How do I become a content creator? This seems to be the biggest question of the new generation in the 21st century. Everybody is trying their hand at it, from the popular kids at school, to your friend's mom and her cooking page. It's an ever-growing space that has no limit. Seeing content creators work from their phones while having the freedom to do the work as they please may seem effortless, but a considerable amount of work is being made behind the scenes that you don't see. Successful Content Creators have a well-thought-out plan that goes into their content before it's posted and shared with their followers. Below, we'll cover the very basics, from what a content creator is, to how to get paid work and gain a following.
What is a Content Creator's Job, and What Do They Do?
A content creator is simply someone who creates content and shares it through various social media platforms. This is not only done through posting photos and videos, but through multiple mediums such as blogs, podcasts, case studies, newsletters and more. It doesn't matter which one you're doing; most have one common goal: monetizing your content. It may take a while to grow a large enough following for creator funds, but it can also be done in several different ways, such as,
- Ad Revenue
- Affiliate Marketing
- Online Courses
- Subscriptions
- Merchandise
- Brand Sponsorships
- UGC
It may sound like a lot, but it can become obvious and understandable when you ask yourself this question…
What type of content creator am I?
Individual Content Creators, AKA "Influencers"
For most people unfamiliar with the world of content creation, the terms content creators and influencers most likely mean the same thing to them. Although it is the most common type of content creator, it differs from other content jobs.
These creators are commonly recognized on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube, and Twitch, giving rise to the creator community. The never-ending growth of these influencers has led to the rise of the newly known passion economy.
The new economy refers to the widespread trend of creators seeking to earn money from their passions. Although the passion economy is new and is mainly driven by content creators, it is at the forefront and may shape the future of work.
Freelance Content Creator
A content creator with no following? How is that even possible? Large businesses and clients tend to hire content creators to produce articles, advertisements, and blogs and handle their social media presence as a part of their broader digital marketing scheme. Just like me.
Freelance content creators focus on crafting unique content that boosts their companies' online visibility and drives more customers to pages dedicated to selling products or services. For instance, businesses aiming to establish authority in their respective industry might choose to regularly publish pertinent industry updates.
These content creators usually specialize in either business-to-business (B2B) or business-to-consumer (B2C) marketing strategies based on the company's goals and target audience.
Nevertheless, whether we are discussing individual or freelance content creators, their objective remains consistent: to create engaging and educational material that captivates businesses or individuals, attracting sufficient organic traffic to make the content creation financially sustainable. In other words, without traffic, you get no business. No business means no more money; no money means no ads and no revenue to keep the company growing. Not to make your newfound job stressful, but it's essential. One of the most effective approaches to achieve this is by implementing the content pillar strategy, which not only increases the user's accessibility but also increases discoverability by search engines such as Safari and Google.
In-House Content Creator
It is similar to freelance work in the aspect of what you do for a company but very different in the typical hours and structure you'll work. This creator type is the only one in the bunch that can offer stable income and health benefits. You will most likely just solely focus on one industry. It can work out great if it's an industry you love, but it can be mentally draining and cause burnout if it's something you couldn't care less about.
Now it's your turn to choose: Build your online presence and become a force to be reckoned with in the influencer world, or, use your creation skills to help build one of the biggest companies on the platform, or do both.
How do I start social media content creation?
Starting on a journey as a digital content creator can be confusing as there are multiple ways to do it. While senior roles at in-house positions and agencies often require a mix of various degrees along with significant experience, pursuing a formal education can be costly and time-consuming, making it difficult for many to pursue this route. Influencers and Freelancer content creators enjoy the benefit of requiring less formal education or experience to start. These positions can start their careers by building a strong portfolio, staying up to date on techniques and trends, and gradually securing more substantial projects at higher rates. Focusing on a specific niche is pivotal for advancing your career and building a solid reputation in your desired industry.
To put it simply, invest in yourself!
Nobody has the same path to their job, but you can never go wrong betting on yourself. In the early stages, it's important to try new things, explore all areas, and just be a sponge and try to take it all in before focusing on one niche or industry. If you're still looking for a laid-out guide, we've got just the thing for you.
