Is Being a Content Creator Worth It in 2025? The Pros and Cons You Should Know

So… you’ve probably seen influencers living their best life, filming cute videos with their pets, travelling across the world, and working from bed, and thought, “Wait...is being a content creator worth it?” Spoiler: You totally could. But also… It’s not always as dreamy as it looks.

As someone who’s been doing this full-time, I wanted to break down the actual pros and cons of being a content creator in 2025. If you're considering the jump or just curious what this life looks like behind the scenes, this one's for you.

Content creator Carly from Her Cozy Crew smiling while working remotely from her laptop. — Working remotely from a hotel is one of the perks of being a full-time creator!

The Pros of Being a Full-Time Content Creator

🕒 You Make Your Own Schedule

I can take my dog for a long walk in the middle of the day, run errands when stores are quiet, or write all my emails at 11 pm when I get my second burst of energy for the day. It’s honestly one of my favourite parts of this job. No clocking in. No weekly meetings filled with coworkers you despise. No having to book time off just to have your boss decline it.

💸 You Can Make More Than You Did at a 9-5

There’s real money in content creation to be made. Between brand deals, affiliate links, UGC, and digital products. Some months are wild (ahem...Q4), and when you learn how to diversify your income, it gets even better. It’s not just about going viral. It’s about building something sustainable.

📸 You Get to Be Creative Every Day

If you love storytelling, filming, photography, or editing, this job lets you do all of that (and then some). I love being able to sit down and write out a script for a brand collaboration, have that 'aha!' moment when I think of the perfect hook, and then filming it, editing it, the whole shebang! Being creative fuels my ADHD brain, and since it's something always different, I don't get bored of it.

💬 You Meet the Coolest People

I’ve connected with fellow creators, small business owners, and incredible brands I genuinely love. It’s a whole community, and it makes everything feel a little less lonely, especially when you no longer have your favourite coworkers to chat with at the office.

🐾 You Can Work Alongside Your Pets

Working from home is such a plus for me. I was lucky that my previous job also let me work from home, but for people who have to go into a store or office every day, making the switch to content creation means more time at home, which is especially amazing if you have pets. Being able to spend more time with Widget and Olive throughout the day is something I’ll never take for granted.

The Cons of Being a Full-Time Content Creator

💵 Inconsistent Income

Some months are packed, others are quiet. You really have to plan ahead (and save during the good months) to stay afloat during the slow ones.

😅 No Work = No Pay

If I’m sick, overwhelmed, or just need a break… I don’t get paid unless I’ve planned ahead. There’s no paid time off or sick days. It’s very much “if you don’t work, the money doesn’t come in.”

🧢 You Wear All the Hats

I’m the creator, photographer, editor, writer, admin, negotiator, accountant, and sometimes customer service rep. It’s a lot of juggling, and no one really talks about how exhausting that can be.

🧠 Burnout Is Real (Like… Real Real)

Social media never sleeps, and it’s easy to feel like you can’t either. I’ll be lying in bed, just wanting to scroll TikTok in peace like a normal person, and suddenly my brain goes: “Wait—is this trending? Should I film my version of this right now?” It’s hard to turn off that internal pressure to always be on. And when your work and your phone are basically the same thing, setting boundaries becomes… complicated.

Stressed man at a desk rubbing his eyes while working on a laptop, symbolizing burnout and workload. — The face of a creator trying to do ten jobs at once with no coffee refill in sight.

🚫 No Health Benefits

No health insurance, dental, or retirement plan unless you set it up yourself. It's a big shift if you're used to traditional work benefits.

📑 You Need to Set Aside Money for Taxes

When money starts coming in, it’s easy to think it’s all yours...but it’s not. As a self-employed creator, you’re responsible for setting aside taxes, and that can be a big chunk depending on where you live. It’s not the most glamorous part of the job, but staying organized and saving as you go is essential (your future self will thank you during tax season).

Is Being a Content Creator Worth It? My Honest Take

That’s totally up to you. Being a content creator isn’t some get-rich-quick scheme like some people make it sound like. It takes time, consistency, and a lot of behind-the-scenes hustle. I started back in 2021 with what was honestly just a silly dog account, and over time, it turned into something way more. I never planned for any of this to become my full-time job.

But then I got laid off from my tech job, and that ended up being the push I needed to go all-in.

If you’re thinking about taking the leap, I really recommend starting out just for fun. Build your following. Get creative. See what kind of content you enjoy making without the pressure of wondering where your next paycheque is coming from.

Have savings set aside in case it doesn’t work out right away. Start part-time if you can. Try landing a few brand deals, dabble in affiliate marketing, or explore UGC. Learn how it all works before diving in full-time, so you can ease into it with a bit more confidence!