📣 Everyone Is a Creator Now But Who's Getting Paid?
"Clout Is Free. Rent Is Not."
Once upon a time, people wanted to be doctors, astronauts, or lawyers. Now? Everyone wants to start a newsletter, grow a podcast, or post videos from their kitchen table with a ring light and a cup of overpriced coffee.
Welcome to the Creator Era.
Population: everyone with Wi-Fi and something to say.
Reward: …well, that’s the million-follower question, isn’t it?
The Dream: Make Stuff. Get Paid. Be Free.
We’ve been sold a beautiful dream:
Do what you love. Build an audience. Quit your job. Monetize your passion. Live your truth. (Don’t forget the aesthetic lighting.)
And let’s be honest—it’s a tempting offer.
Who wouldn’t want to make money by sharing life advice, travel vlogs, book reviews, or cooking tutorials while sitting in pajama pants?
But somewhere between "Follow for more!" and “Link in bio,” a lot of creators are realizing something odd:
The attention is free. The work is constant. And the money?… sporadic.
The Harsh Math of Going Viral
A million views on a video might get you a handful of followers.
A hundred followers might give you ten likes.
Ten likes might lead to…well, nothing.
The platform claps. You do a little happy dance.
And then you post again. And again. And again.
All while quietly asking yourself: Wait…am I working for free?
Because the truth is, for every person who builds a thriving business off content creation, there are thousands who are essentially running full-time media operations with part-time validation and zero income.
We’re all unpaid interns in the algorithm’s office.
The Creator Economy Sounds Like an Economy. But Is It?
Let’s pause and ask:
What even is the creator economy?
Is it a real “economy” if only a tiny fraction of people are earning a livable income from it?
We’re talking:
Creators selling $9 eBooks just to cover their Wi-Fi bill.
Writers posting free weekly newsletters with hope in their hearts and a donate button no one clicks.
Podcasters with a crisp mic and 84 loyal listeners (73 of which are their cousins).
Meanwhile, platforms profit from our efforts, using our words, videos, and jokes to keep people scrolling…and shopping.
Feels a bit backward, doesn’t it?
So Who Is Getting Paid?
Let’s be real: a few are crushing it.
They’ve got brand deals, affiliate links, paid subscriptions, merch drops, loyal fans, speaking gigs, and an inbox full of praise. Good for them. Really.
But many others smart, talented, consistent people are quietly burning out. Not because they aren’t good enough, but because the system wasn’t built to pay everyone. It was built to keep everyone…posting.
In this world, you can be amazing and invisible. Consistent and broke. Viral and still not valued.
That’s not a personal failure. That’s just…math.
But Still We Keep Showing Up
So why do we keep creating?
Because there's something magical about putting something out into the world.
Because sharing ideas is addictive.
Because maybe, just maybe, this next post will be the one.
Because community feels better than invisibility.
And because, deep down, we believe our voice deserves a space even if the algorithm forgets us after 24 hours.
A Gentle Reminder to Fellow Creators (and Lurkers)
If you’re someone who creates and shares, thank you.
You’re not crazy for trying.
You’re not failing because you’re not rich.
You’re not irrelevant because you don’t have a blue check or a podcast sponsor.
And if you’re someone who reads, watches, or listens support the ones you love.
Click the like button. Share the thing. Pay when you can.
It doesn’t need to be a lot. A kind comment goes further than you think.
Final Thought: Create, But Don’t Let It Consume You
It’s okay to log off.
It’s okay to be a creator and a person.
You don’t have to post every day to matter.
Your value is not measured in views.
And if no one told you today:
Your work is worth something.
Even if the internet doesn’t tip.
Thanks for reading. If this made you smile, think, or exhale—I’d love to know. I create for you (and occasionally for my own sanity).
Ishita Mohan