Hi friends!
If you’re curious about how content creators actually make money, you’re not alone. I recently shared a YouTube video diving deep into the 6 ways I make money as a full-time content creator, and I got so many follow-up questions that I decided to dedicate a full blog post to this topic—plus embed the new video where I answer your most asked questions. 💻📱📷
Whether you’re just starting out or you’re already in the influencer/content creation world and trying to navigate the business side of things, I hope this post helps you feel a little less alone and a little more confident.
Go grab a coffee (or matcha) and settle in—this one’s a long one. ☕️✨
🎥 First, watch the video!
Before we jump into all the juicy details in this post, watch the video below—especially if you’re more of a visual learner or want to hear me walk through everything step by step. I share my personal experience with taxes, pricing your work, and organizing your finances as a self-employed creative.
💼 How I Make Money as a Content Creator
I broke down my 6 income streams in this previous video, but here’s a quick recap:
- Brand Partnerships
- Affiliate Marketing
- YouTube Ad Revenue
- Digital Products (like templates or guides)
- UGC (User-Generated Content)
- Freelance Creative Work
Each one has its own rhythm and timeline. Some bring in consistent income every month, and others are more seasonal or project-based. If you’re building your own business, it’s so important to diversify.
💸 Your Most Asked Questions, Answered
When I posted about this topic on Instagram, you all sent in tons of questions—and I love how thoughtful and real they were. Let’s dive into the ones that came up the most.
1. How do you pay taxes as a content creator?
Ah, taxes. Definitely not the most glamorous part of the job, but absolutely essential. Here’s how I do it:
- I pay taxes as an individual in the U.S., not as a registered business (at least for now).
- I use an app called QuickBooks Self-Employed. It’s seriously a lifesaver. It lets me connect my bank accounts and credit cards, and then I can categorize every income or expense as business or personal.
- The app calculates how much I owe in quarterly taxes (yes, you have to pay 4 times a year if you’re self-employed!).
- Then, I pay those taxes directly on the IRS website, using a special page for self-employed individuals.
- At the end of the year, you can either download your reports from QuickBooks and do your taxes yourself, or send them to your accountant.
I’m not a CPA (obvs), but this is what works for me—and it’s made things so much easier.
2. How do you put a price on your work?
This is such a big one. Pricing your work as a creative or influencer is tricky, and honestly, sometimes it still feels awkward! But here are a few things I always consider:
- Time and effort: How many hours is this project going to take me?
- Costs: Will I need a photographer or videographer? Props? A location?
- Taxes: I always factor in the chunk that’ll go to taxes later.
- My “happy price”: This is the minimum that would make me feel good about saying yes. And it definitely varies by project and brand.
- Experience: How long have I been doing this? What value am I bringing to the brand?
- Peers: If you have creator friends, talk to them! It helps to know industry standards.
Remember, your rates can evolve. Don’t be afraid to raise them as you grow.
3. How do you organize your finances when you don’t earn the same every month?
This one hits home. If you’re freelancing or working for yourself, you probably already know that no two months look alike. Here’s what I try to do:
- Write down all fixed expenses (like rent, subscriptions, etc.)
- Track monthly income and look for patterns over time.
- When I earn more than usual, I put money aside—either for taxes, slow months, or investments.
- I cut non-essential costs when things get tight. In fact, last year I cancelled so many subscriptions that I wasn’t truly using.
I also love using Notion and spreadsheets to track everything, but you can use whatever system works best for you. The goal is clarity and control—not perfection.
💬 A Final Note
I know money can feel like a taboo topic, especially for women. But I really believe that the more we talk about this, the more empowered we all are. I wish someone had told me all of this when I started.
So if you’re feeling overwhelmed, behind, or unsure… I see you. I’ve been there. And I’m still figuring it out, too. The important thing is to keep learning, keep growing, and never be afraid to ask questions.
If you want a deeper dive into how I earn income (including my favorite platforms for affiliate marketing and UGC work), make sure you check out this post and the original video. 💖
And of course—leave a comment below or on YouTube if you still have questions. I might just make a part two!
With love,
Flor ✨
Find me on: Instagram
