AFFILIATE MARKETING

What You Need to Know About Content Monetization

Published

1 year ago

February 8, 2023

What You Need to Know About Content Monetization

Content creation has become a cash cow for many individuals, many of whom we know and follow. Think Jimmy Donaldson, aka MrBeast and his massive YouTube channel – or Charli D’Amelio, the highest-earning TikToker of 2022.

Now, while the big numbers may seem out of reach for many people, there are many ways to monetize your content, even without a large audience. In this article, we will explore how creators can monetize their content online and the steps they can take to be successful.

What is content monetization?

Content monetization is the process of earning income from content that you have created. This can include video/audio streaming, podcasting, blogging, and more. Content monetization allows you to create what you want and do what you love while also earning money. And because content creation allows you to reach a global audience, monetization means you can make money from people and brands worldwide.

Who can monetize their content?

Basically, anyone – but that’s not much of an answer.

Jay Clouse breaks the creator types we encounter nowadays into three buckets – creator-educators, creator-entertainers, and creator-edutainers.

The word “creator” is too broad.
I believe there are 3 major categories:
1. creator-educators
2. creator-entertainers
3. creator-edutainer
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Then you could further classify by medium (writing, audio, video) or platform (Twitter, IG, YouTube, TikTok) below this.
Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/65CH5Dki0f
— Jay Clouse (@jayclouse) November 16, 2022

Creator-educators (like James Clear) focus on content that teaches, creator-entertainers (like Emma Chamberlain) help people pass the time without necessarily teaching anything, and creator-edutainers strike a balance by teaching with an easy-to-consume format.

A great example of the latter is Tanner Leatherstein, who takes luxury items (often bags) apart on social media to show consumers what they’re getting for the amount they pay. While his content does educate viewers, most people tend to highlight in his comments that they couldn’t afford the bags anyway but watch because they’re curious. And they wouldn’t keep watching if the content wasn’t entertaining.

@tanner.leatherstein
Louis Vuitton, Felicie Pochette, is it worth it? #louisvuitton #lv #feliciepochette #lvfel #fashionreview #leatherreview #tannerleatherstein #leathertok #leathertiktok #epileather #lvbag #baglovers #bagtok #fashion #fashiontok #luxurytok #bagunboxing #bagcollection #luxurybag #leatherbag #louisvuittonbag #lvtiktok
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♬ original sound – Tanner Leatherstein

I would like to add one more bucket that’s been mentioned in my conversations with creators: creator-entrepreneurs. As defined by The Tilt, these are people who “create content to build a long-term, successful business (not as a hobby) with plans to build a loyal audience and then monetize that audience over time.”

5 ways to monetize your content

There are many ways in which creators can monetize their content online. Let’s explore some of the most popular methods.

Platforms and services

This category covers every platform you don’t own that can generate revenue for you as a creator. The most popular is YouTube, which gives creators a portion of the income generated from ads. Creators use their videos to gain views and subscribers and monetize them with advertisements and sponsorships. Ads are a great way for creators to make money, as they are paid per video view or per click on an ad. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram are harder to monetize because its harder to place ads on short videos, and all other forms of advertisement are more complex to navigate.

YouTube also offers sponsorship and crowdfunding options, providing creators with additional ways to monetize their content.

Twitch is another popular platform for creators to monetize their content. With Twitch, creators stream live videos of themselves and then monetize them through subscription-based ads and donations. Additionally, creators can use Twitch’s affiliate marketing program to promote products and services.

Patreon is a crowdfunding platform that allows creators to monetize their content. Creators can create a page on Patreon and allow their fans to support them financially through donations and recurring payments. In addition, Patreon allows creators to offer exclusive content to creators, such as video tutorials or even custom content for the Sims 4.

Last but not least, a popular option for writers is Substack, a newsletter-based platform that allows creators to monetize their content. By publishing their newsletters on Substack, creators can earn money from subscriptions and sponsorships. Additionally, Substack offers a “Pro” subscription option, which gives creators access to additional features such as customizable templates and advanced analytics.

You should also think big when it comes to the platforms where you publish your content. You’d be surprised at where you can get paid. For example, audio platforms like Spotify and its podcasting arm Anchor pay creators for their original content. So if you create original music, put it up on Spotify and earn money from streams. If you have a podcast and you publish through Anchor, you can make money from ads published within your podcast. The possibilities are endless.

Sell Something

In addition to the platforms and services mentioned above, creators can monetize their content by selling their own products. This can include physical items, such as t-shirts or mugs, or digital products, such as e-books or tutorials. With platforms like Shopify, creators can easily set up an online store and sell their products to a global audience.

This option is one of the most secure as it doesn’t require a large audience – but an engaged one. Following the idea of 1,000 True fans popularized by Kevin Kelly, if 1,000 people are willing to give you $100 for a product, you can make more money than most people make in their 9-5 within a month or even less. Even better is that if you put out a quality product, they will refer you to others, buy future products.

