
From affiliate YouTube empires to billion-dollar creator platforms, this episode dives into how creators are turning strategy into scale. Justin and Grace break down the real business behind money-making on the internet β from finance creators earning millions off links to brands like Adobe rebuilding their image around creators. Inside: πΈ The truth about OF and the β1%β income curve π― Why vice-based content (betting, thirst traps, alcohol) always wins attention π SF vs. LA creator culture β how environment shapes identity π¨ Adobe Maxβs rebrand into creator-first marketing π€ How to get into the right invite-only brand rooms π Charlie Changβs $4M/year YouTube machine and affiliate strategy π Recurring revenue from affiliate deals (and how creators can copy it) Timestamps: 00:00 β The economics of OF and vice-based content 07:28 β SF vs. LA culture and how it shapes creator identity 13:42 β Adobe Max: how Adobe is reinventing for creators 20:30 β Creator-first branding and event strategy 27:03 β Inside the βrealβ brand parties and how to get invited 29:46 β Charlie Changβs $4M affiliate empire 38:02 β How to actually make YouTube affiliate content work 41:24 β ChatGPT affiliate ideas + AI product monetization 43:20 β Closing thoughts ποΈ Hosted by Grace Ling & Justin Nguyen π How Creators Make Money β the podcast where we unpack the real strategies behind todayβs smartest creators.