Home
Creator Marketing
Sponsored

Creator Economy Scoop: The creative content that goes unseen

Here's this week's roundup of industry news
Olivia Harris
&
April 8, 2024

The Creator Economy Scoop is a roundup of the weekly news, data and trends that are defining the industry. (graphic by Lindsay Hill)

‍

Share

TikTok wants its own photo app, brands are mismanaging their budgets and musicians are taking action against the AI that they say replaces artistry. Here’s the rest of this week’s scoop:

‍Quick numbers 💯

1/3 - Users ages 25 to 54 will spend more than a third of their social time on TikTok this year [1]

10.5% - Store brand beauty products grew 10.5% in 2023, the highest of any other store brand categories [2]

52% of the core marketing assets are never activated [3]

18% of the media investment behind ads featuring women went to women with darker skin tones in 2023 [4]

What you should know  ☕

The unseen cost: How brands are mismanaging millions in content

  • The average Fortune 500 brand is making $25m disappear annually on creative content that never reaches its audience
  • 52% of the core marketing assets are never activated
    • sets the industry on a path to evaporate $100 billion yearly on content never getting used

Gender in advertising 2024

  • Ads from 2023 featured women 56% of the time, compared to 42% of the time for men
  • Women still appear most often in family settings (19%) and least in leadership roles (3.4%)
  • Ads featuring women with darker skin tones received 18% of the media investment behind ads featuring women

Top takeaways from the Creator Economy Summit

  • TikTok’s US troubles didn’t seem like a pressing concern
  • There’s AI fatigue; creators and consumers are seeking analog experiences
  • Community was the buzzword of the day
    • "There's more opportunity in niche communities. There are the tools for their communities to support them and buy things from them. Plus, now you've got advertisers seeing the value and pouring money into those communities" - Whalar co-founder Neil Waller

YouTube is the 3rd largest provider of subscription TV in the US

Social platforms 📲

Meta  📸

YouTube  📹

  • Creators in the YouTube Partner Program with Channel Memberships can now create Members-only Shorts

TikTok ⏰

  • TikTok may be close to launching its new dedicated photo app
    • “TikTok Notes, a new app for photo posts, is coming soon. Your existing and future public TikTok photo posts will be shown on TikTok Notes.”

Linkedin 🖇️

  • LinkedIn has launched its own version of connected TV (CTV) ads, while also adding a new way to promote live events
Updates in tech 💻

200 artists signed an open letter to tech platforms

  • Artists are accusing platforms of using AI to infringe upon and devalue the rights of human artists
  • List includes artists like Billie Eilish, J Balvin, Mumford & Sons, and Camila Cabello

Related Articles

Creator Economy Scoop: Coachella collabs and the Taylor Swift treatment

Here's this week's roundup of industry news

How can brands prove they actually care about social causes?

Misfits Market’s latest partner is a viral Instagram page rooted in activism

Consumers are afraid of getting older—can marketers shift the narrative?

As younger audiences eye anti-aging products, creators and brands are trying a different approach

Want more insights?

Join thousands of brands who already subscribe to the BANKNOTES monthly newsletter

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Top Articles

Creators are making wellness conversations cool

This yearbook spotlights the social-first brands of 2023

Creators are making wellness conversations cool

This yearbook spotlights the social-first brands of 2023

A graphic displaying an iphone in a bubble, and a hand with a pin about to burst that bubble

Can influencer marketing unplug the iPhone monopoly?