Steph Smith, who we interviewed for our series on personal branding Social Proof, is an example of this in practice. While she doesn’t have the largest audience as a creator, she has a highly engaged audience. Her book, Doing Content Right, which costs $150 has sold 4,519 times since its release in 2020.

Doing Content Right just hit $100k in sales!
To celebrate, here are 20 of the most important lessons I’ve learned from years of creating online.
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These won’t get you to $100k overnight, but they may keep you sane along the way.
Buckle up 🧵 pic.twitter.com/fPKjCVfcqT
— Steph Smith (@stephsmithio) May 11, 2021

The book isn’t for everyone, as it’s focused on a specific niche of content marketers and creators, but its 5-star rating and great reception have equaled consistent sales well after its launch.

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is another popular way for creators to monetize their content. Creators partner with companies to promote and sell their products. In return, they receive a commission for each sale made through affiliate links. This is a great way to monetize their content without creating any product. Popular sites for finding affiliate links include:

@the.leap
@jadeswildparty shares her top tips for making $$$ via affiliate links 💸 #affiliatelinks #creatortips #influencertips
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♬ Darling – Trees and Lucy

For more potential affiliate websites and a detailed breakdown of each one, check out this article.

✍🏽

Hack: Sign up for Start Page to direct people to all your top affiliate links.

Licensing your content

Creators can also make money by licensing their content. Through licensing, creators can sell the rights to their content to businesses and organizations who want to use it for their own purposes.

For example, a creator can license the rights to a TikTok to an advertising agency, which will then use the video in their campaign for a given period and price until the rights revert to the creator. This is a great way to make money from your content while still retaining the rights to it so that you can keep benefiting from your great work.

@ginagaleoto
I’m sharing everything I know about attracting & negotiating high-paying brand partnerships in my upcoming Webinar series in just a few weeks! You can sign up for announcements about when YOU can register via my Stan Store! #brandcollaborations #ugc #ugccreato #ugcrates #ugcprices #ugctips2023 #stanfam #brandnegotiation #ugcnegotiation #ugcnegotiationtips #tipsforugccreators #contentcreatorsoftiktok
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♬ original sound – Gina| content creation mentor

🤝

Here’s a great beginner’s guide to licensing your content. It’s also vital that you engage the services of a professional wherever possible, so you’re getting the best deal.

Brand deals are one of the more well-known methods of content monetization. Creators make money by partnering with brands to promote their products and services. These partnerships happen in different ways, such as sponsored posts, giveaways, or paid endorsements. By partnering with brands, creators can profit from their content without creating their own products.

It can be difficult to navigate getting brand deals and sponsorships, especially if you don’t have much experience. Thankfully, websites like FYPM and Clara for Creators exist to keep partnerships transparent by letting creators publish their rates and experiences with brands anonymously. Sharing this information helps newer creators who may not know how to price their content.

@claraforcreators
How much do top creators make? 👀 💰
♬ Made You Look – Meghan Trainor

Best practices for monetizing content

Now that we have explored some ways in which creators can monetize their content, let’s discuss some best practices to help creators succeed.

Know Your Audience: The first step to successfully monetizing your content is understanding your audience. What do they come to you for? What would they be willing to pay for? These are just some of the questions vital to understanding what you will do that will resonate with them. Of course, the last thing you want to do is damage the trust you’ve built through your content by partnering with the wrong brand or releasing the wrong product. An example is Emma Chamberlain’s 2018 attempt to launch a clothing line. The line was criticized for being overpriced (which wasn’t a good fit for her teenage audience) and lacking size inclusivity. Emma’s strategy has since improved – her company Chamberlain Coffee resonates much better with her audience.
Know Your Metrics: Develop a deep understanding of your industry – what other creators are doing, what brands want from partnerships, and what unique proposition you have to offer. This relies heavily on being able to communicate your metrics. Your ability to dig into your YouTube analytics or the latest numbers behind your ebook launch will go a long way to helping you prove why people should give you their money. Understanding your metrics can also help you refine your content strategy and create content that resonates with your audience.
Know Your Worth: Most importantly, no matter how big or small you are, when you start exploring content monetization, you need to know your worth. Once you’ve figured out how to deliver consistent, quality, and engaging content, you have to determine what price makes investing the time and effort it takes to create worth it. And you also need to decide what you’ll turn down in terms of partnerships and sponsorships if the economics don’t make sense to you.

Tess Barclay, a TikTok creator, is an excellent example of these best practices in action. This creator understands the metrics behind their content and has diversified their income streams, implementing everything from brand deals to podcasts to consulting.

