The creator economy is a gold rush. But let’s be real—most people are drowning in content, trying to keep up by consuming everything.
Here’s the brutal truth: You’re falling behind because you’re trying to consume too much.
To stay ahead, you need to curate better, not consume more. Here’s how to do it smarter, with real examples, practical tools, and zero fluff:
1. Your Attention is the Most Valuable Currency—Stop Wasting It
If you’re spending hours scrolling through mediocre content, you’re wasting your most valuable resource: your attention. The smartest creators aren’t consuming everything—they’re ruthlessly curating.
What to do:
- Follow creators who give you a competitive edge. Start with Packy McCormick (founder of Not Boring), who offers deep dives into business trends before they hit the mainstream. This isn’t your typical surface-level content—you’ll get insight into the future of tech, crypto, and startups that will put you ahead by months.
- Follow Jack Butcher (Visualize Value) for high-impact content that strips down complex ideas into bite-sized visuals. This will help you simplify and communicate ideas in your own content.
- Unfollow accounts that regurgitate the same tired advice. If it’s not original, cut it.
The result? Instead of being overwhelmed by noise, you’ll focus on creators delivering high-value, actionable insights that help you make smarter moves.
2. Use Twitter as a Signal Tool—Not a Time Waster
Most people think Twitter is just noise. Wrong. It’s actually a real-time trend radar if you know how to use it correctly. The smartest creators use it to catch waves before they turn into tsunamis.
How to do it:
- Follow accounts that spot trends early. People like Mario Gabriele (The Generalist) are incredible at predicting where industries are headed, whether it’s AI or the next big startup. You’re not just staying informed—you’re staying ahead of the curve.
- Use Twitter Lists to keep your feed clean. Create lists for specific niches like “Creator Economy,” “AI,” or “Future of Work.” You’ll filter out the noise and only see high-signal content that matters.
- Set a timer for 10 minutes in the morning and 5 minutes at night. Don’t scroll aimlessly. Use it to discover what’s bubbling up and engage with emerging conversations before everyone else.
The result? You’ll start seeing trends before they go viral, giving you an edge to act before the rest of the world catches on.
3. Join Private Communities—Public Content is the Tip of the Iceberg
Public content is just the preview—the real value happens in private, invite-only communities. If you’re not in these spaces, you’re already missing out on strategies and insights that will never make it to public feeds.
What to do:
- Join paid communities like Lenny’s Newsletter or Trends by The Hustle. These aren’t your typical discussion groups. The insights shared here are from experts who are living what they preach—insider strategies, business frameworks, and opportunities you won’t find anywhere else. This is where you’ll see strategies being discussed before they hit mainstream channels.
- Check out Ben Thompson’s Stratechery for unparalleled analysis of the intersection of media, tech, and business. It’s deep, it’s insightful, and it’s the kind of analysis that will shape how you see the future of these industries.
- Start your own invite-only group. Find 5-10 other creators who are serious about scaling, and meet bi-weekly. Share what’s working (and what’s not). These small, curated masterminds are where the real growth happens.
The result? You’ll have access to insider information and connections that give you a massive edge over anyone still relying on public content alone.
4. Diversify Your Sources—Don’t Get Trapped in One Bubble
If you’re only following content on LinkedIn or YouTube, you’re blind to half the creator economy. Each platform has its own culture, and each rewards different types of content. To stay sharp, you need to diversify your sources. Here’s how to do it intelligently:
What to do:
- For visual content and smart monetization ideas, follow Ali Abdaal and Matt D’Avella on YouTube. They’ve both mastered the art of turning creativity into a sustainable business, and you’ll learn everything from audience building to scaling revenue.
- For deep-dive written content, subscribe to David Perell’s Write of Passage newsletter. He’s a master at synthesizing big ideas and teaching people how to write effectively online—a must-have skill for any creator looking to build influence.
- Experiment with new platforms like Discord or Threads. Early adoption is a huge advantage in the creator economy. Discord is becoming a hub for building tight-knit communities, while Threads is emerging as a great place for real-time engagement. Test them out before everyone else does.
The result? You won’t be stuck in one platform’s bubble. Instead, you’ll be a well-rounded creator, pulling insights from multiple streams and spotting opportunities where others don’t.
5. Be Ruthless About Cutting the Fluff
This is where most people screw up—they keep following accounts that don’t add value because they’re afraid of missing something. Let me be clear: if it doesn’t make you smarter or help you grow, it’s a waste of time.
What to do:
- Unfollow or mute accounts that offer no new perspectives. If you can predict what someone’s going to post next, they’re adding no value to your feed.
- Look for creators who challenge your thinking. People like Sahil Bloom (Curiosity Chronicle) who not only shares insights but does so in a way that pushes you to think differently.
- Stop consuming endless inspirational content. You need action-oriented insights, not fluff. Follow creators who give you frameworks, tools, and steps to execute on—not just feel-good quotes.
The result? Your feed becomes a powerhouse of ideas and strategies that help you grow, while the fluff gets left behind.