tech
May 3, 2026
From Influencers to Entrepreneurs: 'The Business is in Building Community,' Says Author Lina Cáceres
Lina Cáceres, author of The Economy of Communities. Photo: Random House
TL;DR
- The creator economy focuses on creators as media companies, developing diverse revenue streams beyond sponsored posts.
- Community is bidirectional, characterized by conversation and participation, unlike a one-way audience.
- Quality of engagement, not just quantity of followers, is crucial for building sustainable businesses.
- Artificial intelligence is a tool to automate, optimize, and scale projects, not a replacement for human creativity and connection.
- Success as a content creator requires a clear plan, purpose, value proposition, and a focus on building sustainable projects over viral moments.
- Creators should build their own strategy rather than solely chasing platform algorithms.
- The future of brand-creator relationships lies in creating experiences and fostering loyal communities.