@tess.barclay
My update media kit, dates & tips! 💕 day 25/100 days to self employed ✨ link in my bio to check out the membership and join the community! #mediakit #branddealtips #contenttips #contentcreation #contentcreationtips #microinfluencertips #microinfluencertiktok #nanoinfluencer media kit template brand deal rates rate card content creation tips #greenscreen
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♬ original sound – TESS BARCLAY ✨💕⚡️

Set up a system for generating quality content in Buffer

Consistency is vital when it comes to monetizing your content. Try to post content regularly and stick to a schedule that works for you. This will ensure that you stay top-of-mind with your audience. Set up a system for generating quality content by putting your ideas, drafts, and publishable content in one place – Buffer. Get started today!

AFFILIATE MARKETING

8 Common SEO Myths Debunked

Published

1 day ago

May 10, 2024

Entireweb News Bot

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

In today’s digital landscape, a strong Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy is crucial for businesses to thrive. SEO helps websites rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs), driving organic traffic and boosting online visibility.

However, the world of SEO is also riddled with myths and misconceptions that can lead businesses astray. Let’s debunk some of the most common SEO myths and separate fact from fiction.

Myth 1: More keywords mean better rankings

Gone are the days of stuffing your content with every keyword imaginable. Google’s algorithms have shifted towards natural language processing (NLP), prioritizing content quality and user experience above keyword density. While keywords remain important, focusing on keyword intent and strategic placement throughout your content is far more beneficial than keyword quantity.

Fact: Research relevant keywords related to your target audience and their search queries. Use those keywords naturally within your content, focusing on providing informative and engaging information that fulfills user intent.

Myth 2: Meta tags don’t matter anymore

While meta tags may not hold the same weight they once did, they’re far from irrelevant. Title tags and meta descriptions are like billboards for your content, serving as the first impression users see in search results. Compelling and informative meta tags can significantly improve click-through rates (CTR) and user engagement.

Fact: Craft clear, concise, and keyword-rich title tags that accurately reflect your content. Similarly, write engaging meta descriptions that entice users to click. Keep your title tag under 60 characters and your meta description around 160 characters to ensure they display fully in search results.

Myth 3: Social media directly influences SEO rankings

Social media shares and likes don’t directly translate into higher search rankings. However, social media plays a vital role in online visibility and brand awareness. Strong social media engagement can drive traffic back to your website, indirectly contributing to SEO by increasing user engagement and potentially influencing click-through rates.

Fact: Utilize social media platforms to share your content and connect with your audience. Encourage social media followers to share your content further, expanding your reach and driving more visitors to your website.

Myth 4: Backlinks are no longer relevant

Backlinks, or links from other websites to yours, remain a cornerstone of SEO. High-quality backlinks from reputable websites act as a vote of confidence for your content, signaling to search engines that your site is trustworthy and authoritative. This can significantly boost your domain authority and improve search rankings for relevant keywords.

Fact: Focus on acquiring backlinks from relevant websites within your niche. Create high-quality content that others will find valuable and link to naturally. Avoid spammy link-building tactics, as they can actually harm your SEO efforts.

Myth 5: SEO is a one-time effort

If you think you can optimize your website once and reap the benefits forever, think again. Search engines constantly update their algorithms, and SEO is an ongoing process. To maintain strong search rankings, you need to stay on top of SEO best practices.

Fact: Regularly update your website content with fresh, informative, and engaging material. Review your keyword strategy periodically and adapt to changes in the search landscape. Stay updated on the latest SEO trends and best practices to ensure your website stays relevant.

Myth 6: Mobile optimization doesn’t matter

With the majority of web searches now conducted on mobile devices, having a website that’s optimized for mobile browsing is no longer optional. Search engines prioritize mobile-friendly websites in search results, ensuring users have a positive experience when accessing your content.

Fact: Make sure your website has a responsive design that adapts seamlessly to different screen sizes and devices. Ensure fast loading times and easy navigation for mobile users.

Myth 7: Paid advertising can replace SEO

While paid advertising (PPC) can be a valuable tool to drive immediate traffic, it’s not a replacement for SEO. The benefits of SEO are long-term and sustainable, with organic traffic continuing to flow to your website even without ongoing ad spend.

Fact: Develop a strong SEO strategy alongside your paid advertising efforts for a well-rounded digital marketing approach. Organic traffic can provide a more cost-effective source of website visitors in the long run.

Myth 8: Focusing on local SEO doesn’t matter if I sell online

Even for e-commerce businesses, neglecting local SEO can be a missed opportunity. If you have a physical location or offer local delivery, optimizing your website for local search terms can significantly increase your visibility to potential customers in your area.

Fact: Claim and manage your Google My Business listing to ensure your business information is accurate and up-to-date. Utilize location-specific keywords throughout your website content and target local search queries.

