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Content creation is easily one of the top career choices an individual can make today. It is versatile and creative and grants individuals freedom that traditional careers can't accommodate. Let's look at how to make this a truly lucrative career.
We live in the best of times. Simply being yourself and sharing that with the world could easily make you a millionaire. Content creation has the transformative power to change lives. You could move from no one knowing your name to thousands of people eagerly waiting for your next post because they love your content. However, please don't mistake it; as with all other career paths, a genuine effort is necessary to reap the best benefits. This effort, dedication, and hard work are crucial in your journey as a content creator. Luckily, we're here to tell you all the options and moves you could make to increase your chances of success tenfold. The best part is that there are so many ways to approach content creation. Whether you prefer to teach others how to do what you do, test products, or even review them, or you'd like to create your own products. All these options and so many more are yours.
Brand Sponsorships and Collaborations are common approaches to content creation. Brand sponsorship involves a brand paying a creator to promote their products. The brand typically shares a clear brief with the creator, outlining their expectations for the content. For instance, Shell Kenya sponsored Dennis Ombachi with Afrigas cooking gas for his food content. On the other hand, brand collaborations refer to creators and brands coming together to create a product, with the proceeds being shared by the creator and brand. A great example is the #vivoxjoykendi collection released by Vivo Woman in collaboration with Joy Kendi.
Affiliate Marketing is an interesting way to generate income as a content creator, as your earnings are commission-based. Through sites like Amazon Associates and ShareASale, creators can advertise products through their content. For instance, a beauty content creator might review a new skincare product and include an affiliate link for readers to purchase. When the item sells through the shared link, the creator receives a percentage of the earnings generated. This strategy is popular, with creators utilizing blogs as their audience can easily be redirected to the websites from which they can earn money.
Have you ever heard a creator say their content has been monetized? They often refer to finally meeting the criteria required to earn from platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok. These earnings result from different brands running ads before, during, or after a creator's content is watched, as is the case with YouTube AdSense and Facebook In-stream ads, or from achieving commendable growth and being rewarded through the TikTok Creator Fund. The potential for growth and reward in ad revenue is significant, with the understanding that it can be unpredictable and fluctuate based on viewer engagement and ad rates. However, the greater your reach as a creator, the more you're likely to earn. Please note that geographical location also matters in terms of requirements and earnings.
When it comes to generating passive income, digital products are a game-changer. The process is simple: create and share a single product with your online audience. The options are endless, from Canva templates to social media calendars, webinars, and fonts. As these products are not physical, there are minimal production costs and no expenses related to inventory storage. Most platforms like Etsy and Gumroad have minimal charges paid as a one-off, making the process even more cost-effective. This ease and affordability give you the confidence to explore this income-generating strategy.
Offering subscriptions and memberships on platforms like Twitch, YouTube, Patreon, and Substack is an excellent way for creators to earn recurring income. For success, creators offer their subscribers additional value that cannot be obtained from accessing their free content. These include, but are not limited to, exclusive content, digital downloads, or even business perks like mentorship and promos that their audiences are open to spending extra money on. For instance, a cooking channel might offer exclusive recipes or live Q&A sessions, while a fitness channel might provide personalized workout plans or one-on-one coaching. Through these subscriptions, creators can build communities with the most engaged members of their audience. Most platforms offer tiered subscriptions, and a common rule of thumb is that the bigger the creator, the more they stand to earn from the platforms they're operating on.
Offering freelance services encompasses a wide range of options for creators. Examples include UGC (user-generated content) for brands, which involves creating content promoting products or services. This could be a sponsored post on social media, a product review on a blog, or a video advertisement. Creators can also offer photo and video editing services or website building at an appropriate fee. Through these avenues, creators can generate income from their skills at little to no cost to themselves. Additionally, creators can license their content - images and videos, and design templates- and make money by availing them on platforms like Pexels and Canva to be used by the general public.
Be it apparel - t-shirts, hoodies, and socks or accessories like mugs and phone cases branded with memes and inside jokes your audience identifies with, or digital calendars and downloadable art that your engaged audience can access; merchandising remains an incredible way for established creators to make the most of their audiences' loyalty and spending power. Through platforms like Printful and Fourthwall, creators can design merchandise at minimal costs and earn money.
A well-known fact worldwide is that there's nothing quite like establishing yourself as an authority in a field. Sharing your knowledge and understanding of a concept with others allows you to monetize your efforts. Take, for instance, a food content creator like Chef Raphael. After building a name for himself and growing an engaged audience, he has started offering affordable cooking classes to individuals who feel they'd like to cook as well as he does.
Evidently, there are countless approaches one can consider when choosing to pursue content creation as a career and make money from it. To ensure you make the most of your chosen path, here are a few factors to prioritize that will allow you to flourish as a creator.
Firstly, make a point to build a strong, engaged audience. As you grow as a creator, respond to comments and direct messages your audience leaves on your post or sends to you. Through this, your audience members feel seen and valued and realize you're not just using them to fatten your pockets but you genuinely care about what they have to say. Remember, your audience is integral to your success and should always feel valued.
Diversify your income streams. If your primary income comes from YouTube AdSense, try working with brands on product reviews, as this will allow you to make extra income from affiliate marketing or brand sponsorships. Further, to enjoy extra sources of income like paid subscriptions and merchandising, ensure you provide your audience with high-quality, valuable content that they feel no difficulty spending money on.
As a creator, don't try to be for everybody. You must take the time to identify who you'd like to make content for. Niching down not only increases your chances of creating high-quality, high-value content, but it also allows you to engage your audience. You can share genuine insight as you properly understand your content and its scope, which your audience can easily see.
Always remember to track your analytics. Noting how your content is performing allows you to filter out what doesn't work, making room for doubling down on what has proven successful. Analytics also allow you to understand your audience, what they enjoy, and the best time to post for a successful reception.
To finish, we cannot stress the importance of consistency as a content creator. You could have the best content in the world, with quality that no one can compete with and value that can never be understated, but if you are not consistent, the noise will drown you out. Due to the promising nature of a content creator career, countless people worldwide want to make a name for themselves in the industry, so you must try just as hard if not harder, to be seen by your audience. An auspicious career, put your best foot forward, and reap the benefits the modern world offers you.
Or you could join Kenya's Number one creative influencer marketing platform. We pride ourselves in getting the best opportunities for our creators.
Editor - Patty x Roar
