FATJOE‘s latest study casts light on a significant trend within the gig economy, indicating a shift towards non-traditional employment paths like content creation, driven by the current economic strain. This willingness to transition comes despite potential reductions in income, underscoring the changing dynamics of work preferences.
The research, which surveyed 5,000 individuals across the UK aged 18 to 54, revealed a striking readiness among 40% of men to forgo traditional job security for a 20% decrease in salary to engage in full-time content creation, a sentiment less pronounced among women, at 34%.
The survey further categorizes 52% of participants as content creators, including 17% podcasters, 22% bloggers, and 12% influencers. It also highlights age-related trends, with 44% of the 18-24 age group showing a preference for influencing as a career, and 35% of those aged 25-34 leaning towards blogging.
However, the survey points to financial challenges within this emerging career path, with 74% of content creators reporting earnings of less than £1,000 per annum from their content-related activities, and only 8% earning above £2,000 in the last year.
In a regional breakdown, London emerges as the leading city for content creation income, with 10% of creators earning more than £5,000. Nottingham and Manchester follow, each with 5% of creators reaching this earning level. Additionally, Belfast and Norwich are identified as burgeoning creative hubs, with 67% and 60% of creators, respectively, earning between £500 and £999 annually. In Southampton, 17% of content creators reported earnings of £2,000 to £4,999.
Reflecting on the findings, a spokesperson from FATJOE stated: “This survey sheds light on the transformative role of content creation in the digital age. The willingness of individuals to trade traditional careers for a shot at full-time content creation reflects the evolving nature of work and income streams. The survey captures the pulse of a nation deeply immersed in the art of content creation and raises crucial questions about the future of work and the challenges these creators may face.”