Earning $228 million in the creator economy
Nathan Barry created this post about "How the Right People Paying Attention Changes Everything". Here us what he said:
I've earned $228 million in the creator economy.
Here's the one idea that made it possible:
The Audience Shortcut
Most people chase followers. I found something way more powerful…
Most people try to build a crowd (random people paying attention).
What you actually need is an audience (the RIGHT people paying attention).
A handful of the right people creates more opportunities than thousands of random followers.
When I was stuck with failed business after failed business, I discovered something:
The difference wasn't the idea or execution.
It was who was paying attention.
My breakthrough came with an iPad app for non-verbal people.
Instead of trying to reach scattered parents directly, I asked: "Who do these parents already trust?"
Speech-language pathologists.
I gave 50 free licenses to SLPs. They recommended it to clients. Sales exploded.
This is the Audience Shortcut.
When the right people pay attention to your work, risk shrinks and opportunities multiply.
You just need 10 specific people who can transform your path.
I've seen this work for others:
- A coach built 50,000 subscribers from zero
- Someone turned a layoff into a higher-paying business
- A 53-year-old became an airline pilot in 18 months (not 4 years)
Read the full essay for the framework and stories:
