Shopify has launched a new platform called Shopify Collabs that makes it easier for creators to find and partner with Shopify merchants looking for marketing support.
Shopify’s goal is to bring economic independence to this new generation of entrepreneurs. Despite the size of the total creator economy, estimated to be worth over $100B*, most creators struggle to make money and become independent. Just 4% of creators make content full-time.** As a solo creator, discovering brands and establishing partnerships is cumbersome, and creators would rather spend their time doing what they love—engaging with their audiences.
The new platform aims to do for creators — which Shopify sees as the “next generation of entrepreneurs” — what Shopify has already done for millions of SMBs: help them easily digitize and monetize their businesses. The Collabs marketplace will streamline the process for both merchants and creators to find mutually beneficial partnerships that align with their brands and audiences.
“Shopify is where the world’s best independent brands go to build their businesses,” said Amir Kabbara, Shopify’s director of Product, in a statement. “With Shopify Collabs, we’re making it simple for creators to discover and partner with these brands so they can make more money and reach economic independence. In the future, Collabs will be fully integrated with Shopify, giving creators access to more parts of our platform and accelerating their journey as entrepreneurs.”
Collabs help creators monetize by discovering and partnering with the independent brands their audiences will love
Shopify Collabs is now available to all merchants in the U.S. and Canada, and debuts with a slate of top TikTok and Instagram influencers in the lifestyle, beauty and fashion categories. Other creators in the U.S. and Canada can apply now for early access to the platform.
Once creators are approved for a Shopify Collabs account they can browse for Shopify merchants that align with their brand. They then use Linkpop — Shopify’s free link-in-bio tool built for commerce — to curate a selection of products from their partner merchants to share on their favorite social platforms. Linkpop also enables payments to the creator when those posts result in a purchase.
Shopify’s Collabs initiative is designed to help connect creators with brands in a mutually beneficial way. By collaborating, creators can gain exposure for their work, while brands can tap into new audiences and learn from creative minds.
Once a connection is made, the creator and brand will work together to create content that meets the brand’s needs. This could involve creating sponsored posts, developing marketing materials, or even just collaborating on a one-off project.
Both parties stand to benefit from a Collabs partnership. Brands get access to new audiences and creative talent, while creators gain exposure for their work and the opportunity to build their portfolios.
If you’re a creator interested in working with brands, head to Shopify’s Collabs website to sign up. And if you’re a brand looking for creative minds to collaborate with, Collabs is definitely worth checking out.
