Ian Shepherd

Co-CEO and Co-Founder @electrifyvideo | Host of the Business of Creators podcast | Forbes Contributor

[Ian Shepherd @IShepherd]

This is probably the only time that I’m on the same top 100 list as @KylieJenner and @rihanna. Big thanks to @influenceweek for including me https://t.co/rnNik8z8HO

[Ian Shepherd @IShepherd]

How Instagram Helped This VC Find Billion-Dollar Startups - With @MarshallSandman from Animal Capital

Most VCs hide behind pitch decks and private networks — Marshall Sandman is building a venture fund on social media, one daily post at a time.

In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd sits down with Marshall Sandman, founder of Animal Capital, to explore how social media is changing venture capital.

Marshall shares how posting daily content online has helped him source startup deals, build founder relationships, and grow one of the top-performing seed-stage venture funds of its generation.

Marshall also explains why some of the best investment opportunities exist outside Silicon Valley — and why “boring” businesses may outperform the hottest AI trends.

[Ian Shepherd @IShepherd]

People often associate Electrify with YouTube.

That’s true. We’ve invested heavily into creator-led YouTube businesses.

But we're increasingly excited by podcasting too.

Last year we invested in Unfassbar in Germany, a hugely successful podcast brand.

We’re also expanding several of our existing creator brands into podcasting because the format creates something incredibly powerful:

- new audience relationships
- recurring viewing and listening habits
- the chance to test new personalities
- diversified revenue opportunities

Next Wednesday I’ll be speaking at The Podcast Show in London on a panel called “The Media Company is the Creator” discussing how creators are building modern media businesses and what investors are looking at.

I'll be around all day Wednesday. If you’re attending, I’d love to connect.

[Ian Shepherd @IShepherd]

Listen to the full conversation with Dominique Broadway & Allie Fernando

We dive into:

– 8-figure launch strategy
– Building community-led businesses
– Creator → CEO mindset shift

🎧 Listen to the full episode here: https://t.co/7CjPWSu2Mk

[Ian Shepherd @IShepherd]

Most creators think you need millions of followers to make a living online.

But the average six-figure @Kajabi creator?
→ 1–10K followers
→ 4K email subscribers
→ Just 309 paying customers

Here’s how they do it 🧵

[Ian Shepherd @IShepherd]

Final advice for creators:

→ Package the knowledge people already ask you for
→ Build community early
→ Own your platform (email list!)
→ Diversify income streams
→ Keep it lean. Keep it simple.

The creator economy rewards value, not vanity.

[Ian Shepherd @IShepherd]

This episode with Hacksmith COO Ian Hillier is a must-listen for any creator chasing freedom through products.

https://t.co/vHQlL1xvcC

[Ian Shepherd @IShepherd]

$8.2M raised on Kickstarter. And still going!

No paid ads.

Just a killer product + a loyal YouTube audience.

Here's how @thehacksmith turned a content channel into a product empire—and how you can too 🧵

[Ian Shepherd @IShepherd]

If you're a creator dreaming of launching a product:

✅ Obsess over the build
✅ Test it yourself
✅ Tell the story early
✅ Go premium
✅ Play long-term

The audience that trusts you wants to buy from you.