Why Community is the Future of the Creator Economy

I turned 30 yesterday!

I’ve spent the past few weeks reflecting on some of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in the past decade — things I wish my 20-year-old self had known. Writing them down was deeply cathartic, but I also hope they resonate with anyone who’s still figuring things out.

You can read it here.

Now, on to the creator world.

📚 This week's lesson: Community is the most important thing you should be building

I’ve been busy working on several creator profiles for various clients — including one for beehiiv and one for the JustGoGrind newsletter.

They are both profiles of people who launched their own businesses (albeit completely different niches, types of businesses etc.) But what stands out to me is that anyone who’s crushing it in the creator space is creating real, lasting community among their audience.

There’s an undeniable demand for meaningful connection. You see it everywhere:

• 💡 Tech professionals joining career-focused communities like Next Play to figure out their next move

• 💡 Solopreneurs searching for spaces to share ideas and support

• 💡 Digital nomads looking to find fellow travelers and like-minded people around the world

The beauty of the internet and the TikTok-style algorithm is that it makes it easier than ever to find your people and build a business around that.

Key application: The best creator businesses don’t just have passive audiences — they build ecosystems where people engage with each other, not just the creator. Whether it’s a Slack group, Discord, a casual monthly Zoom session, or an IRL meetup, people want spaces where they can connect beyond your content.

🛠️ Tool Spotlight

What it does: Circle is a community platform designed for creators, coaches, and entrepreneurs who want to build engaged, private communities outside of social media.

Why it’s valuable: Unlike a Facebook group, Circle gives you full control over your audience experience, with paid memberships, exclusive content, and real engagement tools—all without relying on an algorithm.

🔗 Try it here: Circle.so

🎧 Read/Listen of the Week

🎙 Podcast: The Nathan Barry Show – Building Digital Communities with Gina Bianchini

If you want to explore more on the topic of community and why it matters so much for anyone building a business, I highly recommend this podcast episode with Gina Biancini of Mighty Networks.

In this episode, Gina and Nathan break down why community-driven businesses are the future and how creators can transition from content-focused to community-first models.

Top insight: The most successful digital communities provide identity, belonging, and purpose. The best way to grow isn’t just by gathering people with a shared interest, but by giving them a reason to participate.

💡 ICYMI: A $60M Bet on Creators

Slow Ventures just launched a $60M venture fund dedicated to creator businesses. This is a huge signal that the industry is shifting—creators are no longer seen as just content producers, but as real business founders worth investing in.

I have a ton of thoughts about this, but I think it’s an awesome investment in the space and I’m excited to see where this goes.

Till next time,

Taylor