For the past seven years, I’ve been studying and experimenting with several platforms that allow users to monetize their original content and then pay them directly. In that time, I’ve learned how quickly — or slowly — many of the most popular ones pay creators, what percentages and other fees they take for their services and what, if any, obstacles need to be cleared for monetization to even be possible.

In the below guide, I’ll share my insights on 10 popular platforms, including Substack, TikTok, YouTube, Bandcamp, Patreon and Kickstarter. I hope that it helps you think about how online platforms can potentially be a part of your income streams in 2025. If you’re looking to be paid quickly, I’ve got my recommendations of places where you can focus your efforts — and notes on which may be most precarious.

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