If you’ve been struggling to figure out how to make money as a micro-influencer, you’re in the right place. Outsiders might assume that having a big following automatically means money flows in, but the truth is, making money online involves more than just posting great content. Content creation is a skill in itself, but making sales takes a different skill set.
In this post, I’ll walk you through the most common ways creators are making money, and I’ll even break down the pros and cons of each. Plus, I’ll share my favorite approach for those aiming to make their first $1,000 online.
Choose Your Path: What Are the Options?
Different business models come with different lifestyles, income potential, and work involved. Let’s look at the main ways creators make money:
1. Affiliate Links
Affiliate links are a popular starting point because they’re easy to set up. You join an affiliate program (Amazon, ASOS, etc.), get a special link, and earn a small commission when people buy through your link.
Pros: Easy to get started, no inventory or customer service needed.
Cons: It’s tough to make serious money unless you’re sending a LOT of people to the site. For example, if you promote a $10 gadget with a 5% commission, you make only 50 cents per sale. To earn $1,000, you’d need to generate 2,000 sales—a challenge for most micro-influencers.
2. eCommerce
If you’d rather sell your own products, eCommerce can be a great option. Platforms like Shopify make it easy to set up an online store. This model works well if you have a niche audience—let’s say your followers are really into stationery, and you decide to sell custom pens.
Pros: You control the product and pricing, and content creation is your strength, so you have an edge in marketing.
Cons: You’ll need to handle inventory, shipping, and customer service. And let’s not forget returns—it’s all on you. Plus, if you’re reselling a $20 product for $50, the profit margin may not be as high after costs. If each item costs you $20, you’d need to sell 25 items to make a profit after expenses, which isn’t as simple as it sounds.
3. Content Creation as a Service
Since your followers already love your content, you have a skill that’s valuable to brands. Here’s how you can turn content creation into a business:
Sponsored Posts: Brands pay you to promote their products on your platform. You reach out, pitch how your content can bring them sales, and agree on a fee. The trick is finding the right brands and proving you can help them reach new customers.
•Pros: Higher earning potential; one good deal can net you $1,000.
•Cons: It takes time to find and close deals. Brands might take a while to pay, and you’ll need to clearly disclose these posts as ads.
UGC (User-Generated Content): This is like sponsored posts, but brands may not require you to post on your own feed. Instead, they use your content in their own social media or ads. Brands are often looking for content that feels more “authentic,” and micro-influencers can charge $200-$300 per project.
•Pros: Easier to land deals, even with smaller brands.
•Cons: You’ll need multiple deals to hit $1,000, and some brands may pay late.
4. Selling Services
If you want to use your social media skills to help other businesses, you could offer services like social media management or consulting.
Social Media Management: Here, you’re handling the day-to-day content, messaging, and strategy for a brand.
•Pros: Monthly retainers provide steady income, and clients often stick around for several months.
•Cons: This can be time-consuming, with client demands that you can’t just ignore without risking the relationship.
Consulting and Coaching: For those comfortable working directly with brands, consulting on strategy or content creation can bring in substantial revenue.
•Pros: High earning potential.
•Cons: Requires more hands-on work, and projects can drag on longer than expected.
5. Digital Products (My Favorite Option)
Digital products are hands-down my favorite option. They include ebooks, courses, templates, and planners. They’re popular because they can be sold over and over with no extra work beyond initial creation.
Why Digital Products are great:
•Scalability: Create it once, sell it forever.
•Flexibility: No need for shipping or returns; you control everything.
•Uniqueness: If you create something valuable, you stand out from others and establish yourself as an expert.
Types of Digital Products
Unique Products: Content you create from scratch, tailored to your audience. This is the best option if you want total control.
Master Resale Rights (MRR): You can buy products created by others and resell them. While it’s easy to start, you might compete with other sellers offering the same product, and prices can be fixed by the product creator.
Private Label Rights (PLR): Think of PLR as a template you can customize for your audience. You get a ready-made structure that you can adapt and sell as your own.
Why Digital Products Are Worth It
With digital products, you’re not just aiming for $1,000; you’re setting yourself up for recurring income. Once you create a product, you don’t need to worry about stock, shipping, or fulfillment. This makes it perfect for creators who want to maximize income while focusing on other things (like creating more content!).
Ready to Make Your First $1,000?
Each business model has its own upsides and challenges. Affiliate links, services, and eCommerce have potential, but if scalability and flexibility are what you’re after, digital products could be your best bet.
The most important thing is to start. Most people look back and wish they’d started sooner. So, if you want to make your first $1,000 and start building a sustainable business, dive in! And if you’re interested in guidance, I’m here to help.
I hope this gives you a clear roadmap to start monetizing your influence. Go out there, try a model that resonates with you, and take that first step toward building a profitable, sustainable online business!