How Influencer Brandon Edelman made $768,000 in a year-and what he actually took home

Brandon Edelman, an influencer based in Philadelphia, achieved significant earnings through brand partnerships, revealing he made $768,000 last year. After management fees, taxes, and expenses, he netted about $300,000. His TikTok success stands out in a landscape where many creators earn significantly less. While Edelman's transparency sheds light on influencer earnings, a 2023 report revealed that a substantial portion of creators earned $15,000 or less. Issues such as the racial pay gap among influencers were also examined, highlighting disparities in the industry.

"So $768,000 is the top number, 20 percent of that goes to management, so we're down to, like, what $550k? From $550k, $200,000 of that goes to taxes..."

"I grew up, literally, dirt poor, so this is insane. My parents made enough money to put food on the table, but they didn't have savings..."

Read at Fast Company