Monetising Your Social Media as a Creator in a Saturated Space

In April 2024, I made a decision that completely changed how I approached social media.

I’d always loved creating, but I wanted that passion to evolve into something more structured, something that could grow, generate income, and truly represent the value I bring.

So, I got strategic. I took time to understand my audience, refine my storytelling, and develop a USP that was clear and measurable. I didn’t just want to post content, I wanted to build a brand that had structure, purpose, and results at its core.

That’s when I started using affiliate marketing to prove performance. For me, it wasn’t about chasing commissions, it was about accumulating data and showing results. I wanted brands to see exactly what I could deliver. I became intentional about showing brands that my creativity had metrics behind it; clicks, conversions and audience trust. That strategy became a bridge between creativity and credibility. And once I could show results, paid partnerships naturally followed.

By the time CreatorFest24 came around in October, I’d already started seeing traction, but what I gained from that event was something I couldn’t have learned behind a screen.

CreatorFest was where I connected with brands in a real way, understanding how they think, what they look for, and how to differentiate yourself and approach collaborations from a place of value. It was also where I met other creators who were on their own journeys, people figuring it out, just like me. Those conversations gave me perspective, community, new ideas, and confidence in my process.

I left CreatorFest not just inspired, but informed. I understood more about the creator economy, discovered new ways to implement new tactics that make content stand out, and learned how to build long-term relationships that go beyond one campaign, honing in on how to position your platform as a business.

Since then, things have expanded in ways I’m so grateful for. I’ve grown my audience from 6,000 to over 65,000 followers, spoken at Affiverse’s Elevate Marketing Summit on influencer monetisation, and will sit on a panel with ShopYourLikes this month, a connection that began at CreatorFest.

Today, I consult with brands on their influencer marketing strategies, lead Influencer monetisation workshops, run a virtual styling service and mentor creators to help them monetise their platforms in sustainable ways, helping them create income streams that don’t depend solely on brand partnerships.

If there’s one thing this journey has shown me, it’s that passion gets you started, but structure, proof, and community keep you growing. CreatorFest reminded me that being in the right rooms, surrounded by people who share your drive, accelerates everything. 

As I head to CreatorFest25, this is a full circle moment for me, and I’m reminded that creativity alone isn’t what gets you there. It’s the clarity, consistency and community you build around it. My journey over the past year has affirmed even in a saturated spaces, there’s always room for creators who operate with intention.