5 Tips For Content Creators To Turn Their Side Hustles Into Full-Time Work

You’ve been going viral on Instagram a lot. Or, at least, once. But hey—that’s a dopamine-rush that cannot be matched.

“Content creation” is a broad term. If you’ve been getting more into making your own original content—such as social media posts, blogs, and podcasts, maybe you want to take the next step into doing it professionally. Maybe you’ve seen other people with content that’s not nearly as good as yours get lucrative ad deals, and you think—that could be me! If so, I have some tips for you.

Develop Your Skillset

Before trying to turn content creation into a career, you need to make sure your content is good. It’s a competitive market. For instance, millions of reels are posted on Instagram per day, and users only spend an average of 30 minutes on the app per session—so you’re fighting for those eyeballs. Make a list of what skills stand between you and success as a content creator, and come up with a game plan to develop them. Maybe this means taking a video editing class, or practicing your writing skills, or investing in a better audio set-up. Don’t quit your job before you feel ready, because in today’s economy, you might have a hard time getting it back.

Prioritize

If you’re currently working a full-time job in a number of fields, this means you may be balancing a number of projects at the same time—so be sure to schedule carefully. Prioritize your tasks so you don’t fall behind.

Along with prioritizing your schedule, you need to prioritize your goals. Ask yourself what you want to get out of a full-time content creation career. Content creation can be a ton of fun, but it’s not always the most lucrative. Despite the glamorous lifestyles Instagram influencers sell you, the average content creator made $42,000 in 2022. “Decide what’s most important right now—your time or your income,” recommends Jean Leggett, Career Joy Strategist. “If what you’re looking for is meant to be casual, build your self-employment around work that feels easy and fun. If you want to make lots of money, do the research into what’s hot and in demand. Build on those skills!”

Consider Traditional Jobs

There’s no reason you can’t be a content creator at a 9-5. You may find that a traditional job gives you more flexibility and a larger platform than working for yourself could. The good news is that more and more companies are bringing in full-time content creators to help them market their brands. Many of the best-paid content creators I know work for large companies, and still feel like they have full self-expression. When they post their content online, they have a much bigger audience, because they’re using the brand’s account. Don’t write something off just because it’s the type of job your parents would approve of. After all, there are some benefits to a 401k.

Market Yourself

Whether you want a traditional job or to work for yourself, succeeding as a content creator is all about marketing. Marketing yourself is all about telling the right story in a compelling way. To start, figure out how others tell their stories. Spend some time on Linkedin visiting the profiles of people whose careers you admire. Look at their websites and online portfolios, too. Talk to other content creators about what they did to make it a full-time job. Figure out how you’re going to market your talents as a content creator before taking the leap into doing it full-time.

Enjoy It

The creative benefit of content creation cannot be missed. Creating content is a fulfilling outlet for freelancers who enjoy expressing themselves through various media. It’s a way to own your entire artistic projects, without the overheard of working on a large team. If you have the ability to create content, enjoy it!

But it’s about more than self-actualization. Having a unique voice is becoming increasingly important in the world of AI-generated content. Whether or not you turn content creation into your full-time career, take pride in your ability to express your authentic self to the world.