Share
Home
Creator Marketing

Creator Economy Scoop: The creative content that goes unseen

Olivia Harris
April 2024

TikTok wants its own photo app, brands are mismanaging their budgets and musicians are taking action against the AI that they say replaces artistry. Here’s the rest of this week’s scoop:

‍Quick numbers 💯

1/3 - Users ages 25 to 54 will spend more than a third of their social time on TikTok this year [1]

10.5% - Store brand beauty products grew 10.5% in 2023, the highest of any other store brand categories [2]

52% of the core marketing assets are never activated [3]

18% of the media investment behind ads featuring women went to women with darker skin tones in 2023 [4]

What you should know  ☕

The unseen cost: How brands are mismanaging millions in content

  • The average Fortune 500 brand is making $25m disappear annually on creative content that never reaches its audience
  • 52% of the core marketing assets are never activated
    • sets the industry on a path to evaporate $100 billion yearly on content never getting used

Gender in advertising 2024

  • Ads from 2023 featured women 56% of the time, compared to 42% of the time for men
  • Women still appear most often in family settings (19%) and least in leadership roles (3.4%)
  • Ads featuring women with darker skin tones received 18% of the media investment behind ads featuring women

Top takeaways from the Creator Economy Summit

  • TikTok’s US troubles didn’t seem like a pressing concern
  • There’s AI fatigue; creators and consumers are seeking analog experiences
  • Community was the buzzword of the day
    • "There's more opportunity in niche communities. There are the tools for their communities to support them and buy things from them. Plus, now you've got advertisers seeing the value and pouring money into those communities" - Whalar co-founder Neil Waller

YouTube is the 3rd largest provider of subscription TV in the US

Social platforms 📲

Meta  📸

YouTube  📹

  • Creators in the YouTube Partner Program with Channel Memberships can now create Members-only Shorts

TikTok ⏰

  • TikTok may be close to launching its new dedicated photo app
    • “TikTok Notes, a new app for photo posts, is coming soon. Your existing and future public TikTok photo posts will be shown on TikTok Notes.”

Linkedin 🖇️

  • LinkedIn has launched its own version of connected TV (CTV) ads, while also adding a new way to promote live events
Updates in tech 💻

200 artists signed an open letter to tech platforms

  • Artists are accusing platforms of using AI to infringe upon and devalue the rights of human artists
  • List includes artists like Billie Eilish, J Balvin, Mumford & Sons, and Camila Cabello

More from BANKNOTES

“Creator-first” is an industry buzzword, but creators are still chasing down payments

Creators and advocates take to social platforms to share their frustrations

Creator Economy Scoop: Coachella collabs and the Taylor Swift treatment

Here's this week's roundup of industry news

How can brands prove they actually care about social causes?

Misfits Market’s latest partner is a viral Instagram page rooted in activism

Consumers are afraid of getting older—can marketers shift the narrative?

As younger audiences eye anti-aging products, creators and brands are trying a different approach

Creator Economy Scoop: Pinterest as an internet oasis

Here's this week's roundup of industry news

Creator Economy Scoop: The creative content that goes unseen

Here's this week's roundup of industry news

Does AI threaten creator marketing, or does it make the work more meaningful?

Marketers consider the impact of emerging tech on both creative output and staff fulfilment

Creator Economy Scoop: When small creators reign supreme

Here's this week's roundup of industry news

How women in the Olympics are building second careers as influencers

Athletes look to diversify their digital presence while upholding fanbase engagement

Creator Economy Scoop: When TikTok becomes a career coach

Here's this week's roundup of industry news

Why Urban Outfitters is giving Philadelphia creators an international stage

The global brand is building its local presence to build distinction and loyalty

Creators are good at selling stuff, but can they drive big-budget bookings?

Why the company behind Hard Rock and Nobu Hotels still swears by the gifting model

Creator Economy Scoop: Red carpet creators and the post-purchase experience

Here's this week's roundup of industry news

When do creators and brands need private social channels?

As social platforms test new features, users consider their impact on accessibility and reach

Creator economy scoop: Pay transparency and brand trip controversy

Here's this week's roundup of industry news

“Creator Tea Talk” reimagines a more inclusive industry

Panelists stress that while Black creators drive online culture, they fall behind in opportunity

Creator Economy Scoop: Creator likeness and partnership faux pas

Here's this week's roundup of industry news

Creator Economy Scoop: AI apprehension and a TikTok election

Here's this week's roundup of industry news

Super Bowl ads sell reach, but creator marketing masters closeness

Industry execs talk creator partnerships as the key to invested audiences

Creator Economy Scoop: Social platforms are begging to stand out

Here's this week's roundup of industry news

Creators are making wellness conversations cool

While social platforms drive instant gratification, they’ve also peaked Gen Z's interest in longterm results.

