Youtube Tips

How much do I spend on my blog, youtube channel & business?

Being a content creator can be lucrative and compared to other businesses such as ones that require a brick and mortar, you can have massive profit margins.

However, being a content creator (blogger, youtuber, and/or influencer) does require some cost and I believe that as your elevate your brand so will the amount you spend. One of my goals this year is to post consistently on my blog, YouTube channel and social medias.

I’m leveling up my content, investing in a team, elevating my brand and putting some respeck’ on my name as a digital creator… and guess what? Most of those things cost.

So how much do I exactly spend as a content creator?

I’ve broken up my expenses into categories. Some of these I pay monthly and some I pay yearly. This doesn’t include things like office supplies or conferences. These are strictly expenses I can expect to pay each month and/or year. Obviously, you don’t have to use any of these things but I wanted to share exactly what I use and pay for to keep BreonnaQueen.com going….

Organization & planning:

1. Google Drive: $20/yr
I use Google Drive to house most of my documents and photos. I love Google drive because no matter where I’m at or the device I’m on, I have access to all of my things. I
=$20

Social Media Assistance:

1. Tailwind: $105/yr – I use tailwind to help me with Pinterest. I don’t have the time to pin 3-4 times day each day. With Tailwind, I take a few hours out of the month and schedule all of my pins! I’ve been using Tailwind for a little over a month now and my Pinterest monthly views have DOUBLED! Click here to signup for Tailwind and you get $15 off!
2. Planoly: $7/month – I use planoly to not only schedule out my instagram post but also my stories! I like planoly because they get you the best times to post, extended analytics and you can automatically post your hashtags as a comment for your new post!
3. Tubebuddy-: $16/month
Tubebuddy is a free web browser extension that integrates directly with YouTube’s site and helps you to optimize your channel better. I pay for the extended version so I can really look into keywords and SEO for my YouTube channel. I highly recommend TubeBuddy and I use it a few times out of the week!
4. MailerLite: $84/year –
I’ve used a few email providers and I always go back to Mailerlite because it’s easy and simple. Your first 1,000 subscribers is free and you get access to everything! You only pay once your grow past that 1000, which is why I pay. Click here to get a $20 credit when you sign-up for mailerlite!

Analytics:

1. Google Analytics: free
This what I use to look at my blog analytics such as page views, average time on site, unique visitors and monthly visitors
5. YouTube Analytics: free
This what I use to look at my YouTube analytics

Graphics & video:

1. Lightroom & Photoshop: $100/yr
I use adobe lightroom to help edit my photos. Photoshop was also included in the bundle.
2. Canva: free
I use canva to create my YouTube thumbnails, Pinterest pins and other graphics
3. Final cut pro: $300/ one time free
I use final cut pro to edit all of my YouTube videos. I use to use imovie which was free on my Mac and eventually upgraded to Filmora Wondershare which I highly recommend for beginners who want cute videos that are easy to create!

Money & Budgeting:

1. Quickbooks: $12/month
I use Quickbooks to help me manage my money, expenses and taxes.
I use to use wave apps which is similar and free. However, I prefer Quickbooks because it gives me expected taxes to pay quarterly, syncs with Turbotax and a few other programs I use.

Education:

I believe you should never stop learning! While I invest events, conferences and seminars, I have not included those things because the events I attend truly depend on my needs and what’s being held. I do not have a set amount for events I attend

1. LinkedIn Learning: free
LinkedIn Learning is $29.99 a month. However, I get it for free since I have a library card! I enjoy watching different courses on different things such as how to use Final cut pro better!
2. Skillshare: $100/yr
Skillshare is similiar to LinkedIn Learning as you have access to an abundance of coures.
Click here for 2 free months of skillshare!
3. Kindle Unlimited: $9.99/month
Yall, I LOVE Kindle unlimited lol. I’ve had it since 2016 and use it often for downloading cookbooks and quick reads.
Click here for your first month of Kindle Unlimited for FREE.
4. Scribed

Hosting & Domain Name:

1. Siteground: $6/month
Prior to siteground, I had all the website hosting including godaddy, hostgator, fatcow and bluehost. They all were just okay.

… then I got siteground and the game changed. With siteground, my website is faster, it backs up everyday, customer service is better, I have unlimited emails and can add unlimited websites to my hosting. I highly recommend siteground.

