# 9 Ways to Make More as a Creator

## quick tips and new income streams

Grace Lemire

July 15, 2025

Hey.

At Karat, we’re all about helping creators earn more and manage those earnings better.

So when I (the creator who writes this newsletter 👋🏼) gets the opportunity to test new strategies for monetization, I can’t wait to share what I’ve learned with you.

I spent the last few weeks in conversations with successful creators and business coaches. I picked their brains on all things monetization, implemented what I learned, and am already making more.

This week’s newsletter is giving you all that information, for free. ⤵️

In today’s newsletter:

- 9 ways to earn more as a creator
- Quick link highlight: A new TikTok app is coming
- Creator Studio: Aaron Paulsen

## 9 Ways to Make More Money as a Creator

Sometimes we think of making more as adding another income stream to our repertoire. But sometimes it just means _refining_ what we already do or _reimagining_ **how** we do something.

Here are 9 examples of that. ⤵️

### Digital Products 💻

We all know digital products are a money-maker, but here are 3 tactics I learned recently to _increase your sales:_

#### 1️⃣ ManyChat Follow-Ups

If you don’t have your ManyChat set up like this, do it.

| Instead Of | Do This |
| --- | --- |
| Send the customer the link. | Send the customer the link. |
| Customer clicks but doesn’t buy | If they click the link, wait a few hours then send them a poll asking if they bought it. |
| You never talk to them again. | If they select no, offer them a discounted price. |

**Why Do This?** People often forget to purchase the product once you send it. This flow re-engages the person and will increase your conversions.

#### 2️⃣ Set Up Order Bumps

If you’re using a software like Stan, opt-in to Order Bumps. If you’re using another software, you’ll need to customize the sales page to incorporate this.

An order bump places a “one-time offer” on the checkout page _just_ before a customer adds their card information. It can take a purchase from one product to two, earning you more revenue (without having to do anything extra).

#### 3️⃣ Set Up Funnels

If you have a freebie that’s working well but you want to sell more _paid_ products, create a funnel with an upsell.

For Stan users, they’ve sunsetted their funnels feature for new customers. However, if you’ve been a long-standing customer and have access to the feature, it still works. Beacons also has the capability to do this.

In just one week, I’ve earned $60 in passive income from upselling on a freebie. And I haven’t really promoted this product, people just found it in my Stan Store!

To do this:

- Create a listing to share your free digital product.
- After the customer hits submit, route them to a page upselling on a paid product.

_Most platforms don’t allow an Order Bump on a free product, hence why this has to be set up as a funnel._

#### 4️⃣ Don’t Discount Email Marketing

I know, I know. Email feels…dead.

But it isn’t.

Customers [convert](https://fullenrich.com/glossary/upsell-rate?utm_source=news.trykarat.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=9-ways-to-make-more-as-a-creator) around 10-25% on an upsell. While they might not grab it on the first go (like in your Stan Store), sending just one follow-up email could convert them.

If even 10% of the 1,000 people who grabbed your freebie converted on an upsell to a $7 product, that’d be another $700 in your pocket.

Queue up that email.

### Brand Deals 💼

Waiting for brands to find you is _fine,_ but making it a point to _get in front of them_ is even better. If you haven’t already, join these databases:

#### 5️⃣ [\#paid](https://hashtagpaid.com/creators?utm_source=news.trykarat.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=15-places-to-get-paid-brand-deals-ugc-opportunities)

#paid connects brands and creators for paid collaborations. There’s no minimum follower requirement, and all payments are sent in under 45 days (🎉).

#### 6️⃣ [Later Database](https://later.com/influencer-creator-program/?utm_source=news.trykarat.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=15-places-to-get-paid-brand-deals-ugc-opportunities)

Later has a database brands search to find talent, both UGC creators and influencers. I joined it a couple years ago and it’s one of the primary ways brands find me.

