How web-based creators are influencing the economy

Would-be Instagram influences and burgeoning YouTube stars, take note: The economic impact of web-based creators is growing, according to a new report.

In its second study of the country’s independent artists, makers and others that offer work on nine platforms, the Re:Create Coalition found a 16.6 percent uptick in the number of creators in 2017. The community grew to include to 16.9 million people.

NEW REPORT: In 2017, 16.9 million independent, American creators earned a baseline of $6.8 billion from posting their music, videos, art, crafts and other works online. #NewCreators

Read the updated @recreate New Creative Economy Study to learn more.https://t.co/tzTDNXG6nt pic.twitter.com/IUqkR8yVF1

— Re:Create Coalition (@recreateco) February 11, 2019

That growth extended to Maryland. Some stats for the state from 2017:

• The state is home to 329,958 creators, up 15.8 percent from 2016.
• Total $$ generated for the economy: $116.6 million, up 16.7 percent from 2017.
• YouTube continued to be the most lucrative platform from a collective perspective (generating $66.4 million), while Instragram is the most popular (home to 113,423 creators).

Looking at how the creators earn from monetizing and selling goods, the report provides a unique view of person-level economic data that’s not directly tied to employment. And it shows that the creators are forming a significant portion of the population.

“Even with the limited data from public filings and other sources, the evidence shows that this new creative economy already generates income for 5 percent of Americans and seems certain to continue to grow and expand as more Americans become aware of its opportunities,” said Dr. Robert Shapiro, the report’s co-author who is chairman of Sonecon and former U.S. undersecretary of commerce for economic affairs.

The study examines nine platforms: Amazon Publishing, eBay, Etsy, Instagram, Shapeways, Tumblr, Twitch, WordPress and YouTube.