is by creating content in multiple languages, and AI has made this easier than ever.
YouTube’s dubbing feature is improving, and there are tools that let you add subtitles in various languages without knowing them yourself. Although the tech isn’t yet as great as human translators, it’s advancing quickly. Start experimenting with these tools now to stay ahead. It might feel awkward (trust me, I feel it too!), but remember:
“Progress doesn’t care how you feel about it. It just happens with or without you.”
As a bilingual content specialist, I’m swallowing my pride, working on improving my skills, and figuring out how to leverage these tools.
Finding a New Blue Ocean
We’ve “red-oceaned” ourselves with the whole “teach what you know” and “you can do this too!” mentality. It was smart to monetize our expertise, but the next big opportunity will come from knowing when to move on and anticipate emerging trends before they become mainstream.
This doesn’t mean we need to completely shift gears. Instead, it’s about finding new problems to solve using our expertise—and using the latest tech (like in point 1).
Building Long-term Collaborations
Burnout from inconsistent income may drive creators to seek long-term collaborations. Creators and solopreneurs might start operating more like freelance professionals, providing specialized expertise on an ongoing basis to companies. It might not sound as glamorous as “passive income” or “earning six figures in your sleep,” but it offers a balance between freedom and stability—plus that elusive work-life balance (or integration, whichever you prefer).
So, is the creator economy collapsing? Despite all the doom-and-gloom articles out there, I don’t think so.
I think the creator economy and online business are maturing. We’ve passed through the turbulent teenage years, and we’re moving into adulthood. Just like the shift from a wild early-20s phase, the creator economy is learning to settle into something more sustainable and, perhaps, a bit more “boring.” But that’s how growth works.
What do you think will change? Hit reply and let’s nerd out about it!
