Creator Monetization Timeline
See realistic projections for when you'll hit income milestones as a creator. No hype, just math based on typical growth rates and monetization thresholds.
Common Questions
How long does it take to make money as a content creator?
Most creators earn $0 in their first 6-12 months. Reaching $100/month typically takes 6-18 months of consistent posting. Getting to $1,000/month usually requires 18-36 months and 10,000-50,000 followers depending on niche and platform.
What's more important: followers or views?
Views generate ad revenue, but followers determine sponsorship rates. For YouTube, high CPM niches with fewer views can beat low CPM niches with more views. For Instagram and TikTok, follower count directly impacts brand deal pricing.
When should I start pitching sponsors?
Most brands want at least 5,000-10,000 engaged followers. However, micro-influencers with 1,000-5,000 highly engaged followers in specific niches can land small deals. Start pitching once your content consistently gets 500+ views and you have 2,000+ followers.
Is YouTube or TikTok better for making money?
YouTube pays more per view (RPM $2-10+) vs TikTok ($0.02-0.08). However, TikTok grows faster and has lower barriers to virality. Many creators use TikTok/Reels for growth and drive traffic to YouTube for monetization.