Conclusion

Staying informed about SEO best practices is crucial for optimizing your website and achieving success in the digital marketplace. Don’t be swayed by outdated myths or quick-fix SEO schemes. Focus on creating high-quality content, building a strong backlink profile, and staying updated on the latest SEO trends.

AFFILIATE MARKETING

Most Employees Are Secretly Using AI Tools At Work: Report

Published

2 days ago

May 9, 2024

Entireweb News Bot

Most Employees Are Secretly Using AI Tools At Work: Report

Most people are using AI at work, whether their bosses know about it or not. Meanwhile, company leaders are simultaneously looking for non-technical talent with AI skills.

A new joint report from LinkedIn and its parent company Microsoft released Wednesday revealed the almost contradictory state of AI at work, as employees discreetly use AI tools and employers seek out candidates with those skills without the majority investing in internal training or tools.

The survey took in responses from 31,000 people across 31 countries between February and March drawing from research that Microsoft conducted with its Fortune 500 customers to add an employer dimension to the survey.

Company leaders showed in the survey that they overwhelmingly favored job candidates with AI skills, even non-technical talent that could use generative AI like ChatGPT.

In the report, 66% of the leaders stated that they would not hire someone who didn’t have AI skills and 71% said that they would probably hire a less experienced candidate with AI skills over a more experienced one without them.

Despite employer demand for AI knowledge, lower percentages have provided AI training (39%) or invested in AI tools (45%) for employees.

Regardless of whether employers provide training, more employees than ever have adopted AI tools and are reaping the productivity benefits, even as they fear losing their jobs to the technology.

Three in four knowledge workers, defined in the study as employees who work from a desk, use AI to help get things done at work. The main reason 90% of these respondents reported using AI was to save time.

About half of the group (46%) that use AI recently started using it, within the past six months, and the majority of them (78%) are using AI tools at work “without guidance or clearance from the top.”

At small and medium-sized companies, the percentage of workers taking this “bring your own AI” approach is even higher: 80% of employees use AI discreetly, without a go-ahead from higher-ups.

The trend applies across generations — 73% of boomers and 85% of Gen Z reported using AI tools not provided by their companies.

At the same time, about half of the employees (45%) said they were worried that AI could replace their jobs.

Companies, like $7 billion “Buy Now, Pay Later” Klarna, have indicated that AI would pick up the responsibilities of laid-off workers. Klarna stated in February that its AI chatbot “is doing the equivalent work of 700 full-time [customer service] agents.”

The reason why employees are turning to AI tools, despite fears of AI replacing them, could be that they are dealing with higher workloads. The majority surveyed in the report (68%) stated that they find it hard to keep up with the amount of work they have to get done. Nearly half (46%) report feeling burned out.

“The data is clear: People are overwhelmed with digital debt and under duress at work— and they are turning to AI for relief,” the report reads. “The opportunity for every leader is to channel this momentum into ROI.”

AFFILIATE MARKETING

Panera Discontinuing Charged Lemonade Drink After Lawsuits

Published

3 days ago

May 8, 2024

Entireweb News Bot

Panera Discontinuing Charged Lemonade Drink After Lawsuits

Panera’s Charged Lemonade has been under fire from consumers and regulators after lawsuits alleged the highly caffeinated beverage has been the source of long-term health problems and even death.

Now, the chain has decided to phase out the drink as a part of overarching menu changes.

“We listened to more than 30,000 guests about what they wanted from Panera, and are focusing next on the broad array of beverages we know our guests desire — ranging from exciting, on-trend flavors, to low sugar and low-caffeine options,” a spokesperson for Panera told CNBC.

According to Bloomberg, Panera will begin discontinuing the drink within the next two weeks and replace it with a “broad array of beverages” featuring a blueberry lavender lemonade, a pomegranate hibiscus tea, a citrus punch, and a tropical green smoothie.

The beverage was at the center of three major lawsuits, two of which were filed on behalf of the families of 21-year-old Sarah Katz and 46-year-old Dennis Brown. Both died after allegedly consuming the Charged Lemonade, citing pre-existing medical conditions.

Another lawsuit filed in January claimed that 28-year-old Lauren Skerritt developed long-term heart problems as a result of consuming two and a half of Panera’s Charged Lemoandes.

“You put an innocuous product like lemonade in an innocuous bakery-cafe like Panera, what reasonable consumer is going to be thinking that they’re drinking, essentially, three Red Bulls?” said Skerrit’s lawyer Elizabeth Crawford at the time. “Everything in her life has been altered because of this situation.”

Per Panera’s nutrition information, one large 30 oz. serving of the Charged Lemonade contains 390 mg of caffeine in addition to guarana extract, a natural stimulant.

According to the FDA, the maximum amount of caffeine that the average adult can safely consume per day is 400 mg, though the average adult consumes about 135 mg of caffeine daily.

Panera did not immediately respond to Entrepreneur’s request for comment.