Morgan Eckroth has ingeniously crafted a social media enterprise that emulates the inviting ambiance of a coffee shop in the digital realm.
The remarkable success she has achieved is evident from her staggering six million TikTok followers.
In June 2019, Eckroth initiated her account, MorganDrinksCoffee, with the primary objective of refining her social media marketing abilities. She had never envisioned it would become a source of livelihood.
However, her engaging videos, which involve replicating coffee orders and reenacting coffee shop scenarios, now bring in an impressive income of up to $9,000 per month, as per CNBC Make It’s review of documents.
At the age of 24, Morgan Eckroth manages a thriving side hustle by actively posting on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. Her income streams stem from advertisements, branding deals, and merchandise sales. Surprisingly, dedicating only about eight hours per week to this endeavor proves far more financially rewarding than her other time-consuming jobs.
In addition to her social media success, Eckroth also serves as a competitive barista and marketing strategist for the coffee brand Onyx Labs, earning an annual salary of $45,000. Consequently, her total income last year amounted to an impressive $141,000. Nonetheless, she recognizes the potential hazards of transforming a passion into work and has consciously set boundaries to prevent burnout.
Eckroth provides insight into the process of building her six-figure side hustle and describes the significance of these boundaries. Moreover, she offers valuable advice for those considering venturing into the realm of social media monetization.
When asked about his journey in learning to create content that garnered a massive following of over six million followers, Morgan Eckroth shared valuable insights. She revealed that his high school experience heavily revolved around being on Tumblr, which made her highly conscious of the social landscape and online trends.
During her time pursuing a degree at Oregon State University, Eckroth always had a clear vision of venturing into media marketing and digital advertising. As part of her preparation, she began creating TikTok videos as a way to practice and refine her skills. The progression felt entirely natural, setting her on the path to success.
On TikTok and Instagram, Eckroth focuses on producing short-form, vertically oriented sketches centered around barista life. These engaging sketches capture real-life scenarios, such as the amusing reactions of baristas when customers respond with an unintentional, “You, too!” after being wished to enjoy their drinks.
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Morgan Eckroth’s YouTube journey began in February 2020 when she launched the channel as part of his capstone project. Over time, it steadily gained traction, and throughout its existence, the focus has remained on providing content that revolves around skill building and the actual techniques of making coffee.
As for the impact of having a thriving social media business on her personal consumption of social media, Eckroth has implemented a mindful approach. To avoid feeling overwhelmed by the constant work-related presence on social media, she makes a conscious effort not to excessively engage with her own content or other coffee-related content online. This change in behavior, though seemingly small, has had a substantial positive effect.
However, there are instances, particularly during filming days, when Eckroth needs to browse through platforms analytically for research and inspiration. To maintain a work-life balance, she has established strict timeframes for such activities. Importantly, she ensures that filming activities do not extend into her evenings when she is not actively involved in brewing coffee. By setting these boundaries, Eckroth is able to enjoy a more fulfilling social media experience, where work and personal time are separated, and social media remains an enjoyable aspect of her business.
In managing her social media side hustle, Morgan Eckroth takes a distinct approach compared to other content creators. While she does monitor numbers and remains attentive, she focuses less on this aspect. Instead, her content creation process revolves around authenticity and connecting with others in the service and hospitality industry. She hopes that people will be drawn to follow along with her genuine content.
Recognizing the importance of balance, Eckroth has intentionally cultivated hobbies that are not monetizable. Vintage bookstores serve as a refuge for her, where she enjoys hunting for science fiction and fantasy books. Creative writing is another passion, with numerous ongoing writing projects that she keeps private, exclusively for himself.
When offering advice to those considering starting their own social media side hustles, Eckroth emphasizes the low entry barrier in this field. However, she cautions against assuming it is suitable for everyone. She stresses the significance of having a clear purpose or thesis for creating content. For her, it revolves around translating the coffee experience online. Setting and adhering to this vision enables her to align every video she produces accordingly.
Eckroth underscores the value of establishing boundaries early on to avoid potential burnout. She advises aspiring creators to define their limitations and stay true to their purpose. By doing so, they can create content that remains fulfilling and prevents the risk of losing their voice or becoming overwhelmed by the demands of online presence.