Content creation has become one of the fastest-growing “dream jobs” on the market. As a content creator, you write, videotape, sing, dance, or podcast your way to fame, fortune, and maybe your own fashion line.
Let’s just say that it’s not as easy at it appears to be. Content creation is a deeply taxing career that has tons of ups and downs. (I ought to know. I lost everything almost overnight once.)
If you’re looking for a career option, content creation might’ve crossed your mind. Before you actually work on it, take these things into consideration.
Are you willing to invest into this, knowing it’s a risky choice?
Content creation is not as easy as it looks. You are going to have to build up an audience, market yourself, act like you’re already successful, and also buy up the tools you need to get started.
Startup costs vary greatly from genre to genre. It’s possible to start with nothing in your wallet, but that doesn’t mean it’ll be easy. In many cases, cost is a major issue.
If you choose writing as your outlet, you will probably need to invest at least $5 per month on a site membership for a platform like Medium. YouTubers might need a new camera, new editing software, or a new editor to make their videos polished.
Pro Tip: Don’t quit your day job until you have a full-time income as a content creator. It can take years to get to this level.
Are you willing to learn how to do your own taxes and pay estimated taxes?
No one prepares you for how complex taxes can get as a self-employed individual. You might want to take a tax course before you become a content creator, just so you learn all the appropriate write-offs and more.
You will owe roughly double what a typical W-2 employee will owe at the end of the year thanks to self-employment taxes. That alone can be reason enough to think twice before you become a creator.
Pro Tip: Tax prep software that’s easy to use is your friend. You might also want to consider paying a tax prep professional, since it’s still tax-deductible for self-employed people according to the IRS.
Do you have thick skin?
Have you become a little jaded about the job market? If you’ve ever been the person who bursts into tears upon a rejection for a job you yearned for, content creation might not work for you.
Content creation is brutal for people who are sensitive to rejection, criticism, and derision. Even if your work is flawless, you will find haters. (In fact, you will find haters especially if your work is great.)
Thick skin is a must for any type of work in the public sector. Content creation is often one of the most difficult when it comes to rejection, especially if you are using your name as a public persona.
Even the most confident people will have moments where they will get rattled as a creator. If you can’t handle it, it’s best to avoid this as a career.
Are you patient?
Content creation is almost never instantly monetized. Even if you do monetize it instantly, it generally won’t be enough to sustain you until you amass a major following.
Patience is key with content creation. If you’re looking for fast cash, you are going to have a bad time. Expect monetization to happen in anywhere from six months to two years’ time.
Before that, your content will have to stay in place and continue to get boosted without a penny to your name.
Can you handle uncertainty and income fluctuation?
There are very, very few industries that are as unstable as content creation. (Go ahead, ask me how I know. I’ve had $20,000 months and months when I didn’t crack $1,500.)
It takes a lot of work to get into content creation. If you are hoping for a steady paycheck, this is not your field. You can be King of the Castle one year, and fade into obscurity the next.
I personally had to declare bankruptcy after Medium’s algorithm changed and I could no longer find clients. This is a very, very real issue for anyone in this industry.
Pro Tip: Save up money and live well beneath your means. If you can, use your funds from content creation to start other businesses.
Can you be your own boss?
This sounds so easy on paper. In reality, it’s brutal. Being your own boss means you have to be the one to give yourself a kick in the pants when you don’t want to work. You have to be the one to hold yourself accountable for your work schedule.
Having a manager is easy, because they basically manage what you do. They corral you when you get distracted. They motivate you. They tell you when you need to work on yourself.
Weird as it is, being a business owner makes you respect managers a lot more. If you cannot stick to a plan or stick to a routine without people barking at you, you won’t do well as an entrepreneur.
Are you willing to evolve?
Many content creators have to learn how to market on multiple platforms, even if they aren’t a fan of them all. If you’re not willing to keep up with new trends, you’re going to have a bad time.
You can’t be a one-trick pony as a content creator. So, are you willing to evolve and pivot with the best of them?
Leave a Reply