_(Go to the page linked above, then click Join Creator Network.)_

#### 7️⃣ [CreatorX](https://barnettx.typeform.com/creator?typeform-source=stan.store&utm_source=news.trykarat.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=15-places-to-get-paid-brand-deals-ugc-opportunities)

If you’re interested in UGC projects, you _need_ to get into the CreatorX database. They’ve hired creators for brands like Chomps, Microsoft, and Nissan, and creators like Mel Robbins and Jay Shetty.

Opportunities are almost always $5k/month or more, but I’ve seen several that ranged up to $10k+/month. _(I landed a $4k/month opportunity through here!)_

### Services 🤝

You might’ve heard people saying this: We don’t have an information problem, we have an implementation problem. In a world with AI, people don’t need more information. They need accountability to implement what they’ve learned..

**What does that mean for creators?** If you’re posting educational content, chances are people _get_ what you’re saying, they just haven’t implemented it.

**How do you monetize this?** Not with another educational digital product, but with an accountability-focused service.

Here’s what this could look like:

#### 8️⃣ A Group Coaching Cohort Program

I just ran a 6-week version of this. Sold 9 spots for $797 each. 🤑

I’ve seen creators run these on topics like growing on LinkedIn, health coaching and weight loss, building a stronger financial foundation—the possibilities are endless here.

#### 9️⃣ A Challenge-Based Program

Challenges have been hot lately. HigherUpWellness, for example, started a Public Speaking Challenge. He didn’t monetize this, but could you imagine if he did?

> TikTok Embed
>
> \
> \ 
> **higherupwellness**  **HigherUpWellness**\
> \ 
> View profile](https://www.tiktok.com/@higherupwellness?referer_url=news.trykarat.com%2Fp%2F9-ways-to-make-more-as-a-creator&refer=embed&embed_source=121374463%2C121468991%2C121439635%2C121749182%2C121433650%2C121404359%2C121497414%2C122349556%2C122221973%2C122122240%2C121351166%2C121811500%2C121960941%2C122122244%2C122122243%2C122122242%2C121487028%2C121679410%2C122258714%2C121331973%2C120811592%2C120810756%2C121885509%3Bnull%3Bembed_masking&referer_video_id=7483708458454322462)
>
> ### Related videos
>
> [30K](https://www.tiktok.com/@higherupwellness/video/7483708458454322462?referer_url=news.trykarat.com%2Fp%2F9-ways-to-make-more-as-a-creator&refer=embed&embed_source=121374463%2C121468991%2C121439635%2C121749182%2C121433650%2C121404359%2C121497414%2C122349556%2C122221973%2C122122240%2C121351166%2C121811500%2C121960941%2C122122244%2C122122243%2C122122242%2C121487028%2C121679410%2C122258714%2C121331973%2C120811592%2C120810756%2C121885509%3Bnull%3Bembed_like&referer_video_id=7483708458454322462) [369](https://www.tiktok.com/@higherupwellness/video/7483708458454322462?referer_url=news.trykarat.com%2Fp%2F9-ways-to-make-more-as-a-creator&refer=embed&embed_source=121374463%2C121468991%2C121439635%2C121749182%2C121433650%2C121404359%2C121497414%2C122349556%2C122221973%2C122122240%2C121351166%2C121811500%2C121960941%2C122122244%2C122122243%2C122122242%2C121487028%2C121679410%2C122258714%2C121331973%2C120811592%2C120810756%2C121885509%3Bnull%3Bembed_comment_button&referer_video_id=7483708458454322462) [505](https://www.tiktok.com/@higherupwellness/video/7483708458454322462?referer_url=news.trykarat.com%2Fp%2F9-ways-to-make-more-as-a-creator&refer=embed&embed_source=121374463%2C121468991%2C121439635%2C121749182%2C121433650%2C121404359%2C121497414%2C122349556%2C122221973%2C122122240%2C121351166%2C121811500%2C121960941%2C122122244%2C122122243%2C122122242%2C121487028%2C121679410%2C122258714%2C121331973%2C120811592%2C120810756%2C121885509%3Bnull%3Bembed_share&referer_video_id=7483708458454322462)
>
> [Watch more exciting videos on TikTok\
> \ 
> Watch more exciting videos on TikTokWatch more exciting videos on TikTok\
> \ 
> Watch now](https://www.tiktok.com/?referer_url=news.trykarat.com%2Fp%2F9-ways-to-make-more-as-a-creator&refer=embed&embed_source=121374463%2C121468991%2C121439635%2C121749182%2C121433650%2C121404359%2C121497414%2C122349556%2C122221973%2C122122240%2C121351166%2C121811500%2C121960941%2C122122244%2C122122243%2C122122242%2C121487028%2C121679410%2C122258714%2C121331973%2C120811592%2C120810756%2C121885509%3Bnull%3Bembed_discover_button)
>
> [@higherupwellness](https://www.tiktok.com/@higherupwellness?referer_url=news.trykarat.com%2Fp%2F9-ways-to-make-more-as-a-creator&refer=embed&embed_source=121374463%2C121468991%2C121439635%2C121749182%2C121433650%2C121404359%2C121497414%2C122349556%2C122221973%2C122122240%2C121351166%2C121811500%2C121960941%2C122122244%2C122122243%2C122122242%2C121487028%2C121679410%2C122258714%2C121331973%2C120811592%2C120810756%2C121885509%3Bnull%3Bembed_name&referer_video_id=7483708458454322462)
>
> [This is only me counting the ones I’m tagged in. And it’s more like 3,000](https://www.tiktok.com/@higherupwellness/video/7483708458454322462?referer_url=news.trykarat.com%2Fp%2F9-ways-to-make-more-as-a-creator&refer=embed&embed_source=121374463%2C121468991%2C121439635%2C121749182%2C121433650%2C121404359%2C121497414%2C122349556%2C122221973%2C122122240%2C121351166%2C121811500%2C121960941%2C122122244%2C122122243%2C122122242%2C121487028%2C121679410%2C122258714%2C121331973%2C120811592%2C120810756%2C121885509%3Bnull%3Bembed_blank&referer_video_id=7483708458454322462)
>
> [original sound - HigherUpWellness](https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7483708456860519198?referer_url=news.trykarat.com%2Fp%2F9-ways-to-make-more-as-a-creator&refer=embed&embed_source=121374463%2C121468991%2C121439635%2C121749182%2C121433650%2C121404359%2C121497414%2C122349556%2C122221973%2C122122240%2C121351166%2C121811500%2C121960941%2C122122244%2C122122243%2C122122242%2C121487028%2C121679410%2C122258714%2C121331973%2C120811592%2C120810756%2C121885509%3Bnull%3Bembed_song_name)

