Across TikTok, influencers are sharing the uncomfortable realities behind being self-employed.
In the past few years, content creation has been promoted as the go-to career choice. Those pursuing that path have used their successful social career trajectories to showcase the endless possibilities.
However, that is not always true for each content creator’s journey.
As social media continues to become more saturated with emerging influencers, many are leaving their content-creating days behind. Here are three significant reasons why some influencers are trading in their titles for company employment.
Consistent Paycheck
Having a steady stream of income is not always the case for full-time influencers. As a self-employed content creator, the hustle behind securing brand deals or monetary partnerships determines the amount of income received. Unlike a traditional job, content creation does not come with a salary. The inconsistency between payments makes having a guaranteed income a challenge. However, that does not make it impossible. Budgeting and signing long-term contracts gives better insight into the minimum profit needed for the month. Receiving payments on time, however, is still an issue many influencers face.
Insurance and Health Benefits
Companies typically provide health, dental, eye and other benefits that are not covered by self-employment. Finding the best-suited health coverage can be a hassle due to the variety of plans available. Vacation days, sick leave and maternity/paternity leave are additional factors that content creators are responsible for. Being self-employed means there is no point of contact to share the workload with or cover responsibilities when unavailable. The lack of flexibility in this area is another reason an influencer returns to work.
The Stress Of It All
Being your own boss has a nice ring to it, but the realities of being self-employed can be more stress-inducing. Each day looks different for content creators and influencers. Being the primary person in charge and responsible for everyday activities can be a heavy load to carry. At a corporation, a person is traditionally designated with a team of several people. On the other hand, a self-employed worker is a singular team of one.