Boosting Bangladesh’s ‘creator economy’
The creator economy, a $250 billion global industry, is the ecosystem of individuals monetising content, skills, and creativity on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook (SignalFire, 2023). According to a study by Adobe, there are over 303 million creators worldwide, from vloggers and gamers to educators and podcasters. The number is rising exponentially as social media platforms become more accessible to the wider masses.
In Bangladesh, the growth of this sector is already evident. Platforms like YouTube and Facebook have started to recognise Bangladeshi creators. The earning depends on their niche and audience size (Dhaka Tribune, 2024). For instance, TikTok alone has seen a dramatic rise in rural content creators who showcase everything from traditional cooking to local craftsmanship. Guess their views—millions!
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. This is just revolutionary. You no longer need a fancy studio or deep-pocketed investors to start. A smartphone and an internet connection would suffice. But while the barrier to entry is low, the challenge lies in persistence and adaptability. For Bangladeshi youth, the creator economy offers something rare: freedom. Freedom from fixed career paths, freedom to work from anywhere, and freedom from those who control career decision.
Globally, the creator economy is set to grow to $480 billion by 2027, as reported by Goldman Sachs. For individual creators, the average earnings can vary widely. A typical YouTuber can earn up to $100,000 annually, while micro-influencers often collaborate with brands for significant side incomes.
To thrive in this ecosystem, creators need more than just talent—they need to master storytelling, algorithms, and audience engagement. Most importantly, they must navigate societal perceptions. In suburban Bangladesh, for instance, young women face additional hurdles: societal scepticism, familial pushback, and the absence of an enabling work environment. Yet, with every viral video or growing follower count, it is possible to break the barriers.
Globally, creators like MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) and Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) have demonstrated how this economy can scale beyond imagination. MrBeast started by posting random YouTube videos as a teenager and now runs a multimillion-dollar content empire with brands and philanthropy intertwined. The lesson we learn from him: focus on what others overlook—quality storytelling and relentless experimentation.
If you take a close look, you will find successful creators have embraced specific strategies to rise above the noise. The first is finding a niche. Whether it's tech reviews, makeup tutorials, or cooking recipes, specificity is the key. The second one is consistency. Audiences and algorithms reward those who show up regularly with value-driven content. Finally, engagement is critical. The best creators aren't just talking to their followers, they're building communities.
Take Emma Chamberlain, a YouTuber who started with raw, unpolished videos of her daily life. Her authentic style resonated with millions, earning her, not just followers, but collaborations with major brands. These stories may seem distant, but their principles are universal: be authentic, be consistent, and think like an entrepreneur.
Bangladesh sits on the edge of a creator economy revolution. With 40 million internet users under the age of 30 (Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, 2023), the potential for this sector is immense. Yet, the ecosystem remains underdeveloped. Creators often struggle with limited monetisation options, slow internet speeds, and a lack of formal guidance.
But the gaps are opportunities in disguise. Platforms like YouTube and Facebook are beginning to pay attention to Bangladeshi creators, opening avenues for ad revenue and sponsorships. TikTok has become a creative playground for rural youth, showcasing everything from dance trends to DIY tutorials. Yet, the full potential remains untapped.
What can change this? First, better infrastructure should be in place—faster internet, affordable devices, and digital literacy programmes. Second, cultural acceptance of content creation as a viable career, particularly for women must be recognised. Third, policy support from governments is crucial. Besides providing incentives for digital creators, the government can create an enabling environment for them.
As Peter Thiel writes in Zero to One: "Brilliant thinking is rare, but courage is in even shorter supply." The creator economy rewards those who dare to think differently and act boldly. For a generation of Bangladeshi youth grappling with unemployment and societal expectations, this economy offers a chance to rewrite their narratives. The question is: will Bangladeshi youth seize the opportunity to shape their future through each upload?
Sabbir Rahman Khan is a knowledge management, communications, and advocacy professional.
Views expressed in this article are the author's own.
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