How these 3 content creators turned a side hustle into a full-time gig

Content creator is a job title that didn’t exist a decade ago. Now, 50 million people Consider yourself a creator, following your passion in a billion dollar industry.

Thanks to social media, it’s easier than ever to create, share, and monetize content — flipping the “starving artist” trope on its head. And with a huge demand for original and engaging content, there’s never been a better time to get involved.

Of course, turning a side hustle into a full-time gig is no easy feat. after all, content creation is only a small part of the equation. You also need to be involved in community building, social media promotion, audience research and networking.

And while the business of content creation sounds simple enough – create content, build an audience, then make money – these things take a lot of time. In other words, the dream of recording a video, hitting “upload” and earning millions is exactly that – a dream.

Despite the challenges, there Are People who have succeeded in becoming full time content creators. Here, I spoke to three creators to find out their biggest tips for ditching their 9-to-5-year-olds and becoming a full-time creator. Let’s dive in

1. Develop an exit strategy.

“Sometimes, it’s not about knowing what you want. Instead, it’s about uncovering what you are.” No want more now,” says author and host Jenna Kutcher Round Digger Podcast,

Kutcher’s revelation inspired him to pursue entrepreneurship, but it didn’t happen overnight. She knew she would have to be strategic to get there.

As she says, “One day my corporate boss handed me my five-year plan. It felt like my whole life was being planned without me. Even though I wanted to put in my two weeks’ notice right there.” Spot on, I had bills to pay, student loans to get rid of, and a wedding to fund. I had to figure out a way to plan my exit, even if it wasn’t immediate.”

It’s never easy to leave the security of a steady paycheck, but Kutcher argues you don’t have to. Instead, you can design an exit strategy that provides adequate protection for the transition.

For Kutcher, his exit strategy began with a $300 camera off Craigslist and endless weekends spent building up a clientele. In his own words: “Nights and weekends were devoted to starting my photography business, and my 9 to 5 was fulfilling this new dream of mine.”

After a year, Kutcher had booked enough gigs to feel confident enough to quit her corporate job. “Ultimately, I’m glad I didn’t quit my job to go after what I wanted. Instead, I leveraged myself to get where I wanted to go,” she told me.

Everyone’s exit strategy looks different. For example, a person can keep their 9 to 5 and work on weekends. Another person can freelance part-time and create content the rest of the week.

Remember that entrepreneurship is a journey, and it takes time and effort to build a successful business. With the right exit strategy, you can take calculated risks and take advantage of your current position to reach the next step in the journey.

2. Make consistency your golden rule.

Are you more likely to follow a creator who posts once a year or once a week? Chances are, you’re following a manufacturer that regularly gives you more value.

Jay Claus, Founder of maker science, knows it all too well. When he started as a content creator in 2017, he wrote an email newsletter every day for a year. There are hundreds of opportunities to connect with the audience and build their trust. No shortcuts, no quick schemes.

He told me, “Every day, you must create useful content that engages an audience. You will quickly find that you need to be disciplined in how you spend your time so that you can create consistently.”

Consistency is the golden rule for content creators, but it’s often the hardest part of the job. Life may get in the way, or you may run into a creative rut. As Clauss explains, “It’s a long game. You need to be incredibly patient as well as remarkably consistent.”

To keep pace, multiple creators commit to a posting schedule, If you’re just starting out, be realistic about how much content you can put out each week. This can be twice a week or every day. Then, take advantage of the content calendar to help you organize your thoughts, plan content in advance, and avoid missing deadlines.

Above all, content creation is an exercise in determination. Try challenging yourself here, but know your limits to avoid burnout.

3. Treat content creation as a science.

Content creation is both an art and a science. Most content creators enjoy the art-side of the equation. It’s exciting to brainstorm new ideas, create content, and share it with the world. But this alone is not enough.

Content creation is also a science, requiring experimentation, testing, and analysis—not always glamorous, but equally necessary.

For example, if you’re posting the same type of content but getting zero engagement, it’s time to experiment with different types of content, platforms, and topics.

Nikayla Mathews Okome, Podcast Host side hustle proAlso recommends looking at your competitors.

“Do a competitive analysis of people creating similar content. Do this not to copy, but to assess who resonates with your audience and the best way to present information so they interact with your content.” Can do,” he told me.

When you look at your competitors, pay attention to what topics they’re covering, what formats they’re using, how often they post, and how they’re engaging with their audience.

For example, you may find that your competitor only posts on a specific day – or receives the most engagement from a specific topic. As Okome mentioned above, the goal is not to copy your competitors but to identify any strategies that can elevate your own strategy.

4. Diversify your revenue streams.

Remember the phrase, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket”? This is especially true for content creators.

For example, if you rely on revenue from a single platform – and that platform undergoes a major algorithmic change – this could affect your entire revenue model.

For Okome, the key to income stability is to diversify your revenue stream. This way, your income does not depend on any one platform, partnership or season.

“Write down what you want to do and how you plan to make money from it,” she says. Then research different ways to monetize your content, whether it’s sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, or selling your own products. Or be it with selling merchandise.”

As a content creator in 2023, you will have more opportunities to create and monetize content than ever before. However, not all revenue streams are created equal. Some require more work on the backend, while others are easier to get off the ground but require maintenance (i.e. an email newsletter).

It’s not about choosing the most lucrative option, but the one you can realistically handle right now. For example, a YouTube vlogger can supplement their income with a membership program on Patreon where they provide bonus videos and exclusive content – ​​instead of a merchant store with high start-up costs.

When diversifying your revenue, Okome recommends targeting two additional streams. “As a content creator, your revenue can be unpredictable due to factors outside your control. Make sure you have at least two revenue streams, so even if one isn’t reliable, you can pay your bills. can do.”

5. Invest in yourself and your skills.

Early in his career, Kutcher had to learn to code his own website from scratch. It’s a familiar scene for new content creators — one that involves learning a new skill on the fly with a little help.

However, it is a challenge even for experienced content creators. After all, when the landscape is always changing, it’s impossible to create “master” content. Trends come and go, platforms evolve, and new tools and technologies emerge all the time.

To future-proof yourself, don’t shy away from learning – embrace it. Okome underscores this point by telling me, “Invest in yourself, take classes, attend conferences, and learn from people who are ahead of you on this path.”

Whether you’re looking to join a workshop or attend an event to hone your video editing skills networking eventPrioritize learning and treat it as another part of the job.

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several People believe that creating content is an easy task Which can make you a millionaire overnight. The reality is very different from this. However, with enough patience, determination, and these tips, you’re well on your way to turning your creative side into a full-time gig.