What happened
Creator platforms are broadening their scope beyond simple content hosting. beehiiv, for instance, is becoming an all-in-one creator platform, integrating more tools for its users. This includes new integrations with services like Meta and HubSpot. They've also focused on enhancing community features, offering custom profile fields and a mobile-first experience to foster better user interaction. Furthermore, beehiiv now allows creators to directly sell digital products such as ebooks, templates, courses, and coaching services through their platform.5 Mighty Networks is also recognized as a platform that combines community features with course offerings and provides native mobile apps for creators, coaches, and digital communities.3 Substack has also introduced platform podcast sponsorships.2 These developments signal a trend towards platforms offering more comprehensive business solutions for experts.
Why it matters for experts
These platform evolutions have direct consequences for parenting and education experts:
- Increased competition for attention: As platforms offer more integrated tools, there's a growing expectation for experts to provide a more holistic experience. This means you might face competition not just from other experts but from platforms themselves offering bundled services. You'll need to clearly define what makes your expertise unique.
- Shifting client expectations: With enhanced community features and direct sales, clients may expect more interactive and integrated experiences. They might look for platforms that offer not just content but also connection and a streamlined way to purchase your services or products. This could mean your current client program delivery needs an update.
- New monetization opportunities: The ability to sell digital products and coaching directly on a platform opens up new revenue streams. You can potentially diversify your income beyond one-on-one coaching or traditional courses, making your expert business more resilient.
- Need for strategic platform choice: No single platform will be perfect for every expert. You need to assess which tools and features align best with your business model and your clients' needs. This requires understanding the nuances of different creator economy platforms and how they support community building for experts.
What to do this month
- Audit your current client journey: Map out every step a client takes from initial contact to program completion. Identify any friction points or areas where you could offer more value.
- Explore platform features relevant to you: If you use a platform like beehiiv or are considering one, spend time understanding its new community and direct sales capabilities. See if they can streamline your client program delivery or add new offerings.
- Gather client feedback on community: Ask your current clients what they value most in terms of connection and support. Would they appreciate more integrated community features, or do they prefer existing methods?
- Review your digital product strategy: If you sell ebooks, templates, or courses, evaluate how you could integrate these more ly with your coaching services or community. Consider packaging them differently.
- Research platform integrations: Look into how platforms you use or are considering integrate with your existing expert business tools, such as CRMs or email marketing services.
What to watch next
Expect platforms to continue integrating more features that aim to keep users within a single ecosystem. This could mean deeper analytics, more sophisticated content creation tools, and further refinements in community and sales functionalities. The emphasis will likely remain on empowering creators and experts to manage more aspects of their business directly on the platform.
You do not need a new course library. Turn your expertise into a personalized program from the content you already trust, then approve each client version before it ships.
