Is 2023 a Good Time to Become a Content Creator?

Over the past two years, we’ve seen content creators explode across the internet and social media platforms. As the world shut down, we sank further into online spaces, creating more demand for these roles. However, it seems like everyone is a content creator these days. So, is becoming a content creator in 2022 even a good idea?

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Shift Towards Online Marketplace

Countless businesses struggled to stay alive during the pandemic, many of which were forced to go online to keep their doors open. This resulted in a massive shift towards online business, e-commerce, and content creation. As people started spending more time on the internet and less time in person, content creation quickly became an in-demand product. From blogs to how-to videos and tutorials, the new raging online marketplace has quickly become a massive job pool for content creators of all niches. In 2022, the online market for content creation will only increase as many businesses try to catch up with the new hybrid marketplace.

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The Explosion of Social Media Marketing

During the past two years, people all around the world have turned to the online space for connection amidst back-to-back lockdowns. Desperate for a sense of community, millions of people flocked to online spaces such as Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube to plug into the collective. In fact, in 2019, studies showed that up to 94% of marketing companies use social media as a form of content distribution.

Going into 2022, multiple brands are relying exclusively on a social media marketing strategy, which has proven effective in recent years. As a full-time content creator, it is possible to cash in on these brand deals, some of which can earn you upward of $15k per post. Of course, your brand deals depend on your followers and engagement rate across platforms, with higher statistics landing you better-paying sponsorships. One thing is clear: social media marketing is not going anywhere anytime soon, and as a content creator, you have the chance to cash in on this lucrative market.

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Creator Funds

Recently, social media outlets have started setting aside funding for content creators as a way of supporting their contributions to the platform. Not only does this incentivize creators to continue producing content, but it is also a symbolic gesture that recognizes the value they provide to their users. Depending on the platform, content creators can receive bonuses for making live videos.

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This is a huge shift, considering that up until recently, content creators could only earn money through brand deals and sponsorships. Whereas with some platforms, such as TikTok, you can apply to the creator funding programs, with others, such as Facebook and Instagram, the program is by special invitation only. YouTube, Snapchat, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Clubhouse, and Substack are other platforms that offer their own creator funding programs as well.

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YouTube is Taking Over TV

With over 122 million active users daily, and 1 billion hours of content watched across the world every day, YouTube is slowly but surely taking its place as TV’s new rival. And the best part about starting your own YouTube channel in 2022—it’s still 100% free! Anybody with a camera and something to share has what it takes to be a YouTube content creator. All you have to do is start and be consistent.

Given the countless media outlets making their presence on the platform, YouTube will only continue growing its viewers in 2022. Once your channel starts building a following and gaining views, you are on your way to making money off being yourself. With hundreds of millions of active users each day, you are guaranteed to find viewers for your unique niche.

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Subscription-based Platforms

In recent years, subscription platforms such as Patreon, OnlyFans, and Clubhouse have grown in popularity. These platforms allow creators to offer their content behind a paywall, requiring fans and followers to pay a monthly fee to access it. This is a great option for content creators or artists who already have a loyal following and want to develop a steady monthly income.

Subscription-based platforms are also perfect for creators who prefer to be supported for their work directly from their fans rather than from brand deals or sponsorships. In 2022, these platforms are only growing in size, with more and more fans open to supporting artists directly. The benefit of these is that a content creator only needs 200 followers or subscribers paying $10/month to earn $2000 per month.

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Financial Security

Finally, content creation is one of the best forms of financial security in 2022. From what we’ve seen in the past two years, not many jobs are safe during global emergencies. Some of the only jobs that were unaffected (and even thrived) during these trying times were those of online creators. Even if you start content creation as a side hustle, it is a great asset to fall back on in case of unforeseeable life events where we are no longer able to go to our 9-5 jobs.

With the world still in a very uncertain place, getting your foot in the door with content creation is a smart move financially. Even if you start out doing it for fun and as a form of self-expression, it’s never a bad idea to have a backup plan that you can monetize if needed.

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In Conclusion

Although it may seem like the world of content creation is saturated, there is no better time to start. With countless videos, blogs, and resources, you could argue it’s easier to start now than ever before. It’s clear that the digital market is here to stay, and the creators who are making it possible are only going to increase in value. So, what are you waiting for? Pick your niche and get started today!