Beyond The Massage Table: Growing in the Creator Economy Doesn’t Mean Giving Up What I Love…

Let’s Talk about The New Economy…

The creator economy is a digital ecosystem where individuals create, share, and monetize content, products, or services directly with their audience, often bypassing traditional gatekeepers like publishers or studios. It includes a broad range of activities, from producing videos, writing blogs, and crafting digital art to offering courses, coaching, and more. The focus is on leveraging personal creativity, authenticity, and community-building to generate income, often through platforms like YouTube, Substack & all those Meta Social Media platforms, Podcasts, Personal Websites & Blogs to name a few. In essence, it's about turning passion and creativity into a sustainable livelihood.

In the traditional gatekeeper economy, you'd need to navigate a chain of intermediaries… agents, publishers, store buyers….. each with the power to approve or block your work from reaching an audience. They controlled access to the market, and success often hinged on their decisions.

In the creator economy, you can bypass all of that…. Want to publish a book? Self-publish it and sell directly to your audience. Got a killer mug design? Use print-on-demand services and market it through your own website or social media. The creator economy empowers you to be your own publisher, designer, and marketer, reaching your audience directly without needing the traditional gatekeepers.

In the online world of business I’m part of the creator economy because I’m crafting unique, immersive experiences through the world-building for marketing process…. Instead of relying on traditional marketing agencies or rigid, one-size-fits-all strategies that I’ve tried and failed at… not because they don’t work…. They absolutely do for some… for me it sucks all the creativity out of me and I resist marketing the same way I resist eating most vegetables…. Not for me!

What I am doing now is I’m creating personalized, imaginative brand worlds that will resonate deeply with my audience.

This is where I  take the reins in developing and sharing my expertise, offering courses, workshops, and resources directly to Entrepreneurs, Creatives, and other Wellness Practitioners. I’m  building a community around my vision, where my creative approach and strategic insights become the product. By doing this, I’m bypassing traditional marketing channels and directly engaging with my audience, monetizing my creativity, and shaping my own path in the creator economy.

One part of my brand allows my expertise as a massage therapist to extend far beyond the physical act of using my hands. The deep understanding I have of how the body works, how it heals, and its connection to emotions and thoughts can be translated into valuable knowledge and guidance.

Here in the creator economy I can create content, courses, or workshops that teach others about body-mind healing, self-care techniques, or holistic well-being…. And because oof the internet participants don’t necessarily have to live close by.  I could write a book, start a podcast, or offer virtual coaching sessions. My hands-on experience becomes a foundation for educating and empowering others, allowing me to share my expertise in new and impactful ways—perfectly aligning with the creator economy.

It has been a powerful realization that my hands-on experience isn’t the end of the road but the bedrock for a broader, more sustainable career path. The deep knowledge and insights I’ve gained through 15 years of practice can evolve into teaching, mentoring, or creating content that helps others.  I can guide people in understanding their own bodies, developing self-care practices, or even training the next generation of therapists.

My expertise becomes a bridge, allowing me to transition from physical, hands-on work to thought leadership and education. It’s about shifting from being the practitioner to being the guide, mentor, or creator who continues to impact lives—just in a different, less physically demanding way. This evolution not only preserves my career, that I happen to love, but also amplifies my influence in the wellness space.

Here are some key points about the creator economy that I desire to share with others:

1. Low Barriers to Entry

• Anyone with a passion or expertise can participate. You don’t need formal qualifications or big investments to start…. you just need an idea and a platform.

2. Direct Connection with Audiences

• Creators interact directly with their audience, building genuine communities. This direct line allows for immediate feedback, deeper engagement, and a sense of personal connection that traditional businesses often lack.

3. Multiple Revenue Streams

• Creators can earn money in various ways: selling digital products, offering subscriptions, running ads, getting sponsorships, or even crowdfunding support through different platforms.

4. Creative Freedom

• Unlike traditional jobs, creators have full control over their content and how they monetize it. This freedom allows for more authentic, passion-driven work.

5. Scalability and Flexibility

• The creator economy is highly scalable. Digital products can be sold globally, and many aspects of the business can be automated. Plus, creators can work from anywhere, offering a flexible lifestyle.

6. Value of Personal Brand

• Success in the creator economy often hinges on the personal brand. Being authentic, consistent, and unique helps build trust and loyalty, making our audiences more likely to support our work.

7. Ever-Evolving Landscape

• The tools, platforms, and opportunities in the creator economy are constantly evolving. Staying adaptable and open to learning is crucial for long-term success.

8. Community Collaboration

• Collaboration is a significant aspect. Creators often partner with others for cross-promotion, joint projects, or to tap into new audiences, fostering a spirit of shared growth.

9. Democratization of Opportunity

• The creator economy democratizes the ability to succeed. It levels the playing field, allowing anyone with internet access and determination to create, share, and monetize their unique talents or knowledge.

Sharing these points can help others see that the creator economy isn’t just a trend….it’s a transformative way of working that opens up new possibilities for personal and professional fulfillment…. And although from the surface it looks like many people may just dance on camera, behinds the scenes there is more to it for sure!

Annd…. It’s true that a significant portion of the creator economy is driven by people teaching others how to succeed or make money, which can create the perception that this is the only viable path. However, there are insights that can help shift this perspective:

1. Value Isn’t Just Financial

• The creator economy isn’t solely about making money directly. It’s also about building a brand, a community, and a body of work that can lead to diverse opportunities like partnerships, sponsorships, and even traditional roles that value their unique expertise.

2. Diversify Revenue Streams

• Success doesn’t have to come from selling courses on how to make money. Creators can monetize through a variety of ways… subscriptions, merchandise, consulting, affiliate marketing, or even crowdfunding. You have to think beyond the typical “make money” niche…. Once you start looking you notice it more.

3. Focus on Unique Expertise

• Your unique skills, passions, and experiences can offer value in ways you might not initially see. Whether it’s teaching a craft, sharing personal stories, or offering niche knowledge, there’s an audience for nearly everything. The key is authenticity and understanding what you can uniquely bring to the table.

4. Longevity and Trust Matter

• Building a sustainable career in the creator economy takes time. Success often comes from consistently providing value, building trust with an audience, and evolving as needed. It’s not always a quick path, but with patience, growth happens.

5. Passion-Driven Success

• You really do have to focus on what you love and/or what drives you. When people create from a place of passion, it resonates more with an audience, and the money often follows as a natural byproduct of the value they’re providing.

6. Look at the Bigger Picture

• The creator economy isn’t just about direct sales. It’s about influence, personal growth, and opening doors to other opportunities. A successful creator might find opportunities in speaking engagements, book deals, or collaborations that wouldn’t have been possible without their creative work.

7. Challenge the Narrative

• Acknowledge that while the “teach how to make money” niche is prominent, it doesn’t define the entire creator economy. Look for the stories of creators in different fields—art, wellness, education, entertainment… who have carved their own paths by offering unique value.

8. Community over Competition

• One of the most overlooked areas is in the importance of community. The creator economy thrives on collaboration, mutual support, and learning from one another. By focusing on building a supportive network rather than competing, creators can find more fulfilling and sustainable paths.

These insights can help see beyond the surface and recognize the diverse opportunities within the creator economy. It’s about finding our unique voice and offering value in ways that feel authentic and fulfilling to us.

Navigating My World in the Creator Economy

The creator economy is often seen as a simple space for content creation and monetization. But for me, it’s a multidimensional world where my passions, expertise, and creativity converge to offer unique value, through multiple blogs and websites I’m creating…

Here’s how I fit into this dynamic ecosystem:

The Ignited Path: Personal Growth & Transformation

This is my OG online business, it was created to grow my coaching business after my yearlong Sex, Love, And Relationship Coaching Certification program…. Needless to say it has evolved over the years… Into a space for those seeking mindset shifts, nervous system regulation, and personal growth. I draw from my experiences in coaching and holistic wellness to guide others on their journeys. Here, I blend personal insights with actionable strategies, helping others reconnect with themselves and find meaning in their stories… Offering coaching, community, and my digital programs.

Into the Unknown Adventures: Digital Entrepreneurship & World-Building

In this space, I explore the digital frontier, sharing insights on making money online, world-building for marketing, and guiding newer Entrepreneurs and other Wellness Practitioners that want a more creative way to market themselves than the traditional ways we were taught in our schools.

In this space… It’s where imagination meets strategy, helping others navigate the exciting landscape of digital business. I also include affiliate links to trusted tools and resources that fit seamlessly with the themes, offering my audience curated solutions to support their entrepreneurial journey.

The Ignited Woman Blog: Following Curiosity

This is my personal rabbit hole, a diary of discovery where I explore whatever catches my attention…. from midlife reflections to spontaneous curiosities. It’s a space for sharing the evolving journey of self-discovery and creative exploration, sprinkled with affiliate links and recommendations that resonate with my diverse audience, and it will be all the stuff I created when I was actively pursuing helping mothers connect to their sensual sides… it just won’t be the main focus!

Cori Watson Registered Massage Therapist & Myofascial Release Specialist: The Wild Knowing Project: (Compiling all my BodyMind Wisdom & German New Medicine Knowledge)

With my background in massage therapy, This website has been working for me to drive new clients to me for years, to be honest I rarely touch it anymore. It will continue to be the main booking hub for massages….. But I’m long overdue to take the knowledge and experience in my head and get it all in one place for my existing and future massage clients… and anyone on the web who comes across it!

I’ll be creating content that delves into the intricate connections between the body, mind, and emotions. The Wild Knowing Project, will be an ongoing space to have a home for my bodymind wisdom along with introducing German New Medicine knowledge insights. Through affiliate links and future digital products, I’ll offer readers a comprehensive approach to self-healing and wellness… and who knows maybe down the road…. This work will culminate in an ebook!

The Ignited Woman Project: Tracking the Journey

This project serves as my behind-the-scenes hub, where I share updates on all my endeavors and my quest to build a sustainable online income. I have always been curious as to what peoples actual numbers are when they build these kind of business, but they are rarely shared… so I’ll offer a transparent look at the ups and downs of navigating the creator economy along with redirecting to my other realms to support others on similar journeys.

The Creative Compass Digest:

For those that want to follow along on my journey and wanted to stay connected in an easy way that doesn’t have to be hunting through blogs, or trying to follow what ever social channel happens to be where I am… email marketing…. Email has never been dead…. We just open the ones that we care about, so this will be the place I put the bite size pieces of whatever is growing at the moment and allow my readers to go explore what they want…. The most important part of all this for me is to make the whole online business thing a no-pressure zone for sales…. And that’s what I truly love about the World-building aspect…. It gives many places for people to explore and connect on their schedules!

I’m not just a participant in the creator economy… I’m crafting a unique world within it. Each blog, project, and piece of content is part of a larger ecosystem, where creativity, expertise, and authenticity intersect. Through diverse channels, affiliate partnerships, and my own digital products, I’m building a sustainable livelihood while offering value, forging connections, and inspiring others to explore their creative paths.

The creator economy enables me to merge all facets of my life into a cohesive, fulfilling career. It’s a space where I can be an entrepreneur, a guide, a storyteller, and a healer…. all while sharing my journey and encouraging others to build and thrive in this ever-evolving digital landscape. (and never telling anyone they need to build anything as chaotic and interconnected as mine….but instead encouraging them to take a chance on themselves and build something of their own if they feel the calling!)