Social media influencers are cashing in big, with some earning an entire annual salary in just a single month from ads and collaborations.
The world of influencers is booming, with stars like Alix Earle, Charli D’Amelio, and Addison Rae reaching beyond social media fame to land fashion week invitations and TV show appearances. However, it’s not just the household names who are getting rich; many lesser-known creators are also earning substantial incomes. Chris Olsen recently revealed that despite his quirky online persona, he has amassed a seven-figure net worth. Meanwhile, makeup influencers such as James Charles and Patrick Starrr admit they hardly keep track of their earnings, with Emma Chamberlain echoing similar sentiments, stating she hasn’t checked her bank account balance in years.
The income influencers earn often correlates with their following. For instance, dance TikToker Markell Washington, who boasts 10.4 million followers, reported earning $500,000 to $700,000 annually, mainly from brand partnerships and Snapchat’s mid-roll ads. His creative approach to content, like using cheer skills in promotional videos, has captured lucrative deals. Similarly, TikTok comedian Ben Brainard charges between $5,000 and $10,000 per sponsored post, and he advocates for creators to demand fair compensation for their work.
Branded content can bring in significant revenue. Morgan Presley, another TikTok star, once earned $50,000 for a single sponsored video. Even influencers with a smaller following, like Gigi Robinson with 36,000 Instagram followers, make around $150,000 annually. The top-paying brands for influencer deals in 2023 included giants like Walmart and Nike.
https://www.tiktok.com/@user/video/7390143891783175455While sponsorships make up a large part of influencer income, ad revenue from videos also plays a crucial role. Influencer Julia, known as @itsblitzzz on YouTube, switched from a corporate job to full-time content creation and has made over $610,000 from ad revenue since 2009. Even with fewer uploads now, she continues to earn about $56,400 a year from old videos, proving the sustainability of passive income in this industry.
Reality stars also find lucrative opportunities in the influencer world. ‘Love Is Blind’ alumni Deepti Vempati and Natalie Lee have each made $500,000 since joining the influencer scene. Meanwhile, Carl Radke from ‘Summer House’ earned over $70,000 from social media posts, and Lindsay Hubbard collected $150,000.
Sophie Rain, working on platforms like OnlyFans, highlights the potential for exponential earnings. She disclosed over $43 million in one year, with a notable $4.7 million from a single subscriber. JoJo Siwa, a former ‘Dance Moms’ star, has transitioned her fame into a successful social media career, reportedly earning six figures monthly from YouTube at just 13 years old.
Other influencers, like Jeffree Star, continue to capitalize on their platforms creatively. Star earns up to $50,000 per TikTok live session through cosmetics sales and fan engagements. This consistent innovation across platforms showcases the diverse streams of income available to influencers.
Many people often overlook just how profitable being an influencer can be. The stories of these social media stars show that with creativity and the right strategy, substantial earnings are within reach, sometimes even surpassing traditional job incomes. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, influencers remain at the forefront of this lucrative industry.
