6 Smart Ways to Use Social Media to Build Your Personal Brand

Frankie Wallace is a freelance content writer covering technology, sustainability, and business trends, with a background in journalism from the University of Montana.

4 min read • Originally published June 27, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Frankie Wallace

Frankie Wallace is a freelance content writer covering technology, sustainability, and business trends, with a background in journalism from the University of Montana.

4 min read • Originally published June 27, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026

We hear more and more about social media’s influence and power. From keeping families and friends connected to sharing news and information to shopping and finding jobs, people use social media for many things daily.

Social media is also significant for building memorable brands. Of course, big and small businesses are using social media to increase brand awareness and grow more robust customer relationships. But what about creatives?

Creatives have a massive opportunity with social media to share their talents with people worldwide. They can and should use social media to build up their brand. Here’s how to do so effectively:

1. Find out more about your customers

Using social media to build your brand in a creative field starts with understanding your customers’ behaviors on these platforms. Find out which platforms your customers engage on the most. Then, use the built-in analytics tools on your social media platforms to find out:

The behavioral patterns of your customers on social media
What content your customers are looking at
How they come across your content on these platforms
The demographic information of the people viewing your content
How successful different posts are among your audience

With this information, you can create content your customers can resonate with and engage with them in a way you know they’ll be receptive to.

2. Engage with your audience often

It’s crucial to engage with your audience often on social media. Constant engagement is critical when using social media to build your brand as a creative. If you don’t talk to your audience, how will you ever get the word out about your brand?

Engage with your audience as much as possible on your social media platforms. Respond to all comments, even the negative ones. Use the story features to give followers a glimpse into your life and day-to-day processes. Answer all direct messages, mentions, and shoutouts. Be sure you’re commenting on others’ posts too.

3. Show your work and who you are

To build your creative brand using social media, you must show your work and let your personality shine in your content. Doing so will help you emotionally connect with your customers and create strong bonds with them.

So, get into the habit of standing out with original content. For example, share content that shows you during your creative process. Show off how you’ve intertwined your brand’s aesthetic with your office’s interior design. Show videos and pictures of a piece in progress. You could even do live Q&A sessions so your audience can get to know you personally.

Whatever content you decide to share on your social media pages, be sure it’s unapologetically you.

4. Encourage customers to leave reviews

You can also boost your brand-building efforts on social media by encouraging customers to leave reviews. More people are leaning on reviews from real people before making a purchase or supporting a brand.

Show how amazing your brand is through the eyes of actual customers with social proof. Ask those who purchase from you to leave a video review of the product or service on social media. Then, give them an incentive for doing the review and ask them to use the video on your own platforms.

Also, encourage customers to leave written reviews in the comments and in your direct messages. You can always screenshot the written reviews and post them on your pages.

5. Build your professional network

Developing a professional network on social media helps you build your brand too. Customers aren’t the only ones who can spread the good word about your brand. Other creatives in your industry, indirect competitors, and other business owners can build up your brand’s reputation as well.

Join groups on these platforms dedicated to your craft or industry. Lead thoughtful conversations with others. Make friends. And go for any opportunity that allows you to share your talent, like podcast interviews, guest posts, conferences, and panel discussions.

6. Stay on top of the conversation surrounding your brand

Social media is a gold mine for discovering what people say about your brand. People always talk about their experiences with different businesses and how they genuinely feel about brands, products, and services on social media.

Keeping up with these conversations allows you to optimize what people enjoy and adjust what they don’t. The most efficient way to stay on top of the discussion surrounding your brand on social media is through social listening tools. Do your research on the best fit for your needs and ensure it’s easy to use.

Using social media to build your brand in a creative field is a brilliant business move. Creating a presence on these platforms is a must if you want your brand to be top of mind for potential and current customers. The tips above can help you solidify your brand through social media in the most authentic, efficient way.

Topics:

Climb the Ladder, Networking

Go Freelance

4 Essential Money Management Tips for Freelancers

By Jess Focht

@jessfocht

Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.

2 min read • Originally published June 30, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Jess Focht

@jessfocht

Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.

