It’s more people than influencers on social media that make YouTube spread, as the spread of YouTube and the popularity of Instagram and Tiktok. 57% of Gen Z, poll 2023. It makes sense after earning big payouts while gaining the flexibility and flexibility to work on influencers’ more freedom and terms.
There are many glamorous aspects to being an influencer, but it’s hard to make a full-time living. It is very hard work, requires a bit of luck and the field is competitive. That’s why some experts suggest that aspiring content creators consider freelancing.
Which influencers really win
According to Goldman Sachs research, only 4% of the estimated 50 million global creators earn more than $100,000 a year. And 48% of creators made 15k or less in 2023. The Wall Street Journalpartly used to reduce Creator Program fees due to social networks and other incentives used to encourage posting.
Because of creator saturation, they have more creative partners than brands, sometimes leading them to pay less for who they work with.
And investing only in these social networks is an unexpected payoff, given the changes since 2023 (formerly Twitter), but also Tiktok’s uncertain future in the US
“As a creator, especially one who relies on brand deals that can be inconsistent and fickle,” says Lindsey, a gambler, consultant, advisor and speaker on The Creative Economy and Influencer Marketing.
Diversifying your income
Despite these drawbacks, you don’t need to give up your aspirations to become a Creator or an influencer. But for most people, it’s not a real full-time focus or going to deliver the payday you might think. Instead, more professionals will find success by becoming a well-rounded freelancer and making content creation for social media one of your focus areas. In this way, it ignores your interests to make an impact, but also to protect your income.
Freelancing can provide access to a wider range of projects, diversifying your income and providing better long-term stability. As a freelancer, you have the opportunity to offer a mix of services and products and products to companies and individuals based on your expertise and experience.
“The variety of jobs and clients and the variety of clients in this era is a stretch for young workers in this era,” says Sophie Wade, a workforce innovation consultant and trainer and host of Call Business person Podcast. Relying only on the effective / creative, developing transferable skills, diversifying, diversifying clients and projects, and projects rather than building a range of experience and expertise. ”
Freelancing takes many forms, such as consulting, coaching, creative services, marketing, technical support, professional training, project management, speaking and other services. For example, a web designer can offer brand partnerships as a content creator on social media, sell courses to other designers, and provide website design support to companies. That way, you’ve got multiple streams of income to rely on, whether due to business ebbs and seasonality, economic conditions, or some other reason.
Plus, Freelancing allows you to diversify your presence outside of the highly competitive social media landscape, helping you compete for work across private and public marketplaces, networking platforms, industry platforms, industry events, and professional communities.
Finding creative fulfillment
Diversifying your offerings allows you to vary your daily workload, so you’re not repeating the same tasks over and over again.
“Sometimes I get bored or creatively dry on the same projects, so alternating between freelance and creative work allows me to be creative and work with a range of brands,” says Jayde Powell, Freelance Social Strategist and Content Creator. “I feel like both are really yin and yang—different but balanced—that made me build my own lane as a creativity”
And the benefits of diversification work across the board, whether you’re working in any field, whether you’re a content creator, a speaker, a consultant, or in some other capacity, or a consultant and earning income.
“If anything [the last year] It taught me, having two streams of income is not only productive for my wallet, but also for my mental health,” adds Powell. “As with freelance work, sometimes you can go months without taking on a project. I have often found myself in need of freedom from the filter, but was not ready to bring it together. My saving grace was working as a creator and influencer. My earnings from brand partnerships have often helped supplement my income as a freelancer, easing any financial stress I may have had. “
Remember that there are some barriers to entry with freelancing that are higher than posting on social media, as you get to gain professional experience, develop an in-demand skill, and attract clients.
“Freelancing is less familiar to Gen Z, who have underdeveloped professional networks and skills, and it takes time to cultivate a client base,” says Podcaster Wade.
In most scenarios, offering freelancing services will require you to work for several years and gain professional contacts and any necessary credentials. In this way, you can provide high-quality services, potential customers can trust your offers, and this experience can act as a starting point for the growth of the customer base.
As a content creator, this is where you can generate valuable visibility for your other freelance work.
Finding the right balance
“Creating content for freelancers is key today; it helps you get in front of prospects, showcase your expertise, and let them see what it’s like to work with you,” adds consultant Gamble. “As someone from 9 to 5 to 5 six months ago, I found the combination of Creator and Freelancer to work really well. Both sides complement each other, help you secure bigger budgets and be more integral to the companies you work with,” he says.
Freelancing and influencing go hand in hand. You allow yourself to make choices about the support you can provide to clients, but also the flexibility you enjoy in your day-to-day work and to continue to develop your skills.
“I think more and more people are making an ‘and’ with an ‘or,’ and a ‘with,'” says Ziad Ahmed, an expert on Gen Z and United Talent Agency. how they develop, Baristas have become Internet sensations, Freelancers, creators, and the lines between creatives and colleagues have become annual hiatuses.”
As a content creator there are no options to explore and benefit from, but it’s a competitive and unpredictable path that many will struggle to make it into a full-time job. A more realistic approach is to diversify as a freelancer and make social media one of the many skills you offer.