Content Creation 101: How to Become a Content Creator

By Liz Willits October 3, 2023

So that you wish to turn out to be a content material creator?

You seemingly know the perks of being a content material creator: Autonomy in your profession, inventive work, the power to chase your passions.

Plus, let’s not neglect the potential earnings. The highest 5 creators on TikTok made a complete of $46 million in 2021. 

And the way may you not need the time freedom? 52 percent of creators who make between $50,000 and $100,000 spend lower than 10 hours per week creating content material.

Seems like a dream job. 

Nevertheless, in 2023, there are some main challenges to turning into a content material creator as effectively, together with:

Regardless of these challenges, it’s nonetheless very potential to turn out to be a profitable content material creator in 2023, whether or not you wish to make it a part-time or full-time profession.

On this information, we’ll present you methods to get began. You’ll study:

• The various kinds of content material creators
• How a lot content material creators earn
• Six steps to turn out to be a content material creator
• Inspiring tales of real-life content material creators and their work

Now, let’s get began. Studying this information is barely step one of your content material creator journey.

The sorts of content material creators

For those who’re not sure what kind of content material creator you wish to be, this part will stroll you thru among the commonest sorts of creators, what they do, and what sorts of content material they publish.

When serious about the kind of content material creator you wish to be, there are two inquiries to ask your self:

• What kind of content material will I create?
• The place (and in what format) will I publish my content material?

We’ll enable you reply each of those questions under. First, let’s talk about the sorts of content material you may create based mostly on the content material matter.

The sorts of content material creators based mostly on content material matter

1 – Influencer

Influencers create content material that primarily revolves round their way of life, experiences, and character. 

They typically collaborate with manufacturers and share their suggestions, style selections, journey adventures, or day-to-day routines. Influencers intention to attach with and affect their viewers.

For instance, Kylie Jenner is an influencer. She is among the most adopted Instagram influencers on this planet with 399 million followers.

2 – Educator

Educators are content material creators who give attention to sharing information and experience. They produce content material to tell, educate, and assist their viewers study new expertise or acquire insights into particular topics. 

Sam Sulek, a health YouTuber and TikToker who has taken off just lately, is one instance of an educator. He teaches his viewers about weightlifting and vitamin for weightlifters.

One other instance is SkinnyTaste. Gina Homolka, Founding father of SkinnyTaste, educates her viewers on cooking and wholesome consuming, primarily via Instagram and her weblog. 

Professional tip: Some creators are each educators and influencers. You don’t have to restrict your self to only one kind. 

3 – Streamer

Streamers predominantly interact in stay streaming, the place they broadcast themselves enjoying video video games, discussing numerous subjects, or showcasing their abilities. Platforms like Twitch and YouTube Dwell present an area for streamers to work together with viewers in actual time.

A well-known instance of a streamer is Tyler “Ninja” Blevins. Ninja is well known as one of the crucial common and influential streamers on this planet. He gained large recognition primarily via streaming the favored online game “Fortnite” on platforms like Twitch and YouTube.

4 – Coach

Content material creators within the teaching area of interest provide steerage and help in areas corresponding to private growth, health, profession, or life teaching. They use their content material to encourage and empower their viewers to realize their objectives.

Take Tony Robbins for instance. He’s a famend life coach, self-help creator, and motivational speaker who has been inspiring and training people for many years. 

5 – Creator

Authors create written content material within the type of books, e-books, articles, poems and essays. They inform tales, share information, and/or categorical their inventive creativeness.

One well-known creator who grew to become well-known via content material creation, significantly on social media, is Rupi Kaur, a Canadian poet, author, and illustrator. She gained recognition for her quick, minimalist poems and illustrations, which she started sharing on Instagram. 

6 – Musician

Musicians produce content material centered round their musical abilities. They compose and carry out songs, create music movies, and share their inventive journey with their viewers. Platforms like TikTok, SoundCloud, Spotify, and YouTube are common locations to publish musical content material.

Associated: Selling digital music online: Platforms, tips, and strategies

One notable instance of a musician who gained fame via content material creation is Olivia Rodrigo. Rodrigo achieved widespread recognition and success together with her debut single “Drivers License.” 

Rodrigo promoted “Drivers License” on her TikTok, and it shortly went viral when customers began creating movies utilizing the track. This user-generated content material contributed to the track’s viral nature and helped it acquire thousands and thousands of views and likes.

