Case Study
How I Built Rhyple: Revolutionizing Creator Monetization for Everyone, Not Just Influencers
The Problem I Set Out to Solve
In 2023, I co-founded Rhyple because I saw a fundamental flaw in social media platforms—content creators were driving engagement, yet had minimal control over monetization.
For years, platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube had dominated the industry, profiting tremendously off creators while offering limited earning opportunities. Unless you had millions of followers, your ability to generate revenue was restricted to inconsistent brand deals, complicated ad revenue sharing, or third-party platforms like Patreon.
The reality was stark: only the top 1% of creators could make a living from their content. Small creators, niche influencers, and everyday users who contributed valuable content were being ignored by the monetization ecosystem.
I wanted to change this paradigm completely. What if every user—not just mega-influencers—could be rewarded for their content and engagement? What if monetization wasn’t dependent on follower count, but on actual contributions to the community?
That’s when I conceived Rhyple.
My vision was to democratize content monetization, allowing anyone to earn through engagement, creativity, and participation—not just through ads or sponsorships. I designed Rhyple’s unique in-app economy to give power back to users, enabling them to monetize their content through multiple streams within our points-based rewards system.
The Challenge: Outdated Client Communication Systems
In 2021, Universal Spartan faced a critical turning point in its growth trajectory. Despite offering high-quality services, the company was struggling with:
- Manual, time-consuming communication processes
- Lack of transparency in order tracking and updates
- Growing client frustration with information accessibility
- Increasing support ticket volume for basic status inquiries
As clients increasingly expected digital-first experiences, I recognized the need for Universal Spartan to evolve beyond traditional communication channels to maintain its competitive edge in the market.
My Journey Building Rhyple from Concept to Launch
As Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer, I led the entire product development lifecycle, from initial sketches to our successful MVP launch. My responsibilities encompassed:
1. Discovery and Requirements Gathering
I started by mapping out what a truly creator-first platform would look like. Through extensive market research and creator interviews, I identified key pain points:
- Most creators couldn’t meet minimum thresholds for monetization on traditional platforms
- Engagement algorithms favored already-successful accounts
- Revenue models were opaque and constantly changing
- Smaller creators lacked access to essential growth tools
These insights shaped my core product vision: create a platform where value flows to those who create it, regardless of their follower count.
Designing the Monetization Model
Traditional social platforms generate revenue primarily from ads, with minimal sharing to creators. I designed Rhyple’s business model differently:
- In-App Purchases – I created a points economy where users could purchase points to tip creators or unlock premium features
- Subscription Tiers – I implemented a freemium approach with optional paid tiers for advanced creator tools and analytics
- Ad Revenue Sharing – Unlike competitors, I ensured eligible creators earned a fair percentage of ad revenue based on their content engagement
- Brand Partnership Marketplace – I built a system where businesses could run sponsored campaigns with creators opting in based on fair compensation
This hybrid approach ensured creators were fairly compensated while maintaining a profitable, self-sustaining platform.
Developing the Core User Experience
I knew the portal’s success depended on alignment across multiple departments, so I coordinated closely with:
- Engineering team for technical development and systems integration
- Design team for creating an intuitive user experience
- Customer service for defining support workflows
- Sales and account management for identifying client-facing requirements
- Security team for ensuring data protection compliance
I organized regular sprint reviews and stakeholder meetings to ensure continuous alignment between technical capabilities and business requirements.
Building the Points-Based Rewards System
How I Made Points Work:
- Users earned points based on content engagement metrics I defined—likes, shares, comments, and watch time
- I created direct tipping mechanisms so creators could receive support from their audience
- I implemented daily engagement bonuses to encourage platform participation
Redemption Options I Developed:
- Cash Out – Users could convert points to real money via PayPal or cryptocurrency
- Gift Cards – I negotiated partnerships allowing redemption for popular brand gift cards
- Platform Upgrades – I designed premium features like analytics tools and AI content suggestions
- Creator Support – I built mechanisms for users to tip and support other creators
I ensured the points system was fully integrated into the user experience, with real-time earnings visibility and intuitive redemption flows.
Implementing AI-Powered Creator Tools
To give creators a competitive edge, I spearheaded the development of AI-powered tools that helped users:
- Generate content ideas based on trending topics
- Optimize posts for maximum engagement
- Enhance video and image quality using AI filters and editing tools
This AI-first approach ensured that creators—especially newcomers—had the resources needed to stand out and grow organically.
Implementing AI-Powered Creator Tools
I knew Rhyple needed to scale, so I carefully selected a modern tech stack, prioritizing:
Frontend: React.js (Next.js) + TailwindCSS for a responsive, performant UI
Backend: Node.js (Express) for API development
Database: PostgreSQL (hosted on Supabase) for relational data
Authentication: Firebase Auth for secure user management
Cloud Storage: AWS S3 for media uploads
AI Integration: OpenAI API for content suggestions
Deployment: Vercel for frontend, Railway for backend services
Version Control: GitHub with CI/CD pipelines
I coordinated with our engineering team through weekly sprints, prioritizing features based on user impact and technical feasibility.
Results & Impact: What I Achieved
MVP Launch in Under 6 Months
I led a cross-functional team to build and release our platform with core monetization features intact
10,000+ Early Signups
Our waitlist validated the market demand for a creator-first monetization platform
30% Higher Engagement
The AI-powered content tools I implemented boosted user interaction metrics
Early Brand Partnerships
I secured initial partnerships with brands interested in our engagement-based campaign model