Top 11 Creators Redefining Digital Influence and Earnings in 2023

Top 11 Creators Redefining Digital Influence and Earnings in 2023. In the dynamic world of digital content creation, a cohort of entrepreneurs has risen, blending creativity, charisma, and online presence to achieve both fame and fortune. This exclusive group, originating from platforms like YouTube and TikTok, has transcended the virtual sphere to establish real-world empires.

Led by MrBeast, with a 300-million-strong following, these creators, such as KSI, Jake Paul, Rhett & Link, Charli D’Amelio, Logan Paul, Elliot Tebele, Emma Chamberlain, and Matt Rife, showcase the evolution from online stunts to lucrative ventures. This introduction unveils a new era of entrepreneurship, shaped by digital platforms, colossal earnings, and the seamless integration of online and offline success in the Top Creators list.

No 1. Jimmy Donaldson (MrBeast)

MrBeast, also known as Jimmy Donaldson, has an enormous fan base of over 300 million followers, which is almost as large as the entire U.S. population. His popularity comes from making high-quality videos and doing exciting stunts, like surviving in Antarctica for 50 hours and creating a Wonka chocolate factory. Using his widespread influence, he has earned a significant amount of money from digital ads and established a real-world empire. Some of the brands associated with MrBeast include Feastables snack bars and the MrBeast Burgers restaurant chain, along with a wide range of merchandise. It’s worth noting that Donaldson is set to join Forbes’ board once the planned sale of the company is finalized.

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No 2. Olajide Olatunji (KSI)

Olajide Olatunji, also known as KSI, started making funny videos about FIFA video games on YouTube in 2009. His humor attracted lots of fans, and he has become more than just a comedian. Now, he’s a rapper and a boxer. In 2023, he released two songs and got a deal to distribute his company, Misfits Boxing, for many years.

KSI is the main face of Prime Hydration, along with Logan Paul, who is ranked #6 on the Top Creators list. This sports drink is now the official drink for FC Barcelona, UFC, and Arsenal.

However, KSI has faced controversy for how he behaves in boxing, for making disrespectful content towards women, and for using offensive language towards different groups of people. But, instead of letting these controversies hurt him, he turns them into opportunities for more attention, both online and in the boxing ring.

No 3. Jake Paul

Jake Paul, known for his antics on YouTube, like getting surprise tattoos, eating dog food, and using Icy Hot, is no stranger to controversy. He has faced allegations of sexual misconduct, scamming fans, and recently, an SEC charge for not disclosing a cryptocurrency sponsorship. Despite these issues, Paul’s ability to create attention-grabbing events has made him one of the highest-paid athletes in 2022. He secured a sponsorship with the energy drink Celsius, started the sports betting app “Betr,” which raised $50 million in Series A funding, and signed an MMA contract to fight in a new pay-per-view division this year.

No 4. Rhett & Link

Rhett James McLaughlin and Charles Lincoln “Link” Neal III have been best friends since grade school. They used to work as engineers but in 2006, they started making funny shows on YouTube. Now, their entertainment company, Mythical, is based in Burbank, California. It has over 100 people working for them, creating YouTube series like Good Mythical Morning, Mythical Kitchen, and Smosh. These shows have a total of 18 million subscribers. Besides YouTube, they also make podcasts, go on live tours, and host livestream events. They even create books and TV shows. Additionally, they have a Creator Accelerator fund that supports new creators.

No 5. Charli D’Amelio

Charli D’Amelio is still the top female creator on TikTok and the Forbes Top Creators list. She’s from Connecticut and is now one of the most popular internet stars. She represents Prada and promotes Amazon, CeraVe, and SKIMS, which is a clothing line by Kim Kardashian. Charli’s fragrance, Born Dreamer, has been available in the U.S. and Europe for a year. She and her sister Dixie (who is #18 on the list) launched the brand Social Tourist with Hollister in 2021. The D’Amelio family is filming the third season of their reality series “The D’Amelio Show” for Hulu. They also run a shoe brand called D’Amelio Footwear. And all of this is happening before Charli turns 20.

No 6. Logan Paul

Logan Paul gained fame on Vine with his brother Jake, who ranked #3 on the Top Creator list. They used this popularity to start a YouTube channel for posting vlogs and stunts, such as giving away iPhones and challenging celebrities like Kevin Hart. The channel now has 23.6 million subscribers. However, Logan faced issues when he posted alarming and insensitive videos, like showing a dead body in Japan’s “suicide forest,” leading to a temporary demonetization on YouTube.