Due largely to its TikTok recognition, “Drivers License” climbed the music charts quickly. It debuted at primary on the Billboard Scorching 100, making Rodrigo one of many youngest artists to realize this feat.

@livbedumb ♬ drivers license – Olivia Rodrigo

7 – Comic

Comedians concentrate on creating humorous, entertaining content material, together with stand-up comedy, humorous sketches, and comedic commentary. 

Comic Trevor Wallace gained fame by posting quick comedy skits on social media. He initially posted these skits on Vine, a platform recognized for its six-second movies. When Vine shut down, he transitioned to YouTube, the place he continues to create longer-form comedy content material and has amassed 4.32 million subscribers as of 2023. 

He now posts comedy skits recurrently on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.

8 – Artist

Artists showcase their inventive talents via visible mediums like portray, drawing, sculpture, and digital artwork. They use their content material to show their inventive imaginative and prescient and join with artwork fanatics.

Matt Chessco, who give up his job in 2020 to turn out to be a full-time artist, gained fame along with his TikTok videos. As of 2023, he has 2.8 million followers on TikTok.

@mattchessco Reposting my most viral video of 2020. The portray is on the market on my web site 😊 #marilynmonroe #art ♬ original sound – Snubby J

The sorts of content material creators based mostly on format and platform

Now, you’ll study the most typical content material codecs and publication websites. There are a lot of creators who publish on a number of platforms, like Mr. Beast for instance who’s primarily a YouTuber but additionally publishes content material on TikTok, X (previously known as Twitter), and plenty of extra platforms.

1- Bloggers

Bloggers craft written content material within the type of articles or weblog posts, typically shared on their very own web sites or running a blog platforms like Medium. They delve deep into subjects, providing detailed insights and evaluation.

Associated: How to promote a blog (with strategies and examples from established bloggers)

2 – Vloggers

Vloggers seize their experiences and tales via video, creating vlogs (video blogs) that showcase their every day lives, travels, or particular topics. They primarily publish on video-sharing platforms like YouTube.

3 – YouTubers

A YouTuber makes a speciality of creating video content material for YouTube, exploring various subjects — from tutorials and critiques to leisure and vlogs. 

Associated: How to get more YouTube views: a comprehensive guide to video success

4 – Podcasters

Podcasters produce audio content material within the type of episodes, which may cowl a variety of subjects. Podcasts can be found on numerous platforms, like Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

5 – TikTok Creators

TikTok creators publish movies on TikTok, typically utilizing music and developments to seize their viewers’s consideration. 

6 – Instagram Creators

Instagram creators curate visually interesting posts and tales on Instagram. They typically give attention to pictures, style, magnificence, and way of life content material, aiming to encourage and join with their followers.

7 – X (previously known as Twitter) Creators

X creators use the platform to share every kind of content material, together with ideas, opinions, and updates. They interact in conversations, share information, and construct a following via their tweets.

Content material creator wage: How a lot do content material creators make?

This varies extensively. Some content material creators make no cash whereas others earn billions of {dollars} yearly.

To provide you an thought of what you possibly can earn as a content material creator, let’s have a look at some stats:

• Newbie creators’ earnings: 59 % of newbie creators haven’t monetized but. 35 % have monetized however earn under what is taken into account a “livable earnings.” Six % of newbie creators have earned larger than $10,000 (Linktree Creator Report, 2022).
• Prime creators’ earnings: Solely about 4% of creators make greater than $100,000 a yr., according to Goldman Sachs. Mr. Beast was the top-earning creator on Forbes‘ Top Creators 2022 list. He made $54 million.
• Full-time creators’ earnings: 12 % of full-time creators make larger than $50,000 per yr. 46 % of full-time creators make lower than $1,000 per yr (Linktree Creator Report, 2022).
• Half-time creators’ earnings: Three % of part-time creators make larger than $50,000 per yr. 68 % of part-time creators make lower than $1,000 per yr, (Linktree Creator Report, 2022). 
• Common wage for content material creators: In 2022, the common wage for content material creators was $44,192 per yr, Hubspot research found. That’s over $22 per hour or $3,680 per 30 days.

Whereas content material creators’ salaries differ, hopefully this provides you a good suggestion of how a lot creators could make as freshmen and execs. 

