So you want to be a content creator?
By no means is this a step-by-step or tutorial on how to become a content creator, but more so just a little advice from someone who’s been doing it a long time.
Needless to say, the creator economy is booming and has been for a while. Every so often an article pops up with the title ‘the end of influencers’ or ‘content creators are fading’ yet what actually seems to fade are these very rumors. Creators will, for the foreseeable future, know how to reach an audience that many businesses have always struggled to reach.
Before you think this industry is just for Gen Zs and Millenials, think again. Gen X and Baby Boomers are redefining the social media landscape and carving a niche for themselves. By focusing on authenticity, they are making a stronger connection with their audiences.
The content economy doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon, so if you’ve thought about becoming a content creator but don’t know what’s involved, here’s some information and tips that could be useful to help you decide.
If you have a passion, then it is highly likely that you can create content around it. I firmly believe that if you’re passionate about something, turning that passion into a business won't feel like work. A few things you need to ask yourself are: do you want to primarily do this to earn money or focus on your passion with the goal that it could make you some kind of income later down the line?
There’s no right or wrong answer; however, if you opt to focus on your passion first, you’re more likely to make money from it at some point. The best way to start is to pick something you’re passionate about. Once you’ve picked your niche, stick to it. After all, when you’re starting out, you want your content to clearly show what you specialize in. Once you’ve built up an audience and found your footing, you can diversify if you really want to.
Make a content plan and stick to it. Take it easy to begin with, as you don’t want to overwhelm yourself by setting unrealistic goals and then giving up before you’ve even started. Set creation and posting days so you know when you need to create content and when it needs to be posted. Thankfully, most platforms have the option to schedule posts, which means you could get ahead and have two weeks of scheduled posts. Planning and organizing are key.
Quality is king. You could post every day for a year, but if your content is of poor quality, then it’s pointless. If your audio is bad and your pictures are low quality as well as not engaging, then it’s a waste. There are plenty of apps available that help you create videos that are more engaging, so maybe try them out if creativity isn’t your strong point. Canva is a great option that is pretty easy to use.
Next, you have to be determined. If your first few videos didn't get many views, don’t let it get to you. Stay consistent until you develop a loyal audience. It takes time to find your voice and be comfortable, so be persistent.
It's easy to get overwhelmed by all the pressure of creating content that viewers will find interesting and engaging, which is why it’s important to start with small steps.
Ultimately, you want to enjoy the process and feel like you’re giving something to your audience. My YouTube channel is educational, and I’ve stuck to this since day one. I wouldn’t change a thing because I’ve realized just how powerful your voice can be if you stay true to yourself and authentic. The characteristics I have that once made me feel embarrassed are now appreciated by my audience as authentic. I struggle with pronunciation, and I used to edit these parts out, but now I leave them in and laugh it off. People appreciate honesty and vulnerability. It creates a stronger connection in a world full of filters.
Hopefully this helped in some way if you’ve thought about becoming a creator, and if not, then hopefully it gave a little insight.