Have you ever pictured what your kids will do for a living in 10 years, and realized “content creator” might be the most honest answer?
I grew up in a generation that treated getting your picture taken as something to be embarrassed about. We avoided cameras. Selfie wasn’t a word. Now people are getting paid millions of dollars because they know how to hit record, be themselves, and tell a good story in a 30-second clip. That’s not a fad. That’s the new economy, and I dig into it in my latest video, “Your Kids (and YOU) Will Need to Be Influencers.”
The Smartphone is Becoming the New Paycheck
We used to think computers would never touch things like healthcare or education, and look at us now. The same shift is coming for how we earn a living, except this time the device is already sitting in your pocket. Our smartphone’s value has exceeded our imagination.
The camera that can produce videos and photos that look professionally done is worth thousands of dollars on its own.
Now, it can connect to platforms that generate opportunities to create a legitimate source of income in the new economy, which will be the new way of life.
In the next five to ten years, I believe the smartphone will become the tool that opens the door to income for almost everyone, not just entrepreneurs and marketers. The influencers making real money right now aren’t doing anything mystical. They’re being consistent, they’re being creative, and most importantly, they’re being authentically them.
Marketing Tip: The “side hustle” language we use today will age out. What we call a side hustle now is going to be the main hustle for the next generation.
Why Nobody Taught Us This (and Why That Has to Change)
Here’s the hard truth I keep running into with clients: most of us were never taught how to message ourselves. We were taught to follow instructions, not to create. So when it’s time to record something, tell a story, and build a personal brand, it feels foreign, even a little cringey.
It’s no different today, because the economy hasn’t kept pace with the standard K-12 education system. Unfortunately, our education system isn’t educating.
Kids growing up right now aren’t automatically fluent in this either. Just because they were born with a phone in their hand doesn’t mean they know how to use it as a business tool instead of a toy. That skill, communicating a clear message, telling a story, and showing up consistently, has to be taught on purpose, in the home and in the business.
I’ve experienced too many situations where giving a teenager access to the business’s social media page makes the situation worse.
Marketing Tip: Social media platforms differ in how you build systems to drive awareness, nurture prospects, and craft creative calls to action (CTAs) to convert prospects into customers.
It’s Not about Going Viral. It’s About Being You.
I say “be you, dream big, and don’t settle” a lot, and this is exactly where it applies.
The influencers winning right now aren’t winning because they cracked some algorithm secret. They’re winning because they stopped hiding and started showing up as themselves.
That’s the whole game. Not perfection. Not a viral moment.
Just showing up consistently, authentically, and with a clear reason behind it.
Forbes continues to publish a yearly list of the top 50 creators. Click here to check them out.
Spoiler alert: the top three are 1) MrBeast, 2) Dhar Mann, and 3) Stephen Bartlett.
3 Ways to Start Building Your Family’s Personal Brand Today
- Normalize the Camera Early: The taboo my generation grew up with, that being on camera is embarrassing, has to end in your house. Let your kids see you record, mess up, and try again. Model the confidence you want them to have. Here’s the channel I’ve encouraged my kids to post on.
- Teach the Skill, not just the App: Platforms change constantly. What doesn’t change is the ability to tell a story, communicate a message clearly, and connect with people. Teach that skill and any platform becomes a tool your family can use.
- Start Small and Stay Consistent: You don’t need a studio or a script. You need reps. Thirty seconds. One idea. Hit record. The influencers making a living today built that muscle one unglamorous clip at a time.
Quick Answers: What Families SHOULD be Asking About the Creator Economy
These are my personal beliefs, and not required anywhere. My prediction is that by 2035, being an influencer or a supporting member to a creator will be an established job. It’s no different if you worked on a Hollywood set.
Will kids really need to be influencers to make a living?
Not every child will become a full-time influencer, but personal branding and content creation are becoming basic income-earning skills, much like how computer literacy has become non-negotiable over the last twenty years.
What skill matters most for future content creators?
Authenticity paired with consistency. The creators earning real income are the ones who show up regularly and communicate as themselves, not the ones chasing a single viral moment.
How do I start helping my child (or myself) build a personal brand?
Start by normalizing being on camera at home, then focus on teaching storytelling and clear communication before worrying about platforms, editing, or growth tactics. Building that muscle takes time.
Is being an influencer actually a legitimate career path?
Yes. It’s a legitimate, and increasingly necessary, business skill. Treat it the way you’d treat any other trade: something that takes practice, feedback, and a real strategy behind it.
Ready to Build a Real Personal Brand Strategy?
If this hits home for your business or your family, let’s talk about it. I help entrepreneurs and business owners build authentic content and marketing systems that actually convert, without the algorithm guessing game.
Schedule a strategy session.
Watch the full video here: “Your Kids (and YOU) Will Need to Be Influencers”
It’s time to move from surviving to thriving. Let’s get to work.
If you need help, hit me up.
Nathan A Webster, MBA
Founder, NDUB Brand of NW & Associates, LLC