Steps to turn out to be a content material creator

It’s time to offer you a step-by-step blueprint that’ll present you how to turn out to be a content material creator. Observe these steps to get began in your content material creator journey:

Step 1: Discover your area of interest or content material focus

Throughout this step, you’ll establish what sort of content material you’ll create. 

First, begin by reflecting on and writing down: 

• Your passions: Write down your pursuits, hobbies, and passions. What subjects or actions genuinely excite you? Your content material creation will likely be much more pleasurable when you create content material round one thing you’re keen on.
• Your expertise: Contemplate your expertise, experience, and areas the place you excel. Your content material will likely be extra useful if it aligns together with your experience, and it is going to be simpler to advertise your self as a thought chief if you have already got deep experience or expertise in an space.
• Your information: Take into consideration the themes you understand rather a lot about or have a deep understanding of. Your information can set you aside as an authority in your chosen area of interest. Plus, it’ll be simpler to start out creating nice content material shortly when you’re creating content material round a subject you’re already educated about. 

Subsequent, utilizing what you simply wrote down, analysis what niches and subjects are already common with audiences. By selecting a subject or area of interest that’s already confirmed and common, you might be assured there’s an viewers on your content material. 

Right here’s how to do that:

• Analyze developments: Analysis trending subjects and niches associated to the passions, expertise, and/or information you simply wrote down. Use platforms like Google Trends, Reddit, Quora, X, Answer The Public, TikTok, and Instagram. 
• Research your rivals: Take a look at content material creators or influencers in your areas of curiosity. Analyze their content material, engagement, and viewers measurement. Establish gaps or alternatives inside these niches. Write down what subjects they cowl of their most-popular content material and contemplate creating distinctive content material on these subjects with your personal spin. (Don’t simply copy them!)

Lastly, slim down your focus and write down your creator’s mission assertion.

• Area of interest down: Generally, narrowing your focus inside a broad area of interest might be helpful. For instance, when you’re concerned with health, contemplate specializing in “house exercises for busy professionals” relatively than basic health.
• Discover your distinctive angle: Assess what distinctive perspective or angle you may deliver to your chosen area of interest. What makes your content material stand out from the competitors?

Step 2: Choose the place you’ll publish content material and in what format.

When you’ve decided your area of interest, it’s time to pick the platform that most accurately fits your content material. I like to recommend beginning with one content material format and/or platform while you’re first getting began. There are just a few causes for this:

• Focus: Concentrating your efforts on one platform permits you to focus your power and sources on that platform. It’s simpler, at the very least initially, to excel in a single place than to unfold your self skinny throughout a number of platforms.
• Mastery: Mastering one platform is important earlier than increasing to others. Every platform has its personal quirks, algorithms, and finest practices. For example, creating content material on TikTok may be very completely different from creating content material on X. In case you are attempting to submit on each platforms without delay, chances are you’ll turn out to be overwhelmed and succeed on neither platform. 
• Time: Managing a number of platforms might be time-consuming. By beginning with one, you may allocate extra time to perfecting your content material and rising your viewers on that platform.

You need to use the checklist of sorts of content material creators from earlier on this information to resolve what kind of content material you’ll create. Take into accout: It’s simpler to create content material utilizing expertise you have already got than studying new expertise.

So, when you’re already an incredible author, you may wish to contemplate running a blog or creating written content material on X or LinkedIn.

For those who’re an incredible photographer or videographer, contemplate creating content material on TikTok, YouTube, or Instagram.

For those who’ve podcasted earlier than or know methods to edit a podcast, take into consideration turning into a podcaster.

Step 3: Construct your model

Your model is what units you aside from the remainder. It’s your id and what your viewers can anticipate from you. Let’s delve into the 2 elements of constructing your model.

1 – Develop your distinctive model id 

Your model id is greater than only a emblem or a enterprise title. It’s the essence of who you’re as a content material creator, and it encompasses numerous parts:

Values

Contemplate what you stand for, your rules, and the message you wish to convey via your content material. Your values will kind the muse of your model.

Imaginative and prescient and imaginative and prescient assertion

Your imaginative and prescient guides all the content material you create, and your imaginative and prescient assertion clearly and succinctly articulates your viewers, the kind of content material you create and the place you publish it, and the issue you’re fixing on your viewers. 

