Content material Creation 101: The right way to Change into a Content material Creator

By Liz Willits October 3, 2023

So that you wish to change into a content material creator?

You seemingly know the perks of being a content material creator: Autonomy in your profession, artistic work, the flexibility 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 % of creators who make between $50,000 and $100,000 spend lower than 10 hours per week creating content material.

Appears like a dream job. 

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

Regardless of these challenges, it’s nonetheless very attainable to change into 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 learn how to get began. You’ll study:

• The several types of content material creators
• How a lot content material creators earn
• Six steps to change into a content material creator
• Inspiring tales of real-life content material creators and their work

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

The kinds of content material creators

If you happen to’re uncertain what kind of content material creator you wish to be, this part will stroll you thru among the most typical kinds of creators, what they do, and what kinds of content material they publish.

When desirous 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 beneath. First, let’s focus on the kinds of content material you’ll be able to create primarily based on the content material subject.

The kinds of content material creators primarily based on content material subject

1 – Influencer

Influencers create content material that primarily revolves round their life-style, experiences, and character. 

They typically collaborate with manufacturers and share their suggestions, vogue decisions, journey adventures, or day-to-day routines. Influencers goal to attach with and affect their viewers.

For instance, Kylie Jenner is an influencer. She is likely one of the most adopted Instagram influencers on the earth with 399 million followers.

2 – Educator

Educators are content material creators who concentrate on sharing information and experience. They produce content material to tell, educate, and assist their viewers be taught new abilities or achieve 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 reside streaming, the place they broadcast themselves enjoying video video games, discussing varied subjects, or showcasing their skills. Platforms like Twitch and YouTube Stay 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 widely known as one of the common and influential streamers on the earth. 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 writer, and motivational speaker who has been inspiring and training people for many years. 

5 – Writer

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

One well-known writer who grew to become well-known via content material creation, notably 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 skills. 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: Promoting digital music on-line: Platforms, ideas, and techniques

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

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

Due largely to its TikTok recognition, “Drivers License” climbed the music charts quickly. It debuted at primary on the Billboard Sizzling 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 often on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.

8 – Artist

Artists showcase their artistic skills 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 stop his job in 2020 to change into a full-time artist, gained fame together with his TikTok movies. 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 #artwork ♬ authentic sound – Snubby J

The kinds of content material creators primarily based on format and platform

Now, you’ll study the most typical content material codecs and publication websites. There are various creators who publish on a number of platforms, like Mr. Beast for instance who’s primarily a YouTuber but in addition publishes content material on TikTok, X (previously referred to as Twitter), and lots 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.

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2 – Vloggers

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

3 – YouTubers

A YouTuber focuses on creating video content material for YouTube, exploring numerous subjects — from tutorials and opinions to leisure and vlogs. 

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4 – Podcasters

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

5 – TikTok Creators

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

6 – Instagram Creators

Instagram creators curate visually interesting posts and tales on Instagram. They typically concentrate on images, vogue, magnificence, and life-style content material, aiming to encourage and join with their followers.

7 – X (previously referred to as Twitter) Creators

X creators use the platform to share all types 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 broadly. Some content material creators make no cash whereas others earn billions of {dollars} yearly.

To offer you an concept of what you might earn as a content material creator, let’s take a look at some stats:

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

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

Steps to change into a content material creator

It’s time to present you a step-by-step blueprint that’ll present you how to change into a content material creator. Comply with 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 determine 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 can be much more pleasing in case you create content material round one thing you’re keen on.
• Your abilities: Contemplate your abilities, experience, and areas the place you excel. Your content material can be extra beneficial if it aligns together with your experience, and will probably be simpler to advertise your self as a thought chief if you have already got deep experience or abilities in an space.
• Your information: Take into consideration the themes you recognize loads 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 rapidly in case 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 in your content material. 

Right here’s how to do that:

• Analyze traits: Analysis trending subjects and niches associated to the passions, abilities, and/or information you simply wrote down. Use platforms like Google Traits, Reddit, Quora, X, Reply The Public, TikTok, and Instagram. 
• Research your rivals: Have a look at content material creators or influencers in your areas of curiosity. Analyze their content material, engagement, and viewers dimension. Determine 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 useful. For instance, in case you’re fascinated with health, contemplate specializing in “residence exercises for busy professionals” quite than common health.
• Discover your distinctive angle: Assess what distinctive perspective or angle you’ll be able to carry 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 out 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 a number of causes for this:

• Focus: Concentrating your efforts on one platform permits you to focus your vitality and assets on that platform. It’s simpler, not less than 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 greatest practices. For example, creating content material on TikTok could be very totally different from creating content material on X. In case you are attempting to publish on each platforms directly, you might change into overwhelmed and succeed on neither platform. 
• Time: Managing a number of platforms might be time-consuming. By beginning with one, you’ll be able to allocate extra time to perfecting your content material and rising your viewers on that platform.