Services:

1. Photographer : $900/yr
I have a package with my photographer where I take photos ever quarter. I do plan to increase my sessions to every 6 weeks but right now, I just do every quarter and in-between I use my own camera!

So in total, how much should I expect to spend each year?
About $2,221.00/year not including things like conferences, office supplies, photoshoot props, running ads, traveling or meals.

This may seem like a lot to some but compared to other traditional businesses, this is relatively low! You don’t have to use all of the things or any of things I use and often times, most of the above software offers trials and free plans!

I choose to invest in my business because I know it’s worth it and I’ve made a return on my investment every year.

 

PIN TO YOUR PINTEREST BOARD!

Tax tips and deductibles for Bloggers & Youtubers

I’m going to talk about something that rarely gets talked about when you’re a YouTuber, blogger and/or influencer… and that’s taxes!

What can you claim as a deductible? What can you not claim? What tips do I have to stay organized during tax season so I don’t get a huge tax bill (and an audit!)?

First thing first, social media influencers do have to pay taxes and if you’re serious about it, I highly recommend you treat it like a business.

If you’re earning money or receiving free gifts, yes, you do have to file it!

DISCLAIMER Before I continue, I need to disclose that I am not a licensed CPA. This post was written from my own personal experience with filing my taxes as a digital influencer, not from a professional perspective. If you need legal advice regarding your taxes, please consult with a licensed CPA or trusted tax preparer. I can only speak from my own experience. Also, please note that my advice and experience come from my residency, so income and taxes may vary depending on the country or state you reside.

Things you can deduct (typical tax deductions)

1. Software

Such as apps used for photo editing (ie Lightroom)⁣ and video editing (final cut pro)

2. Technology

Anything technical I use for my business (ie: camera, SD cards, charger, computer)⁣

3. Props for shoots & videos

For example, if I have to use flowers for a photoshoot, that’s tax-deductible

4. Wi-Fi

Percentage of my Wi-Fi I use at home

5. Percentage of my office space

I have a dedicated office that is specifically for working)

6. Office supplies

This also includes office snackies! Anything an employer would find in an office fridge, such as yogurt, bottled water, candy…. you can write off snacks for your office. I recommend ringing up separately)

7. Traveling for my business

Such as traveling to workshops, speaking engagements & photoshoots)⁣

8. Education

This includes workshops, courses & even subscriptions such as Kindle unlimited, LinkedIn learning & Skillshare

9. Percentage of my cell phone

Since it’s used for my business

10. Services used

Such as photography shoots & graphic design services

11. Website upkeep

This includes web hosting, domain renewal & WordPress theme)

12. Giveaways

If I’m doing giveaways… I can add expenses related to hosting that giveaway)

Things you cannot deduct

Clothing

As much as I would LOVEEEE to be able to claim clothes I wear for videos and shoots, Uncle Sam says no. A U.S. Tax Court ruling in 2011 reaffirmed this tax law when a judge rejected a TV anchorwoman’s efforts to deduct tens of thousands of dollars in clothes she bought to wear on air. If you plan to wear the clothes outside of work… you can’t deduct

 

Beauty Products

Unfortunately, the money you use to look like a snack is not a valid business expense. You can write off makeup used for stage or photo shoots, but not if you wear the same makeup outside of work.

 

Hair Products

If you plan to wear your hair the same way outside of work (ie: wigs and extensions) then you cannot deduct

 

I learned that if it’s suitable for everyday use, it’s not a deductible!

Blogging as a business tips

Here are a few tips I recommend when it comes to your influencer business

Set yourself up as a business

Breonna Queen is a LLC. I pay quarterly taxes, have a business checking/saving account, business cards and I’m currently trying to build my business credit (yes, issa’ thing!). Treat your blog and influence as a business, not a hobby!

Save Money During Your Tax Filing By Staying Organized

Use apps like Wave Apps or Quickbooks to stay organized. Both apps have a receipt app so you can literally take photos of every business receipt and stay organized. Both apps also allow you to link your accounts and sync your transactions so you know your expenses and income.

Put away 20% for taxes

A good guesstimate for taxes you’ll be paying for the year is around 20% of your income so when tax season rolls around, you won’t be scrambling for the money when it’s time to pay the IRS. You may or may not end up paying the entire 20% depending on your business expenses, but it’s good to be prepared.

In my next post, I’m sharing how much I spend as a YouTuber and blogger
I hope you enjoyed these tax tips as an influencer! Questions about navigating the business world as a content creator? Let me know below in the comments!