A Pathway To Success Part IV - "The Diagram"

I had a blast writing the three part series I just published called A Pathway To Success, which explored how people with artistic passions can become like the full time content creators they see on Instagram. 

I started thinking about a diagram to explain how each of the three parts (content, connections, and a business model) come together, and what it looks like if you have different combinations of each.

Let me propose some titles and potential paths so you can see the many ways to contribute and profit from the world of content.

Socialite

A socialite is someone who is connected. They seem to know everyone, they can speak a lot of industry languages, and they love introducing people who could benefit from knowing each other. These people don’t have any trouble making their way in their careers. Socialites are the type of people who score sweet jobs because of their connections, and who get invited to great parties. They work the room at those parties, meet more people, and score even cooler jobs.

Artist

Artists hardly need an introduction. They’re people who create no matter what. They could be driving a garbage truck to make money but they still go home, open up the laptop, and make beats until midnight. They couldn’t care less if they get discovered, creating is enough reward for them. There’s nothing wrong with creating art for art’s sake. America pushes artists to desire money and fame, but we should all encourage the artists in our lives to keep creating no matter what. 

Freelancer

The freelancer has a business model for their skill, and brings their work to the market often. These are the gaffers, the grips, the web developers, the press release writers. There’s a strong economy for a lot of freelancers, and while they may be too busy making money with their skill to finish their albums, they enjoy what they do and get to work for themselves. A great freelancer fits seamlessly into an organization, solving problems by creating exactly what the team needs quickly and cheerfully. 

Manager

Managers have figured out how to turn their connections into their business model. They bring value to all their connections by connecting two camps that need each other, and they take a cut whenever that happens. These people could be artist managers, talent agents, matchmakers, or something in between. Managers are usually pure artists on the side, or have been in the past. They speak the language of the artist and organize it so the brand can buy it. Managers are essential, and excel at communicating. 

Influencer 

Influencers have content and connections. They’ve created enough to gain a strong reputation and their connections have built them an audience. These people usually have an easier time making some money, as there’s an eager audience to pay for their art. However, influencers usually need to find managers to fill in their third bubble. Luckily, they’ll probably meet each other at a party soon. 

Working Artists

Working artists create good work and sell it. Working artists have Etsy shops, MusicBed accounts, and get hired by agencies to create on a day rate. They act in commercials, and bring value to people who pay for it. The big difference between working artists and content creators is the value that an audience brings. Tom Hanks makes exponentially more money than the long list of equally talented actors, simply because he has an audience who knows his name. 

Content Creator

Content creators have it all–the audience, the work, and the business model to monetize it all. Content creators have multiple streams of revenue because they make money all the different ways that everyone else in this diagram does. Artists, socialites, and freelancers, all equally look up to content creators. Influencers, working artists, and managers all desire to work with content creators–not to mention brands too. Content creators have combined three different business models and juggle all three very well. 

I hope these definitions give you a good picture at the many ways to contribute to the creative world and to gain value from it. Each has their own set of advantages, pitfalls, and luxuries. Although it does seem like the content creator has the most options.