The Creator CEO with Ahad Khan

In this episode, we talked to Ahad Khan, CEO of Kajabi. We explored what it means to be a creator today. He shared tips for making money from knowledge. This way, you can avoid burnout.

Ahad’s big idea? The creator economy isn’t just about going viral. It’s about building a business. To do this, you need systems, ownership, and a genuine bond with your audience.

The Creator Economy is Changing

Millions of views don’t always equal money. Social media platforms aim to build large audiences and show ads. But creators frequently earn just pennies. Ahad calls this the “long tail” problem. Most creators go viral once or twice. However, they often don’t earn enough to make it full-time.

To fix that, he says creators must become CEOs.

What is a Creator CEO?

A Creator CEO is someone who:

Builds an audience
Validates their ideas
Owns their content and business
Sells digital products
Uses tools and automation to scale—without losing their voice

As I put it on the show:

“This isn’t about going viral. It’s about ownership.”

Start With Content Market Fit

Ahad says to test your ideas first. Make sure to do this before you launch a course, coaching program, or digital product. This is called content market fit. Post content. Watch what resonates. If people follow, comment, or give you their email, you’re onto something.

After you check the idea, you can build products that fix real problems and get paid for them.

Price It Right

Most creators undercharge. Don’t start with $5 downloads or $10 webinars unless you’ve tested the price. If you’re offering real value, your pricing should reflect that. Ahad advises to start higher and lower it later if needed—not the other way around.

Balance AI With Real Connection

AI tools can help scale your presence. But creators should still show up. People want to feel connected to you, not just to your automated assistant.

You can use AI to create “digital versions” of yourself, but decide where to draw the line. Like Ahad said, humanity still matters.

5 Key Takeaways

Build Systems, Not Just Content Platforms come and go. Claim what’s yours—such as email lists, websites, and digital products.
Find Content Market Fit Don’t create in a vacuum. Test your ideas. Let your audience guide what to build next.
Big views don’t always equal big dollars. Sell products that solve real problems.
Use AI, But Stay Human Automate what you can, but keep your voice. Personal touch still wins.
Lead With Rhythm and Clarity If you’re growing a team, establish a steady rhythm. Cadence, transparency, and clear communication build trust.

Final Thoughts

The creator economy isn’t just for influencers or internet stars. It’s for anyone with expertise to share and a willingness to build.

Ahad reminded us that content is only the start. The real key is building something you can own and grow—on your terms.

“Kajabi is really the center of innovation and product development—and all of that is in service of the creator, not the brand.”

So if you’re thinking about launching something of your own, stop waiting. Start simple. Stay consistent. Build your system—freedom doesn’t come from followers. It comes from ownership.

🎧 Listen to Episode 20 here: