Get Those Views! Online Hustles and the Economy of Content Creation
We’re living in a digital age and entering the world of content creation is just one click away. Creating content can be used as an outlet to express yourself and earn money while doing what you love. Ready your equipment and let’s start recording!
Content Creation as a Full-Time Job
In recent years, more people have become immersed in social media, spending their days scrolling, swiping, and engaging online. This trend surged during the 2020 pandemic lockdowns, as people sought entertainment and creative outlets. Talents across various fields emerged, including writers, artists, singers, and a new wave of influencers like YouTubers. Social media became a dynamic playground for sharing passions and connecting globally. What started as a hobby has now become a primary career for many Gen Z individuals, who are ditching their 9-to-5 jobs for the more profitable life of full-time content creation.
The Impact of Content Creation
Everybody is ready to hop on the trend and join the content creation path, because of the established content creators in the Philippines. Cong TV, Esnyr, and many more are some of the creators that new and aspiring content creators are looking for. Influencers have a certain power to spread information to the masses and they could affect the thinking of a community whether it’s good or bad.
There is a new wave of humor and it is all rooted in ‘Queen Dura’ (@queendura07). They started the trend of talking to themselves for example ‘ bakit ka nagagalit self? Eh bakit ba self?’ or putting extra letters to the word like ‘’kinamerls’ etc. This shows how influencers can influence their audiences easily. With content creation, these influencers could build their niche community that will support them and follow their steps to join them in creating their content.
BEHIND THE SCREENS
Digital platforms are getting more fun now that content creators are making all sorts of cool stuff. And it’s not just Gen Z who’s winning here—people from all generations, single parents, students, you name it, are monetizing on creating content and turning their passions into paychecks. Thus, platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and others offer creators the tools to reach wide and diverse audiences. These platforms enable them to generate income through various means, including advertising revenue, subscription services, sponsorship deals, and product sales. The shift towards digital content creation and monetization has fundamentally changed the landscape of career opportunities, allowing people to build their professional paths independently. This evolution not only democratizes access to income-generating opportunities but also encourages a diverse range of voices and talents to flourish in the digital space.
The Other Side of the Algorithm
Content creation isn’t always glamorous. People think your life is perfect, but you only show what you want to show. It’s a tough gig that can take a toll on your mental health. Viewers feel entitled and expect you to live up to their imaginations, but you’re your own person with your own life. Some creators exploit the platform, leading to drama and cancel culture. With so much misinformation, viewers don’t know what to believe. Advertisers heavily rely on follower counts in this digital age. Kyla (@kyladeleon) and Camille (@millengdelossantos) are both content creators but they are treated very differently by the advertisers. Kyla earns money through ads, sponsorships, and merchandise smoothly. On the other hand, Camille experienced delayed payment, only offering brand X deals as payment, or even worse, trying to lowball their fee with comments like, “ganyan lang naman followers mo”. She also mentioned “Mas mabagal ang progress sa engagement/brand deals kasi mas pina priority nila yung macro and mega creators/influencer”.
The Future Swipe Ups
With new digital platforms popping up, the future of making money online is looking bright and accessible for everyone. You can earn anytime, anywhere, and both creators and viewers benefit. There’s something for everyone, from vlogs and blogs to makeup tips and comedy skits. AI technology will make content creation easier by helping generate ideas, write, edit, and create multimedia content. This will enable high-quality work regardless of skill level. Plus, AI-driven algorithms will personalize content recommendations, boosting user engagement.
Being a content creator is a wild ride, but worth it. Sure, it’s a huge responsibility, but it’s also super fulfilling and practical if you use the platform appropriately. Now, it’s your turn to choose a career that lets you make money without dragging other people down. You just gotta be wise & happy!
Written by| Nicoley Balitaosan