Education: Many universities, both online and in person, offer full certificates or degrees involving digital marketing and content creation. Since content creation is such a broad term, you must find a niche you love before spending thousands on a degree you might hate. Some popular degrees you'll often see include marketing, business, journalism, etc.
Didn't I just say how expensive some of these degrees could be? People such as myself and many others, we can't afford that option, so what do we do?
Internships are a great way to look into the real world and understand how your future job will be. These can be tough to come by depending on where you live, but going down the self-taught route is something anybody can do. Being self-taught is something that is becoming a new normal when it comes to the digital world. Some great places to find information can be found completely free through YouTube or in more structured online courses through Google Certificates and Coursera, offering both paid and free services.
Never Say No: Okay, it's fine to say no, but not when trying to find your niche. While taking on that internship or networking with a few people in the industry, keep your eyes open and pay attention to what's happening. Even though it may scare you and make it feel like you have a stone in your stomach, you must take on new opportunities that come your way. You may find something you love and want to do for the rest of your life or something you'd never wish on your worst enemy. Either way, you've learned something you wouldn't have.
Suppose you don't know where to look. In that case, additional skills that can be valuable to your future work include Technical SEO, HTML, and other developer basics.
Becoming a master in your niche: Freelancers and influencers listen up! This part is especially important for those interested in becoming self-employed because you'll want to stand out among thousands of others. Are you into graphic design, writing, content marketing or something else? Whatever it is, get good at it. That should be your top priority and is vital to your future success. As for those taking the in-house agency route, you can use your past experiences to help find your niche, especially in the early days of your career. Demonstrating your skill in a certain niche can unlock many doors to new opportunities that will help advance your young career.
Build Your Brand: Beyond work and the 9-5 grind, you should always find time for yourself. Some days, you deserve to stay in your pyjamas and order in some food to binge-watch your favorite series. It's healthy and natural to take a break and not get caught up in feeling like you always have to be productive. That doesn't mean you should also completely stop working too. Building out a personal brand name isn't only for the top influencers. Getting started on something you personally enjoy, like a podcast, clothing brand, blog, or even a different social media identity are all healthy creative outlets. At the very least, brainstorm ideas over the weekend that excite you and work towards your goals.
Get Out There and Network: It's crucial for anybody to network and stay connected with your peers, it doesn't matter how small or big your company is. Networking may come from building your brand or where you work, but it shouldn't stop there. You should seek out opportunities as well. Along with plenty of Twitter and Facebook groups, you try to attend in-person conferences or events that are in your industry. It's always good when a person can associate a brand with the person who runs it. It makes it more personal and is something people will more likely support.
But if you don't want to go out, don't do it. There's nothing worse than a fake smile and some disingenuous compliments. People can easily spot someone inauthentic. Instead of forcing compliments, try asking questions and gaining valuable knowledge from the conversation.
The Learning Never Ends: Just because you think you've gone from grasshopper to master doesn't mean you should stop learning. In almost every industry, especially social media, you must continue to expand your knowledge and stay up-to-date with the latest trends and trendsetters. As previously mentioned, building a brand and continuing to learn go hand in hand. Set aside time every week to do these things. You'll not only impress yourself with your skill, but your clients and fellow peers will also notice your dedication.
Which Social Media is Best For Content Creators?
You've got your idea and your branding ready, but where do you share it? There are loads of options, each having its pros and cons. It all depends on what content you're ultimately making, but you should try to branch out onto all platforms. This section will break down the top 5 apps for content creators and talk about why you should promote your content there.
Facebook is nearly 20 years old… That's a scary thought for some. In this case, age doesn't matter. Aging like fine wine, Facebook is the largest networking site, with roughly 3 billion people using it monthly. This is roughly 37% of the world's population, making it a no-brainer when it comes to promoting content creation. Facebook is extremely user-friendly when getting started, having all forms of content on its app, from images, videos, and stories. The only downside is that Facebook's algorithm tends to prioritize content that starts conversations and interactions between users, especially those who are friends. Although it might not be your favorite, it's something billions of people use. It should be on your company's list of social media tabs.
