Creators IRL: Exclusive Survey by The Influencer Marketing Factory Uncovers Offline Trends in the Creator Economy
New data reveals how fans are engaging with influencers through in-person events, pop-ups, tours, and live activations - and what it means for brands.
NEW YORK, September 26, 2025 (Newswire.com) - The Influencer Marketing Factory releases the findings from its exclusive "Creators IRL" survey, conducted among 1,000 U.S.-based social media users. The data reveals compelling new insights into how audiences are increasingly gravitating toward offline, in-person experiences with their favorite creators - from meetups to pop-ups, live shows, and immersive activations.
Offline Is the New Online
As the creator economy matures, some of its most exciting movements is happening away from screens. The Influencer Marketing Factory's survey explores how fans perceive, attend, and spend on creator-led events - and how this shift is reshaping the opportunities and strategies for brands and influencers alike.
Top Takeaways from the Creators IRL Survey
41% of respondents attended at least one creator-led in-person event over the past year, pointing to a strong appetite for IRL interaction.
Among those who haven't attended yet, 67% are open or interested in future events (34% "Yes," 33% "Maybe").
Meet & greets rank highest among desired event types - followed by product launches, workshops, and pop-up activations.
46% of respondents say they're genuinely excited about IRL experiences with creators, while only 2% believe these events are overhyped.
The "sweet‑spot" ticket price for many fans is $10-$50, especially for workshops, meetups, or smaller live activations.
More than one in three respondents say they are very likely to make a purchase at a creator event - highlighting strong monetization potential.
34% of fans indicated they'd be comfortable paying $50+ for a full live performance or show.
Free product sampling / gifting suites came up among the top motivators for attendance.
Why This Matters for Brands & Creators
The Creators IRL findings underscore a growing shift: digital engagement is no longer sufficient on its own. For creators, in-person events are now essential expressions of fan relationship-building, content generation, and monetization. For brands, these activations open doors to immersive campaign opportunities, more authentic audience connections, and higher lifetime value through shared experiences.
To bring this to life, we've turned the survey results into a visually-detailed infographic, combining trend data, audience sentiment, and case examples of standout creator activations.
About The Influencer Marketing Factory
The Influencer Marketing Factory is a global agency that helps brands connect with Gen Z and Millennial audiences across platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. By integrating creative campaign strategy, data-driven creator sourcing, and performance measurement, we help brands unlock influence that drives real business outcomes.
Contact Information
Amy Collins
PR Specialist
amy@theinfluencermarketingfactory.com
Source: The Influencer Marketing Factory
