MrBeast's Bold Move, Creator Spotlight on Sarah Perl the Hot High Priestess, and the Future of Short Form Video Platforms

Hey creators! 👋

Welcome to this week's edition of The Creator Chronicles, where we navigate the latest in the creator economy, spotlight inspiring individuals, and explore emerging platforms.

Whats new with me?

I officially decided that I am going to Creator Economy Live and booked my tickets and hotel. So if you are going to be there please hit me up and schedule a meeting with me to discuss all things creator networking, business and partnerships.

I also have been getting way ahead of myself and preparing multiple newsletters for the next few months so that I don’t burn myself out. I am testing a bunch of AI workflows to see how to best optimize my business, and I am also filming a few ads for Adobe Express which I can not wait to share with all of you.

Stay tuned for next week’s conference focused newsletter because its only 1 month into the year and I have been to Las Vegas for conferences twice!

📰 This Week in Creator News

1. MrBeast Joins Bid to Acquire TikTok's U.S. Operations

📱 YouTube sensation MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) is rumored to be exploring a bid to acquire TikTok's U.S. operations alongside tech entrepreneur Jesse Tinsley. With ongoing regulatory pressure threatening TikTok’s future in the U.S., creators are left wondering what’s next. MrBeast’s strategic moves mirror the relentless work ethic of legends like Tom Brady—doing whatever it takes, taking risks, and outworking the competition. While in this moment in time, this bid sounds absolutely outrageous, I think that Jimmy’s consistency. and ability to persist across platforms really showcases what is possible for thousands of other creators.

💡 Takeaway: Creators are no longer just influencers; they are becoming major players in tech and media. This move reminds us that thinking bigger is key to long-term success. In the next few years, more creators will be in the rooms where big decisions are being made about social media and marketing.

2. Creators Unimpressed by Meta’s TikTok-Like Features

📸 As Meta continues to push short-form, algorithm-driven content, many creators feel the platform is losing its unique value. Critics argue that Instagram and Facebook’s shift toward video-first strategies is making it harder for creators to authentically connect with their existing audience. Instead of embracing constant algorithm changes, some are focusing on platforms that prioritize community-building over virality.

💡 Takeaway: Don't be afraid to experiment with new platforms, but stay true to where your audience engages most authentically. Personally, I love Meta, but gosh…be original!!!

✨ Creator Spotlight: Sarah Perl (Hot High Priestess)

Who: Sarah Perl, known online as @hothighpriestess, is a 23-year-old manifestation coach, content creator, and entrepreneur. She has built a substantial online presence with over 4.5 million followers across platforms.

What She Does Great:

• Leverages Viral Content: Sarah began her journey by posting tarot card readings on TikTok, which quickly went viral, amassing millions of likes and followers. This initial success propelled her into the manifestation and self-help niche. She currently has 2M+ on TikTok and is pushing 1M on Instagram.
  

• Developed Monetizable Offerings: Recognizing the demand for her content, Sarah created online courses such as "Manifest Magic" and "Rich Bitch Bootcamp," providing structured guidance on manifestation techniques. These offerings have significantly contributed to her business's financial success. She owns her community, and while the downfall of social platforms like TikTok will affect her, a majority of her community follows her to Youtube and IG because she’s that good at what she does.
  

• Expanded Her Brand: Beyond social media, Sarah hosts the "Priestess Perspective Podcast" and co-founded TangoBird Publishing, further establishing her authority in the spiritual and self-help community. She also posts about her offerings at least once a day in her content, which is super smart.
  

What You Can Learn:

• Authenticity and Relatability: Sarah's genuine approach to sharing her personal journey and insights has resonated with a broad audience, highlighting the importance of authenticity in content creation. She shares her personal story using her methods constantly, and though it may seem out of reach she shows you it really isn’t.
  

• Diversification of Income Streams: By offering courses, hosting a podcast, and establishing a publishing company, Sarah has created multiple revenue streams, ensuring financial stability and growth. Did she do all of this at once, no. But over time, this is what creators should be doing with their businesses.
  

• Community Engagement: Building a loyal community through consistent and meaningful interactions has been key to Sarah's sustained success. Part of her community building is truly based on cross platform posting. No need to reinvent the wheel.
  

Sarah Perl's trajectory from a college student experimenting with TikTok to a successful entrepreneur exemplifies the potential of leveraging social media platforms to build a multifaceted and profitable brand.

📈 Trending Topics in the Creator Economy

Alternative Platforms Gain Traction Amid TikTok Uncertainty

As TikTok faces potential bans, creators are flocking to alternative platforms luring them with features that TikTok doesn’t even offer… downloading ALL of your content for free. The catch, you just have to sign up on their platforms.

• Triller: A rising alternative that prioritizes creator monetization and music integration, offering new opportunities for growth. I joined Triller back in 2018 and a few weeks ago I reached out directly to the Triller team for 1:1 creator support. I am going to be testing the platform to see what kind of growth and monetization opportunities exist for creators.

• Clapper: A community-driven platform focused on authenticity and engagement, gaining significant traction among older Gen Z and Millennials. Similarly to Triller, I joined back in 2020. I had some initial success, but a majority of the wins on Clapper seem to be really random.

💡 Takeaway: Start experimenting with different platforms to diversify your presence and future-proof your brand. You never know what will pop-off and when.

🛠 Tools & Resources of the Week

1. Squarespace – The all-in-one website builder perfect for creators looking to showcase their portfolio, sell products, and build their brand with ease. Whether you're offering services or launching a blog, Squarespace provides beautiful templates and intuitive tools to bring your vision to life.

2. BioSites – A powerful link-in-bio tool, powered by Squarespace that helps creators drive traffic to multiple destinations from their social profiles. With customizable designs and analytics, you can optimize how your audience engages with your content.

3. Adobe Express – More than just a graphic design tool, Adobe Express now allows creators to print their designs, schedule content, and create branded assets effortlessly. It's an all-in-one suite that simplifies the creative process. Aside from loving Adobe products, I am also honored to be going on my third year as an #AdobeExpressAmbassador to bring all of you the best tips and tricks when it comes to editing for social.

That’s a wrap for this week! 🎬

Now go create something amazing, and don’t forget to connect with me on all platforms @itsgigirobinson!

– Gigi

P.S. Hit reply and let me know what you’re working on—I’d love to hear from you! 💌

*Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in this newsletter may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you! I only recommend products and services that I genuinely love and believe will add value to your life. Your support helps me continue creating content to inspire and empower. Thanks for being here!

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