2 min read • Originally published June 30, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026

The world of freelancing full-time offers many perks to those who want to work for themselves: it’s flexible, fulfilling, and sometimes more profitable than if one had a traditional salary. For those dodging a traditional 9-to-5 job, it may seem like an ideal option. However, it also comes with the great responsibility of being fully in charge of one’s money. It includes keeping track of invoices, finding new clients, and making sure deadlines are hit. Most importantly, a full-time freelancer must be cognizant of their money flow and getting paid what they deserve.

Here are four money tips for freelancers to keep in mind.

1. Don’t accept low-paying (or no paying) work

Seasoned freelancers who have a strong portfolio may not encounter this as much as those who are just getting started freelancing. Either way, it’s crucial to remember your worth—and even if you’re just getting your feet wet in the freelancing world, it doesn’t mean you have to accept low-paying (or no paying) work. Always accept jobs at your rate.

There are countless tools online to help freelancers see what rate is appropriate to set. Apps like Wave can help one price their work and make the money they deserve.

2. Look at competition

Which freelancers do you follow? More importantly, whom would you consider your competition in your freelancing field?

Take a closer look at your competitors and the rates they charge to gain a better sense of what you should (or could) be charging. Looking at your competition is also a great way to gain inspiration and stay on top of current trends in your field and will help you earn more money as a freelancer.

3. Negotiate your rate

Rates aren’t always set in stone. Once your editor tells you how much they offer for a piece, always try to negotiate for more. Remember: negotiating is part of freelancing. Here are some further tips for negotiating.

4. Stay organized

Organization is key for freelancers. Not only do you have to organize pitches and stay on top of deadlines, but you also need to make sure you’re submitting invoices and getting paid on time. A way to ensure this happens is by being as organized as you can—and thinking one step ahead when it comes to all of these moving components.

Topics:

Business Basics, Go Freelance

Get Hired

This Week’s Top Media & Creative Job Openings — July 1

By Jess Focht

@jessfocht

Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.

1 min read • Originally published July 1, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Jess Focht

@jessfocht

Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.

1 min read • Originally published July 1, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026

New month, new Mediabistro roles.

Mediabistro is the #1 job board, community, and career destination for media and content professionals. Once a week, we’ll be updating this list with different types of creative jobs featured. Take a look below:

Staff Writer

@ Harvard University

(Cambridge, MA)

Publisher, Journals

@ Springer Nature

(New York, NY)

Social Media Specialist: Wrestling Inc.

@ Static Media

(Indianapolis, IN)

Freelance Growth Marketer

@ Vert & Vogue

(Durham, NC)

None of these feel like a match? Check out more Mediabistro roles here.

Topics:

Get Hired, Hot Jobs

Climb the Ladder

Why Job Hunting Is a Lot Like Dating (and How to Win at Both)

By Jess Focht

@jessfocht

Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.

3 min read • Originally published July 5, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Jess Focht

@jessfocht

Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.

3 min read • Originally published July 5, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026

The answer is very much so. A job application may not be the first thing that crosses your mind when looking for a potential partner. After all, most people like to keep their personal and professional lives separate. However, there are shocking similarities between job hunting and dating. Both involve things like putting yourself out there, making a good impression, and researching before the first date or interview.

Are you looking for your perfect match? Here are some ways job hunting is like dating.

There’s some research involved

Think of how you prepare before a job interview—and then think of how you compare to a first date. Typically before a job interview, you Google the company and prepare for any questions that could come up related to the company’s mission. And because dating apps allow people to only show specific information, it’s common for people to Google their dates before seeing them in person for the first time. In fact, a survey points to the fact that 40% of people look up their dates on Google and 44% scroll their dates’ social media feeds. So whether you’re lingering on someone’s social media profile or getting a sense for a future coworker through their LinkedIn profile, research goes into both before one meets these people in person.

You have to put yourself out there

Applying for jobs and being an active dater both involve putting yourself out there. Putting yourself out there involves vulnerability. While you may be putting a different version of yourself on dating apps than you would your resume and cover letter, you’re still setting yourself—your talents, your personality, and more—on display to be reviewed by someone, and then ultimately accepted or rejected.

It’s all about first impressions

You can appear one way on a dating app and through a resume or LinkedIn profile, but once you meet your date or a hiring manager face-to-face, you are typically concerned about making a good first impression. Just because a dating app algorithm matched you with someone doesn’t mean you have a new partner, just like a call for an interview doesn’t mean you have a job. You’ll want to make a good impression in both scenarios.

