If you’ve been a creator for a while, you’ve probably experimented with your content quite a bit. You might have found your niche in video, the written word, or TikTok trends. You might even know when to publish content to get the most engagement. But what if the creator platform that best suits your content isn’t even on your radar? Imagine how many potential fans don’t even know who you are yet.
To help, we’ve rounded up five of the top creator platforms to keep an eye on — for publishing newsletters, selling subscriptions, engaging with your audience, and more. Who knows, you might hit it big on one of them.
Clubhouse
What is it?
Clubhouse is an audio-only social media app that’s essentially the digital equivalent of hanging around at a party and popping your head into whichever room draws your interest. It went semi-viral in early 2021 and gained notoriety for being invite-only, making it one of the most exclusive social networking platforms out there.
Now, Clubhouse is open to all. Everyone from content creators to venture capitalists to DJs use it to create informal, drop-in audio sessions with their community. An in-app payments feature allows users to send money directly to their favorite creators.
Why pay attention to it?
Despite what the hit song by the Buggles would have you believe, video content hasn’t killed audio. The fact that everyone seems to have a podcast these days should be proof of that. If you don’t want to invest time and resources into running a full-on podcast, Clubhouse is a great alternative for connecting with your community through audio. Get on it early as the app is strategizing to regain relevance.
Substack
What is it?
Substack is half-blog, half-newsletter. You can build and write blog posts the same way you might on a blogging platform, but with the added bonus of a built-in subscription model. Substack automatically emails your posts to anyone who signs up, meaning you can start a newsletter without using more complex services like Mailchimp or HubSpot. And, if you’re so inclined, you can make it a paid newsletter with little effort.
You can even use Substack to create a podcast, meaning you can publish both written and audio content with just one platform.
Why pay attention to it?
The number of paying Substack subscribers increased fivefold between 2020 and 2021. Any platform that grows that quickly should be on a content creator’s radar.
Beyond that, Substack gives you access to something incredibly valuable: an email list. Upload an important update on your YouTube channel, and there’s no guarantee your audience will see it. Think of Substack as a way to communicate more directly with your audience through email. You use it to share major updates, run campaigns, and more.
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What is it?
Okay, hold on. We know what you’re going to say. “LinkedIn? Isn’t that just for recruiters and boomers?” On the surface, it might seem like that’s the case. However, if you’re creating content that can appeal to professionals, you should totally be on LinkedIn.
While LinkedIn used to be almost exclusively a place for you to put your resume in front of recruiters, there’s a burgeoning content creation space on the platform you shouldn’t ignore. Many users, from CEOs to department heads to entrepreneurs, have started creating content on LinkedIn, usually based around inspiring, healthier workplace culture and better working habits.
The people at LinkedIn seem to know this space is growing too. They’ve recently added features aimed at serving creators, from introducing the ability to host audio events to adding customizable links to your profile.
Why pay attention to it?
Well, first off, many of the brands you’re hoping to work with probably have a presence on LinkedIn. That means you should at least exist there. And for content creators, there’s another big draw here: opportunity. Content on LinkedIn is more limited than other platforms, and not everyone sharing content there right now can be creative within those limits. That can make it a great place to find your niche.
Twitch
What is it?
Twitch is a live streaming service that allows creators to interact with their viewers in real-time. While it is popular within the esports community, the platform has been expanding beyond gaming, with music, food, art and even mental health-related streams finding a place on the site.
Not only do Twitch streams make for strong community-building experiences, but they also enable creators to make money from paid subscriptions. Fans can support creators by paying a typically monthly fee, and get sub-only perks in return.
Why pay attention to it?
Quality content will catch someone’s attention, but a sense of community will keep them coming back. With Twitch, you can develop that special bond with your audience, while getting rewarded for your work at the same time. Whether you’re a gamer or not, you can use the platform to build a community that shares similar interests as you.
Creator.co
What is it?
Creator.co is a unique blend of a content creation platform and an influencer marketing network. For brands, the service is a marketplace where they can scout for the creators they need for marketing campaigns.
Creators can find all sorts of deals on this platform, including straightforward sponsorships and affiliate programs. You can also set up a marketplace full of sponsored products, shipped directly from the brands to your fans.
Why pay attention to it?
For some content creators, sponsorships and brand deals make up a huge chunk of their revenue. Any platform that makes finding these deals easier — and without taking a big cut — can be a useful tool. Creator.co is also designed with micro-influencers in mind, so you don’t need a large following to make the most of it.
Keep looking
As a creator, you’re always working hard to give your fans the best content you can. To make sure it actually gets to them though, you should be on the lookout for platforms that can expand your reach. That way, both your audience and your potential new followers can know where to find you. Try branching out to one of these platforms and see what happens.
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