Brands are pulling creators out of their content cubicles

As consumers rethink their consumption habits, marketers are giving talent the spotlight in new spaces.

This yearbook spotlights the social-first brands of 2023

The report outlines how names like CapCut, Takis and TikTok Shop have won over Gen Z

A graphic displaying an iphone in a bubble, and a hand with a pin about to burst that bubble

Can influencer marketing unplug the iPhone monopoly?

How competitors are recruiting creators to burst Apple’s blue bubble

Creator economy scoop: At home premium coffee on the rise 2024

Coffee is coming home in 2024

Unlocking the Power of Creator Marketing: Insights from the 2023 Brand Lift Benchmark Report

Creator marketing brand lift benchmark report 2023

Creator economy scoop: Pinterest and luxury brands

In this edition, we explore Pinterest as the go-to platform for luxury brands, the disparity in pay between BIPOC and non-BIPOC creators, and the relationship between fans and creators. We also explore some influencer trends to look out for in 2024, and share a creator spotlight about an inspiring adventurous creator.

Creator economy scoop: How many ads are on TikTok?

In this edition, we explore TikTok's current ad landscape, the ways the FTC is tightening regulations for creators in the nutrition space, and much more.

How to build the right creator roster in 2023

With the way the social media landscape constantly changes (we see you Threads and X), brands need a bit more predictability when working with creators that are on these platforms. In a recent conversation with Ashley Riske, #paid’s Head of Creator Partnerships, she shed light on the key aspects of working with creators and debunked several misconceptions associated with the process.

Why enterprise companies hire celebrity and influencer partners

It's 2023, and everyone wants more. As a marketer, you know that a star-studded collaboration should yield more than a few viral Instagram posts. To open hearts (and wallets), you need a strategic approach. Enterprise companies know this to be true, and as such, they’re getting strategic with celebrity and influencer partnerships.

How Twitter is opening a new space for creator marketing

More emphasis on Twitter videos could potentially create a whole new space for Twitter creator marketing—and launch Twitter as a bona fide video platform on par with YouTube and TikTok. Here’s how.

What developments in AI means for the creator economy and how to stand out amongst the noise

What do Ryan Reynolds, Martini, Nestle, and McDonald’s have in common? They’ve all used the latest and greatest technology trends to create, support, or distribute campaigns.The technology? Artificial Intelligence (AI).

L’Oreal puts a rosy spotlight on mature creators (and more brands need to do the same)

Data shows that use amongst the Gen X cohort specifically (aged 43 to 58 years old in 2023) is one of the fastest-growing audiences on the platform. The same could be said for Facebook and how many Gen X users use the site today while younger generations have moved on to other platforms.

What TikTok can do for your brand and how to create content for TikTok’s algorithm

TikTok is the fastest-growing social media platform thus far, reaching the coveted one billion monthly active users just four years after its international release. (For context, it took Facebook nearly nine years and Instagram nearly eight years to hit that milestone.)

The era of entertainment marketing is here: Tracking the right metrics will help you stand out

TikTok is the champion of entertainment marketing. This is mainly because TikTok viewers are clinging to short video content as a primary form of entertainment, especially in the face of inflation.

Tear a page out of "The Last of Us" marketing strategy

A modern digital campaign for a TV show comes with a familiar checklist. Using trending songs or sounds on TikTok? Check. Diced-together compilations of the show’s greatest moments? Check. Same old, same old? Check, check.Yet the biggest name in TV this year—HBO’s “The Last of Us”—is raising eyebrows because of what it didn’t do. Some of their best social media marketing has bucked the trends. Instead, they’re starting with a new premise:

When influencer-led brands fail

It’s proven that including influencers in a brand’s marketing strategy equals sales: Statista reports the value of influencer marketing alone is worth over $16 billion, while a study done by the Harvard Business Review found that on average, a 1% increase in influencer marketing spend leads to an average 0.46% increase in engagement.