You have to trust your gut

Have you ever gone into a job interview and initially had a bad feeling about the company or conversation with the hiring manager, but couldn’t put your finger on what? Have you been on a date and got a strange feeling about the person but couldn’t figure out why? Both of these cases involve listening—and trusting—your gut feelings and what they’re telling you. While logically, nothing could be wrong with the job or date, it’s valuable to trust your gut.

You have to remind yourself not to settle

A key reminder when going on dates and into job interviews: know your worth. You don’t want to settle for a future partner just like you don’t want to settle for a lower salary or mediocre benefits. Most jobs give you the opportunity to negotiate, so even if you don’t get offered the salary you deserve, you will hopefully be able to be paid a salary you want without settling for something different.

You may need to weed out the bad ones to get to the good ones

While it does rarely happen, the odds of going on a first date and meeting “the one” are slim. Similarly so, you may need to go on many job interviews or try out different jobs before you end up in one you’re actually compatible with. It takes time and patience to find your dream job.

Topics:

Climb the Ladder, Networking

Climb the Ladder

5 Practical Ways to Overcome Imposter Syndrome at Work

By Jess Focht

@jessfocht

Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.

3 min read • Originally published July 6, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Jess Focht

@jessfocht

Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.

3 min read • Originally published July 6, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026

Imposter syndrome, to put it simply, is the feeling of not being as qualified at the level your peers view you at. Ironically, it often affects those who are high-achievers or perfectionists. If you’ve ever felt like an imposter at work, you’re not alone. One recent study found that about 70% of people have felt like an imposter at some point.

Imposter syndrome can greatly affect one within the workplace—leading them to overwork or be unnecessarily harsh towards themselves when it comes to work-related tasks. In fact, early research on this topic was centered around high-achieving women in the workplace, and then gradually more research was done with a wider audience.

While a good dose of doubt can be healthy, imposter syndrome holds one back from reaching their full potential. Here are five tips for overcoming imposter syndrome at work.

1. Monitor your internal dialogue

What kind of things are you telling yourself that lead you to believe you’re not qualified for your role or worthy to be where you are? Now think of those things and ask yourself if you’d say that to a friend or coworker. The answer is most likely no. While it’s good to keep yourself in check and be aware of your work performance, also make sure you give yourself a break and see your hard work for what it is.

2. Talk to your manager

If your manager is happy with your work but you’re still feeling imposter syndrome, talk to them about it. They’ll most likely appreciate the transparency—and they may even offer ways to help. If it’s affecting your work, it’s important for them to know. If talking to your manager about it feels too daunting, try talking to a friend, coworker, or therapist. Talking to someone will help you get out of your head.

3. Practice self-care

Perfectionist thinking is ultimately not healthy for you in your work life, but sometimes it’s hard to control. Try practicing self-care after your workday and be kind to yourself. Take a bath, meditate, or do some yoga—there are plenty of self-care options available out there. And it’s a mutually beneficial relationship. The more you are kind to yourself and rest, the more likely you’ll be putting your best foot forward for the workday.

4. Celebrate your successes

A major part of imposter syndrome is minimizing your accomplishments. This can be easy to do when we get into a routine of not patting ourselves on the back enough. Try celebrating your successes when they happen—and making a routine of doing so. This will help prevent those negative thoughts and will make you feel better in the meantime.

5. Learn to accept it

A big part of overcoming imposter syndrome is acceptance. Once you gain awareness of your imposter syndrome (which you most likely have if you’re reading this article!) you will be more ready to accept it, and therefore work through it with the help of the above tips.

Topics:

Climb the Ladder, Skills & Expertise

Get Hired

This Week’s Top Media & Creative Job Openings — July 8

By Jess Focht

@jessfocht

Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.

1 min read • Originally published July 7, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Jess Focht

@jessfocht

Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.

1 min read • Originally published July 7, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026

New month, new Mediabistro roles.

Mediabistro is the #1 job board, community, and career destination for media and content professionals. Once a week, we’ll be updating this list with different types of creative jobs featured. Take a look below:

General Manager

@ LoveToKnow Media

(Remote)

Senior Associate Content Producer

@ NBCUniversal, LLC

(New York, NY)

Curriculum Editor, Workman Children’s

@ Hachette Book Group

(New York, NY)

Premiere Pro Editor/After Effects Editor

@ Fox Corporation

(New York, NY)

None of these feel like a match? Check out more Mediabistro roles here.

