How Do Influencers Make Money in 2025 - My Guide to Diversifying Your Income
Fifteen years ago, I never would have imagined that creating content could pay my bills. In 2009, Chris and I were DIYing our hearts out with borrowed tools and a $20-a-month budget, just trying to make our home a little better. There was no blueprint for making money online, no courses on "how to become an influencer." We were just sharing our projects, and somehow, people started following along.
Over time, I started to realize that there were actual opportunities to turn my passion into a career. The more I shared, the more my audience grew, and soon, brands started noticing too. Over time, I realized that turning my passion into a career wasn’t just possible—it was necessary. But making money online isn’t just about landing a few sponsorships. I knew I needed something more sustainable, something that put me in control of my income.
And let’s be real—it wasn’t an overnight success. It took years of trial and error, showing up consistently, and doing the work. But if you’re willing to put in the same effort, you’ll see success, too. Here’s how influencers (myself included) actually make money—and how you can, too
Affiliate Marketing: The Bread and Butter of Influencer Income
Affiliate marketing is simple: you share a product link, and when someone buys through it, you get a commission. And before you roll your eyes at the word “small,” trust me—it adds up fast. The key? Trust. People won’t click your links just because they exist. But if they know you, like you, and believe your recommendations are legit? That’s where the magic happens.
Chris Loves Julia wouldn’t be where it is today without affiliate marketing. We started by linking products we actually used—paint colors, furniture, tools. Over time, those links turned into real income. We started tracking affiliate earnings in 2016, and they made up 47% of our revenue that year—likely even higher in 2015. In 2024, they accounted for 33%. While that’s a smaller percentage now, affiliates are what gave us the ability to diversify. That’s why we always tell people: just start, get over the fear of being perceived as someone who’s just “pushing links”. If your links are relevant to your content, if they are products you believe in, and if you genuinely feel like your audience will benefit from them, then you are providing a service. A service that is free to them, but you still get paid for. Wins for everyone.
Where to Start:
Amazon Associates – The easiest entry point and one of the easiest ways to make money early on. (everyone shops there).
LTK – A powerhouse for home, fashion, and beauty influencers (but not beginner-friendly).
RivrLinks – A game-changer for deep-linking your Amazon affiliate links and boosting commissions.
Train your audience to expect your links. Don’t just slap them in your stories and hope for clicks. Show them how you use the product, give honest recommendations, and make clicking worth their time. That’s how you make real money.
Affiliate marketing isn’t just extra cash—it can be a real income stream when done right. If you’re serious about making money this way, our Earning with Affiliates course will walk you through exactly how to do it—what works, what doesn’t, and how to turn clicks into cash. Get the strategy, the structure, and the confidence to start earning.
Brand Sponsorships
Sponsorships are what most people think of when they imagine influencer income. A brand pays you to feature their product in an Instagram post, a story, a YouTube video, TikTok, or even a blog. It sounds simple, but getting a good brand deal takes strategy.
You need an engaged audience, not just a big follower count.
Brands care about conversions, not just exposure.
Negotiating your worth is key.
Chris and I got our first brand sponsorship with Rejuvenation in 2011, featuring some sconces. It wasn’t huge, but it was our start and we were so excited. Since then, we’ve had the opportunity to continue to work with brands that truly fit our audience and brand.
If you’re ready to start pitching brands, grab our Pitch Template Bundle—it’s the exact framework I use to land sponsorships , and it will help you craft compelling, professional pitches that get you noticed and paid.
Collaborations
Collaborations between a brand and an influencer are a chance to co-create a product under that brand's name, like when Chris and I launched our Charly couch with Interior Define in 2017. These collaborations go beyond just promoting a product—you get to design it, bring your vision to life, and create something your audience will love.
The benefits?
It boosts your credibility
Builds a deeper connection with your audience
Creates a new revenue stream
Plus, it shows brands that you're not just another influencer, but a true creator who can deliver results
Pro tip: Always have a professional or lawyer review the contract to make sure your interests are protected. Don’t be too quick to give up other revenue channels, like affiliate links or sponsorships. Many brands may want exclusivity, but it’s okay to limit it—just don’t let it block your ability to work with competing brands. Keep your income streams diversified.