OOH and Ahh: Brands leveraging creators in out-of-home (OOH) ads

Big brands come with big-time leverage. That’s an advantage with creator marketing, where large companies can throw hefty budgets at creators with plenty of followers. Take the History Channel, which launched a “Stay Curious” campaign with NeoReach. The result? A campaign with 12.2 million views, growing the History Channel’s TikTok account to 50,000 followers shortly after launch.

Is Tumblr making a return?

Tumblr, a social network with a unique microblogging platform, was unveiled by David Karp in 2007. For anyone who signed up, creating a distinctive space on Tumblr was (and still is) easy, thanks to the platform's user-friendly interface and customizable templates. 

Is Instagram still worth your time?

Breaking news: an app with 1.22 billion active users ... is apparently dead.Okay, technically Instagram is still up and running. But there are many who don’t see Instagram as the app of the future. As The Atlantic notes, “everyone’s over Instagram.” 

The top women innovating in the influencer economy

It’s not always easy to be a woman in today’s creator economy. Sometimes, it can feel a bit…crowded. After all, there are over 200 million creators in the world today, and according to ConvertKit, nearly two-thirds of them are women. It’s easy to look around at all of the creators and believe that all of the “good” niches have been gobbled up by now. Of those creators who have already monetized their business, the numbers go up: about 77% are women. 

Dissecting the deinfluencing trend: Should brands be worried?

In recent weeks, the trending #deinfluencing hashtag garnered millions of views on TikTok. But what is deinfluencing, and do brands need to be worried about it?

How and why luxury fashion brands are focusing on sustainable alternatives

Luxury fashion has a problem. According to McKinsey, the industry is responsible for over $2 billion in greenhouse gas emissions every year. That’s roughly 4% of the world’s total output.

How legacy brands can market effectively with influencers

You’d be surprised. Influencer marketing isn’t always a strategy for borrowing name recognition from celebrities. Legacy brands have big budgets and decades of goodwill already working for them. 

SEO for social media (Yes, social media)

According to Google SVP Prabhakar Raghavan, “something like almost 40% of young people, when they’re looking for a place for lunch, they don’t go to Google Maps or Search.” Instead, said Raghavan, they turn to “TikTok or Instagram.”

Ugly ads don’t mean bad ads: Try these expert tips for high-intent ads

Before you decide if you agree to disagree with avoiding “ugly content” for your brand, we want to introduce you to a friend specializing in ad campaigns for ecommerce brands.

Beauty brands are (Finally) turning to male influencers

As more brands aim to gain attention from Gen Z consumers, cosmetic brands are branching out and finally tapping into the appeal and audience of male beauty creators.

Does it still cost 5X more to acquire customers than to retain them in 2023?

The “5x rule” is a beloved stat, tracing its roots to sources at Bain Capital. But here’s the thing: the stat is…well, kind of old. We’re talking 2014. Possibly even earlier. 

Creator success case study: Hyundai and Culture Brands

Creator marketing can be a big investment for many eCommerce and DTC brands. It often begs the question, “is it worth it?” This new case study series will evaluate different campaigns to give you a better idea of just how successful creator marketing campaigns can be. Let’s kick off the series with an awesome campaign from Hyundai and Culture Brands.

This year’s Super Bowl creator-marketing wins that brands should emulate for next year

Brands choosing to partner with America’s favorite celebrities is almost a bigger tradition than the Super Bowl itself. In the past, we’ve seen ads from Dolly Parton, Timothée Chalamet, and Will Ferrell. This year, like in previous years, there was no shortage of A-list celebrities placed front and center of the most coveted advertising slots. Celebrities ranged from Serena Williams, Alicia Silverstone, Melissa McCarthy, Bradley Cooper, and John Travolta.

