“Podia, Teachable, and Thinkific are all SaaS platforms that allow creators to make and sell video courses and digital memberships. Previously, these types of “knowledge influencers” had to either conduct classes in-person (restricting them to local customers); jerry-rig platforms meant for physical products, like Shopify; or customize sites like Wix and Squarespace. New platforms capitalize on the idea that expertise has economic value beyond a local, in-person audience.”

Distinguishing between the passion economy and the gig economy is essential. The overall idea of climbing/growing one's fans base is the part that intrigues me as well. Because, traditionally we have used the dominant social media platforms to get that point.

Is it possible for all to partake in the passion economy? Or is it just a select few?

I am hopeful that with the influx of the passion economy that education will undergo a renaissance, I am just worried that it will be a bit rocky/ and may take place more online than offline... Further emphasizing the need to make in-person education more accessible as well. As we all will recognize soon, what we prefer for an education?

If only we could better personalize in-person education...

Now the ability to make a living off creative skills has trickled down to individuals at scale, helping everyday people to launch and grow businesses. Previously, only established businesses could access software engineering talent to build websites or apps; now, no-code website and app builders like Webflow and Glide have democratized that ability. Startups are also building mobile-first, lightweight versions of incumbent desktop software: Kapwing, for instance, is a web and mobile editor for videos, GIFs, and images that aims to displace legacy creative software.