Why You Should Help Content Creators Online
Want to help out content creators this holiday season? Here’s how you can taken action.
I was inspired recently by Modcloth and their announcement about shutting down their site on “Black Friday” (Nov. 24th, for non-US citizens) and instead donating $5 million worth of merchandise to Dress for Success, the organization aimed at helping women transitioning back into the workforce.
Even if I hadn’t had a collaboration with them earlier in the year, I’ve been championing for Modcloth for years. This is yet another move that sets them apart from other retailers and shows just how customer-centric they really are.
Instead of posting a round-up of affiliate shopping links, it’s been on my heart to share creative ways you can give back & support your favorite internet people even if you don’t have any money yourself.
Click, click, click…
So, speaking of affiliate links, you should try to click them more often. An affiliate link (meaning a unique link used by the creator to promote a product that rewards them a small commission) is a big way most influencers make money these days.
They work in a few different ways because there are so many services out there. Some credit bloggers if someone clicks a link, others only get credited if a purchase is made.
I’ve gotten in the practice of clicking links left by my fellow bloggers because I know it will help them make a few cents – even if I don’t have money to actually buy anything. Win win!
Turn Off Your Ad-Blocker
Ads are annoying, I get it. But many creators rely on ads featured on their websites and videos to make a few cents.
I get asked the most about how I make money on YouTube and it’s really simple: ads! They display before, during, and next to videos and if you have an ad-blocker turned on you’re doing a disservice.
So next you catch yourself skipping through an ad, remember that it’s taking away money from that creator. While it’s not much, every little bit helps, and will add up in the long-run. (Pun intended!)
I have a friend who said she actually keeps videos running in the background while she works just so the ads play all the way through and the creator gets their cut of YouTube money. It’s wild but it works!
Leave Comments/Interact
Not only is it a nice thing to do to leave a comment and interact with someone you admire online, but it actually helps them out in a way you might not expect.
A lot of creators rely on campaigns with brands to earn a paycheck and brands are highly selective in working with creators who have significant engagement on their social media networks.
So the more you endorse a creator with comments, likes, and follows, the more chances that creator will have with working with brands in the future.
Plus it’s fun to strike up a conversation and support someone with your words!
Buy Their Stuff
Now for those who do have a way to pay, try to support your creators whenever they have a new product that you love. Whether it’s an eBook, a t-shirt, a closet sale, or a collaboration they’re doing with a brand.
This is, of course, a very obvious way to help out an influencer and doesn’t need much explanation.
Donate To Their Campaign
I can’t forget about fan funding and not just because I previously had my own Patreon page.
The benefit of a fan funding campaign as opposed to, say, buying a t-shirt is that these platforms often come with some sweet kickbacks that extend beyond a material or digital object. A lot of times you get an inside look at the creative process and get to know the creator on a more personal level!
My campaign was based on a lot of others in that I set up goals that I ask my supporters to help me get to. You can visually see a creator achieve their dreams and know that you were a part of making that happen!
These are just a few ways you can help out this season as well as all year round. It’s my hope to spread awareness that creators are overworked and underpaid, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
If you found this post to be helpful, be sure to tweet about it and add your supportive idea! You can also Pin this post for good internet karma. 🙂
