How I Actually Make Money as a Content Creator: 4 Platforms I Recommend
I'm giving rich auntie today because this is the type of vibe I want to manifest for you.
I see SO much content about how to become a content creator. What camera to buy. What lights you need. How to grow on TikTok. What you should put in your bio.
But what I don't see nearly as much is how you actually make money.
Because yes, brand deals are a huge part of my income. They're actually how I make most of my money. But after being a full-time content creator for 10+ years, I've learned that there are a lot of other ways to make money online.
And there are a lot of recommendations out there that I don't necessarily agree with.
So these are the four platforms I actually recommend if you're trying to make money as a content creator. Whether you're trying to make this your full-time job or just make some extra money on the side. #notsponsored (just fyi)
1. Backstage
Let's start with the easiest one.
Backstage is technically an app for actors, models, and other talent, so you might not think of it as a creator platform right away.
But they have a TON of UGC opportunities.
And if you're new to content creation, I really think UGC is one of the easiest ways to start building a portfolio.
UGC is user-generated content, which basically means a brand is paying you to make content for them. You don't necessarily need a huge following because you're being hired for your ability to create content, not necessarily your audience.
You can find opportunities for social media ads, testimonials, unboxings, how-tos, direct-to-camera videos, etc.
And there are some REALLY interesting opportunities on there.
I've seen one-day UGC shoots, recurring monthly partnerships, social media ads, and even jobs where the company provides the script and does all the editing.
Which brings me to my biggest piece of advice with Backstage:
READ THE ENTIRE JOB DESCRIPTION.
I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH
Don't see "$10,000" and immediately start writing your application.
I came across one listing that looked like a $10,000 opportunity, but when I actually read the details, it was for an on-camera personality doing street interviews over a two-month period (still a great opportunity)
There was also a separate UGC opportunity under the same listing that was $300 for an estimated eight-hour shoot.
Those are VERY different jobs.
You need to know where you have to be, how long you have to work, what you're actually delivering, whether you have to post the content yourself, whether they're handling the editing, and anything else they're asking you to do.
2. ShopMy
Okay, now let's talk about what I consider easy money.
If you're a creator and you're not using affiliate links yet, you need to start.
The platform I personally use is ShopMy, and I love ShopMy so much that I have literally told my friends, including people who AREN'T creators, to sign up.
Because here's the thing.
If my friend texts me and says, "Where did you get that top?" and I send her a link, that's a potential commission that I'm just giving away.
Or if my friend sends me a link to something she loves, I'll literally tell her, "You need to put this on ShopMy."
Because if I buy it, you should get the commission.
I am not someone who makes a ton of money from affiliate links. Creators make WAY more than I do via affiliate links, BUT I've made around $2,000 in a year just from linking products through ShopMy.
And I'm not talking about some huge campaign where I had to make five videos and spend hours creating content.
I'm talking about products I'm already using and already talking about.
Passive income, baby.
3. Later
Okay, now we're getting into actual brand deals.
Later started as a social media scheduling platform, but they've expanded into creator opportunities, which I really like.
You sign up as a creator, fill out your information, and then you can go into the campaign section and start applying.
Just scroll through the opportunities and apply to the ones you actually want.
I've seen campaigns offering everything from gifted products to thousands of dollars for a single piece of content.
The thing I really like about Later is that they actually tell you what you're getting yourself into.
You can see the deliverables, compensation, deadlines and other requirements.
And PLEASE look at all of that before applying.
Because gifted is not the same as paid.
One video is not the same as five videos.
And posting on your own social media is not the same as creating UGC for a brand to use.
Read the details!
4. AGentio
With Later, you go looking for the campaigns.
With Agentio, the brands come to you.
Once you're on the platform, brands can send you opportunities directly. There is currently a waitlist, but I would still sign up because it will be worth it.
I promise.
Because I've been offered around $63,000 worth of opportunities through Agentio.
Now, before anyone gets excited: I did NOT make $63,000.
I've accepted around $14,000 worth of opportunities.
I've declined other campaigns for all sorts of reasons — timing, brand fit, exclusivity, already working with a competitor, etc.
But the point is that there are a LOT of opportunities coming through the platform.
And that's what I like about it.
SO THOSE ARE MY FOUR
If I were starting over today, these are the platforms I'd be looking at:
Backstage for UGC and building your portfolio.
ShopMy for affiliate income from products you're already recommending.
Later for finding and applying to brand campaigns.
Agentio for having brands come directly to you.
And I want to emphasize something because I think there's a tendency online to make content creation look like you either have a million followers or you're not making money.
That's not true.
You CAN start small.
You can make UGC without having a huge following.
You can make affiliate commissions from things you're already recommending.
You can apply for smaller campaigns and build your portfolio.
And you can eventually work your way into bigger brand deals.
So go make some money.
xoxo,
Rich auntie out.
