While 50 million people operate in the creator economy, most attention goes to the 1% (or less than 1%) who make big bucks and have audiences totaling over 1M. Middle-class creators – those earning money from a content business – get ignored.
That’s why The Tilt launched the Content Entrepreneur Awards with the inaugural class of Unsung Content Entrepreneurs.
We asked readers of The Tilt newsletter and our social media audiences who is creating content and running a business they love. Self-nominations were encouraged, and a few were selected from our weekly content entrepreneur spotlights. Then, we combed through the nominations and conducted additional research to winnow the list and create this first class of Content Entrepreneur Awards finalists.
The Tilt founder Joe Pulizzi says, “So many content entrepreneurs are out there doing amazing work, but their expertise is usually focused on a small audience in one particular niche. We thought it was necessary for us to call out these ‘unsung’ creators, not just to honor them, but also as great cases for other aspiring content creators.”
This content entrepreneur awards group encompasses creators of all ages from around the world who cover diverse topics, from jewelry training and digital nomads to senior sports geeks and education around the creator economy.
The top Unsung Content Entrepreneurs will be announced and recognized at Creator Economy Expo May 1-3 in Cleveland, Ohio.
Here is the first class of the Content Entrepreneur Awards’ Unsung Content Creators (in alpha order by business name):
Entrepreneur: Ashley Cummings
Biz: Ashley R. Cummings
Content Tilt: Freelance writing
Channels: Website, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Mastodon
Products: Newsletter, podcast, guides, templates, merch, direct services
Entrepreneur: Ryan Biddulph
Content Tilt: Helping bloggers reach their goals
Channels: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
Products: Blog, courses, newsletter, ebooks
Entrepreneur: Shane Parrish
Biz: Brain Food
Content Tilt: Timeless insights and actionable ideas
Channels: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube
Products: Newsletter, podcast, books, courses
Entrepreneur: Dasha Kennedy
Biz: The Broke Black Girl
Content Tilt: Go-to financial expert for Black women
Channels: Website, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook
Products: Community, e-books, book
Entrepreneur: Christine Gritmon
Biz: Christine Gritmon
Content Tilt: Empowering professionals to step into their personal brands on social media
Channels: Website, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube
Products: Workshops, coaching, speaking, merch
Entrepreneurs: Albert Tam and Wesley Anna
Biz: Combat Culture
Content Tilt: Inclusive Muay Thai boxing lifestyle
Products: Subscription-based community, merch
Entrepreneur: Michael Piperno
Biz: The Comvia Group
Content Tilt: Leadership communication
Channels: Website, LinkedIn, YouTube
Products: Podcast, coaching, training, workshops
Entrepreneur: Alex Cattoni
Biz: Copy Posse
Content Tilt: Copywriting how-to
Channels: Website, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram
Products: Coaching, courses, memberships, merch (in addition to copywriting services)
Entrepreneur: Jocelyn Elizabeth
Biz: Crazy Lamp Lady
Content Tilt: Seeing value in items most people overlook
Channels: Website, YouTube, Facebook, eBay
Products: Merch
Entrepreneur: Jay Clouse
Biz: Creator Science
Content Tilt: Helping casual creators become professional creators
Channels: Website, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok
Products: Community, newsletter, courses, podcast
Entrepreneur: Justin Moore
Biz: Creator Wizard
Content Tilt: Negotiating sponsorships for creator businesses
Channels: Website, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok
Products: Podcast, courses, consulting, merch
Entrepreneur: Anthony Fasano
Biz: Engineering Management Institute
Content Tilt: Helping engineers become effective managers
Channels: Website, LinkedIn, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook
Products: Podcast, courses, books, videos
Entrepreneur: Ruky T
Biz: Firm for the Culture
Content Tilt: Trademarks, culture, and technology
Channels: Substack site, LinkedIn
Product: Newsletter
Entrepreneur: Josh Spector
Biz: For The Interested and I Want To Know
Content Tilt: Helping creative entrepreneurs
Channels: Website, Facebook, Twitter
Products: Newsletter, podcast, training, consulting
Entrepreneur: Kate Jackson
Biz: Framed Cooks
Content Tilt: Fun, family-friendly recipes
Channels: Website, Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook
Product: Newsletter
Entrepreneur: Ray Glier
Biz: Geezer Jock News
Content Tilt: Serious older athletes in a range of sports
Channels: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
Product: Newsletter, merch
Entrepreneur: Marianne Lehnis
Biz: Green Techpreneur
Content Tilt: Helping climate-tech entrepreneurs and investors build, grow, and thrive
Channels: Website, Substack site, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube
Products: Newsletter, podcast, job board, courses
Entrepreneur: Joe Philipson and James Tennant
Biz: Indie Bandits
Content Tilt: Celebration of independent gaming
Channels: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitch
Products: Podcast, newsletter, State of Independent Games Report, webinars, Patreon memberships
Entrepreneur: Lisa Sicard
Biz: Inspire to Thrive
