How IZEA Can Help with Challenges Creators Face

Research shows 86% of young Americans want to become social media influencers. While it’s a dream job for many, earning a living as a content creator comes with its share of challenges — many of which focus on generating a steady income.

IZEA can help influencers with many of these challenges. Take a look at some of the most common struggles and the tools that we offer to combat these issues.

Challenge No. 1: Finding brand deals

Influencers can make money in many ways, but working with brands is one of the most common and profitable. While it’s a lucrative situation for creators, 58% of all creators say finding brands to work with is one of the biggest hurdles influencers face, according to Insider Intelligence.

An influencer can have expertise, a sizable following, and the ability to make memorable content, but being recognized by brands is tough.

Typically, influencers reach out to brands they like via email, which takes a lot of work and doesn’t always yield great results. Fortunately, you can supplement your outreach process.

How IZEA can help: By joining IZEA’s Marketplace, you have access to Casting Calls, which are job listings from influencer-seeking brands and agencies. You can review the listings and send brands a pitch. It’s an easier way to initiate partnerships than sending cold emails or DMs.

Challenge No. 2: Setting pay

How much should you charge for content? Should you offer a content bundle? Setting prices and negotiating pay is another challenge for influencers. Compensation varies widely and can depend on factors like:

Expertise in the field
Audience size
Content type
Usage rights

New influencers struggle to determine their worth; seasoned influencers aren’t sure when to raise their rates or if they’re hitting industry averages.

How IZEA can help: IZEA created the influencer marketing movement in 2006 and, as a result, has compiled years of compensation data. Download our 2023 State of Influencer Earnings Report. Inside, you’ll find insightful charts that explore average pay rates based on key factors like audience size and platform choice.

The chart below, for example, shows common content bundles that brands look for and the average payment for them.

For example, an influencer who creates a blog and a Facebook post typically earns $1,735, while an influencer who produces an Instagram Story and a YouTube clip earns about $12,007.

Challenge No. 3: Not understanding monetization options

While partnering with brands is a common income stream for influencers, there are other options out there. From creator funds and affiliate marketing to speaking engagements and creating merch, influencers can generate money from various sources.

With so many monetization options, it’s hard to know which is best.

How IZEA can help: Influencers rely on IZEA’s robust blog for insight into monetization options and other industry-leading topics. By browsing our blog, you can find a wealth of information. Here’s a quick look at five articles that help influencers understand money-making opportunities:

Challenge No. 4: No easy way to showcase skills

Influencers, like any job seeker, need a resume and a portfolio to showcase their talents.

While your social feed offers proof of your work, it’s best to put together a media kit. This kit is a marriage between a resume and a portfolio and gives brands an instant look at your expertise, content examples, and KPIs.

You can download templates and build a DIY kit, but there are easier options.

How IZEA can help: Join IZEA’s Marketplace and create a profile to show off your skills. You can add pictures, write a bio, share links to your social channels, showcase audience demographics, and share metrics like your engagement rate — all in one place.

You can even sell content. You can list content type, price, and timeline.

Look at the profile of Totalmente Perdidos (Totally Lost), a Spanish-speaking family that travels the U.S. in an RV. With family snaps, a link to their YouTube channel, and a following of 114K followers, they can showcase their talent in one easy-to-read place.

Becoming an influencer requires passion, time and patience. Along the way, you’ll face many challenges, but platforms like IZEA’s Marketplace can help. Whether you’re just starting or have a thriving online audience, join the Marketplace today to help advance your career.