Topics:

Get Hired, Hot Jobs

Climb the Ladder

The Gender Pay Gap in Media: What You Can Do About It

By Sara Gelsheimer

Sara Gelsheimer is a senior wealth manager at Plancorp, a full-service wealth management company serving families in 44 states.

5 min read • Originally published July 11, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Sara Gelsheimer

Sara Gelsheimer is a senior wealth manager at Plancorp, a full-service wealth management company serving families in 44 states.

5 min read • Originally published July 11, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026

It’s been more than 40 years since Dolly Parton released her iconic hit “9 to 5.” The song, written for the film of the same name, helped bring issues of workplace sexual harassment, misogyny, and gender discrimination to the fore. Women have made incredible strides in the workplace since then, but as they say, the more things change, the more they stay the same. There’s no denying it: We still haven’t reached the equity that this catchy tune alludes to, particularly where the gender pay gap is concerned.

In 1980 (when “9 to 5” debuted), women aged 16-plus earned 64 cents for every dollar earned by men. Since then, the gender pay gap has gotten smaller — but only by incremental annual amounts. In 2022, there are still marked gender differences in pay, despite women making considerable gains in education, work experience, and occupational segregation. In fact, for every dollar men make in 2022, Payscale estimates that women will earn only 82 cents.

The real question is why the gender pay gap is still an issue today. Like all inequity challenges, the answer is complicated. Gender-based wage discrepancy is multilayered, and enduring systems and structural mechanisms work to reinforce it. For instance, women-dominated occupations like nursing and teaching typically pay less than stereotypically “men” jobs.

We also can’t ignore how intersecting identities create larger pay gaps for women of color, disabled women, and working mothers. During the global pandemic, many women were forced to exit the workforce to care for loved ones. If and when they return to work, there’s a good chance they’ll face disproportionate compensation penalties from being unemployed. All that’s to say that figuring out how to fix the gender pay gap is tricky. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to join the fight for equal pay in your own job:

1. Find a sponsor

The gender pay gap persists, in part, due to unconscious biases. As humans, we naturally feel more affinity for individuals who look, sound, and act like us. Because white cisgender men largely dominate workplace leadership, they’re more likely to advocate for and promote people who are similar to them — at the expense of women and other marginalized groups.

To help break this cycle and advance your career, seek out a sponsor. Look for an influential individual who can advocate for you and boost your business-impacting accomplishments for a promotion or salary increase. It’s important to note that a sponsor isn’t the same as a mentor. Mentors are great, but they aren’t as valuable in the fight for equal pay because their primary role is to provide general career advice.

While a mentor will coach you through the play, a sponsor will go to bat for you. That can make all the difference. Per a 2019 Payscale report, employees who have sponsors are paid nearly 12 percent more than those who don’t. Unfortunately, who you choose as your sponsor still matters. That same report found that women with women sponsors make almost 15 percent less than women with men sponsors. And women of color with sponsors of the same race or ethnicity also tend to have lower pay than women of color with white sponsors.

2. Speak truth to power

Money has long been considered a taboo topic, particularly among women. According to a Fidelity study, most women deem money “too personal“ for open discussion. This secrecy is outdated and only helps to perpetuate the gender pay gap.

After all, if you don’t know what you’re making compared to people in similar roles, it will be harder to benchmark and negotiate your salary. In contrast, when women talk freely about compensation — and encourage their workplaces to do the same — we give ourselves and others more clarity around what we could or should be earning. That kind of radical transparency opens the door for personal and political progress.

However, avoid sharing your current salary details while job hunting because it could undermine your negotiating power. Luckily, some local laws forbid employers from inquiring about your current salary. But even if the employer is within their rights to ask, you can still decline to answer by telling them you’d like to learn more about the role before discussing compensation.

3. Take action

From the time they’re children, men are socialized to advocate for themselves in ways that women simply aren’t. It’s why they’ll apply for jobs when they only meet 60 percent of the qualifications. In comparison, women won’t apply for a job unless they meet all qualifications, and that lack of confidence also impacts their ability to negotiate their salary. In fact, 60 percent of women say they’ve never negotiated a raise.