Youtube
Even if you're not producing full-blown videos for your content, you should try to get into shorts. If you haven't noticed, short-form video content is everywhere. Just because it's not YouTube's main use doesn't mean you should overlook it. With over 2.5 billion users, the website generates 1 billion hours of watched video content daily. That is just insane. YouTube is also the world's second-largest search engine, which means you'll always have a fresh flow of organic traffic that other social media platforms don't have. You need to have a clear niche and optimize your videos with the keywords in your industry to keep generating long-term views. The two downsides are that there is a ton of competition, something every social media platform has. Still, it's a bit more daunting on YouTube, with 500 hours of content posted per minute. The second one is the meaningful monetization of your content. You'll need to generate 1-2 million views to generate any sort of decent income. YouTube is working on ways to improve this for creators, but who knows what the future will hold.
Instagram is a set standard and an absolute must for any content creator, freelance or influencer. Instagram has become a hub for showcasing your brand or products through photos, videos, stories, reels, IGTV, you name it. You can create a business profile which provides you with analytics essential to see your account's growth. Instagram is also, if not the best place to get User-Generated Content from your users or peers who frequently share and tag brands. One obstacle all content creators face on the app is that you can't attach an external link to an Instagram post. Thus, getting people to visit your website or online store is really difficult. I'm sure you've seen the infamous "link in bio" in many posts. Then, creators can attach a link or a service such as linktr.ee to attach all of their websites in one place. If you still feel in the dark, there are many online guides on how to master Instagram marketing.
TikTok
TikTok is definitely the new kid on the block. Love it or hate it, It's getting content creators millions of views per day and is here to stay. The biggest advantage of TikTok is its algorithm. New profiles can grow audiences at a rapid pace with the right content, and that's a huge advantage. You must be thinking, "What's the catch?". There's a slight catch: TikTok users must consistently post to grow a huge audience, and some users can get tired of the rat race mentality. Some of the app's biggest content creators post up to 7-10 times daily. I salute you if you feel you can post that many videos daily with quality content. Remember, if you're getting millions of views, it won't convert to millions of dollars. Another downside of TikTok is the monetization of your content. You'll roughly need twelve times the amount of views on TikTok to make the same amount of money on YouTube. This means you'll see little reward except for views for all those videos you spent hours on.
Twitter or X
Twitter might not be considered new or trendy, but it boasts a community of approximately 528.3 million engaged users. Unlike other platforms, Twitter isn't geared toward creators focusing on videos or images; it caters to those who prefer crafting text-based content. It's particularly valuable for individuals sharing ideas or showcasing expertise in specific subjects. With the launching of Spaces in 2020, It added an aspect of an audio-only conversation room, something other apps don't have. Twitter is great for creators who have something to say and want to type it rather than make a long video. The main disadvantage and a pattern you're probably beginning to see is that it's difficult to monetize content. People have turned to sponsored posts to try and grow their reach but your best bet is to try and take the following you have on Twitter off-app to your website or somewhere you can monetize it.
How Much Money Can I Make?
While this topic is completely subjective and can vary due to location, experience, or job, it's hard to put a number on how much content creators make. If you're an influencer or freelance content creator, the sky's the limit. Your salary depends entirely on how much work you put in, how many views you're getting in return, and whether you can monetize it or not. As for in-house content creators working for an agency or corporate company, you can make anywhere from 44K a year and up, depending entirely on your role and seniority.
A Final Send-Off
The main goal of any content creator is to find meaningful information that they can translate to their targeted audience through social media. The best content creators understand that if the message you're sending sticks with the consumer, it's been executed correctly. It doesn't matter if it's a blog, a TikTok video, or an Instagram post, as long as the message gets to the consumer clearly. Being a creator requires creativity, dedication, and a genuine connection with your audience. Stay true to yourself, and with time and effort, others will follow.
Make sure to check out our previous blogs to learn more about how UGC can help you expand your brand and gain a broader reach.
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