Member-only story
Luck is the only secret to success in the creator economy.
The “creator economy” has been sold to us as the future of creativity — the class of entrepreneurs, artists, influencers, and freelancers who leverage digital platforms to make a living online. From YouTube stars and Instagram influencers to individual developers selling apps and digital products, a new generation is forgoing traditional employment to take direct control over their careers and income.
The common narrative in the creator economy is that success is solely due to hard work and grit. Creators proudly share stories of long hours, relentless effort, and grinding through hard times to make their dreams a reality. The implication is that anyone with enough determination can become an online creator.
But is that really the full story?
The Overshadowing Impact of Luck
Our popular mythologising of the bootstraps / hard work ethos underestimates creators’ challenges. It fails to acknowledge the saturation of the digital space, where even exceptionally well-crafted content can struggle to gain visibility in a sea of competitors. The harsh reality is that numerous talented and hardworking creators remain in obscurity — no matter how hard they work.
