In this post, we'll explore five ways you can make money as a content creator.
Most creators will pick several strategies and some strategies might not be a good fit with the type of content you want to create or for the platforms you post on.
Being paid to create content for a living is the ultimate objective for most content creators.
So, how do creators actually make money from their content?
#1 Sell an Online Course
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, online learning has truly skyrocketed in popularity. Research and Markets forecasts that the online education market will value $350 billion by 2025, with updates to come on the growth impacts of the pandemic on this number.
As a content creator, you are in the unique position to teach others, using your personal style and loving fanbase to sell your online courses.
Take Justin Welsh for example, who uses his own LinkedIn success story as both a testimonial and the inspiration for his online course.
Or, Gavin Gleeson. He turned his own personal story into a health and fitness membership site to help others in the hospitality industry to avoid the mistakes he made.
If you aren’t sure how to garner enough students to justify your coursework, you always have the option to turn to democratized platforms like Skillshare. Boasting over 12 million users since its inception, Skillshare helps its top-earning teachers make up to $100k per year.
Online Courses are all the rage - check out Masterclass, SkillShare, or Nas Academy - not to mention all the offerings from LinkedIn. The market is ready for you!
#2 Branded Partnerships
We’re all too familiar with the classic influencer brand partnership. From free products to monetary compensation, brand partnerships provide a great opportunity for content creators to work with their favorite brands, and the companies that employ them can double or even triple their interested audiences. As a trusted source of information, creators are in the perfect position to recommend the products they love (and get paid while doing so).
Expected income from brand partnerships can vary by contract, brand, creator, and audience size. Typically larger audiences command a higher price, but this is not always the case. While brand partnerships might feel out of reach for smaller creators, these days brands are actually seeking out micro-influencers that tend to have better reputations and a higher engagement rate for their high-ticket partnerships.
Veritasium carefully picks its sponsors that align with the Veritasium brand, and add value to its fans. (If you haven't checked out the channel, you should. No kidding).
Fortunately, there will be different brands that will support you along your own journey.
Our QP creator, Nick D, didn't need 12 million subscribers to collaborated with major brands that allowed him to do what he loves most: create content.
#3 Adsense... Argh.
Disclaimer: I categorically disagree with this approach because it goes against everything I believe about untampered creativity and building authentic, personal connections.
Adsense is Google's program that places ads before, during, or after your content. It **magically** senses the type of content you create and matches this with relevant advertising content.
Adsense - like other revenue streams depending on advertising - forces content creators to focus on attracting more followers. It's a lot of hard work while the return on investment is incredibly low compared to other income-making strategies.
It also creates an interrupted viewer experience (for viewers who aren't using an ad blocker) that will make it harder to keep your audience engaged.
This doesn't seem 100% fair, does it?
And we haven't even talked about How Algorithms Destroy Creator Freedom.
QP CEO and Founder, Alex Clark shared his personal story and his views on the current content creation landscape during the Building The Future podcast.
#4 Consulting & Training
Not committed to creating an entire online course?
Providing consulting services can be a great way to offer education on a smaller scale. By working 1-on-1 with a client, you can also provide more targeted solutions, and determine your rate per opportunity rather than offering a flat rate for all your educational content.
Thinking bigger?
Your 1-on-1 call could even turn into a lucrative, long-term consulting gig with new business owners or brands looking to expand their marketing efforts.
The UK's Most Hated Sales Trainer has been consistently showcasing his skills in an entertaining and fun way on different social media platforms. How many companies do you think got in touch with him to teach their teams to do the same?
#5 Sell Your Work
Are you an artist, writer, or other creative with work to spare? Content creation is a great avenue to turn your followers into paying customers. Whether it’s a behind-the-scenes of creating a piece or a peek into your packing system, today’s trending content is perfect for creators to sell products as their own small business.
The great news is that now it’s even easier to drive traffic and generate sales from social media! With a simple link in bio or even an in-platform store (looking at you, Instagram!), creators can easily sell products online without the need for a full-fledged website or digital marketing strategy.
Nivada Grenchen is just one of the many brands that have built a lucrative business thanks to a very passionate community and innovative collaborations.
The Bottom Line
As a content creator, your work is more valuable than it seems.
With the time, energy, and commitment it takes to learn the platforms required to succeed, keep up with ever-changing trends, and pump out enough content to keep your audience engaged, it’s no surprise that audiences are willing to pay for the content that they consume every day.
At the end of the day, if you’re able to get paid doing what you love and connect with people who value your creativity, why not go for it?
