Content Creation 101
Most Content Creators Starve for a Living — Here’s How Not to Be One of Them
Why Creators Have The Moral (And Ethical) Duty To Stop Begging For A Living
If you want to make a living from your content in the next few months, then this article will show you how.
So many creators have a passion and great things to share with the world. They start their journey full of motivation and enthusiasm. They’re secretly hoping that they can change lives — not only theirs but also their audience’s life. The problem is that after a few months (or even weeks), most of them will abandon along the road.
Why? Simply because their passion wasn’t able to sustain themselves.
So they go back to their day job with broken dreams and disappointment.
But it does not have to be that way:
Every content creator needs to make a decent living out of his craft; else, the fire will vanish. Else, he’ll not only finish frustrated but also prevents the world from their positive impact. And in an age where most people work without enthusiasm, we need more people who live for what they do.
Because here’s the harsh truth:
A lot of content creators starve and merely create content just for fun. Nothing wrong with that. Bun $FUN does not pay the bills. You can pay your rent or your newborn’s diapers with the $FUN coin.
But guess what? Money does.
The Path of Least Resistance Is a Trap
Thank God a lot of creators understand this.
And for those who understand the importance of building a sustainable practice, many choose the path of least resistance.
They focus on getting more followers to be eligible for monetization on the platform they’re sharing their work on. Toggling on the monetization dial is the easiest thing to do (once you’ve met the platform’s requirement.)
It’s almost like making money with a push of a button. (Although you still have to pour out content — but you got my point.)
Others beg and ask their followers to buy them a coffee or give them spare change — what a pitiful way to live from your craft.
The amount creators earn using these techniques is don’t pay their bills. Thus, they’ll not be able to turn their content into a self-sustaining business.
Creators: Stop the starvation, NOW!
What are the other solutions? I argue that there is only one true antidote to the creator’s starvation.
But let me warn you: This path ain’t easy and requires you to level up your skills. It requires stepping out of your comfort zone, giving imposter syndrome a big punch in the face, and having the courage to serve your audience better.
Here it is: Start selling your own stuff. What do I mean by “stuff”?
It can be a service (like coaching, consulting, or freelancing). Or a digital product (like a course, a template, or a book.) I don’t really care what you are going to sell.
But for God’s sake, start selling something!
And yes, I know: You may be afraid of selling. In fact, I’ve been like that, too — so please don’t iterate my mistake. You may also think that people will start to hate you if you start selling your stuff. Your likes, your claps, your whatsoever vanity metrics will tank. This may be true. But for the “real” people who truly appreciate your work, it will only bound them more to you and what you have to offer.
Truth is, that everyone who provides value deserves the right to be paid. And you’re not an exception.
Are you upset when your doctor or chiropractor asks you to pay for its services? Does this make him an avid capitalist? Or is it just a way for him to both help others and make a living? What about the grocery store? Shouldn’t they provide you with food for free?
Well, you can answer this question for yourself.
Selling Is the Best Skill You Can Learn (Aside From Practicing Your Craft.)
Many of us associate selling with negative adjectives. We think that marketing is the devil. We have the mental picture that selling forces people to buy stuff they don’t want. This pathology (yes, pathology!) is even more pronounced in introverts (like me).
In fact, it does not have to be that way. A good product should sell itself without the need for sleazy marketing tips and tricks. Here’s what the great Peter Drucker says about it:
“The aim of marketing is to make selling superfluous, to know and understand the customers so well the product or service fits him and sells itself.”
— Peter Drucker
But now you may be asking why a stranger on the internet will send you money? What to do if everything is available for free? The answer to this is simple: People will gladly pay you if you solve a freakin’ problem.
With that being said: Focus on what your audience truly needs. Your audience needs help. And probably just more than a single piece of content.
Are you creating content about healthy food? Sure, your free content is excellent. The pics you shoot are fantastic. But you should think about creating in-depth resources (or even a coaching program?) to help food enthusiasts eat better.
This will help you put cold cash in the bank and let someone else overcome a problem — nothing else than a “win-win” situation.
If you think about it, everything in life is selling. You sell yourself to your significant other showing them that they need you and you need them. You sell your ideas when you want to convince someone. You have to sell your kid to eat those damn veggies — even if they don’t taste as good as pizza.(Heck, right now, I’m even selling you on the idea to sell your own products!)
Selling is a human attribute — a human skill. So stop feeling bad about it. Simply do it the right way.
Your audience needs to buy from you. And you need it, too.
So shall it be.
Amen.
If you’d like some help to create your first online course without hassle, here’s a free training that will show you how. (Safe link to my website)
– Matt Giaro
