3 Lessons from Successful Creators

A little note before we begin…

If you’ve just found your way to my Substack, welcome! If you’re having a moment of déjà vu, no, you’re not seeing things.

The behind-the-scenes reality check

There’s one thing that’s annoyed me about launching this Substack: I don’t have a bank of content sitting here yet. So when I point people this way, I’m painfully aware they land on a page that’s giving… crickets (not the vibe I was going for tbh)

So I’ve decided to fix that the honest way. Over the next week or so I’m uploading some of my favourite editions of A Letter to My Readers. It’s my monthly series where I basically use this newsletter as free therapy and take you behind the scenes of the highs, the lows, the wins and the losses of working for myself.

If you’ve never read these, you’re about to see them pop up (enjoy!) If you’ve read them before, then no, you’re not going mad, they’re repeat editions. I just want to bulk this place out a little so it feels like the home it’s going to be.

Right, let’s get on with it. 🖤

Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don’t

- Bill Nye

Over the past 18 months, I’ve had the opportunity to attend some incredible creator events, where I’ve been in the same room as some of the most successful creators in the industry. These experiences have been both inspiring and intimidating (queue - imposter syndrome.) But let’s park that conversation for now because, frankly, I’ve already talked about it a thousand times.

Instead, let’s focus on the real takeaway: value.

Note: the creators mentioned below are not the creators included in this photo!

You better believe I grilled every single creator I met—because why wouldn’t I? When you’re face-to-face with people who have built empires online, you ask questions. You learn. And today, I’m sharing some of the best advice I got, in the hopes that we can all use it to grow our own audiences and businesses.

Lesson 1: Don’t Let Others Define Your Identity

I recently met a gaming creator and radio presenter who almost didn’t start her career—because her friends and family didn’t see her as a gamer. When she told them she wanted to start streaming, they responded with, “Since when were you into gaming?”

That kind of reaction could have triggered a full-blown identity crisis. And honestly, it does for a lot of people. Friends and family project their own insecurities onto others all the time, making them second-guess their dreams before they even start.

Here’s the truth: If you’re into something, you can create content about it. It doesn’t matter if your friends think it’s weird, or unexpected, or “not you.” You decide what’s you.

Lesson 2: Following Your Passion Will Earn You More Than Chasing the Money

If I had a pound for every time someone told me they weren’t pursuing a niche because “there’s no money in it,” I’d be rich enough to never work again.

Case in point: A football creator started filming post-match interviews outside his club’s stadium 12 years ago. He’d literally sneak out of work, camera gear in tow, just to capture content. Did he know how this would make him money? Absolutely not.

Fast forward to today—he runs one of the biggest football fan networks in the country, employs a full team, and travels the world doing what he loves.

Yes, some niches are more profitable than others. But if you chase money without passion, your lack of enthusiasm will be obvious. Focus on your passion, and the money will follow.

Lesson 3: No Risk, No Reward

So, you’ve started your creator journey. You’re making money. Things are working. Naturally, you think: I’ll just keep doing this forever!

Unfortunately, that’s not how social media works. You either evolve or fade into obscurity. (Dramatic, I know, but true.)

A friend of mine, a fashion creator, nailed this. She could have kept earning through brand deals forever, but instead, she spotted a gap in the market—cool, colourful content studios. She took a risk, built her own, and it paid off.

The lesson? If you want long-term success, you have to innovate, even when things are working just fine.

I’d like to think that soon, I’ll be an example of this too. I’m working on a brand-new content series - something completely different from what you’ve seen from me before (but still incredibly valuable) - and I have a feeling you’re going to love it.

If you want to learn more from the creators I’ve mentioned, keep an eye out—my new series is coming soon.

Until then, keep creating.

Speak soon 🖤

Jade