To shake things up, Logan shifted to wrestling, resigning from his WWE deal this year. He also promotes Prime Hydration with YouTuber KSI, who is #2 on the Top Creators List. Additionally, Logan co-hosts a podcast called Impaulsive with his brother, where they discuss ongoing controversies.

No 7. Elliot Tebele (F*ckJerry)

Elliot Tebele, also known as the original meme king, is the person behind the popular social media empire FJerryLLC. This empire includes accounts like F*ckJerry, BeigeCardigan, DudeWithSign, and JerryNews, which collectively have 40 million followers. Tebele makes a lot of money from his board game business, especially the party game “What Do You Meme,” which you can find in stores like Target, Walmart, and Amazon across the country. He has also entered the alcohol industry with the widely recognized tequila brand Jaja.

No 8. Emma Chamberlain

Emma Chamberlain left high school and started making YouTube videos at her mom’s house. She gained 27.9 million followers and built a successful lifestyle empire with her unique humor and love for fashion. Chamberlain made history by securing a high fashion deal with Louis Vuitton, and she continues to partner with big companies like Cartier, Lancome, Levi’s, Aritzia, and Canon. Her coffee brand, Chamberlain Coffee, is sold at Walmart and Sprouts, and her podcast, “Anything Goes,” signed an exclusive video deal with Spotify in February.

No 9. Matt Rife

Rife, who’s a stand-up comedian, is using his popularity on social media to fill up seats for his live shows. He spent ten years performing at small clubs, and then he became famous on TikTok when a video of him joking with a fan became really popular. In the past year, he gained 17 million followers on TikTok and sold over 750,000 tickets for his tour around the world. Also, his stand-up show called “Natural Selection” will be available on Netflix later this year.

No 10. Brent Rivera

Brent Rivera is really good at using popular social media like Vine, YouTube, and TikTok. He makes funny videos with his sister Lexi, and about 50 million people like watching them. Besides being a creator, the 25-year-old also works with big brands like Starbucks, Xbox, and Prada. In 2017, he started Amp Studios, a company to help other creators and new brands.

No 11. Khabane (Khaby) Lame

Lame really values silence. He makes a lot of money by featuring products in TikTok and Instagram posts, earning $750,000 per post. In 2019, he was working in a factory making car filters near Turin, but now he has over 240 million social media followers. Lame has landed partnerships with big names like Hugo Boss, State Farm, and the Middle East bank QNB. Recently, he even became a character in the popular video game Fortnite, which has more than 230 million players every month.

Final Thoughts

The top 11 creators showcase the immense earning potential within the digital content creation landscape. Jimmy Donaldson, widely known as MrBeast, leads the pack with staggering earnings of $82 million and an expansive follower base of 312 million. His ability to orchestrate attention-grabbing stunts and high-production videos has not only garnered a massive online following but has also translated into a real-world empire with successful ventures like Feastables and MrBeast Burgers.

The impact of followers and engagement on earnings is evident across the list, with creators like Charli D’Amelio, Logan Paul, and KSI leveraging their substantial followings to secure lucrative brand partnerships and business ventures. Charli D’Amelio’s diverse portfolio, including collaborations with Prada and Amazon, as well as her fragrance line and reality series, reflects the significant financial opportunities available to top influencers.

While high engagement rates, exemplified by Matt Rife’s impressive 10.7%, can directly contribute to increased earnings, creators like Jake Paul demonstrate that controversy and spectacle can also play a role in financial success. Despite controversy surrounding his content, Jake Paul’s ability to attract attention has led to significant sponsorships, a successful sports betting app, and a lucrative MMA contract.

Moreover, the list highlights the creators’ entrepreneurial spirit, as seen with Rhett & Link’s Mythical entertainment company, Emma Chamberlain’s ventures into fashion and beverage, and Brent Rivera’s establishment of Amp Studios to support emerging brands. The intersection of creativity, business acumen, and audience engagement is a defining factor in the financial success of these creators.

In essence, the earnings and followers of these top creators underscore the evolving landscape of digital entrepreneurship, where online influence can translate into substantial financial gains through brand partnerships, business ventures, and diverse revenue streams. The symbiotic relationship between engagement and earnings continues to drive the digital content creation industry, solidifying these creators as influential figures shaping the future of online entertainment and commerce.