The Business of Creators
The Business of Creators podcast is for content creators and professionals in the creator economy. Each week we speak to the businesses supporting the creator economy with new tools and effective means of monetisation. Subscribe to the show to learn more about the people powering this amazing new industry. The origin of the show is actually a network I set up in 2017 called The Business of Influencers, back when everyone was talking about influencers and not creators. I built the network to bring people together and it grew to more than 500 people as the creator economy boomed. But I've never liked the word influencer.Having spent more than 20 years in the media industry, I am deeply passionate about supporting creative talent. Today I am the co-founder of a business called Electrify Video Partners which invests in creators. And I created this show to raise awareness of this great industry.
The Business of Creators
Short-form social is becoming the new TV! With Zach Blume from Portal A
Creators Are Becoming Studios — Here’s What That Means for You. In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd sits down with Zach Blume — a 15-year veteran of the digital content space — to break down the shift from snackable content to premium storytelling on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.
Zach shares lessons from building one of the longest-running independent creator studios and why the next frontier in the creator economy isn’t about virality — it’s about ownership, brand-building, and big creative bets.
Topics Discussed:
- The rise of premium content in the creator economy
- What brands are getting right (and wrong) in creator partnerships
- Why short-form episodic content is taking over social
- How investing in creative R&D leads to breakout talent
- Lessons from navigating 15+ years in digital media
Key Takeaways:
- Learn why creators who treat their channels like studios are set to win
- Discover how to attract brand deals that go beyond simple sponsorships
- Understand how trends like "social TV" are opening new creative lanes
- Get insight into how top studios think about longevity, team culture, and staying ahead of the curve
Listen to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!