Right here’s an instance of a creator imaginative and prescient assertion I wrote for SkinnyTaste, the meals and vitamin weblog I discussed earlier: SkinnyTaste creates nutritious, low-calorie meals recipes, and vitamin content material for busy mothers and dealing ladies that helps them cook dinner and eat more healthy meals. This content material is revealed on the SkinnyTaste weblog, the SkinnyTaste electronic mail publication, Instagram, Fb, and TikTok.

And right here’s a easy fill-in-the-blank template you need to use to jot down your imaginative and prescient assertion:

[NAME OF YOUR BRAND] creates [SPECIFIC TYPE OF CONTENT] for [YOUR AUDIENCE] that helps them [PROBLEM YOU SOLVE]. This content material is revealed on [PLACE(S) YOU PUBLISH CONTENT].

Visible id, emblem, and design parts

Select a visible type that aligns together with your area of interest and character. This consists of colours, fonts, and graphics that you simply persistently use in your content material and throughout your platforms.

If relevant, create a memorable emblem and design parts (like icons or imagery) that characterize your model. These visible cues may help reinforce your model id.

Model voice

Your model ought to have a definite and constant voice. With a constant model voice, your viewers ought to have the ability to inform after they’re participating together with your content material with out seeing your title or emblem. 

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2 – Set up a constant on-line presence

The way you present up on-line and the way typically is part of your model as effectively. Right here’s methods to set up and preserve a constant on-line presence:

Constant enterprise title or deal with

Use the identical username or deal with throughout all of your social media platforms. This makes it simpler on your viewers to seek out and observe you.

Coherent content material type

Preserve a constant type in your content material, whether or not it’s the format of your movies, the tone of your writing, or the visible aesthetics of your photos.

Predictable and common posting schedule

Create a posting schedule and stick with it. Constant content material supply retains your viewers engaged and coming again for extra.

Common engagement

Work together together with your viewers recurrently. Reply to feedback, messages, and emails. Engagement fosters a way of group and builds belief and loyalty.

Collaborations that match your model and imaginative and prescient

Collaborate with different content material creators or manufacturers that align together with your values and area of interest. These partnerships can develop your attain and introduce your model to new audiences.

Professional tip: Constructing your model is an ongoing course of. As you evolve as a content material creator, your model might evolve with you. 

Step 4: Begin publishing content material and rising your viewers

Now it’s lastly time to start creating content material and rising your viewers. Don’t fear if engagement and development are sluggish initially. That is the case for many creators. However listed below are some confirmed suggestions that will help you develop extra shortly and create extra participating content material:

Tip 1: Goal for high quality over amount

Prioritize high-quality content material over frequent, mediocre or common posts. High quality content material is extra more likely to be shared and advisable.

Make investments time in modifying, proofreading, and bettering your content material’s manufacturing worth.

Associated: 18 best content creation tools that will make creating content a breeze

Tip 2: Have interaction with different creators

We already touched on participating together with your viewers, however it’s also possible to interact together with your wider business or area of interest; those that don’t at the moment observe you. 

This may be an efficient strategy to develop your personal viewers. Once you remark and have interaction in a useful or entertaining manner on different creators’ posts, their followers may see your engagement and observe you themselves.

Tip 3: Create interactive content material

Host Q&A classes, stay streams, or AMAs (Ask Me Something) to work together immediately together with your viewers.

Tip 4: Use social media successfully to spice up your attain

Make the most of hashtags, related key phrases, and trending subjects and information to extend discoverability.

Tip 5: Collaborate and cross-promote content material

Collaborate with different content material creators or influencers in your area of interest. Cross-promotion exposes your content material to new audiences.

Tip 6: Take heed to viewers suggestions

Act on viewers suggestions. Take heed to your viewers’ recommendations and incorporate their concepts when related. Get content material subjects and submit concepts from their feedback and questions. Conduct surveys or polls to assemble insights and preferences.

Associated: How successful creators built an online community from the ground up

Tip 7: Diversify your content material sorts

If it aligns together with your creator imaginative and prescient assertion and the place you publish content material, experiment with numerous content material codecs (movies, articles, infographics, and many others.) to cater to completely different studying kinds.

Preserve content material recent and interesting by attempting new codecs and subjects.

Share behind-the-scenes content material and private updates to attach together with your viewers on a deeper stage.

Tip 8: Optimize for web optimization

Optimize your content material for serps to extend discoverability. Use related key phrases and descriptive titles and descriptions.

