Flipboard Announces New Creator Programs to Support the Creator Middle Class
Source: Flipboard
Flipboard is out to support independent creators and emerging voices with their announcement of new creator programs. The news-reading app is searching for domain expert creators who regularly publish high-quality, original content, have at least 1,000 followers on one social channel, and have a Flipboard account. Creators can apply via a Google Form.
How The Programs Will Work
All applicants to the program will be added to the app's email list, where they can receive tips and tricks for utilizing the app, access to early betas, event invitations, and more. A select group of creators will be chosen for the Flipboard Creator Collective, which provides them with access to initiatives valued at $2.5 million annually. These initiatives include:
Red Check Verification: Creators receive a verified badge on their Flipboard account, confirming their authenticity and public interest status.
Newsletter Takeover Program: Creators serve as guest creators for the app's key newsletters and are able to direct readers to their own channels.
Promoted Stories Program: Creators are gifted ad inventory within Flipboard's newsletters and the app.
Resident Program: Creators serve as paid in-house experts for three to six months.
Sponsor Referral Pilot Program: Creators can utilize their existing brand relationships by earning a commission for any brands that sponsor their newsletter takeover.
Why It Matters
Flipboard's new creator programs offer a chance for participating creators to expand their reach by being promoted across various Flipboard channels, gain paid residencies, and generate new economic opportunities while building their communities. Unlike other platforms that cater to established creators, Flipboard's initiative aims to support the middle class of creators, recognizing their crucial role in the long-term success of the creator economy.
The platform is also taking a unique approach by targeting bloggers, newsletter writers, podcasters, and YouTubers, rather than solely emphasizing short-form video creators. Flipboard's creator programs represent a departure from the creator fund model that has proven unsuccessful so far. By providing participating creators with opportunities for promotion, community-building, and economic growth, creators are set up for more long-term success than programs mainly focused on dishing out cash in exchange for content creation.
More Support for Creators
While Flipboard has historically focused on publishers, it's not the first time the platform has shown interest in creators. Over the years, Flipboard has expanded its support for creators by featuring them in creator spotlights, providing how-to guides and editorials, and introducing new tools like Notes, which enable creators to publish original content directly to Flipboard and foster conversations.
