What Is A Content Creator & How Much Can You Make As One?

Jun 21, 2023

A content creator is someone who is essentially responsible for the creation and curation of content or information whether it be digital or physical, or in other words, someone who gets to make a living using their creativity and creating content.

And a good living too... right now there are more and more people becoming six and seven-figure content creators than ever before. 

They are creating, traveling, meeting new people, making an impact, living and working on their own terms...

Now content creator is a pretty broad term that gets tossed around left and right, and there are a few different niches that fall under the umbrella of a content creator, like filmmakers, photographers, writers, graphic designers, and much more. 

In today's world, the all-mighty title of content creator is more associated with digital content more than anything else. This is just mostly because that's where the majority of our content is consumed, and it's also where most of the wealth is if you're trying to make money with your efforts!

No matter where you look there's content that has been created by someone who likely got paid to create it.

That photo you saw on Instagram this morning, that video you watched on YouTube, that ad you saw on Facebook, that email you deleted this morning, the text you're reading right now?? It's all content and someone's usually making money creating it!

This profession of content creator is pretty new, the profession has grown so much, and for the most part, creation required a few skill sets other than the ability to write, though it still remains an important skill.

But photo, video, graphic, design, podcasts, animation, you name it, have become so important in today's world. 

Who knows what the next decade will bring? Holograms, augmented reality, flying billboards??

Before we move on I want to make the distinction between a hobbyist and a full-time content creator. 

The hobbyist creates content more for fun, and the full-time content creator is also likely having fun but is also thinking more about how to drive engagement, or sales, or leads. The full-time creator has to make a living.

Most of the time, the two differ in the quality and frequency of their work and their intent is usually not the same. They both have their own respective objectives.

Okay, so you might have some questions like: 

  1. How is it possible to go full-time and make a living?
  2. How do you get paid and how much
  3. Who hires you for work? 
  4. What responsibilities do you have? 
  5. How do you become a content creator?

I'm going to answer all your questions and clear up any misconceptions about what a content creator is and what to expect when you open the doors to this career path.

Can You Make A Full Time Living As A Content Creator? 

Now you probably think this isn't a stable career like being a doctor, or lawyer or something but the reality is far from that. 

If you have the skills and can deliver the results, you will find yourself in a position with a high-paying career and you can do it all, without studying or working your way up for years and years. 

You don't have to be a pro or have years of experience in these avenues to start creating and getting paid right now. 

Not to mention being a creator can be an extremely rewarding career. You are not limited to working in a certain industry or with certain people. 

Your work can be for people, organizations, busineess, or causes you believe in and stand behind. 

Many content creators come from diverse backgrounds, they may have started out on a different career path. 

There are so many creators who started out studying, engineering, law, or the sciences for example, and quickly pivoted into being successful content creators.

The same story goes for people who were stuck in a 9-5 and left because there was more opportunity as a creator. 

The world is filled with golden opportunities for content creators....

 

So Who Hires Content Creators? 

There are so many different ways to start getting paid as a content creator. 

  • Media (news, entertainment)
  • Working With Local Business 
  • Professionals (lawyers, doctors)
  • Athletes & sporting events 
  • Retail and e-commerce companies
  • The hospitality industry (resorts, restaurants, clubs, music venues)
  • Travel & Tourism 
  • Brands (pretty much any brand you can think of)
  • Bloggers/influencers (some of the biggest influencers have content teams)
  • Real Estate 
  • Weddings
  • Musician
  • Celebrities 
  • And so much more!

Seem broad? That's because literally, every company needs to communicate to their consumers, and they need a talented, skilled content creator to help them do so.

We go much more in-depth on this subject but this gives a pretty good idea. There is no shortage of content to be created. Everyone needs content, and they are willing to pay for it.

Check out this video where Anthony covers the Top 5 niches for filmmakers that are blowing up right now! 

  

How Do They Get Paid? 

Content creators can charge any number of ways here are a few to give you an idea: 

  • By the project
  • By the hour
  • Monthly recurring fees
  • As an independent contractor
  • Salaried employee

You can anticipate that as your skills grow, so will your salary!

Most importantly just go out and start creating and collaborating to get your name out there.

The more immersed you are in the skills, tools, and community of content creators, the better you will get at creating truly powerful, mind-bending content.

 

What Responsibilities Do Content Creators Have?

Content creator's responsibilities can vary greatly depending on what and who they are working for. But regardless they’re likely to include some or all of the following:

  • Shooting videos, taking photos, writing, editing photos/videos, blogging, and updating content for everything from marketing and promotion materials to emails, websites, blogs, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and more.
  • Working on SEO practices for digital content so search engines like Google can find your content.
  • Creating social media posts and managing social accounts, engaging with users on comments or messages as well. 
  • Working with various company departments and sharing content ideas to aid with their content strategy and needs
  • Monitoring website and social media metrics, monitoring paid ads, and media buying. 
  • Travel and collaborating with others to produce content. 
  • Finding new clients or partners, through cold calling, emailing, messaging, or running advertisements for example.

 

How Much Can You Make as a Content Creator?

So, let's tackle the elephant in the room - How much can you truly earn as a content creator? It's important to understand that the content creation landscape is vast and diverse, and so are the earnings. Depending on your platform, niche, audience, and strategy, the potential earnings can vary significantly.

At the very top, we see internet celebrities like YouTube sensation PewDiePie, who reportedly made $13 million in 2020, or Joe Rogan, the podcaster who signed a deal with Spotify worth over $100 million.

On the flip side, beginners or those with a smaller following might earn a modest income. For instance, a YouTuber might make $3 - $5 per 1,000 video views, an Instagram influencer with 10,000 followers might make $100 per sponsored post, while a blogger might earn around $200 - $500 per month through ads and affiliate marketing.

Detailed Revenue Breakdown for Different Content Platforms

Now, let's break it down further by looking at the potential earnings on some popular content platforms.

YouTube: Earnings on YouTube come primarily from ad revenues, sponsorships, and crowdfunding. A YouTube creator might make between $0.25 - $4 per 1,000 views, and this can add up quickly for popular channels.

Instagram: Instagram influencers make money through sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, and collaborations. An influencer with a few thousand followers might earn around $50 - $500 per sponsored post.

Blogging: Bloggers primarily earn through ad revenues, sponsored content, and affiliate marketing. A blog with 10,000 monthly visitors might make around $100 - $1,000 per month.

Podcasting: Podcasters make money through sponsorships, donations, and sometimes merchandise or live events. A podcaster with 1,000 downloads per episode could make around $25 - $50 per episode from sponsorships.

 

Maximizing Your Earnings as a Content Creator

To maximize your earnings as a content creator, you need to understand your niche, build a loyal and engaged following, and diversify your revenue streams. Using SEO and social media strategies, continuously improving your content, and engaging actively with your audience can significantly increase your visibility and following. Meanwhile, leveraging multiple income sources such as ads, sponsorships, crowdfunding, and merchandise sales can ensure a more stable and potentially higher income.

 

The potential to earn as a content creator is undoubtedly vast, but it is not without its challenges. Success in this field demands creativity, commitment, and a strong understanding of your audience and the digital landscape. However, with the right strategies and a passion for what you do, you can turn content creation from a hobby into a lucrative career.

 

How Do You Become A Content Creator? 

Consider checking out more of our resources because together we will help you master your skills, your business, and grow your income and help you reach new levels.

No matter what type of content creator you define yourself as we have the resource and tools to help you turn your passion and skill into a career.  

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