Digital creators come from all walks of life—gamers, dancers, writers, designers, crafters, and even comedians. What connects them all is their ability to engage with audiences. With around 50 million people now part of the creator economy and new platforms popping up constantly, that number is only growing.
Brands can team up with relevant creators as part of a super-effective influencer strategy. This article will explore the top six types of digital creators, what they produce, and how they reach their audience.
Table of Contents
Digital creators: Who are they?
Influencers vs. digital creators: What’s the difference?
Top 6 types of digital creators businesses can partner with
Bottom line
Digital creators: Who are they?
A digital creator makes content for online platforms, aiming to grow an audience or possibly earn money. Whether bloggers, YouTubers, online course creators, podcasters, or social media influencers, they use their skills, passion, or unique views to connect with people and build loyal followers.
With tools, streaming platforms, and funding apps more accessible than ever, creators have more options to share content and make money. They can partner with brands, run ads, sell merchandise, or use paywall services like Patreon.
Influencers vs. digital creators: What’s the difference?
People often use “digital creator” and “influencer” interchangeably to describe people who make online content, usually self-employed individuals. Both terms can apply to anyone, whether artists, gardeners, athletes or even vets, as long as they connect with an audience through digital platforms.
In simpler terms, influencers usually have a large following because they are authorities in certain fields, such as celebrities, influencing their followers on what products to buy or not. Conversely, digital creators, who may or may not be celebrities, create and publish content that engages people, using blog content, reviews, how-to guides, etc., via content writing, videos, podcasts, and more.
Influencers don’t put in much work or effort to influence their followers to accept a brand or buy products. On the other hand, digital creators do so much, creating engaging and quality content and following up with the audience—which may be a slower but a more effective way of creating brand loyalists.
Top 6 types of digital creators businesses can partner with
1. The performer
These creators shine in the world of performance arts or as on-camera personalities. Performers include comedians, dancers, actors, musicians, singers, spoken word poets, and DJs. While many make a name for themselves in their respective fields and build personal brands, others may be passionate hobbyists who connect with a niche audience.
These digital creators can earn money by offering Patreon subscriptions, hosting ticketed online shows, or selling merchandise through their social media channels or their websites using platforms like Shopify.
Performer digital creator profile
- Favorite platforms: Spotify, YouTube, and TikTok.
- Skills: Expertise in a specific performing art, staying up-to-date with trends in their field, knowledge of production (like sound recording and lighting), and strong presentation skills.
- Common personality traits: Performative, confident, comfortable in front of the camera, creative, and outgoing.
- Content ideas for partnerships: Comedy sketches, short films, demos (like acting or dancing techniques), new song releases, outtakes, jokes, and stand-up comedy clips.
2. The bellwether
This type of digital creator is most similar to the traditional idea of an influencer. They build a following by sharing their unique style or point of view, usually in areas like fashion, beauty, or pop culture.
They are great at spotting trends before they blow up—and sometimes, even starting trends themselves. These creators are perfect for brand partnerships, as companies are eager to have their products featured by people with big influence.
Bellwether digital creator profile
- Favorite platforms: Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, TikTok, and Substack.
- Skills: A passion for trends and fashion, a distinctive personal style, the ability to explain things in a simpler, beginner-friendly way, and a talent for spotting (or even starting) emerging trends.
- Common personality traits: Curious, creative, adventurous, and innovative, with a strong eye for detail and design.
- Content ideas for partnerships: Outfit of the day (OOTD) posts, unboxings, makeup tricks, memes, style hacks, celebrity news commentary, and beauty tutorials.
3. The iconoclast/maker
Iconoclasts make online and offline art in all kinds of forms. Think photographers, sculptors, street artists, animators, filmmakers, curators, producers, videographers, painters, graphic designers, illustrators, art critics, and producers.
Many of them work as freelancers or independent artists, selling their creations through personal websites or doing commissions for clients. As digital content creators, they build art communities centered around their unique styles.
Iconoclasts often earn money selling or promoting digital or physical products like prints, NFTs, or original art. They can also teach courses (either live or on-demand), host online or in-person art auctions, or organize events that bring artists together.
Iconoclast digital creator profile
- Favorite platforms: TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, personal website, and Instagram.
- Skills: Expertise in their craft, consistent content creation, and strong production skills like editing and photography.
- Common personality traits: Curious, reflective, innovative, creative, and in touch with art, society, and culture.
- Content ideas for Iconoclasts: Behind-the-scenes videos of the creative process, post time-lapse videos of the work in progress, jump on social trends and memes, or offer technique demos.
4. The enthusiast
The enthusiast is a broad category that overlaps with many other creator types. It includes hobbyists and anyone passionate about a specific topic—whether it’s books, travel, board games, plants, fitness, fashion, pets, or arts. With time and growing influence, an enthusiast can evolve into a Virtuoso as they build expertise and an audience.
However, monetization varies because this group is so diverse. Enthusiasts can sell or promote products tied to their interests, offer premium content through a subscription model, self-publish books for their fans, or create online courses.
Enthusiast digital creator profile
- Favorite platforms: Everywhere—any platform works!
- Skills: A genuine passion for a subject, a unique point of view, and a personality that connects with others.
- Common traits: Curious, loves to try new things, humble, and always learning.
- Content ideas for partnerships: Products or business reviews, unboxings, virtual tours, helpful tips/hacks, demos, travel guides, AMA (ask me anything) sessions, workout updates, and recipes.
5. The virtuoso
These digital creators include professionals and experts in fields like medicine, home renovations, math, gardening, fitness, cooking, sewing, wellness, and finance. Many already have thriving careers but found that their unique voice or on-camera presence connects with a broader audience.
Some even turn their platforms into extra income through brand deals or product sales. These creators often partner with brands, host paid Ask-Me-Anything (AMA) sessions with expert panels, or self-publish books to sell directly to their followers.
Virtuoso digital creator profile
- Favorite platforms: TikTok, blog posts, personal websites, YouTube, Twitter, and podcasts.
- Skill: Expertise or extensive experience in a specific field. They excel at breaking down complex topics into simple, easy-to-understand content.
- Common traits: Curious, data-driven, perfectionist, and always striving to learn more.
- Content ideas for partnerships: Introductory guides, tutorials, tips, hacks, how-tos, live Q&A sessions, recipes, tutorials, insights, myth-busting, and workout plans.
6. The technophile
These are tech enthusiasts, including gamers, fintech writers, trendsetters in tech, and crypto fans. They are always knowledgeable about the latest gadgets, apps, and tech trends. Additionally, these creators benefit from paid partnerships.
They are also willing to engage in sponsored content by reviewing or demoing products and games. They can also make money by selling tickets to live streams, ads on their podcasts, and merch to fans.
Tech enthusiast’s digital creator profile
- Favorite platforms: Twitch, Twitter, personal blogs, YouTube, or Substack.
- Skills: Strong technical know-how, staying up-to-date on the latest tech trends, attention to detail, deep connection to the web, pitching to companies for partnership, gaming, and tech culture.
- Common traits: Tech-savvy, open-minded, very online, detail-oriented, and curious.
- Content ideas for partnerships: Livestreams, product reviews, top 10 lists, commentary, unboxings, game demos, breaking tech news, and memes.
Bottom line
Authenticity is key in content, and the same goes for brand partnerships. The best ads feel real and unscripted. Brands can follow the authentic path by looking for influencers who genuinely love the product, have relevant experience, and align closely with their target audience.
Additionally, businesses should consider where their ideal customers spend their time online. Market research can help them discover the formats and channels that most influence their buying decisions. Hence, digital creators who are active in those spaces will be a better fit for the brand.
