Content material Creation 101: Learn how to Turn into a Content material 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, artistic work, the flexibility to chase your passions.

Plus, let’s not overlook 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 every week creating content material.

Seems like a dream job. 

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

Regardless of these challenges, it’s nonetheless very attainable 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 find out about:

• 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 kinds of content material creators

In the event you’re not sure what sort of content material creator you wish to be, this part will stroll you thru a few of the most typical kinds of creators, what they do, and what kinds of content material they publish.

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

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

We’ll aid you reply each of those questions beneath. First, let’s focus on the kinds of content material you possibly can create based mostly on the content material matter.

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

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 purpose to attach with and affect their viewers.

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

2 – Educator

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

Sam Sulek, a health YouTuber and TikToker who has taken off 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 by way of Instagram and her weblog. 

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

3 – Streamer

Streamers predominantly interact in reside streaming, the place they broadcast themselves enjoying video video games, discussing numerous matters, or showcasing their skills. Platforms like Twitch and YouTube Reside 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 vital fashionable and influential streamers on the earth. He gained huge recognition primarily by way of streaming the favored online game “Fortnite” on platforms like Twitch and YouTube.

4 – Coach

Content material creators within the teaching area of interest supply steerage and assist in areas similar to private growth, health, profession, or life teaching. They use their content material to inspire and empower their viewers to realize their targets.

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 – Writer

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

One well-known creator who grew to become well-known by way of content material creation, significantly on social media, is Rupi Kaur, a Canadian poet, author, and illustrator. She gained recognition for her brief, 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 fashionable locations to publish musical content material.

Associated: Promoting digital music on-line: Platforms, suggestions, and methods

One notable instance of a musician who gained fame by way of 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 achieve hundreds of 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 specialise in creating humorous, entertaining content material, together with stand-up comedy, humorous sketches, and comedic commentary. 

Comic Trevor Wallace gained fame by posting brief 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 usually on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.

8 – Artist

Artists showcase their artistic skills by way of 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 turn out to be 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 based mostly on format and platform

Now, you’ll find out about 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 additionally 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 matters, providing detailed insights and evaluation.

Associated: Learn how to promote a weblog (with methods and examples from established bloggers)

2 – Vloggers

Vloggers seize their experiences and tales by way of 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 matters — from tutorials and evaluations to leisure and vlogs. 

Associated: Learn how to get extra YouTube views: a complete information to video success

4 – Podcasters

Podcasters produce audio content material within the type of episodes, which might cowl a variety of matters. 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 tendencies 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, 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 by way of 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 offer you an thought of what you could possibly earn as a content material creator, let’s take a look at some stats:

• Newbie creators’ earnings: 59 % of newbie creators haven’t monetized but. 35 % have monetized however earn beneath what is taken into account a “livable earnings.” Six % of newbie creators have earned larger than $10,000 (Linktree Creator Report, 2022).
• High creators’ earnings: Solely about 4% of creators make greater than $100,000 a 12 months., in accordance with Goldman Sachs. Mr. Beast was the top-earning creator on Forbes‘ High Creators 2022 record. He made $54 million.
• Full-time creators’ earnings: 12 % of full-time creators make larger 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’ earnings: Three % of part-time creators make larger 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 typical wage for content material creators was $44,192 per 12 months, Hubspot analysis discovered. That’s over $22 per hour or $3,680 per 30 days.

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

Steps to turn out to be a content material creator

It’s time to present you a step-by-step blueprint that’ll present you how to turn out to be 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 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 matters or actions genuinely excite you? Your content material creation shall be way more pleasant in case you create content material round one thing you’re keen on.
• Your expertise: Think about your expertise, experience, and areas the place you excel. Your content material shall be extra useful if it aligns along 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 data: Take into consideration the topics you recognize loads about or have a deep understanding of. Your data 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 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 matters are already fashionable with audiences. By selecting a subject or area of interest that’s already confirmed and fashionable, you may be assured there’s an viewers on your content material. 

Right here’s how to do that:

• Analyze tendencies: Analysis trending matters and niches associated to the passions, expertise, and/or data you simply wrote down. Use platforms like Google Developments, Reddit, Quora, X, Reply The Public, TikTok, and Instagram. 
• Examine your rivals: Take a look at content material creators or influencers in your areas of curiosity. Analyze their content material, engagement, and viewers measurement. Determine gaps or alternatives inside these niches. Write down what matters they cowl of their most-popular content material and think about creating distinctive content material on these matters with your individual spin. (Don’t simply copy them!)

Lastly, slender 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 may be useful. For instance, in case you’re eager about health, think about specializing in “residence exercises for busy professionals” slightly than common health.
• Discover your distinctive angle: Assess what distinctive perspective or angle you possibly can 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 a couple of causes for this:

• Focus: Concentrating your efforts on one platform lets you focus your power 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 crucial earlier than increasing to others. Every platform has its personal quirks, algorithms, and finest practices. As an example, creating content material on TikTok could be very completely different from creating content material on X. In case you are attempting to put up on each platforms directly, chances are you’ll turn out to be overwhelmed and succeed on neither platform. 
• Time: Managing a number of platforms may be time-consuming. By beginning with one, you possibly can allocate extra time to perfecting your content material and rising your viewers on that platform.

