Social media success can provide income, a career, and the opportunity to turn dreams into reality for creators. In recent years, this path has become essential to millions of people. Being an “it girl” influencer can work for some—but more importantly—social media can be a springboard for so many other career opportunities. The internet personalities on our screens today could be the movie stars, singers, or authors we talk about tomorrow. Countless different paths can come out of content creating, providing creators with support and community between careers.
This exciting transition from social media posts to other outlets is becoming more and more popular. One podcaster who has taken a step away from the mic and has started writing is Brooke Averick.
Brooke Averick gained attention on tiktok as “@ladyefron” for her funny personality and relatable takes. She has now been the co-host of the Brooke and Connor Make a Podcast, created in 2022, alongside comedian Connor Wood. The podcast now has nearly two hundred episodes and 111K subscribers on Youtube.
After gaining lots of love online for her podcast and everyday posts, she has decided to transition a passion of hers into a more serious path. Averick has recently previewed her debut novel Phoebe Berman’s Gonna Lost It. Thanks to her social media following, she was quickly seen and supported by her fans anticipating the book’s release.
The story follows protagonist Phoebe Berman as she tries to find love despite crippling anxiety and the fleeting years of young adulthood. It will be available for purchase May 26, 2026, but has already been pre-ordered and promoted by tons of Averick’s fans. Her social media presence has carried these fans from podcast to page, allowing them to continue supporting her regardless of the format or type of content she may be creating.
Jake Shane, a social media personality and host of hit podcast Therapuss, has powerfully exemplified how much social media can change your life. Shane started out his social media journey as a USC student living in Los Angeles, reviewing octopus dishes at restaurants. Though his food critiquing was not what drew in viewers—it was his wit and entertaining content. As he neared the end of college and his videos started blowing up, he left his job in the music industry and turned his passion into a brand, which turned into a community, which ultimately turned into a career.
Most known for his podcast Therapuss, Shane poses as a therapist offering “quality care from unqualified experts” to his viewers beside celebrities, professionals, and his best friends. Some of his most remarkable guests include singer-songwriters Ed Sheeran and ROLE MODEL, actors Glenn Powell and Kerry Washington, podcasters Amelia Dimoldenberg and Jay Shetty, and the list goes on. The memorable interview style and meaningful connections Shane has made with these guests show his ambition and passion for what he does.
The drive and support gained from his social media career has allowed Shane to make the leap into the acting world. He earned a featured role in the HBO Max show Hacks and is now set to star in a new Hulu comedy project based on his own life. His fans propelled him to win a Webby Award in 2025, becoming a Forbes’ top creator, and most of all, they led him to a group of dedicated and enthusiastic supporters ready to follow him into his acting journey.
Another career catapulted by social media success is singer-songwriter Sombr. Sombr first became noticed on TikTok for his ironic, memorable videos. As he started to blow up on TikTok, so did his songs. His song “Caroline” released in 2022 was one of the first to go viral, which was followed by “Back to Friends,” “undressed,” and more. While social media brought his talent into the limelight, his popularity was not trapped there. His first hit “Caroline” led him to a record deal with Warner Records, under which he has released two full-length albums and was recently nominated for a 2026 Grammy in the category of Best New Artist. In a short amount of time, his music has been shared with millions, in large part because of his social media skills and die-hard fanbase.
All of these well-known creators have one crucial thing in common: their careers were jump-started by the power of social media. Their success proves that social media is more than just a platform—it’s a space with endless opportunities.
