The creator economy is booming as more and more people aspire to be content creators than ever before.
In a world where becoming a doctor, lawyer, or engineer was once the norm, a new generation is embracing the opportunities offered by digital platforms.
The creator economy is projected to be worth nearly half a trillion dollars by 2027, and AI is playing a key role in accelerating this growth by making content creation and social commerce more accessible.
This article delves into the evolution of the creator economy, the platforms driving social commerce, and how AI is empowering creators.
Consumer buying habits have shifted dramatically in recent years, especially among younger generations.
While Baby Boomers discovered products through traditional advertising, Gen Z and Millennials now turn to social media — and, more importantly, to content creators — for product recommendations.
“You’re more likely to buy a product from an influencer or someone you follow online than from a traditional ad,” says Sebastian Ghiorghiu, a 25-year-old millionaire YouTuber.
This insight has helped creators turn their influence into economic value.
Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook have become goldmines for social commerce, with creators utilizing shoppable videos, live shopping, and direct-to-consumer product sales.
TikTok, for instance, saw 68% of social shopping’s gross merchandise value in February 2024 alone.
As Ghiorghiu points out, “TikTok live streaming has been booming. I know people making a few hundred bucks in their first few days and others making $20K a month.”
AI: the game changer
AI has become a game-changer for some content creators, simplifying the creation and distribution of content while boosting engagement.
Social platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube use AI-driven algorithms to optimize content discovery, allowing creators to reach wider audiences.
This targeted approach increases customer conversion rates, which is essential for driving social commerce.
Creators also rely on AI tools for content generation.
According to HubSpot’s State of AI in Marketing Report, 84% of content creators use AI tools for tasks like generating images, writing copy, and ensuring content quality.
This allows creators to boost productivity, save time, and reduce costs.
Take the example of Hazel, a YouTuber who uses AI to automate her video creation process. Using tools like ChatGPT and Stable Diffusion, she produces high-quality videos in record time, driving sales of her own products.
It is not just helping with content creation but also optimizing customer engagement.
Tools like Manychat allow creators to automate responses to thousands of messages, streamlining the customer journey.
Katie Plunkett, founder of KidTalk, saw her sales grow by 150% using automated follow-up messages. “Responding instantly to thousands of messages is what made my post go viral,” she says.
AI is also enhancing personalization, with features like Manychat’s AI Step, which asks customer-specific questions and forwards the information to the creator.
This level of engagement can result in significant business growth, as seen by one creator whose sales jumped 35% after integrating AI-driven interactions.
AI is revolutionizing the creator economy, helping creators maximize their potential by streamlining content production and customer interactions.
As social commerce continues to grow, creators who adopt AI tools are well-positioned to succeed, driving more engagement and revenue through their platforms.
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