No one is born knowing how to negotiate a salary. Like any other skill, it’s something you have to practice and hone. When you’re preparing to ask for a pay raise, come to the table with clear reasons why you deserve a raise. What value do you bring to the company? And what kind of numbers do you have to back that up? Be sure to include the figures you’ve gathered from your compensation discussions and research, such as pay figures from people in similar roles.

Fixing the gender pay gap can seem overwhelming. So start with yourself. Find a sponsor. Unapologetically talk about earnings. And ask for what you need — whether that’s increased compensation, more flexibility, or better benefits. Now go and make Dolly proud.

Disclosure: This material has been prepared for informational purposes only and should not be used as investment, tax, legal, or accounting advice. All investing involves risk. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Diversification does not ensure a profit or guarantee against a loss. You should consult your own tax, legal, and accounting advisors.

Sara Gelsheimer is a senior wealth manager at Plancorp, a full-service wealth management company serving families in 44 states.

Topics:

Climb the Ladder, Skills & Expertise

Get Hired

This Week’s Top Media & Creative Job Openings — July 15

By Jess Focht

@jessfocht

Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.

1 min read • Originally published July 17, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Jess Focht

@jessfocht

Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.

1 min read • Originally published July 17, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026

New month, new Mediabistro roles.

Mediabistro is the #1 job board, community, and career destination for media and content professionals. Once a week, we’ll be updating this list with different types of creative jobs featured. Take a look below:

Multimedia Producer Senior

@ Center for Academic Innovation, University of Michigan

(Ann Arbor, MI)

Segment Producer, MSNBC The Beat with Ari Melber

@ NBCUniversal, LLC

(New York, NY)

Director, Media Planning and Strategy

@ Future

(Atlanta, GA)

Editorial Content Manager

@ Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

(Cold Spring, NY)

None of these feel like a match? Check out more Mediabistro roles here.

Topics:

Get Hired, Hot Jobs

Be Inspired

How Sabrina Proffitt Launched Her Own Lifestyle Magazine

By Jess Focht

@jessfocht

Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.

4 min read • Originally published July 17, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Jess Focht

@jessfocht

Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.

4 min read • Originally published July 17, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026

Sabrina Proffitt, editor-in-chief of The Zillennial Zine, shares her career path and journey starting her own lifestyle magazine.

1. What made you want to start your own magazine?

I’ve worked for a ton of magazines, newspapers and online publications in the past. And while I’ve loved every opportunity I’ve had, I felt like something was missing. A lot of online magazines focus on older generations – the mommy blogs, the highly curated lifestyle magazines… I was looking for something a little crazy, a little raw and a little real. I wanted to create a space for the messy, penny-pinching, incredibly diverse range of people in my generation. The Zillennials. It’s funny to me because the internet has been so shaped by this generation, but we’re not often represented in the media portion of it. We’re glazed over. The Zillennial Zine is for the people who feel like they are in between two major generations, the Millennials (the dog moms, man buns and “hipster vegans”) and Gen Z (Robloxers, tide pod eaters, TikTok dancers). There are so many of us who are in the middle of these two generations. Who often might have a little bit of a hipster vegan vibe to us (we’re environmentalists through and through), and those of us who will scroll through TikTok all damn day (but won’t dance on it, ever). I wanted to make a space for them. On the Zillennial, TikTok trends are discussed regularly, new musicians and small women and LGBT-owned brands are spotlighted, fashion and beauty trends are extreme and fun, self-care is vital and we fill in that middle ground.

2. And you freelance on the side! Walk us through a typical work day for you.

In order to fund the magazine of my dreams, I have to work a ton of side jobs. In terms of freelancing, I’ve written for a ton of different magazines, newspapers and online publications. I also do some other writing side gigs like SEO work for all different types of clients. You would not believe how much information I’ve garnered about random technology like cybersecurity or the number of articles I’ve written about vasectomies or total knee replacement surgery. Freelance work is all about using your skills to make some extra cash on the side. On a typical work day, I’m usually going down my list of deadlines, checking off my month’s work, all while curating, writing, posting, formatting and working on The Zillennial’s website.

