Content creators face a lack of control over their earnings and distribution. Platforms decide how much creators earn, often taking a significant portion of revenue (around 95%), while creators receive only about 5%. Additionally, creators are subject to opaque algorithms and transaction fees, with limited options to move their content elsewhere.
Blockchain technology allows creators to retain full ownership and control over their content. By going on-chain, creators can access transparent algorithms, decide how their work is distributed, and monetize directly through their audience. This eliminates the need for intermediaries, enabling creators to earn more and build deeper relationships with their fans.
In the 18th century, publishers like the Worshipful Company of Stationers held a monopoly over book distribution, controlling how authors' works were published and profiting from them. Similarly, today's social media platforms act as gatekeepers, controlling content distribution and revenue. Both systems limit creators' autonomy and earnings, highlighting a centuries-long struggle for ownership and fair compensation.
The Statute of Anne, passed in 1710, was the first copyright law that granted authors legal rights over their works. It allowed authors to prevent unauthorized reproduction of their content and seek injunctions against piracy. However, publishers formed cartels to maintain control, limiting the law's effectiveness in empowering creators.
Doodles uses blockchain to create a digital entertainment platform where users can own and customize unique avatars. These avatars serve as digital identities, allowing users to interact with content like short films, music, and comics. By going on-chain, Doodles enables users to own and trade digital assets, fostering a deeper connection between creators and their audience.
On-chain platforms could revolutionize the creator economy by shifting power from centralized platforms to creators. By enabling direct monetization, transparent algorithms, and ownership of content, blockchain technology allows creators to earn more and build stronger relationships with their audience. This could lead to a more equitable and innovative ecosystem for creators and consumers alike.
Blackbird is an on-chain app that helps restaurants build direct relationships with customers. It tracks customer interactions, such as reservations and payments, creating personalized profiles that enhance the dining experience. This transparency and customization demonstrate how blockchain can improve customer engagement and loyalty in real-world businesses.
Going on-chain allows musicians to track fan interactions across platforms, enabling personalized experiences like exclusive content, early ticket access, and targeted messages. Fans can support artists by minting songs or purchasing merchandise, creating a historical record of their engagement. This fosters deeper, more meaningful relationships between artists and their most dedicated fans.
What does it mean for content creators to “go onchain?” We’ll learn how this movement to take financial power back from closed-off social media platforms could give creators a kind of freedom that they’ve struggled to hold onto for centuries.
This episode is sponsored by Coinbase.
See omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.