Six creator couples share how they work together while in a relationship

Relationships, whether romantic, platonic, or familial, are essential for any human being to thrive. Even when these relationships are complicated or situational (see: situationships), they allow us to learn new things about ourselves, explore the parts of life outside our comfort zone, and ultimately help us evolve as individuals.

How creators and influencers over 40 are carving out a space on social media

Over the past couple of years, social media users have been explicit in asking for content from brands and creators that’s authentic, diverse, and inclusive. In short, social media users are begging for real.It makes sense why authenticity resonates well with social media users—especially those actively searching for new products. People want to see how products help people who look like themselves and reflect a similar lifestyle.

Amazon influencer program secrets: Why UGC creators need to get started now!

A look at how creators are making the most of Amazon's influencer program

HOORAE’s Tiana Harris on their partnership with Walmart

Black creators, despite their talent and often being the main drivers of social media trends, are often overlooked for partnership opportunities with brands. Naturally, this oversight has led to a gap in which Black creators have less access to paid opportunities or even visibility on social media and other creator platforms.

The rise of the LinkedIn influencer (and what it means for the creator economy)

Most people might not group LinkedIn with mega-creator platforms like YouTube and TikTok. TikTok is the exciting new kid on the block, rocket-blasting from $82 million in revenue in the third quarter of 2019 to $1,567 billion three years later. YouTube has been around longer, but its status as the world’s top video-sharing network makes it a titanic platform for any influencer.

What responsibilities do sustainable brands have to educate without alienating customers?

Striking a balance between creativity and appealing to customers is often a tenuous one for marketing teams.Add in the massive competition for traffic and sales, and you might find a brand or two swinging for the fences only to end up striking out spectacularly.

What is the future of the creator and influencer economies?

Combining niche marketing insights with powerful creators has been a boon to marketers. That’s why the creator economy reached over $100 billion in the middle of 2022. And now, 75% of marketers use it to one degree or another.

Short-form video: How influencers are tackling ever-decreasing attention spans

The average attention span is shrinking. In fact, a recent Microsoft study found that our attention span is down to about eight seconds or less. This extends to attention spans while browsing the web. And in the creator economy, those eight seconds are precious currency.There’s no doubt that in recent years, short-form video has either created this trend or capitalized on it. And it’s officially a trend creators can’t afford to ignore. 

The role of creator marketing and influencers in the B2B world

Since creator marketing is so successful in the DTC world, it follows that marketers would wonder if the B2B world also lends itself well to success with creator marketing.

Content not performing? How to create platform-native content that drives results

You’ve seen it a million times in the DTC and B2B worlds. A company will take the same piece of content and plaster it across the brand’s various social media channels. The results? Lackluster. Maybe it will get engagement from the social media manager (SMM) who posted it—and, if they’re lucky, the SMM’s mom. (Provided they’re on Twitter, of course.)What’s wrong with this strategy? Aside from the fact that it never works, it’s rare to see brands—especially B2B companies—dive deep into every social media platform’s unique quirks. As a result, they rarely post creative content that engages their target audience.

Influencers are changing the niche fragrance game

Regardless of whether or not fragrance advertising makes sense, they are successful in two notable factors:They get attention, and consumers talk about it. Plus, because celebrities are often the face of legacy perfumes, they offer consumers a point of reference when recalling a brand. It might be daunting for niche or indie brands to go head-to-head with an established brand. But there’s good news: consumers want products that fit their needs individually.

How Nibble and its AI-powered chat is impacting eCommerce

It is uncommon to find an AI-powered chat experience that is willing to negotiate with customers, and do so with ... well ... with some personality. That's exactly what Nibble provides. Rosier Bailey, Nibble's president and CEO, chatted with the DTC Growth Show about Nibble and its potential uses across eCommerce.

What influencer trends should you follow in 2023?