3. Tell us a bit about the Zillennial’s audience. How did you grow an engaging readership?

As mentioned above, it’s a highly curated age range. It’s important to me to write about what’s important to us, as a generation. It’s actually really funny how niche you have to get to harbor a following. Some of our most popular articles have been SO tightly targeted to our generation. For example, one of our most popular articles ever was about which Bath & Body Works candle smells like each Harry Potter character. Our newest most popular articles are about what to wear to a Harry Styles concert or the Utah dirty soda trend. It’s pretty niche and specific because we’re covering things that other publications aren’t. We’re creating a space for information you can’t find anywhere else. What’s a “Hot Girl Walk” or what is shifting? We’ve got it on our site. Along with that, we love highlighting small businesses and small musicians so they can get their name out there (and we can get our name out there too! It’s a win-win!).

4. What advice would you give people who want to start their own online magazine or blog?

Find a niche. You are a unique person with such a valuable and unique perspective. Share that. Don’t worry about what everyone else is doing. Make your magazine or blog your own special place! Find a way to make it unique and unlike anything else out there! On the technical side, watch a ton of YouTube videos. I learned so much about WordPress, SEO, Yoast, social media and so much more about running my own magazine through online tutorials.

5. And then back to freelancing…do you have any tips for people who are just getting their freelance feet wet?

Simply ask around! I found most of my freelance jobs by emailing them directly, asking if they were looking for writers. It’s a common misconception that you have to wait until a publication posts on a job listing site like LinkedIn or Indeed. There are some great opportunities there too, but don’t feel too nervous to just reach out to publications you are actually really interested in. All they can do is say no, but even if they do, they might remember your name later when they ARE looking for someone. Get out there and start networking, whether that’s digitally or in person!

6. Anything else you’d like to add?

Please check out The Zillennial Zine if you have the chance. If you are interested in TikTok trends, new up-and-coming musicians, fashion, beauty and more, give us a read! There are so many cool things to come, so be on the lookout or follow us on social media @thezillennialzine.

Sabrina Proffitt is the editor-in-chief of The Zillennial Zine.

Interested in a creative gig? We have some open jobs for you!

Topics:

Advice From the Pros, Be Inspired

Be Inspired

Want to Monetize Your Hobby? 7 Things to Consider First

By Frankie Wallace

Frankie Wallace is a freelance content writer covering technology, sustainability, and business trends, with a background in journalism from the University of Montana.

5 min read • Originally published July 18, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Frankie Wallace

Frankie Wallace is a freelance content writer covering technology, sustainability, and business trends, with a background in journalism from the University of Montana.

5 min read • Originally published July 18, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026

We’ve all heard the saying, “Do what you love, love what you do.” It’s supposed to be the secret to working without it feeling like work. Many people would advise you to turn your favorite hobby into a business to live out this saying. But before you go full force into monetizing your passions and hobbies, consider these seven things.

1. The logistics of running a business

The first consideration you want to make when monetizing a hobby is if you’re ready to take on the logistics of running a business. If you want to make real money with your passion, you must treat it as a business.

Study the logistics of actually running a business. You’ll need to understand things like business finances, marketing, sales, and customer service. You’ll also need to comprehend business cybersecurity. Understanding things like botnet attacks and how they can impact your business devices is essential to ensuring your customers can safely interact with you online.

If you aren’t ready to run a business, you won’t be able to gain momentum monetizing your hobbies. You may have started by freelancing, but this is a big step that transitions freelancing to full-time work. Do your research and prepare to run a business as best you can before jumping in.

2. How much money you want to make

How much money do you want to make when turning your passion into a business? Knowing how you want to fare financially will help carve out a direction for your monetization efforts.

Assess where you are first. If you’re doing well financially, you may not need to make a lot of money immediately with your hobby. You may even be able to invest more upfront when starting up your hobby-turned-business. On the other hand, if you’re struggling, you may need to fast-track your monetization process to get stable.

Once you understand where you are financially and where you want to be, you can create an actionable plan to move forward with making a living with your hobby or just bringing in some extra cash on the side.

3. If it interferes with your enjoyment of the hobby

It’s imperative to consider whether monetizing your hobby will interfere with how much you enjoy it. It’s easy to say your enjoyment won’t waver if your heart is set on making money with your passion. However, you should work through a formal decision-making process with this one.

First, identify the question you want to answer. In this case, the question is whether or not turning your hobby into a business will interfere with how much you enjoy it now and in the future. Next, gather relevant information that will help you answer this question insightfully. Then, list potential answers to your question.

