What a content creator does
You make things people want to watch, on a regular schedule, for a specific audience. Short video on TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts is the easiest place to start, because those apps show new accounts to people who don't follow them yet.
What you need
- A phone with a decent camera.
- Good light. A window is enough.
- Clear sound.
- A free editing app.
Step 1. Pick a topic and an audience
"Cheap dinners for students" is easier to follow than "food". The clearer the audience, the faster the right people find you.
Step 2. Pick one platform
Start where you already spend time. Once you know what works, post the same videos on the other two.
Step 3. Post on a schedule
Choose a number you can keep up, such as three videos a week. Give it two months before you judge the results.
Step 4. Learn from your numbers
Look at which videos people watch to the end, and make more like those.
Step 5. Start earning
| Way to earn | When it opens |
|---|---|
| Paid campaigns | From 100 followers on Sound.me |
| Brand deals | When you have a clear topic and steady views |
| Platform programs | At each platform's own thresholds |
| Affiliate links | When your audience trusts what you recommend |
| Your own products | Any time |
On Sound.me you apply to daily paid campaigns in the app and post a video that follows the directions. See How to make money as an influencer.
What it pays at the start
| Followers | Average per video | Largest single payout |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1K | $1.81 | $26 |
| 1K–10K | $2.04 | $289 |
| 10K–50K | $4.51 | $173 |
| 50K–250K | $17.62 | $420 |
| 250K–1M | $26.20 | $934 |
Net payout to the creator per approved video on Sound.me, 90 days to September 16, 2026. At small sizes this is pocket money per video. It grows as you post more and your audience grows.
Creator, influencer or UGC creator?
- Content creator. Anyone who makes content for an audience.
- Influencer. A creator whose audience follows their recommendations. See How to become an influencer.
- UGC creator. Makes product videos for brands and doesn't need a big following. See How to become a UGC creator.