Content Tilt: Helping people thrive online through content marketing, social media, blogging, SEO
Products: Courses, e-books, consulting (also provides direct services)
Entrepreneur: Leslie Samuel
Biz: Interactive Biology
Content Tilt: Making biology fun
Channels: Website, YouTube, Twitter
Products: Videos, guides
Entrepreneur: Sumana Jeddy
Biz: Jeddy Wellness
Content Tilt: Evidence-based wellness strategies
Channels: Website, Linktree, TikTok, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok
Products: Podcast, courses, coaching, memberships
Entrepreneur: Peter Keep
Biz: Jewellery Training Solutions
Content Tilt: How to make jewelry
Channels: Website, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram
Products: Courses, jewelry-making materials
Entrepreneur: Khudania Ajay
Content Tilt: Helping small businesses and entrepreneurs learn from individuals who have built successful brands
Products: Podcast, videos, consulting
Entrepreneurs: Marc Leach and Tricia Leach
Biz: Keep Your Daydream
Content Tilt: RV travels for people who enjoy their life but are ready for a change
Channels: Website, YouTube, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram
Products: Newsletter, videos, podcast, book, courses, Amazon affiliate
Entrepreneurs: Sadie Carpenter and Gavriel HaCohen
Biz: Leaving Eden
Content Tilt: Exploration of cults and cult-like organizations
Channels: Linktree, Patreon, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
Products: Podcast, memberships, merch
Entrepreneur: Lori Harder
Biz: Lori Harder
Content Tilt: Helping people unleash their inner powerhouse
Channels: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
Products: Newsletter, books, courses, speaking engagements
Entrepreneur: Jamie Northrup
Biz: Minimalist Hustler
Content Tilt: Making money online
Channels: Website, Medium, Twitter
Products: Newsletter, memberships
Entrepreneur: Michael Becker
Biz: New Earth Knowledge
Content Tilt: New age spirituality and conscious living
Channels: Website, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Twitter
Products: Newsletter, podcast, ebooks, consulting, courses, coaching
Entrepreneurs: Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers
Biz: Pantsuit Politics
Content Tilt: News favoring curiosity over conflict
Channels: Website, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, TikTok
Products: Podcast, books, events, speaking engagements
Entrepreneur: Jamie Pootlepress
Biz: Pootlepress
Content Tilt: Help for using WordPress
Products: Courses, plugins, training
Entrepreneur: Nora Dunn
Content Tilt: Life as a digital nomad
Channels: Website, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest
Products: Blog, videos, books, courses
Entrepreneurs: Ian and Ana
Biz: The Other Side
Content Tilt: Living your best life on the road
Channels: YouTube, website, Instagram
Products: Travel guide
Entrepreneur: Jason Norris
Biz: Recipe Teacher
Content Tilt: Niche recipe development
Channels: Website, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest
Products: Newsletter, affiliate products
Entrepreneur: Roberto Blake
Biz: Roberto Blake
Content Tilt: Profiting from passion in the creator economy
Channels: Website, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn
Products: Videos, podcast, consulting, speaking engagements
Entrepreneur: Ryan Robinson
Biz: Ryan Robinson
Content Tilt: Teaching others to make money from blogging
Channels: Website, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn
Products: Blog, newsletter, courses
Entrepreneur: Heather Lloyd-Martin
Biz: SEO Copywriting
Content Tilt: Search engine optimization for content
Channels: Website, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook
Products: Courses, training, consulting (also provides direct services)
Entrepreneur: Jörn “Joe” Menninger
Biz: StartupRad.io
Content Tilt: Authority on German, Swiss, Austrian startups and venture capital
Channels: Podcast, YouTube, Substack, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
Products: Podcasts, internet radio station, inbound VC index, Startup Raven (platform to connect startups and investors)
Entrepreneur: Caroline Guntur
Content Tilt: Organization, systems architecture, productivity for entrepreneurs
Products: Consulting, virtual events, retreats
Entrepreneur: Jeff Gargas
Biz: Teach Better
Content Tilt: Helping teachers lead, manage, engage, and differentiate
Channels: Website, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest
Products: Training, online courses, podcast network, speaker network, merch
Entrepreneur: Alexis Grant
Biz: They Got Acquired
Content Tilt: Selling businesses
Channels: Website, LinkedIn, Twitter
Products: Newsletter, podcast, coaching
Entrepreneur: Philip Van Dusen
Biz: Verhaal Brand Design
Content Tilt: Educating creatives
Channels: YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, website, Twitter, Instagram
Products: Podcast, videos, mastermind groups (and direct service provider)
Meet and talk business with many of these Unsung Content Entrepreneurs May 1-3, 2023, in Cleveland, Ohio, at Creator Economy Expo. Register today and use coupon code TILT200 to save $200 an in-person pass!
About the author
Ann regularly combines words and strategy for B2B, B2C, and nonprofits, continuing to live up to her high school nickname, Editor Ann. An IABC Communicator of the Year and founder of G Force Communication, Ann coaches and trains professionals in all things content. Connect with her on LinkedIn and Twitter.