Influencer marketing has become a key part of many brands' marketing strategies over the past few years. With the rise of social media platforms and the ability for individuals to gain large followings, influencers have become a valuable tool for businesses looking to reach new audiences and promote their products or services. As we start 2023, it's important to stay up-to-date on the latest influencer trends to ensure that your brand is making the most of this marketing strategy.

Where are brands finding new talent? Hint: It’s not LinkedIn

There’s been talk about ‘Quiet Quitting’ and the ‘Great Resignation’ over the last two years, which means brands wanting to fill positions and needing employees have to take a good, hard look at what they’re offering how they’re reaching potential candidates.

Want to work with effective creators and influencers? Get them to opt-in

Content creators are worth their weight in gold when the relationship is authentic. And while you might get lucky reaching out to creators who are fans of the brand and willing to provide content for your different marketing channels, there’s a more effective way to get creators on board who will bring the excitement and authenticity you want (and need): getting them to opt-in.

Top influencer marketing trends for 2023

2022 was a successful year for influencer marketers, and things are looking up in 2023 as well. While influencer marketing and creator partnerships will help brands grow and capture more sales, it’s also essential to keep a pulse on marketing, influencer, and industry trends.

How marginalized creators are using “algospeak” to bypass the algorithms and reach wider audiences

It’s known as “algospeak,” and its premise is simple. Some online platforms use algorithms to censor or ban content by seeking out key phrases. Creators find sneaky ways of not saying those phrases while still getting their basic meaning across to their audience. Algorithms becomes Al Gore Rhythms. Dead becomes unalive. Sex becomes seggs. It’s not just a snarky way to avoid TikTok or Twitter dinging your content and sending you to the digital equivalent of a timeout. For some, it’s a necessity. One study examined how “social media work is not just materially concealed, but rendered socially invisible through its lack of … marginal status.” 

Five examples of viral creator-brand ad collabs

Come launch time, brand and creator collaborations have a way of looking effortless. From product names to color palettes, it’s as if the brand and creator were made for each other. A look behind the scenes, however, shows that success is no accident.

Retail and eCommerce trends for 2023

Did you know that more than half of the world’s eCommerce transactions take place in China? Commerce trends largely have taken hold in Asia first and then slowly made their way west.

TikTok trends from A-Z for 2023

Well, TikTok is the “it girl,” right? And if there is anything an “it girl” knows, it’s trends. Brands that ride the wave of the TikTok trends get the most out of the platform and see positive results. Brands that don’t flounder in cyberspace.Lucky for you, I spend a healthy portion of my day researching TikTok trends, so you don’t have to. Here are the top 26 TikTok trends moving into 2023 from A to Z. (Let’s get cute about this…just like TikTok did.)

Joy Ofodu: From full-time Meta employee to full-time content creator

Since the pandemic, there seems to be a cultural shift in how the world views the overall idea of the full-time job. For many, there were water cooler chats, post-work team-building activities, meetings that really could have been an email, and many minutes spent commuting to and from the office. Now, time is more valuable than ever, and the desire to have a work-life balance, flexibility in schedule and environment, and the space to pursue creative passion projects outside of work is becoming more and more palatable.

What we can learn from China’s commerce trends

China’s leading tech innovation is a top reason for its place as a global commerce leader. Many of the world’s most popular social media and commerce platforms started in China first and then moved westward.

Dentist goes viral on TikTok, showing the fun side of oral health care

This week, BANKNOTES caught up with Dr. Suhail Mohiuddin, who has built a growing dental franchise across the Chicago area, and is bringing in 25% of his new customers through TikTok referrals

These top pickleball influencers are helping the sport’s growth in popularity

While it might seem like pickleball is a come-and-go trend, more akin to cold bucket challenges and “is it real or cake?” videos, pickleball is a trend with staying power. In the world of viral hits and short-lived fads, that’s unique to both sports and TikTok.

