What is a “Community Creator”?
The People Who Make It Happen: Inside the Lives of Community Creators
When we talk about the creator economy, we usually mean the internet.
Content creators. Influencers. YouTubers. TikTokers.
People who build audiences by chasing trends and mastering platforms built to monetize attention.
But there’s another kind of creator economy — one that lives off-screen. One that isn’t about views, but about returning guests. One where the currency isn’t likes, but belonging.
At The Regular we call these people Community Creators, and they’re everywhere — karaoke hosts, trivia runners, bocce league founders, open mic emcees, drag performers, fitness facilitators, nonprofit organizers, and anyone who brings people together in real life, again and again.
They don’t build for the algorithm.
They build the night you look forward to all week.
Let’s get to know a few of them.
🎯 The Trivia Host: Part Game Master, Part Local Legend
The vibe: Think high-energy with just enough snark, someone who can quiet a room and amp it up again minutes later. They're walking spreadsheets with personalities — and a cult following.
Their why: Most trivia hosts start because they love games. But they stay because of the people. For many, it's a creative outlet, a social anchor, and a low-stakes way to feel seen. You’d be surprised how many regulars have told their hosts, "Trivia night got me through my divorce," or "This league is how I met my best friends."
How they make money:
Paid per event by the venue or booking partner
Tips (especially in competitive or themed nights)
Occasionally run their own leagues and collect team registration fees
Some scale by offering private/corporate gigs
Stat Check: Trivia is big business — over 40% of bars in the U.S. host trivia or game nights to boost attendance on slow nights【source: Bar Business Magazine】.
🎤 The Karaoke Host: A Stage, a Mic, and a Lot of Heart
The vibe: A human spotlight. Part DJ, part therapist, part hype squad. They know your favorite karaoke song and how to pronounce your name — even if you’ve only met once.
Their why: Many karaoke hosts started as regulars themselves. They know what it feels like to be nervous on stage — and what it feels like to be cheered on anyway. They believe in the power of shared joy, of creating a space where even the most introverted person can have their Beyoncé moment.
How they make money:
Flat rate per night from the venue or event group
Add-on fees for gear (mics, monitors, tablets)
Some earn tips or run competitions with prizes sponsored by bars
Private gigs, weddings, corporate events, or high-end pop-ups
Real Talk: More than one person has credited karaoke nights with helping them cope with anxiety, depression, or loneliness — and more than a few couples have met during a brave-but-off-key rendition of Shallow.
⚽️ The Social League Founder: Your Local Mayor of Fun
The vibe: Equal parts operations manager and party host. They’re the person who remembers team names, orders extra bocce balls, and still finds time to bring beer for the afterparty.
Their why: Often, they started their league because the one they played in wasn’t doing it right — or because their city didn’t have one at all. They saw a gap in social infrastructure and filled it. They aren’t trying to “scale fast.” They’re trying to build community at walking distance.
How they make money:
Team registration fees
Sponsorships (bars, beverage brands, athletic wear)
Upsells like league merch, afterparties, or cross-promoted events
Some earn revenue by listing leagues on event platforms like Eventbrite or MeetNear.Me
Impact Note: We've seen real-world outcomes — weddings, new businesses, lifelong friend groups — all formed in these leagues. One bocce player called it “the only reason I didn’t leave the city during COVID.”
💡 Why This Matters
Community Creators aren’t just entertainers. They’re organizers, entrepreneurs, and caretakers. They’re creating the connective tissue that keeps our cities alive.
And yet — unlike social media influencers — they often do this with no tools, no visibility, and no support.
There are over 150,000 event creators and hospitality organizers in the U.S. who run these types of gatherings, and over $200B is spent annually on in-person experiences【source: The Daily Upside, 2023】. But almost none of the tech that powers this space is built with them in mind.
We think it’s time that changed.
🛠️ What We’re Building to Help
The Regular is designed for Community Creators — with tools, support, and even investment:
Book discounted venues
List and promote events
Use AI to manage scheduling and logistics
Connect with other hosts and find new audiences
Earn through our Venture Studio or become a paid partner
We’ve backed karaoke companies. Trivia leagues. Social sports brands.
We help them scale, we build tech around what works, and we put creators at the center of our roadmap.
Because community doesn’t start on your phone.
It starts when someone says, "Same time next week?"
📣 If You’re a Community Creator:
You don’t need to be famous on TikTok to be influential.
If you’ve ever filled a room, connected a crowd, or kept a tradition alive — you’re the kind of creator we built this for.
👉 [Apply to become a Community Creator (free)]
👉 [Learn about our Venture Studio brands]
👉 [Support the movement →]