The content creator economy has become a buzzword. It seems as though almost everyone is putting their bets and hopes into social media stars and digital creators. Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat announced creator funds designed to attract the internet’s most creative talent long ago. Today, even venture capital firms are backing creator startups. And why wouldn’t they? Estimated to be worth more than $92 billion, according to SignalFire, and counting over 50 million creators, the creator economy is hot and growing quickly. It’s no surprise everyone wants in.
However, becoming a digital creator is easier said than done. According to Charlotte Parkes, it takes hard work, dedication, and a lot of sleepless nights to become one. Charlotte experienced this firsthand, as she’s been a digital content creator for over seven years. This young digital creator from the United Kingdom knows how much sweat, patience, tears, and time she had to invest in getting to where she is now.
“Everyone thinks that it’s easy to be a content creator or social media star. They think that you become one by accident when your content gains traction,” says Charlotte Parkes. “That’s just how it starts, but then you need to put in real work to stay there.”
Although it’s not always easy to be a content creator, especially on days when, as Charlotte puts it, “you’re without inspiration but you need to create nevertheless,” she explains that, for the most part, being a creator is an amazing experience. She gets to do extraordinary things like traveling to incredible places, and meeting amazing people. However, out of all those experiences, she notes that content houses are one of the best things she’s ever experienced.
For those unfamiliar with the term, a content house, also known as a creator house, or an influencer house, is a physical location where YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok content creators can meet and work together. These homes are often equipped with a swimming pool, luxurious bathrooms, and ample outdoor space where content creators can loosen up and let their creative juices flow.
As Charlotte further adds, she was a part of FaZe Clan’s content house for three and a half years as a senior talent manager. The whole experience there — making new friends, filming videos with housemates, sharing ideas and knowledge — helped her gain insights that she used to create even better content.
Charlotte also points out that networking is a huge part of the content creation industry as it almost always boils down to the phrase “it’s who you know.” Understandably, she says that a person needs to know what they are doing, but in the end, it will always be easier to come out on top if some other famous person endorses you and your work.
“The experience in FaZe House allowed me to film all this content which helped me to strengthen my brand and ultimately open my own agency. The in-person networking that happens in these houses is especially valuable,” says Charlotte Parkes. “Additionally, you get to meet these incredible people who are doing the same thing as you, and you can share and work on ideas together. That can give you a whole new perspective, and for me, that was a key to my success.”
