Oh, you thought content creation was just a fun side gig? Did you know that Goldman Sachs predicts it could nearly double to $480 billion by 2027? The creator industry has exploded over the past decade, yet so many talented creators still struggle to get paid fairly for their work, if they are getting paid at all! Experiences in exchange for content do not pay the bills. No other professional would accept this kind of payment. Brands rely on influencers and content creators more than ever—but far too often, creators are undervalued, underpaid, or taken advantage of.

I’m Angie Thomas, the creator behind The Honest Passport, and I’ve experienced getting taken advantage of and being undermined in this industry personally. I’ve learned many tough lessons the hard way, but along the journey I’ve been able to build a dream life that I am thankful for every single day— all because of strategic content creation and a passion for living a life well lived. To put it into perspective and be candid, content creation has allowed me to live a lifestyle that not even my 6 figure salary in IT could afford me, and it’s time to help others do the same! Yes, you can be a creator all the while still holding a full time job. And guess what?! The creator industry is so large that there is enough room for us all!

That’s exactly why I created The Creator Academy: a space designed to empower creators, teach them how to get the kind of work they truly are passionate about, tax deduct their creator expenses, negotiate contracts, protect their work, and help them get paid what they truly deserve for their time, their creativity, and their talent. Afterall, there is no blueprint, no college pathway that teaches people how to do. This is a space for those who have an unquenchable thirst for creation and community building.

Why I Built the Creator Academy

As someone with a professional background in Marketing, Public Relations, IT, and Project Management, I entered the creator world with a unique skill set—and it changed everything. These fields taught me how to:

Understand brand strategy
Build strong messages and narratives
Analyze audiences and performance
Structure partnerships and workflows
Negotiate confidently and professionally
Protect my work and usage rights
Operate content creation like a real business

Using these skills, I’ve been able to negotiate multiple five-figure brand deals with companies that respect the value of creator partnerships. Some of these companies even told me that they chose to work with me (over larger creators) due to a few factors that stood out: quality of work, authenticity and community connection. I’ve noticed this trend time and time again— companies are preferring smaller creators!

But along the way, I also noticed something troubling:
So many creators weren’t getting paid fairly, weren’t protecting their content, and weren’t treating their creativity like the business it truly is.

I saw creators who didn’t know how to read contracts, or worse didn’t even have one!
Creators who accepted low rates because they didn’t know their worth, or worse accepted to work in exchange for the experience/product etc.
Creators who gave away unlimited usage rights without realizing it, this should always be negotiated!
Creators who said "yes" to everything because they didn’t know they could negotiate and didn’t understand the power of being selective.
Creators who had a bad experience, and still had to create the content, because they never put proper language in contracts.
Creators who never expensed costs like gas, flights, equipment etc on taxes! Companies expense you as a marketing expense, why shouldn’t you do the same!

The Creator Academy exists to change that.

What the Creator Academy Helps You Do

This academy is built for creators at any level who are ready to elevate their business, increase their income, and step into the confidence of a well-paid professional. Here’s exactly how I help you get there:

✔ Understand Your Value

Together, we identify what you bring to the table—your strengths, your niche, your audience, and what brands will pay a premium for.

✔ Negotiate Like a Pro

I teach you the same negotiation strategies I use to secure five-figure deals, including:

How to pitch brands
What to say when you counter
How to build a strong rate card
How to ask for (and get) higher pay
How to negotiate usage rights and licensing
What red flags to watch for

You’ll learn how to stop saying “yes” to anything offered—and start saying “yes” to what aligns with your value.

✔ Protect Your Usage Rights

Brands often try to secure:

Unlimited usage
Eternal rights
Whitelisting permissions
Paid ad rights
Raw content files

…without paying for them.

I show you exactly how to protect yourself, how to charge for these items, and how to ensure your work is never used without the proper compensation or permissions.

✔ Build a Creator Business — Not Just a Hobby

You’ll learn how to set up:

Systems
Workflows
Email templates
Media kits
Professional pitching processes
Content planning strategies
Contract tracking
Income tracking and business operations

Because being a content creator is a real job—and you should operate like a real business owner.

1:1 Creator Coaching — A Personalized Roadmap to Success

Inside the Creator Academy, every creator I work with gets personalized, one-on-one guidance. Together, we map out:

Where you are right now
Where you want to go
The income level you want to reach
The partnerships you want to attract
Your long-term creator goals

Then I build a customized plan to get you there.

This isn’t a cookie-cutter program—you get individualized support based on your strengths, your content, and your goals.

Additional Support You'll Find Inside the Academy

Beyond coaching and brand deal guidance, the Creator Academy includes everything a full-service creator development program should offer:

Branding and positioning help
Platform growth tips
Content strategy and optimization
Portfolio and media kit review
Rate card development
Outreach and pitching templates
Contract advice and breakdowns
Negotiation practice
Revenue expansion strategies
UGC and influencer strategy guidance
Creator mindset support
Step-by-step action plans
Monthly accountability
Access to resources and tools

And more as the academy expands.

Connect With Me for Free Through Oxfriend

You can explore the Creator Academy topics, view everything included, and connect with me directly through Oxfriend—all for free.

You’ll be able to browse the available membership levels and choose the one that fits your needs.

👉 Oxfriend Link: https://www.oxfriend.com/c/thecreatoracadamy

Connect With Me on Social Media

You can stay updated, follow my content, and join my creator community on all platforms below:

Instagram: [Insert Link Here]
TikTok: [Insert Link Here]
YouTube: [Insert Link Here]
Facebook: [Insert Link Here]
Website/Blog: [Insert Link Here]

Feel free to plug these in when you’re ready.

Join the Creator Academy — and Start Getting Paid What You Deserve

Being a creator is more than posting content—it’s storytelling, marketing, production, strategy, negotiation, and business. You deserve to be compensated for every part of it.

The Creator Academy is here to help you:

✨ Earn more
✨ Protect your work
✨ Negotiate confidently
✨ Build a powerful creator brand
✨ Grow long-term
✨ And become a truly well-paid content creator

This is your year to elevate your creator career—and I’m here to guide you every step of the way.

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The Creator Academy: A Pathway to Becoming a Well-Paid, Empowered Content Creator