You should utilize the record of kinds of content material creators from earlier on this information to resolve what sort of content material you’ll create. Take into account: It’s simpler to create content material utilizing expertise you have already got than studying new expertise.

So, in case you’re already an important author, you would possibly wish to think about running a blog or creating written content material on X or LinkedIn.

In the event you’re an important photographer or videographer, think about creating content material on TikTok, YouTube, or Instagram.

In the event you’ve podcasted earlier than or know methods 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 remaining. It’s your id and what your viewers can count on 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 components:

Values

Think about what you stand for, your ideas, and the message you wish to convey by way of your content material. Your values will type the inspiration 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 girls that helps them cook dinner and eat more healthy meals. This content material is printed on the SkinnyTaste weblog, the SkinnyTaste e mail publication, Instagram, Fb, and TikTok.

And right here’s a easy fill-in-the-blank template you should utilize to put in writing your imaginative and prescient assertion:

Visible id, emblem, and design components

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

If relevant, create a memorable emblem and design components (like icons or imagery) that characterize your model. These visible cues may also 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 to inform after they’re partaking along 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 nicely. Right here’s methods to set up and keep 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 photographs.

Predictable and common posting schedule

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

Common engagement

Work together along with your viewers usually. 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 along 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 can assist you develop extra shortly and create extra partaking 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 prone to be shared and advisable.

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

Associated: 18 finest content material creation instruments that may make creating content material a breeze

Tip 2: Have interaction with different creators

We already touched on partaking along with your viewers, however you can even interact along with your wider business or area of interest; those that don’t at the moment observe you. 

This may be an efficient method to develop your individual viewers. Whenever you remark and interact in a useful or entertaining approach on different creators’ posts, their followers would possibly see your engagement and observe you themselves.

Tip 3: Create interactive content material

Host Q&A periods, reside streams, or AMAs (Ask Me Something) to work together straight along with your viewers.

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

Make the most of hashtags, related key phrases, and trending matters 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: Hearken to viewers suggestions

Act on viewers suggestions. Hearken to your viewers’ options and incorporate their concepts when related. Get content material matters and put up concepts from their feedback and questions. Conduct surveys or polls to assemble insights and preferences.

Associated: How profitable creators constructed an internet neighborhood from the bottom up

Tip 7: Diversify your content material varieties

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

Preserve content material recent and fascinating by attempting new codecs and matters.

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

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: All the time supply insane worth

Present worth to your viewers by way of 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 e mail advertising

Construct an e mail record to remain in direct contact along with your viewers and guarantee you possibly can all the time talk with them. Ship newsletters, updates, and unique content material.

Associated: Join web page methods confirmed to extend your e mail viewers

Tip 11: Assessment analytics and adapt and evolve

Repeatedly refine your content material technique based mostly on analytics and viewers habits. Preserve knowledgeable on modifications 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 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 below are 4 widespread, confirmed methods to start out incomes earnings out of your content material creation:

1 – Ads

Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and blogs supply content material creators the chance to earn advert income. This sometimes includes displaying advertisements earlier than, throughout, or after your content material. The extra views or engagements your content material receives, the extra advert income you possibly can 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 kinds, together with evaluations, tutorials, or endorsements.

3 – Digital merchandise

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

• Ebooks and guides: In the event you’re educated in a selected topic, you possibly can write and promote ebooks or guides. These can cowl a variety of matters, from health and cooking to advertising and self-help.
• On-line programs: Educate your viewers useful expertise or data by way of on-line programs. Platforms like Udemy, Teachable, or your individual 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: Provide premium content material or neighborhood entry to paying subscribers by way of a membership website or platform.

Associated: The place to promote digital merchandise: The very 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 could be a nice monetization technique. Listed below are some concepts for bodily merchandise:

• Merchandise: Design and promote merchandise similar to T-shirts, hoodies, mugs, or posters that includes your model, content material, or distinctive paintings.
• Books and print supplies: In the event you’re an creator or illustrator, think about publishing bodily books, prints, or artwork books that your viewers should purchase.
• Handcrafted items: In case you have crafting or DIY expertise, create and promote handmade merchandise associated to your area of interest.
• Occasion tickets: In the event you manage occasions, workshops, or meet-ups, promoting tickets or entry passes could be 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 kinds of content material creators and platforms, realized about potential earnings streams, and obtained useful 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, do not forget that success typically involves those that are affected person, persistent, and enthusiastic about creating their content material.

Success additionally typically involves creators who use e mail advertising, and AWeber is a wonderful possibility for creators for a couple of causes:

1. It’s free for amateur creators! Simply getting began and don’t have the cash to pay for e 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 e mail record. With AWeber’s sign-up kinds and touchdown pages, you possibly can 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 kinds and touchdown pages not solely look skilled but additionally align along with your model.
3. Automate your e mail advertising. With AWeber, you possibly can ship personalised, automated e mail campaigns that nurture your viewers with related content material and well timed updates, all when 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? Begin with a free AWeber account immediately!