Finally, carefully consider each possible solution before choosing the one that feels right. It’s okay to decide not to move forward with monetizing your hobby if you feel you’re going to hate it after turning it into a business. After all, hobbies are supposed to decrease your stress rather than add to it.

4. Holistic health implications

Running a business generally can be draining, especially when you’re at the beginning stages. Long hours, wearing many hats, and lots of sacrifices are typical. But if you want to be successful, you have to find balance. And that requires you to tend to your holistic health throughout the journey.

Consider how turning your hobby into a business will affect your mental, physical, and emotional health. How will you care for your holistic health when so much of your time and effort is dedicated to taking your passion to the next level?

Monetizing your hobby is much more manageable when your holistic health is in a good place. Make sure that you carve out time to destress — even if that means picking up some more relaxing hobbies to unwind in your downtime.

5. How your loved ones could be affected

Your loved ones will typically be affected by your decision to monetize your hobby. If you don’t consider how the journey will affect their lives, you may negatively impact the relationship.

Open conversations with loved ones about your plans to monetize a passion are crucial. Give them space to express their concerns. But fight for your dreams and show them how this could be an excellent thing for your family’s future.

If you can’t turn your hobby into a business without it being detrimental to your family, it’s probably a good idea to hold off on your plans. Consider fully how it could affect them in financial and emotional ways. Financial security may not be worth it if you are sacrificing quality time with them.

6. Your vision

Consider whether turning your hobby into a business gets you closer to your vision. Assessing if monetizing your hobby will be a part of your life long-term is essential. Consider how making this change may add or detract from the life you have in mind for yourself.

Map out your life’s trajectory. Think about your family, career, and social life in five, 10, 15, and 20 years. Visualize what would make your life purposeful, passionate, and meaningful. Then, explore how monetizing your hobby fits your life goals and pushes you closer to your dream life and career. If monetizing your passions and hobbies helps you achieve these goals, it may be a good move.

7. Whether or not you can commit

You must gauge your commitment level when monetizing your hobbies. Be honest about how devoted you are to take your hobby to the next level. You won’t get the results you want if you aren’t truly dedicated to it. Ask yourself if you are genuinely determined to monetize your hobby. Can you stay committed to the process when things get tough? Are you all-in regarding growing an actual business?

If you can commit to growing a business, develop discipline, and become self-motivated, you can make headway in monetizing your passions. Make sure the market isn’t too saturated, and your idea is unique in some way. In order for your hobby to be monetized, it must be marketable and sustainable.

Turning a favorite hobby into a business is how many successful entrepreneurs get started. You can be the next person to flourish as a business owner if you thoughtfully go into it with careful planning. Considering these caveats when monetizing your passions and hobbies will help you go into the journey with insight and intention.

Topics:

Be Inspired, Career Transition

1. Find out more about your customers

2. Engage with your audience often

3. Show your work and who you are

4. Encourage customers to leave reviews

5. Build your professional network

6. Stay on top of the conversation surrounding your brand

1. Don’t accept low-paying (or no paying) work

2. Look at competition

3. Negotiate your rate

4. Stay organized

New month, new Mediabistro roles.

There’s some research involved

You have to put yourself out there

It’s all about first impressions

You have to trust your gut

You have to remind yourself not to settle

You may need to weed out the bad ones to get to the good ones

1. Monitor your internal dialogue

2. Talk to your manager

3. Practice self-care

4. Celebrate your successes

5. Learn to accept it

New month, new Mediabistro roles.

1. Find a sponsor

2. Speak truth to power

3. Take action

New month, new Mediabistro roles.

1. What made you want to start your own magazine?

2. And you freelance on the side! Walk us through a typical work day for you.

3. Tell us a bit about the Zillennial’s audience. How did you grow an engaging readership?

4. What advice would you give people who want to start their own online magazine or blog?

5. And then back to freelancing…do you have any tips for people who are just getting their freelance feet wet?

6. Anything else you’d like to add?

1. The logistics of running a business

2. How much money you want to make

3. If it interferes with your enjoyment of the hobby

4. Holistic health implications

5. How your loved ones could be affected

6. Your vision

7. Whether or not you can commit

Joseph Bacchus