Selling Digital Products
I’m a huge believer in this. In fact, creating Good Influence(r) was my first real “digital product” moment. I saw a need—people constantly asking me how to do what I had done—and I created a resource to help.
Digital products include:
Online courses (teaching your expertise)
E-books and guides
Lightroom presets or Canva templates
Printables (planners, checklists, social media templates)
Why this works: You create it once and sell it forever. No relying on brand deals. No chasing clients. Just you, your knowledge, and a product that helps people.
Ad Revenue from Content Creation
For YouTube creators, AdSense can be a solid revenue stream. TikTok has its Creator Fund, and blogs can make money through Mediavine or Google AdSense. The trick? High-quality, engaging content that keeps people watching or reading.
YouTube pays based on watch time and niche (finance niches earn more than lifestyle).
TikTok’s Creator Fund is hit or miss—some make pennies, others thousands.
Blogs with strong SEO can earn passive income for years through ad revenue.
Paid Memberships & Exclusive Content
Some of your most loyal followers will gladly pay for deeper access to your content. That’s where memberships and exclusive content come in.
Patreon or Instagram Subscriptions
Substack for paid newsletters
Private Facebook groups or Discord communities
The key? Offering value people can’t get for free.
Physical & E-Commerce Products
If you’ve built a strong brand, selling physical products can be a natural next step. Think:
Merch (shirts, mugs, stickers, planners)
Beauty, wellness, or home decor lines
White-label products (private-labeling an existing product with your branding)
It’s more work, but the payoff can be huge if done right.
Coaching, Consulting & Services
When you’ve been doing something for 5, 10, or 15 years, guess what? You’re an expert. And brands or aspiring influencers will pay for your knowledge.
Ways to monetize:
One-on-one coaching or group programs
Consulting for brands on influencer marketing
This is where you can charge premium prices for your time and expertise.
Live Events, Speaking Gigs & Workshops
This might not be your first income stream, but once you’ve built authority, brands and organizations will pay you to speak. Think:
Hosting a live workshop (virtual or in-person)
Keynote speaking at industry conferences
Panel discussions at brand events
Public speaking pays well and positions you as a leader in your space.
Licensing Content & UGC (User-Generated Content)
Not every influencer wants to be an “influencer.” Some just want to create content—and brands will pay for that. Licensing content means brands buy your photos or videos for their own marketing, and UGC deals (user-generated content) let you create content without having to post it on your own platforms.
Best for: Creators who love making content but don’t want to “sell” to their audience.
Tip: Always negotiate licensing fees so brands don’t use your content forever without paying more.
The Importance of Revenue Tracking
Listen, making money online is amazing—but if you’re not tracking where it’s coming from, you’re leaving money on the table. You need to know:
Which income streams are bringing in the most revenue?
What percentage of your income is from brand deals vs. passive income?
Where should you focus your efforts next?
Our Revenue Tracking Template makes it easy to monitor your income and scale your business the smart way.
The Bottom Line: Diversify, Then Scale
If I could go back and give myself one piece of advice in 2009, it would be this: Don’t rely on just one income stream. Start with one, get good at it, then add another. That’s how you build a sustainable career as a creator.
The influencers who make real money aren’t sitting around waiting for brand deals to save them. They own their revenue. They create multiple streams of income. And they take their business seriously.
So, what’s your next move? Will you start pitching brands? Launch a digital product? Track your revenue? Whatever it is, take action today—because your future as a successful influencer starts now.
And if you want to learn how to do this and get the real strategies, blueprints, and resources that help influencers go from hobbyist to full-time, Good Influence(r) is where you need to be. Inside, we give you step-by-step strategies to monetize smarter, grow faster, and turn your influence into a business. Get the tools, the support, and the proven game plan to build your brand on your terms. See you in class!