He posted a video explaining how recording yourself speaking for 60 seconds each day without cuts can improve your public speaking skills (and your life).

_Thousands_ of people have taken him up on the challenge, posting their journeys learning to articulate themselves better.

If he made this a paid challenge and offered a group call each week sharing his best public speaking tips, he could probably make _tens of thousands._

**How does this translate to what you do?**

- What could you challenge _yourself_ to and document?
  - Going to the gym every day for 75 days
  - Learning a new language in less than a year
  - Saving $15k to take 3 months off work and travel
  - Nailing your habits and routines after falling off track
- Create a challenge inviting people to _participate with you._

## Quick Links

📲 A [new TikTok app](https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/09/tech/tiktok-new-app-us-sale?utm_source=news.trykarat.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=9-ways-to-make-more-as-a-creator) might be coming.

🎥 Plans to move US users to a [new version of CapCut](https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-owner-bytedance-plans-create-a-us-version-of-capcut-2025-7?utm_source=news.trykarat.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=9-ways-to-make-more-as-a-creator).

💸 YouTube updates to increase [brand deal income.](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-lets-creators-share-channel-insights-ad-partnerships/752397/?utm_source=news.trykarat.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=9-ways-to-make-more-as-a-creator)

### This Week in Creator Studio

This Thursday at 1 PM PT we’re chatting with [Aaron Paulsen](https://www.youtube.com/@AaronPaulsen?utm_source=news.trykarat.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=9-ways-to-make-more-as-a-creator) in Creator Studio. He’ll be sharing how to go from short-form to long-form content.

See ya next week,

Karat