Tip 9: At all times provide insane worth

Present worth to your viewers via informative, entertaining, or inspirational content material.

Clear up issues, reply questions, and deal with ache factors related to your area of interest.

Tip 10: Use electronic mail advertising

Construct an electronic mail checklist to remain in direct contact together with your viewers and guarantee you may at all times talk with them. Ship newsletters, updates, and unique content material.

Associated: Sign up page strategies proven to increase your email audience

Tip 11: Evaluate analytics and adapt and evolve

Repeatedly refine your content material technique based mostly on analytics and viewers conduct. Preserve knowledgeable on modifications to platform algorithms and adapt to shifts in viewers pursuits.

Tip 12: Be affected person and protracted

Rising an viewers takes time. Be affected person and protracted, even during times of sluggish development.

Step 5: Monetize your content material

When you’ve been publishing content material persistently and seeing some traction, you can begin turning your consideration to monetizing your content material. 

Listed here are 4 frequent, confirmed methods to start out incomes earnings out of your content material creation:

1 – Commercials

Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and blogs provide content material creators the chance to earn advert income. This usually entails displaying advertisements earlier than, throughout, or after your content material. The extra views or engagements your content material receives, the extra advert income you may generate.

2 – Sponsorships and influencer partnerships

Manufacturers might pay you to create content material that options their services or products. These sponsored posts can take numerous varieties, together with critiques, tutorials, or endorsements.

3 – Digital merchandise

Creating and promoting digital merchandise is usually a profitable strategy to monetize your experience and creativity. Examples of digital merchandise embody:

• Ebooks and guides: For those who’re educated in a specific topic, you may write and promote ebooks or guides. These can cowl a variety of subjects, from health and cooking to advertising and self-help.
• On-line programs: Educate your viewers useful expertise or information via on-line programs. Platforms like Udemy, Teachable, or your personal web site can host your programs.
• Templates and instruments: Create and promote templates or digital instruments that may assist your viewers with duties or tasks.
• Paid subscriptions: Supply premium content material or group entry to paying subscribers via a membership web site or platform.

Associated: Where to sell digital products: The best platforms for creators

4 – Bodily Merchandise:

For content material creators with a devoted and engaged viewers, promoting bodily merchandise associated to your area of interest is usually a nice monetization technique. Listed here are some concepts for bodily merchandise:

• Merchandise: Design and promote merchandise corresponding to T-shirts, hoodies, mugs, or posters that includes your model, content material, or distinctive art work.
• Books and print supplies: For those who’re an creator or illustrator, contemplate publishing bodily books, prints, or artwork books that your viewers should buy.
• Handcrafted items: When you’ve got crafting or DIY expertise, create and promote handmade merchandise associated to your area of interest.
• Occasion tickets: For those who arrange occasions, workshops, or meet-ups, promoting tickets or entry passes is usually a supply of earnings.

Begin publishing and turn out to be a content material creator

On this information, we’ve offered you with a complete roadmap to get began as a content material creator. You’ve explored the varied sorts of content material creators and platforms, discovered about potential earnings streams, and acquired useful recommendations on discovering your area of interest, constructing your model, participating your viewers, and monetizing your content material.

As you embark in your content material creation journey, keep in mind that success typically involves those that are affected person, persistent, and captivated with creating their content material.

Success additionally typically involves creators who use electronic mail advertising, and AWeber is a superb possibility for creators for just a few causes:

1. It’s free for amateur creators! Simply getting began and don’t have the cash to pay for electronic mail advertising but? No drawback. AWeber has a free plan for content material creators who’re simply beginning to develop their viewers.
2. Develop your electronic mail checklist. With AWeber’s sign-up varieties and touchdown pages, you may seize your viewers’s consideration and convert informal viewers into loyal subscribers. And AWeber’s in depth library of customizable templates ensures that your sign-up varieties and touchdown pages not solely look skilled but additionally align together with your model.
3. Automate your electronic mail advertising. With AWeber, you may ship customized, automated electronic mail campaigns that nurture your viewers with related content material and well timed updates, all whilst you give attention to what you do finest — creating content material. 
4. Distribute your content material. Effortlessly share your newest weblog posts, movies, podcasts, or another content material on to your subscribers’ inboxes with AWeber’s RSS-to-email characteristic. 

Prepared to make use of AWeber to develop your content material enterprise? Start with a free AWeber account today!