Side Hustle: Content Creation
Making money from content creation
Content creation has become one of the most flexible and rewarding side hustles out there and the best part? You can start right from home with nothing more than your phone or laptop.
The digital world has opened the door for ordinary people to build real income streams from their creativity.
You don’t need a huge following or expensive equipment, just consistency, a bit of learning, and a willingness to share something valuable.
Content creation can help you earn extra income, build new skills, and even create long-term passive earnings through ads, affiliate links, or digital products. Below are the most popular platforms, each with their own opportunities, tools, and potential income streams.
YouTube
Monetization methods:
Ad Revenue (YouTube Partner Program)
Channel memberships
Super Chat & Super Stickers (during live streams)
Merchandise shelf
Brand sponsorships (external deals)
Requirements to start earning ad revenue:
1,000 subscribers
4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months
Comply with YouTube monetization policies
Have an AdSense account linked
Typical earnings:
CPM (Cost per thousand views) ranges widely, often £1-£5 for most creators, but can be higher in niches like finance or tech.
For rough numbers: 100,000 views might earn £100-£500 in ad revenue.
Tip: Focus on providing helpful, searchable content. Tutorials, reviews, and educational videos tend to perform best long term.
Monetization methods:
Sponsored posts (brand deals)
Instagram Shopping (for selling products)
IGTV ads (limited rollout)
Badges in Live videos
Affiliate marketing through swipe-ups/stories
Typical follower thresholds for sponsorships:
Micro-influencers: 10k–50k followers (earn £100–£500 per sponsored post)
Mid-tier: 50k–500k followers (earn £500–£5,000+ per post)
Macro-influencers: 500k+ followers (can earn £5,000+ per post)
Other requirements:
To add links in Stories (swipe-up feature), you typically need 10,000 followers, though Instagram continues to expand link access to more users.
Tip: Build engagement over follower count. Brands care more about trust and audience interaction than big numbers.
TikTok
Monetization methods:
TikTok Creator Fund (paid per views)
Brand sponsorships
Live gifts (virtual gifts converted to cash)
Affiliate marketing
TikTok Shopping
Requirements for Creator Fund:
10,000 followers
100,000 video views in the last 30 days
Be 18+ years old
Earnings:
TikTok’s Creator Fund pays roughly 2–4 pence per 1,000 views.
Brand sponsorships can start once you reach around 10,000 followers, depending on engagement.
Tip: Short, consistent videos and trending sounds help boost visibility. Authenticity wins over perfection on TikTok.
Twitch
Monetization methods:
Subscriptions (monthly from viewers)
Bits (virtual currency gifted by viewers)
Ads (pre-roll, mid-roll)
Donations (external platforms)
Brand sponsorships and affiliate links
Requirements to become an Affiliate:
50+ followers
500 total minutes streamed in the last 30 days
Stream on 7 unique days in the last 30 days
Average of 3+ concurrent viewers
Requirements to become a Partner:
You’ll need a much larger and more consistent audience (typically 75+ average viewers) and regular streaming habits.
Tip: Interaction is key. Talk with your viewers, thank subscribers, and build a sense of community.
Monetization methods:
In-stream ads (mid-roll ads in videos)
Fan subscriptions
Stars (virtual gifts from followers)
Brand sponsorships
Requirements for In-Stream Ads:
10,000 followers on the Page
600,000 total minutes viewed in the last 60 days
At least 5 active videos on the Page
Content Creation
Content creation is one of the few side hustles that can start small and scale endlessly.
It’s not about luck, it’s about consistency, creativity, and genuine connection with your audience.
Start with one platform, share what you know, and learn as you go.
Over time, your content can become a powerful digital asset that earns you money even while you sleep.
Disclaimer
The side hustle ideas shared on this page are for general information and inspiration only.
We have no affiliation with the platforms or companies mentioned, and results can vary.
Earning money online carries some risk. Income is never guaranteed, and success often depends on time, effort, and personal circumstances.
Always research each opportunity carefully before getting involved.
