Influencers believe that ‘making TikToks is harder’ than having a 9-5 job

It’s a question that often sparks debate: What’s harder – working a traditional 9-to-5 job or making a living as a TikTok creator?

On the surface, it’s easy to assume that being a content creator is all fun and games.

After all, doesn’t filming quick videos, vlogging your daily life or dancing in front of a camera sound like a dream compared to the daily grind at the office?

Last night at the 2024 TikTok Awards, where Australia’s top influencers and content creators gathered to celebrate the platform’s biggest stars, I put the question directly to them and their answers ranged… A LOT.

Here’s what they had to say about the differences, challenges and rewards of the two worlds—and why the “easier” path isn’t always as great as it seems.

With 7.6 million followers, conservationist and TV personality Robert Irwin (@robertirwin) says he tries to juggle his 9-to-5 role at Australia Zoo with creating his TikTok content.

“They are interconnected. If I’m there and I’m ready to go rescue a snake, I just put my camera on, film it and put it on TikTok,” he told news.com.au.

“I try to keep it really running and here, there and everywhere – TikTok is just a part of it.

“Whoever I’m with, I say, ‘Here, film this, I’m going to do something crazy,’ and hopefully it’s a little bit of inspiration for people to live life to the fullest and try to give back to the natural world.”

Anna Paul (@anna..paull) who vlogs every day of her life for her 7.2 million followers, started her career in a surprising role.

“Before TikTok, I was a YouTuber, but before that, I was a chick at Woolies for five years,” she revealed.

“Mentally, being a content creator is much harder because you have to deal with judgment.

“But physically, standing for hours at the register is so hard.”

Indy Clinton (@indyclinton) who shares the behind-the-scenes chaos of being a mother of three with her two million followers, never really knew any difference to the work she does now.

“I’ve never had a 9-to-5. I’ve been in the whole social media world since I was 16, I’m 27, so 11,” she said.

“I was on Instagram a lot before TikTok… I was the main Aussie girl, surfing, posting pictures of seashells I found on the beach and smoothies.

“When TikTok launched, I evolved, popped some babies and showed the chaos of motherhood.”

Body Positivity creator Ariella Nyssa (@ariellanyssa) has 1.7 million followers and had a major career pivot when she decided to pursue online work.

“I was studying to be a primary school teacher, but when my TikTok blew up, I stopped because you’re not allowed to post on social media. [as a teacher] because I post a lot [my body]”, she admitted.

“I was a dental nurse once upon a time too, I actually liked it. I think everyone has different difficulties, so you have to choose your own difficulty. Influence and TikTok is so rewarding. I also love being able to help people, but there are also many hard days when you feel so much hate.

“Dental work was constant, there was a lot of running and my legs were sore. It’s hard otherwise.”

Jane Lu (@thelazyceo), founder and CEO of Showpo and host of Shark Tank was incredibly candid when talking about her work.

Her TikTok bio says she wants to help people “quit their 9-to-5” despite claiming that “making TikToks is harder” than her 9-to- 5.

“I think I have a great business, but my TikTok is bad,” she joked.

However, Leah Halton (@loooooooooch), who has 12 million followers and one of the most liked videos on the content-sharing platform, thinks otherwise.

“I actually worked in a fish and chip shop during high school and was also a make-up artist,” she explained.

“For me, I think 9-to-5 is harder because, if you’ve seen my TikToks, it’s like a selfie video.”

Her viral video lip syncing to a song received over 940 million views.

With her all-encompassing fashion label, @faytlabel, and 445K followers, Brittney Saunders (@brittney_saunders) shed some light on the scam business and TikTok.

“TikTok is the easy part, running a business is really hard and I think social media can make business look really easy when it’s not at all,” she said. “Don’t be confused by this.”

She added that if it was easy, “everyone would be doing it,” but noted that it’s a very satisfying career choice.

LGBT creators Taz and Alessia (@tazandalessia) have 948.8k followers and livestream their life as a couple.

“I used to be a manager in Mecca, I really liked it,” said Alessia Allfree.

“We still work 9-to-5 now as creatives, though.”

“I was a personal assistant and I actually took a lot of what I learned there and put it into the business side of what we do now,” added Taz Zammit.

“We’re business owners at the end of the day, it’s stressful running a business, but there are so many benefits, so it’s hard to say it’s ‘hard’ work. It’s a lot of fun.”

Hosting content queen Chantel Mila Ibbotson (@mama_mila_) boasts 1.5 million followers and admitted that working as an influencer is more like a 9-to-9.

“I was in the property area and then I started making cleaning videos and they took off,” she recalls.

“When you work as a creator, you’re working around the clock, but I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Chloé Hayden (@chloeshayden) is a creative with ADHD and autism who has a million followers and a rather unconventional career path.

“Before I was an actor and content creator, I owned a princess company – I dressed up as a princess for parties and charities,” she revealed.

“I have always been privileged to be my own boss. I’ve never held a regular job, but I’d say the 9-to-5 would be more complicated. I can play pretend all my life. I shouldn’t complain about it, it’s crazy, it’s so beautiful!”

Elle Ray (@elleray) has amassed over 650k followers thanks to her entertaining daily vlogs.

“I worked in social media at a gaming company, but I wanted to be a geneticist, so this is the other end of the spectrum,” she said.

“With 9-to-5s and TikTok, the main difference is that you’re not really switching off, you’re filming and thinking all the time. But with 9-to-5s, you have a schedule. I couldn’t decide which is more difficult.”

Nicole Mitrov (@nicolemitrov) has catapulted into the spotlight after being a contestant on Fboy Island and now has over 18 thousand followers.

“I used to model – I think working a 9 to 5 and being an influencer both have their ups and downs. But the influencer and creative world is so much fun,” she said.

Her boyfriend Jack Johnston, who she gave on the show, said: “It depends on what your definition of difficult is. There is hard work and there is hard emotional work.”

decision

So it seems that behind the perfectly curated feeds and viral trends is a world of constant pressure, judgment and an inability to truly let go.

For many, the emotional toll and mental demands of being a content creator can feel far more difficult than working a “normal” job – but for most, it’s clear they wouldn’t trade it for the world.