How I make money online as a content creator

When people discover that I’m a DIY decor content creator, their immediate question is: What’s your income source? So, I’m here today to unveil the mystery of how to make money online as a content creator, which sustains my entire family!

Today’s question for the podcast:

What’s been the top way you monetized? Please share advice to someone starting as a DIY influencer.

Jackie, 2021 Survey

LISTEN TO TODAY’S PODCAST FOR how to make money online as a DIY influencer:

(I also share my backstory on how I became one, or you can listen to a whole episode on how I started my influencer career right here)

SUBSCRIBE TO MY PODCAST:

How to make money online as a content creator

Isn’t it a thrill when you stumble upon a secret? Well, today I’m going to let you in on mine! The hidden world of being a DIY & decor influencer and content creator is my passion, and I can’t wait to give you a backstage pass. It’s a relatively new career path, shrouded in a bit of mystery, but fear not – I’m here to pull back the curtain for you!

Back in 2017, I penned a blog post titled ‘How I Make a Full Time Income Blogging‘, and as much as things have evolved since then, the core principles remain the same. But, I’ve done a little rebranding – I’m not just a blogger anymore. My blog is still my cozy little home base, but the spotlight has shifted towards video creation over the past few years. And guess what? It’s turned out to be our golden goose!

Yes, you heard that right. My passion for DIY and decor not only fuels my creativity but also pays my bills. And the cherry on top? My wonderful husband Sean has been able to join me on this wild ride, working with me full time. We’re incredibly grateful that we can provide for our family through ‘The DIY Mommy‘.

But, I’d be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to appreciate you – my fantastic readers, viewers, and community members. You make this journey worthwhile, and we don’t take your support for granted. It’s been an exhilarating, whirlwind of a job, and next year marks the 15th anniversary of ‘The DIY Mommy’ blog! So buckle up, because we’re just getting started!

In order from most income to least income, here’s how I’ve monetized my DIY & decor online content creation business:

Ready to crack the code of monetizing your DIY & decor content creation? Buckle up, as I unveil my secrets, ranked from the highest to lowest income generators:

YouTube Ads: The Powerhouse

Hit a certain threshold of views and subscribers on your YouTube channel, and voila! You can start making money through ads. YouTube sprinkles these ads before, during, or after your videos, and you get a slice of the ad revenue pie. If your channel is buzzing with views, you could be raking in thousands every month just from ad revenue! It’s an excellent source of passive income, but remember – keeping your channel fresh and engaging is key. I’ve found that posting a new video weekly keeps the engagement (and income!) flowing.

Sponsored YouTube Videos: The Balancing Act

Sponsored videos are like a golden ticket. A company provides you with a product and pays you to showcase it on your channel. Once you have a solid community backing you, these can be a significant income booster. But, it’s a bit of a tightrope walk. You need to present the product naturally, without sounding like a salesperson. And, transparency is crucial – clearly disclose your sponsorship to maintain your audience’s trust and stay on the right side of the law. My go-to strategy? Make the content educational. Whether it’s a DIY tutorial or a room makeover, I aim to offer value. Remember, the goal is to please both your sponsor and your viewers – it takes practice but is oh-so-rewarding!

Blog Display Ads: The Trusty Money-Maker

Once your blog starts clocking a steady stream of monthly visits, you can join an ad network to display ads on your site. There are plenty to choose from, but my personal favorite is Raptive (formerly AdThrive). Switching to them a few years ago was one of my best business decisions – not only do they pay more, but they’ve also helped me fine-tune my site for search and reader optimization. So, how does it work? When a visitor clicks on one of these ads, you get paid through your network. The more visitors, the merrier your PPC (pay-per-click) display ad income. It’s another fantastic source of passive income, and I always recommend having a blog because it’s your domain – unlike a social media channel.