How to grow your TikTok following, as highlighted by Alex Friedman and her 77K followers

TikTok is one of the most powerful tools to build a rapid audience online. Anyone who’s signed up has experienced the initial “boost” that comes with your first couple of posts. TikTok’s algorithm often sets you up for success, hoping to hook you to the platform.But what happens next? You start to find out how competitive TikTok can be. After all, we’re talking about the first non-Facebook app to reach 3 billion global downloads. That’s great news if you’re looking to build an audience. But it’s also a high bar if you’re trying to stand out and build an audience.

How a dentist is rooting his new-patient strategy in TikTok

It’s not often you come across a dental office with a brand name. Usually, you’ll see “Dr. Mohiuddin Denistry,” “Queen Street Dentistry,” or “Chicago Dental.” There isn’t a lot of creativity, which was the first part of Dr. M’s plan to build a dental brand, not just another clinic. Hence the brand name, Dentologie.

Are creators the cheat code to a brand's social media voice?

This week we’ll dive into the cheat code for creating quality social media content that resonates with Gen Z (spoiler alert: it’s creators.)

ChatGPT's list of top eCommerce tactics

As the eCommerce industry continues to grow, businesses are looking for ways to stay ahead of the competition. To do this, they need to employ the best eCommerce tactics. Here are some of the top eCommerce tactics that businesses should consider:

Influencer marketing trends, as written by ChatGPT

We asked ChatGPT to summarize the latest influencer marketing trends for BANKNOTES

Why brands are hiring TikTok creators to run their social media

If you want to reach these active Gen Z buyers, it’s essential to understand what messages resonate with them and what kind of content encourages their engagement. For Gen Z, that’s humorous and authentic content.

How to maintain customer loyalty as the inflation spikes the cost of goods

Sure, Black Friday saw an all-time high in eCommerce sales. But if you’ve been to any grocery, retail, or marketplace in the last year, you’ve likely felt the effects of inflation. Everything is more expensive right now. For example, prices for food increased by 10.4% in 2022 (the biggest increase since 1981), and energy prices have risen 41.6% over the last year (the largest since 1980).

Faux 'website outage' emails flood Black Friday inboxes

Do brands lie? Of course they do! But you may be surprised how many brands used a deceptive and false email marketing tactic this past Black Friday weekend—and customers started to catch on.

UGC: Tips for hunting and gathering

Welcome to this week's BANKNOTES newsletter. We hope you enjoyed your holiday, and that this note finds its way through the clutter of endless sales emails. (No seriously the sale ends today!)Speaking of holiday shopping, this week we dive into how best for brands to gather user generated content that can be used across social media and other channels.

Top ways brands can obtain quality UGC and connect with influencers and creators

Well, social media is officially the new word of mouth. Social media allows consumers to share your brand, and it helps you connect with consumers, build trust, and develop a community. And, now there’s a way you can leverage the power of digital word of mouth marketing to also produce more impactful content at a reduced cost. Enter user generated content (UGC).

How Awful Cloth grew a mindset brand through organic creator relationships

Fact: Everyone likes to wear hoodies. Fact: Everyone wore hoodies during the pandemic. Fact: We all love expressing ourselves in different ways. Fact: Everyone can do with a little positivity in their day-to-day lives. Combine all these attributes, put them into a wishing well, and what do you get? An optimistic brand that sells positivity-focused clothing, writes Monday motivation quotes, and sells really bright and happy hoodies.

Successful creators know how to focus and tap into their competitive advantage

Think back to the first time you decided to take your creator career seriously. You face a sea of decisions that can feel paralyzing. It’s no surprise then that one question keeps getting brought up when I talk to creators: How do you break through in a sea of distractions, choices and competition?

Creator campaigns aren't just for apparel and CPG brands: INFINITI launches campaign driven by creators

Welcome to this week's BANKNOTES newsletter.Before you slip into a tryptophan-induced slumber, we wanted to stuff (see what we did there) your inbox with some insights from this week in eCommerce and creator marketing.

