Free guidesFor new creators
Get Paid for the Things You Create
Plain how-to guides for UGC jobs, YouTube money, faceless channels, brand deals and more.
You can get paid to create without a big following, but the first money rarely comes from the place people expect. Brands pay for user-generated content (UGC) videos from creators with a few hundred followers, because the brand posts the video on its own account. YouTube pays for ads only after a channel reaches 1,000 subscribers plus either 4,000 watch hours in 12 months or 10 million Shorts views in 90 days. Sponsors pay when you can show them who watches.
Earn by Creating explains each path in the order it actually pays: what the platform requires, what a first job looks like, what to charge, and where people get stuck. Every number on this site comes from the platform’s own help pages or is labelled with where it came from, such as figures reported by streaming guides.
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Six Ways Creators Get Paid
Most “make money online” advice lumps every creator income together. In practice there are six distinct paths, and each has its own entry bar, timeline and buyer.
| Path | Who pays you | Audience needed | Typical first payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| UGC jobs | Brands, for videos they post or run as ads | None | A single short video for a small brand |
| YouTube monetization | YouTube ad revenue, viewers, sponsors | 500 to 1,000 subscribers plus watch time | Fan funding or the first AdSense payment |
| Faceless and AI channels | Same as YouTube | Same thresholds, higher policy risk | Ad revenue once approved |
| Brand deals | Sponsors | A clear niche audience | A paid post or story set |
| Influencer growth | Platforms, brands, affiliates | Grows over time | Affiliate commissions or a small sponsor |
| OnlyFans | Subscribers, tips, paid messages | Grows with promotion | Subscriptions in the first month |
Where to Start If You Have No Audience
Start with UGC. It is the only path where a brand pays you for the content itself rather than for access to your followers. Searches for “UGC jobs” roughly quintupled in a year, which shows how many creators are looking for this work. Build three or four sample videos, put them in a simple portfolio, and apply through the platforms that list UGC work.
Run a channel alongside it if you want the long game. A YouTube channel or a TikTok account keeps adding viewers from old posts, while a UGC client pays once per video.
Where to Start If You Already Post
If you post regularly and people engage, check how close you are to platform payouts. The YouTube monetization checker shows which Partner Program tier you can apply for and what is left. Then build a one-page media kit so you are ready the first time a brand asks for your numbers.
How We Source and Date the Numbers
Platform rules change several times a year. YouTube’s updated Partner Program terms take effect on February 1, 2027. Twitch lowered its Affiliate requirements in 2026, as reported by streaming guides. TikTok folded its old programs into Creator Rewards. We cite the platform’s own help page where one exists, date each guide, and say plainly when a figure comes from a single third-party source. If you spot something out of date, tell us.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest way to start earning as a creator?
For most beginners it is UGC work. A brand pays you to film a short video it will post or run as an ad, so your follower count barely matters. You need a small portfolio of sample videos and a way to find jobs, both covered in how to become a UGC creator.
How many followers do you need to make money?
It depends on the path. UGC needs none. YouTube’s fan-funding tier starts at 500 subscribers and its ad-revenue tier at 1,000, plus watch hours or Shorts views. TikTok currently lists 10,000 followers for its Creator Rewards Program. Brand deals start whenever a brand believes your audience fits its product, which can be a few thousand engaged followers in a narrow niche.
Can you make money on YouTube without showing your face?
Yes. Faceless channels can join the Partner Program on the same thresholds as any other channel. The risk is YouTube’s inauthentic content policy, which blocks monetization for mass-produced, repetitive videos. Channels that add original scripts, research and commentary stay eligible. See the faceless YouTube guide.
Do I have to pay taxes on creator income?
In the US, yes. Platform payouts and brand fees count as income, and free products you receive for promotion generally do too. If your net self-employment earnings reach $400 in a year you owe self-employment tax of 15.3% on top of income tax. Set money aside from every payment.
Is OnlyFans covered on this site?
Yes, as a business guide for adults: how the platform works, setup, pricing, promotion within other platforms’ rules, privacy and taxes. Start with how OnlyFans works for creators.
Earn by Creating publishes general information for creators. It is not legal, tax or financial advice, and nothing here promises income. Platform rules, payout terms and prices change often, so check the platform's own help pages before you rely on a number. Some links may be affiliate links; that never changes what we recommend.