You need to use the listing of kinds of content material creators from earlier on this information to determine what kind of content material you’ll create. Consider: It’s simpler to create content material utilizing abilities you have already got than studying new abilities.

So, in case you’re already a terrific author, you may wish to contemplate running a blog or creating written content material on X or LinkedIn.

If you happen to’re a terrific photographer or videographer, contemplate creating content material on TikTok, YouTube, or Instagram.

If you happen to’ve podcasted earlier than or know learn how to edit a podcast, take into consideration changing 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 count on from you. Let’s delve into the 2 components of constructing your model.

1 – Develop your distinctive model id 

Your model id is greater than only a brand or a enterprise identify. It’s the essence of who you’re as a content material creator, and it encompasses varied components:

Values

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

Imaginative and prescient and imaginative and prescient assertion

Your imaginative and prescient guides the entire 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 in 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 write down your imaginative and prescient assertion:

Visible id, brand, and design components

Select a visible model that aligns together with your area of interest and character. This contains colours, fonts, and graphics that you just constantly use in your content material and throughout your platforms.

If relevant, create a memorable brand and design components (like icons or imagery) that characterize your model. These visible cues might 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 be capable of inform after they’re partaking together with your content material with out seeing your identify or brand. 

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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 properly. Right here’s learn how to set up and keep a constant on-line presence:

Constant enterprise identify or deal with

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

Coherent content material model

Preserve a constant model 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 keep on with it. Constant content material supply retains your viewers engaged and coming again for extra.

Common engagement

Work together together with your viewers often. Reply to feedback, messages, and emails. Engagement fosters a way of neighborhood 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 increase 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 here are some confirmed ideas that can assist you develop extra rapidly and create extra partaking content material:

Tip 1: Intention 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 really helpful.

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

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Tip 2: Have interaction with different creators

We already touched on partaking together with your viewers, however you may as well interact together with your wider business or area of interest; those that don’t presently observe you. 

This may be an efficient strategy to develop your personal viewers. Whenever you remark and interact 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, reside streams, or AMAs (Ask Me Something) to work together straight 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 publish concepts from their feedback and questions. Conduct surveys or polls to assemble insights and preferences.

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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 varied content material codecs (movies, articles, infographics, and so on.) to cater to totally different studying types.

Preserve content material recent and fascinating 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 engines like google 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.

Resolve issues, reply questions, and handle ache factors related to your area of interest.

Tip 10: Use electronic mail advertising

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

Associated: Enroll web page methods confirmed to extend your electronic mail viewers

Tip 11: Evaluate analytics and adapt and evolve

Constantly refine your content material technique primarily based on analytics and viewers habits. Preserve knowledgeable on adjustments to platform algorithms and adapt to shifts in viewers pursuits.

Tip 12: Be affected person and chronic

Rising an viewers takes time. Be affected person and chronic, even in periods of sluggish development.

Step 5: Monetize your content material

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

Listed below are 4 widespread, confirmed methods to start out incomes revenue out of your content material creation:

1 – Ads

Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and blogs provide content material creators the chance to earn advert income. This usually entails displaying adverts earlier than, throughout, or after your content material. The extra views or engagements your content material receives, the extra advert income you’ll be able to 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 varied types, together with opinions, tutorials, or endorsements.

3 – Digital merchandise

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

• Ebooks and guides: If you happen to’re educated in a specific topic, you’ll be able to 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 beneficial abilities 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 initiatives.
• Paid subscriptions: Supply premium content material or neighborhood entry to paying subscribers via a membership web site or platform.

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4 – Bodily Merchandise:

For content material creators with a devoted and engaged viewers, promoting bodily merchandise associated to your area of interest could be a nice monetization technique. Listed below 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 paintings.
• Books and print supplies: If you happen to’re an writer or illustrator, contemplate publishing bodily books, prints, or artwork books that your viewers should purchase.
• Handcrafted items: When you have crafting or DIY abilities, create and promote handmade merchandise associated to your area of interest.
• Occasion tickets: If you happen to set up occasions, workshops, or meet-ups, promoting tickets or entry passes could be a supply of revenue.

Begin publishing and change into 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 assorted kinds of content material creators and platforms, realized about potential revenue streams, and acquired beneficial tips about discovering your area of interest, constructing your model, partaking 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 wonderful possibility for creators for a number of 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 downside. AWeber has a free plan for content material creators who’re simply beginning to develop their viewers.
2. Develop your electronic mail listing. With AWeber’s sign-up types and touchdown pages, you’ll be able to seize your viewers’s consideration and convert informal viewers into loyal subscribers. And AWeber’s intensive library of customizable templates ensures that your sign-up types and touchdown pages not solely look skilled but in addition align together with your model.
3. Automate your electronic mail advertising. With AWeber, you’ll be able to ship personalised, automated electronic mail campaigns that nurture your viewers with related content material and well timed updates, all whilst you concentrate on what you do greatest — creating content material. 
4. Distribute your content material. Effortlessly share your newest weblog posts, movies, podcasts, or some other 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? Begin with a free AWeber account at present!