The state of the creator economy (the May REPORT)

plus, supercommunicators and summer reading programs

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⏪ Last time, I asked Claire Venus questions about creativity and joy in the latest Creator Briefing. That's here.

⏩ Today, a curated report of content I found worthy of a dog-ear page corner over the past month. ◡̈

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Here’s what’s in store in this REPORT—

🤩 What creators are creating over short-form video.

💅 The book series taking up all my time.

🎧 How to unlock the secret language of connection.

🫶 In defense of motherhood.

📣 Summer reading programs were not just a 90s thing.

🤭 Your first official invitation to the Content Spark Summit.

I could never say it enough, but I am SO grateful for you. Thanks for being here. 🫶 

🤩  Reveling

Was just casually reading ConvertKit’s State of the Creator Economy Report 2024 🤓, and get this:

In one year, among those surveyed, the rate of creators making short-form videos cut in half (from 45% in 2022 to 23% in 2023). 🤯

From ConverKit’s State of the Creator Economy Report 2024

What did they create?

◽️ Emails or newsletters 58%

◽️ Articles, blog posts or books 51%

◽️ Educational courses 30%

Creators are turning to the inbox to build a more engaged relationship with their audience. 👏 And that’s where they get the highest audience engagement, too. 

💅 Enjoying

Listen, I mentioned in a previous REPORT that I’d found a new book obsession but it was brand new to me back then. 

Now, I am fully sunk  … like simply cannot stop reading the Magnolia Parks series. And while I’m just starting on book four (of five), I’m already sad about it eventually coming to an end. Are these people completely unhinged and more dysfunctional than that word can possibly elicit? Yes. And am I so wrapped up in this series I feel like I now live among London’s high society and criminal underground? Also yes. 💫

(Might have even started watching Buying London as a result.)

Start the Magnolia Parks series with book one here.

 🎧 Playing 

Because of the aforementioned reading binge, other books may be landing on my TBR pile, like this one: Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection by Charles Duhigg.

While I haven’t read it just yet, I heard Duhigg on a recent Armchair Expert podcast episode and, given the topic, was obviously intrigued.

As a Pulitzer-winner and best-selling author, he talks about some of his reporting for the book and how to loop conversations as a show of wanting to connect (not convince). Every dialogue we have has quiet negotiation, he says, and super communicators as about 10x more questions—and ones that get to your experience and values.

Safe to say, I’m excited to read this one next. ⚡️

🫶 Obsessing

I *love* this essay by

Lindsey Stanberry

, “In Defense of Motherhood.” It felt like a rallying cry of the best kind. 

In short: “Motherhood has a terrible PR team.”

Here’s some of the lines I loved: 

“As a mother and a general consumer of pop culture, I feel like we’re living in a sort of Golden Age of Motherhood Media^TM. There are all kinds of moms depicted everywhere…But when I look around, I’ve noticed there’s a narrative about motherhood that’s missing: happy moms.”

…

“I’m not saying it’s always perfect—not even close—but every day is guaranteed to contain at least a moment or two that make it all worthwhile.”

…

“Many of us also find that having children inspires us to try to make the world a better place. Becoming a parent has not dulled my ambition but sharpened it. No one should underestimate a mother with a mission.

…

“Raising a child can be so silly and sweet, and yes, some doors close, but also your world expands in a million ways.”

Enjoying all the kisses from my guys this Mother’s Day.

And how good are these lyrics from the Maggie Rogers song “Don’t Forget Me” that Lindsey said also reminds her of motherhood:

Take my money, wreck my Sundays
Love me 'til your next somebody
Oh, but promise me that whеn it's time to leave
Don't forgеt me.

Seriously, amen.

📣 Recommending 

If your house is anything like mine, you’re deep in summer prep mode—planning the weeks, coordinating trips, and tracking down info for the camps your kids will attend (like the one I stayed up until midnight in February to secure a spot for—true story).

As a kid, one of my favorite summer activities was going to the library with my mom to get the fresh new summer reading program card. (I would eventually *love* to get a new syllabus on the first day of class, too, what can I say?) Each week, I’d check off books from the list and earn a small prize from the librarian. But what I loved most was the feeling of accomplishment at the end. I was proud of myself for completing the challenge. ✨

And did you know, summer reading programs were not only a 90s thing? They still exist in most libraries AND this one earns you a free pizza and this one a free book. 

Do it for the kids. 😉

🤭 Teasing

You might remember I mentioned I’m planning a content summit? Well, consider this your first official invitation… One day. Fourteen speakers. And all right here on Substack. Grab your free seat now! 🎉

➡️ Finally, ICYMI:

[Creator Briefing] What we feel compelled to express

The best goals are created with intuition

Your story really isn't that interesting

Your favorite content researcher for hire,

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