The life of a content creator is a dream for many—gifts galore, free holidays, and a gravy train of cash for next to no work. It’s no surprise more and more people are pursuing their careers as content creators.
Waking up and making videos and posting reels might sound like a dream job. But here’s the kicker: making money as a content creator isn’t easy. Only 12% of content creators make more than $50K a year, says Linktree. That could stress you out if you’re starting out.
But hey! Don’t worry. Here, we’ll share some of the most promising ways you can earn money as a content creator in 2024.
#1 Drop a Merch Line
A fantastic way to connect with your audience is to create your own line of merchandise.
Merch isn’t just for content creators with massive followings; even micro-influencers can sell their own merch. Print-on-demand services have made designing and selling products easier for content creators.
Design products that reflect your brand’s personality. That could be mugs with your logo, T-shirts with catchy phrases, or stickers featuring your most popular designs.
Platforms like Redbubble allow creators to sell custom products. Neither do you have to worry about maintaining inventory or shipping. You just have to sign up, create a design, upload it, and share it on your social media—it’s that simple. The platforms will take care of the production as well as logistics.
Selling merch can be very lucrative. Matt Meagher, a popular creator, sold more than $40,000 worth of merchandise in a single day. Selling such a large amount of merch in a short period suggests he likely has a strong, engaged audience and effective marketing strategies.
One easy way to create excitement around your merch and boost sales is to offer limited edition products.
#2 Diversify With Digital Products
Expand your revenue streams by selling digital products. Package your expertise into e-books, online courses, or downloadable templates—these are great ways to monetize your knowledge and skills.
Have a cooking page on Instagram or TikTok? Create a cookbook or meal plan and sell them. Sell online courses if you are knowledgeable in a topic with high market demand.
Several platforms allow creators to sell courses. But if you sign up for them, be ready to pay a commission on every sale you make.
If you want to save on commissions and keep more money in your pocket, sell digital products on your own website.
Creating a site doesn’t have to be a tall order; AI-powered website builders have made website designing a piece of cake. These platforms allow creators to design a professional yet engaging site without any coding knowledge or design skills.
You won’t simply save time and money using an AI-powered website builder. These tools, Hocoos remarks, design a website such that it is mobile-friendly. Thus, it ensures a perfect user experience regardless of the screen size.
For inspiration, check out the websites of Amanda Cerny, Marie Forleo, and Natsai Audrey Chieza.
#3 Become a Consultant or Coach
Don’t want to sell your course or e-books? No problem. You can earn money by becoming a consultant or a coach. You can offer one-on-one coaching or group consulting sessions in your area of expertise.
The Small Business Now: The Current State of SMB Marketing reveals that 54% of small businesses struggle with social media marketing. Since you have a passion for social media, offer consulting sessions to these businesses. Your valuable insights and experience can help them enhance their online presence.
Likewise, those who create content on managing personal finances can educate others on how to handle their finances via one-on-one calls. Fitness creators, on the other hand, can provide personalized training sessions or group fitness coaching to help clients achieve their health goals.
#4 Enable Subscriptions on Instagram
Over two million creators are using Instagram’s subscription feature, announced the platform recently. Why not make use of the feature and earn money?
You can offer exclusive content to your loyal followers for a monthly fee. You can provide them access to exclusive stories, posts, and live streams.
According to TechCrunch, Instagram offers eight price points, from $0.99/month to $99.99/month. It’s always wise to start with the lowest price. You can experiment with higher pricing when you have enough subscribers.
In 2024, the opportunities to make money are more diverse than ever for content creators. Whether you’re just starting or looking to take your hustle to the next level, the key is to mix and match these strategies in a way that aligns with your brand, audience, and goals.
The digital landscape is constantly evolving, however. Stay adaptable and creative. It will set you apart from others.
