"I can't wait to quit my 9-to-5 and just create content all day."
A student said this to me recently in our 1-on-1 meeting. He’s a creative guy—both at work and in his personal projects. He told me that his job was draining him, but all he wants is the freedom to put his energy into his own content.
And for a second, I thought, "Man, I should be more grateful. I actually get to do this full-time."
But then it hit me.
That's not what I do full-time.
He thinks that being a full-time creator means just creating.
And that’s where people get it wrong.
The Perception vs. The Reality
Most people imagine the creator dream like this:
- Sleep in
- Make cool stuff all day
- Post it online
- Magically make money
That’s the perception.
The reality?
If I spent all day just creating, I’d be broke.
Because being a full-time creator isn’t just about making content—it’s running a business.
A lot of my day is spent on things that aren’t content at all:
- Coaching students and reviewing their work
- Strategically positioning content so it actually grows my business
- Building relationships with creators and industry leaders
- Developing and selling products (because free content doesn’t pay the bills)
- Managing finances (budgets, purchasing, cash flow)
- Analyzing data (figuring out what works, what flops, and adjusting)
- Handling the backend of the business (customer service, systems, taxes)
- Planning lectures, writing newsletters, and preparing future content
- Continuous learning (because this space moves fast, and I refuse to get left behind)
It’s not all cameras, tweets, and viral moments. It’s sales, systems, and problem-solving.
The Business Behind the Scenes
When you see your favorite creator's polished content, you're seeing the tip of the iceberg.
What you don’t see?
- The late nights
- The failed projects
- The moments of doubt
- The hours spent on things no one claps for
You don’t see me editing videos, writing onboarding emails, or troubleshooting tech issues at 11 PM.
Most creators won’t tell you this, but for every hour of content you see, there are 5-10 hours of business work happening behind the scenes.
Content Alone Won't Pay the Bills
In ways, content creation is like acting.
Most people assume an actor’s life is just memorizing lines and showing up on set.
Nope.
There’s training, auditions, rejection, contract negotiations, PR, networking, brand deals, financial strategy—it’s a business.
Content creation is the same. If you don’t treat it like a business, it won’t pay like one.
Going into this, I knew it would require more than just posting and waiting for opportunities to roll in. But even knowing that, I still had a lot to learn about just how much business goes into being a full-time creator.
Creating is only part of the equation. The real work—the work that keeps the lights on—is everything that happens behind the scenes.
The Freedom Paradox
The irony is many people chase content creation to escape the 9-to-5 grind, only to find themselves working longer hours than ever before.
I've worked more in the last year than I had in the last three combined.
Weekends, late nights, early mornings—I’ve put in more hours building this than I ever did in my old job.
The difference?
Every bit of that work is for me.
But make no mistake—it can sometimes feel like a grind.
The Creators Who Make It Full-Time Get This
They don’t just post for fun.
They run content like a business strategy:
- They build multiple income streams (not just brand deals)
- They create systems (so their income isn’t tied to constant posting)
- They sell something (courses, memberships, digital products, consulting, whatever)
- They treat their audience like customers, not just followers
That’s what separates hobbyists from full-time entrepreneurs.
If you just want to create and never think about business? Keep your 9-to-5.
And that’s not an insult. That’s just reality.
Because running a business isn’t for everyone. It requires risk. Pressure. Uncertainty.
But if you want actual creative freedom?
You have to build something that makes money—without you constantly grinding.
The Path Forward
If you're serious about going full-time, you have to shift your mindset from:
"I just want to create."
to
"I'm building something bigger than content."
That means:
- Thinking like a business owner (not just a content creator)
- Building revenue streams that work for you (so you aren’t constantly trading time for money)
- Treating your audience like customers, not just followers
- Creating leverage (so you aren’t burning out from posting every day)
Final Thought
Being a full-time creator isn’t just about making content—it’s about making moves.
The ones who succeed aren’t just talented. They’re strategic.
They build. They monetize. They own their careers.
And if you want that kind of freedom, you need to start thinking like a business—not just a creator.
P.S. – If you’re ready to build an audience-first business (not just be another content hamster on the wheel), join the 5-Star Creator waitlist. I’ll be opening enrollment soon.
Every day you wait is another day you’re building someone else’s dream instead of your own.
You were meant for more.
