This deep dive was initially published in our VC Stack newsletter. Make sure to subscribe here to not miss any future episodes.
What is the VC Creator Economy?
VC creator economy refers to the collection of VCs that create and curate content while building a community around their knowledge. This includes podcasts, newsletters, blogs, and social media as well as the platforms and services designed to host their content, monetize it and manage growth and operations.
Why are VCs creating content?
- Establish credibility. Creators that stick to a specific niche (e.g., femtech, fintech, crypto) can develop proven expertise in their field, especially if it's value-added content. The content itself can act as a dynamic resume for onlookers that demonstrates their experiences and knowledge.
- Build distribution. Over time quality content can attract a trusted audience that will be present when it’s time to make those big announcements (e.g., launching a fund, starting a company, looking for deals, open to work).
- Increased quality deal flow. Creators build a network in which their content acts as a filter for investments that align with their area of expertise without having to rely solely on in-person interactions. As long as their content is online, they are always networking.
- Easier to raise from LPs. Creators have the ability to build a personal brand that differentiates them from other fund managers, proves their area of expertise, and shows the ability to receive and choose high-quality investments.
Best Practices
- Authenticity. Content creators are building a personal brand, and authenticity will distinguish their voice from other creators online. Your audience can easily find content, however, it’s your ideas and thoughts that will make them stick with you specifically.
- Consistency. If you want to remain top of mind, putting out content consistently is important to build trust and establish your relevance and knowledge.
- Value-add. Keep the audience in mind: what would they want to know? how can you make their lives easier? Content creators are in many ways curators of other sources of content, therefore, it’s a matter of how you can save their time while providing the main points.
- Pick a Niche. As the VC industry becomes increasingly competitive it’s important to carve out a niche of your own (e.g., diversifying VC, GenZ investors, climate tech). Creators who have a thesis statement around their content become easily distinguishable over time.
How and where does the VC creator create?
There are roughly five main forms of content popular among VC creators. Most of them use Twitter in congruence with one or more platforms. We’ve listed some newcomers as well as long-term creators that have successfully established their voice through VC content.
Twitter
- Make an impression fast with short-form content. Creators who stand out are the ones that say enough to create a buzz or provide easily digestible information.
Podcasts
- Share thoughts and opinions on the industry and between experts. The best podcasts are usually the ones that provide more of a behind-the-scenes along with relevant guest speakers.
Newsletters
- Curate quality content and provide a map of top stories. A good newsletter fills you in on relevant reads, updates, and insights without the hassle of a self-search or large time commitment.
Community (Slack, Discord, Clubhouse)
- Engage with a wide variety of people from VC novices to experts. Chatting platforms are extremely beneficial for those breaking into the industry (e.g., undergrads, career changers, underrepresented folks) as well as an opportunity for current VCs or founders to network 1:1.
Blogs
- Deep dive into denser topics that requires more extensive research. As with most long-form content, blogs need to maintain interest while finding a way to be ahead of mainstream news or pick up on what the news missed.
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