Strike Gold with Affiliate Links

Imagine sprinkling magic fairy dust over your blog post, YouTube video description, or social media post. This dust transforms into unique text or image links leading to a must-have product. Now, every time someone clicks on these links and makes a purchase, cha-ching! – you pocket a neat little commission. Sounds like a dream? Welcome to the world of affiliate links!

There’s a buffet of affiliate programs to choose from, but my love affair has been with the Amazon.com affiliate program and the RewardStyle program. I’ve also tied the knot with Cricut through ShareASale, and let me tell you, we’re quite the power couple on my YouTube videos! The secret sauce? Authenticity. I only link to products I’ve personally bought, used, and fallen in love with. Then, I show them off in my own unique style, and voila – the magic happens!

Sponsored Instagram Posts: Bring on the Charm!

Picture this: A company loves your vibe so much, they pay you to give their product a shoutout on Instagram. Sounds exciting, right? That’s the thrill of sponsored Instagram posts. Sure, they don’t demand as much work as a full-fledged YouTube video, but hey, they need to pack a punch too!

Sometimes, I’ll whip up standalone sponsored Instagram posts. Other times, they’re part of a grand package that includes a sponsored YouTube video with social shares. And ever since Instagram rolled out videos and Reels, sponsors are all over them. So, remember – keep it valuable, keep it engaging, and most importantly, keep it YOU. Your followers will love it, and so will your sponsors!

Get Ready to Rock the Stage: Speaking Engagements/Media Work

Although they might not make it rain dollars, speaking engagements and media work offer an exhilarating ride that I wouldn’t trade for anything! Whether it’s lighting up home shows across Canada, sharing my insights at a blogging conference in Atlanta, or running workshops for my local community, these experiences are worth their weight in gold. But the fun doesn’t stop there – I’ve also had the thrill of shooting commercials with The Brick and Vrbo. Talk about a blast! As you gain recognition in your field, companies and events will start seeing you as the go-to speaker. And let me tell you, it’s an absolute hoot!

Facebook Video Ads: Your New Best Friend

Say hello to one of my latest income generators – Facebook video ads! Just last year, my Facebook page crossed the monetization finish line. Much like YouTube, you need to clock in a specific number of views on your Facebook videos before the ad revenue starts rolling in. And here’s the kicker – I simply tweak my YouTube videos, repost them on Facebook, and watch as the ads at the start of each video start bringing in the dough. It’s like having your cake and eating it too!

Other potential ways on how to make money online as a content creator

Those are my main sources of income for my brand, but there are still other ways you can make money as an influencer:

• selling digital downloads like e-books, artwork etc.
• selling merchandise (I have some, but I hardly sell any)
• sponsored TikTok videos (I’ve had a couple, but it’s still a new idea!)
• monetized Instagram content (this still isn’t available in Canada that I know of)
• selling & hosting an e-course
• … and there are probably more that I haven’t thought of!

As you can see, there are various ways you can actually make money as a content creator.

Remember how we always rummage through our toolbox to find just the right tool for our home improvement tasks? Well, think of income sources as tools in your influencer toolbox. The more tools you have, the better equipped you are!

Now, imagine this: You’re painting a beautiful mural (your influencer career), and suddenly, your favorite paint color (income source) runs out. Sounds like a nightmare, right? That’s what it can feel like when your YouTube channel gets demonetized or an affiliate program you rely on gets canceled. That’s why my golden rule is – keep all your eggs in all the baskets!

I’ve seen influencers who only have an Instagram account and, honestly, it gives me the jitters! So here’s my friendly nudge – don’t put all your paintbrushes in the Instagram jar! Start a blog, launch a YouTube channel, and diversify your income sources. That way, even if one paint color runs out, you’ll have a whole palette left to complete your masterpiece!

THIS WEEK’S CHALLENGE:

Are you interested in making money as an online content creator? Or maybe you’re a creator already and want to work towards full-time earnings? Let me know in the comments below which of these revenue sources you’d like to try and start working on it! Whether you want to start a YouTube channel or start popping affiliate links in your Instagram stories, I’m rooting for you.

PIN ME: