I live in a weird matrix when it comes to business where I admire creators for their ability to “just do it” with content creation and where they admire my ability to “just do it” with building businesses.

In several conversations over the last 3 years, my creator clients have always told me to simply “get started” with content, not over think it, etc.

And within the same conversation I’m also telling them not to overthink some of the things as it relates to wearing their CEO hat, managing a team, and so on.

We then realize that we more or less know what we need to do and hear — yet we struggle to take the leap sometimes.

Over the weekend I spent some time thinking about the media / marketing aspect of The Launch Dept and listed out all my roadblocks when it comes to creating content and I was able to nail down a few things for me to lean into going into the new year:

YouTube. Long Form. Introspective. Thoughts. Conversational. Hooks.

So I’m spending 2 hours per day this entire week learning from a YouTuber that actually approaches content in a way that’s very similar to how my brain works.

There’s 3 more weeks in 2025. I’m dedicated this week to learning and next week into implementing what I learn.

In December 2022, I joined a 5-figure Creator Mastermind and learned about the value of YouTube, long form content, etc. However, at the time I was not convicted about creating content — let alone building a brand around what I was involved with in terms of business and so on.

When you’re all-in on something and have conviction, all of a sudden the overthinking starts to fadeaway. Progress, forward motion, and speed gives no space for confusion or second guessing.

Hear me out… Hot cocoa, Christmas spirit, coffee shop lofi music, Red Rock Canyon in the background.

Can’t lie, I’ve been missing my snowy days in December back in Maryland lately.

What’s your workspace vibe today?

91% of creators are already integrating AI into their content creation process Epidemic Sound, using it to streamline workflows, generate ideas, and combat creative fatigue. The real value isn't in AI-generated content replacing creators, but in making high-quality production more accessible and efficient.

Creators are moving away from platform dependency. 95% of creators are leaning into direct-to-fan models Epidemic Sound, and they're treating multiple revenue streams as essential rather than optional. Creators who have three or four revenue streams are less likely to take underpriced deals and operate more like small media businesses than gig workers inBeat Agency.

The shift from "influencer-for-hire" to equity owner is accelerating. Many creators are now negotiating equity alongside cash in brand partnerships, benefiting from long-term brand success rather than one-off payments inBeat Agency. They're launching their own businesses and retaining intellectual property rights.

Nearly half (48%) of all creator ad buyers now consider creators a full-fledged channel IAB, moving beyond experimental budgets. This professionalization means brands are demanding better metrics and creators are being held to higher measurement standards.

These trends signal that 2026 is less about going viral and more about building sustainable, diversified creator businesses with real staying power.

The creator economy is sitting at approximately $205 billion in 2024 Grand View Research, with projections showing explosive growth to $1.35 trillion by 2033 Grand View Research - that's a 23% annual growth rate.