Erica Werber, CEO of Literie Candles, on the explosion of the candle industry

Literie was originally launched as a pandemic hobby and love letter to NYC. With help sampling scent profiles with her kids as they were learning remotely and with an order of 2000 candles, founder Erica Werber thought she would just sell the candles mostly to friends, and then return to her normal career.

INFINITI launches marketing campaign driven by creators

INFINITI, the luxury division of Nissan, has launched a new creator-powered campaign called Capture INFINITI. According to the agency leading the campaign, INFINITI is looking for ways to differentiate itself within the growing competitive luxury vehicle space, which is why it teamed up with seven creators to launch a one-of-a-kind creator-led campaign. The campaign showcases INFINITI’s QX series. 

Nibble brings an AI-powered negotiator bot to eCommerce

Nibble is a new eCommerce technology company that’s trying to disrupt eCommerce product pricing. The technology brings customer and merchant negotiation into the online shopping experience for Shopify stores. 

TikTok is paving a new path for online search: Are you ready?

Is TikTok going head-to-head with Google search? According to a recent writeup from Ashley Cummings for BANKNOTES this isn't too far fetched. 😲 In fact, 40% of young people say they go directly to TikTok or Instagram now instead of Google. 😲

Options for paying creators: Affiliate commissions vs. contracts vs. full-time

The question isn’t whether or not there’s value in hiring creators—even over celebrities—to promote your brand. There is. The question is: what’s the best way to compensate creators so you can secure more mutually-beneficial partnerships and grow your brand?

Tuft and Paw's Jackson Cunningham on developing thoughtful furniture for cats

From a cat tree that looks like it should be in a museum, to the perfect litter box: Tuft and Paw's Jackson Cunningham on developing thoughtful furniture for cats

Bolt one-click checkout sustains another round of layoffs

So-called one-click checkout company Bolt underwent another round of sweeping layoffs this week, according to posts from several former employees across Linkedin.

Death to DTC Twitter? Elon Musk’s direction causes fight or flight response amongst community

While it’s still early on in the acquisition, folks are complaining on Twitter about Musk, his “sh*tposting” (for a lack of a better term), and these new changes (mostly the pay-for-verification issue.) One community that’s specifically concerned is the Direct-to-Consumer one—a small subset of Twitter where founders, marketers, and operators of eCommerce technology and brands came together and built strong connections over the past several years.

Banknotes’ 2022 holiday DTC gift guide (and giveaway)

Check out the coolest DTC gifts and enter for a chance to win $500 to spend on yourself and some friends

Nisha Godfrey: The woman behind TikTok’s viral chicken salad sound

“It’s a chicken salad.”If this phrase sounds familiar, it’s likely because you’ve heard it used as a trending sound in thousands of videos on TikTok and Instagram over the past several weeks. The entire sound features an exchange between frequent deli goer Nisha Godfrey and owner Wael Herbawi at East 81st Street Deli in Cleveland, Ohio.

FlavorCloud's Mike Sanchez on the business of leading

As the Chief Revenue Officer at FlavorCloud, Mike Sanchez has had 17 years of experience driving partner, sales, and customer success.

Not all creators need to foster community

Building audiences has always been a lucrative endeavor. It’s the reason why the amount brands spend on influencer marketing keeps rising. Community is powerful on its own, too. Conferences and online memberships are thriving businesses. This begs the question, do all creators need to build community? 

Hollister uses Share2Pay to help young shoppers share their carts with guardians

After an internal study of sales data, executives at Hollister and Abercrombie & Fitch found that brands targeted toward teens were losing sales. Part of this was due to inflation and the rising cost of living, but they found the key pain point was an age-old reality: most teens simply don’t have much purchasing power. After researching today’s Gen Alpha (teen) consumers, Hollister created the Share2Pay app to tackle this problem.

Banknotes logo.

Want more insights?

Join thousands of brands who already subscribe to the BANKNOTES newsletter

BANKNOTES is a property of #paid.       © 2021 Hashtag Paid Inc.  All rights reserved