The Creator Economy Decoded: How to Actually Make Money Online

Nearly 60% of Gen Z wants to be a creator—but how do you actually turn posting into profit? In this episode, Sammi pulls back the curtain on the creator economy and shares the real business model behind full-time content creation. From brand partnerships to your own storefront, affiliate links to equity deals, Sammi breaks down all the ways creators monetize (and the pitfalls to watch out for). Plus, she shares her own behind-the-scenes journey: how she priced her first brand deal, the mistakes she learned the hard way, and her big vision for Social Currency as a platform and a business.

Whether you’re dreaming of becoming a creator yourself, already building your side hustle, or just curious about how the influencer sausage gets made—this episode will give you a roadmap to stand out, stay authentic, and actually make money online.

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Here’s what Sammi covers today:

00:00 Why the creator economy is just getting started

02:15 The myth of saturation—and how to stand out

03:44 The brand partnership playbook (and how to price yourself)

11:09 Owning your storefront: products, courses, and merch

15:07 Platform payouts, affiliate links, and even equity deals

16:33 The realities of creator cash flow and mental load

20:55  How to show Social Currency some love

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