This post explains what is a content creator and how everyone can become one without having to be on TikTok or the pressure of going viral.
When we were stuck inside for close to a year, we relied on social media to entertain and connect us to the outside world. Who hasn't seen the countless TikTok videos of families dancing together or fall into a YouTube video rabbit hole?
We were glued to our screens for work and play. Consuming content online went up by 13% globally, according to a Smart Insights Data report. Uploading videos to a social media platform grew by 16%.
Perhaps out of boredom or knowing where people's attention is going towards, people are creating content. With the easy-to-use publishing and editing tools, it's the best time to be a Content Creator.
Anyone can be a content creator.
It's not just reserved for the professional digital marketer or influencer. You can create content to help build your personal brand to land a new job or bring awareness to a cause or interest you care about.
This post will explain content creation, the benefits of creating content online and how you don't have to be a professional marketer or influencer to be a creator.
What is Content Creation?
It is publishing text, audio, or imagery online to encourage viewer engagement, interaction, and or a following.
There are two types of content creation:
- Short-form
- Long-form
Short-form content- Social media posts (written or with an image) with less than 1200 words. Other types of short-form content: slides, infographics, emails, and short audio or video snippets (less than 8 mins. typically)
Long-form content- Published information with different layers of details on a topic or subject. Long-form content can be written, filmed, or recorded audio.
Examples of long-form content:
- Blogs
- Podcasts
- Videos (typically longer than 10 mins)
- Newsletters
- Articles/Guides
Any content length intends to keep the reader or viewer engaged by making sure it educates, entertains, inspires, informs, or motivates them.
Depending on your goals, you might need to have both short-form and long-form content as a part of your content creation strategy. (I discuss a little further below on creating a strategy and setting goals)
What Does a Content Creator Do?
A content creator publishes digital media online, is strategic with their posts, and has a target audience of who they want to gain attention or support.
The difference between an ordinary person posting online versus a content creator has the intention to create a return on investment. Meaning, every published post has the purpose for a reader or viewer to take action.
What type of action does a Content Creator want?
- Engagement (likes, shares)
- Interaction (comments, direct message)
- Follows the content creator on social media
- Provides email address to stay informed by the content creator
- Subscribes to the channel, podcast, or website from the content creator
Who Can Be a Content Creator?
This may be a disputed, but I think anyone can be a content creator.
You don't have to be a professional digital marketer, a celebrity, a person of influence, or in a leadership role to be a content creator.
Also, your goal to create content doesn't have to be tied to a financial gain (it can be, but it doesn't have to).
Here are some characteristics and skills that makes content creator:
- Storytelling
- Relates to their audience
- Empathetic to their audience
- Curious
- Analytical
- Experimental
- Results-driven
- Intuitive
You can be employed by a company, a free-lancer, or a person looking to build their personal brand. Getting paid isn't required to be a content creator.
How Do You Start Creating Content?
Your intention is to create content for your target audience.
For your best shot at this, determine which platform your audience hangs out on. Then takes these next steps on how to start creating content online.
Research
- Learn everything about the platform(s) you plan to publish on.
- Best time and days to post.
- Support your content with other trustworthy and authoritative content.
Create and Experiment
- Create an avatar or target audience persona
- Make a list of the core topics you want to focus on.
- Experiment with different apps that help support the creation of your content (ex: Canva, Adobe illustrator, video and audio editing apps)
Record
- An idea or a memory always starts content- start writing these down when they pop into your head
- Keep a running list on your phone to capture any ideas, thoughts, or memories.
Schedule
- Consistency is key! Commit to a schedule on a weekly or daily basis
- You can use scheduling apps to help publish your posts.
How Do You Become a Content Creator?
Remember, anyone can be a content creator. You just need to post with intention.
Set Goals - What results do you want?
- Followers
- Email addresses
- Pageviews
- Listener downloads
- Join or subscribe to a program
- Build brand awareness (personal or professional
- To get hired
Plan Out Content
- Don't wing it! Don't put the added pressure of coming up with social media posts on that day- you might miss out on the best time to post on that platform.
- Plan out 2-4 weeks of content by creating a template or downloading a template online.
Track your posts
- Create a spreadsheet to track the performance of your posts.
- Double down on posts that do well by creating a spin-off or a similar post.
- Experiment and test different ways to improve a below-performing post.
Create Content You Feel Comfortable Doing
The most successful content you publish will be in the format and style you feel the most comfortable doing.
The key ingredient to being a successful content creator? Consistency.
And for you to stay consistent with publishing content, you should pick the digital media format that you perform well at.
Whether it's writing, photography, filming or audio, pick a medium you feel the most comfortable executing.
And experiment and test the different types of styles within your medium.
You will eventually find your sweet spot for creating content.
So there you have it, the facts on content creation and how anyone can create content online and be a creator. You have the power to create your own opportunities.
This is one of many articles of the Create Your Opportunities series. Make sure to subscribe to the email list to avoid missing out on the next article for the series.
