Content material Creation 101: Find out how to Turn into a Content material Creator

By Liz Willits October 3, 2023

So that you need to develop into a content material creator?

You doubtless 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 might 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 turning into a content material creator as properly, together with:

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

On this information, we’ll present you get began. You’ll find out about:

• The various kinds of content material creators
• How a lot content material creators earn
• Six steps to develop 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 simply step one of your content material creator journey.

The kinds of content material creators

For those who’re uncertain what sort of content material creator you need to be, this part will stroll you thru a few of the commonest kinds of creators, what they do, and what kinds of content material they publish.

When fascinated about the kind of content material creator you need 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 assist you to reply each of those questions under. First, let’s focus on the kinds of content material you possibly can create based mostly on the content material subject.

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

1 – Influencer

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

They typically collaborate with manufacturers and share their suggestions, vogue 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 likely one of the most adopted Instagram influencers on the planet 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 study new abilities or achieve insights into particular topics. 

Sam Sulek, a health YouTuber and TikToker who has taken off not too long ago, is one instance of an educator. He teaches his viewers about weightlifting and diet for weightlifters.

One other instance is SkinnyTaste. Gina Homolka, Founding father of SkinnyTaste, educates her viewers on cooking and wholesome consuming, primarily by 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 dwell streaming, the place they broadcast themselves taking part in video video games, discussing varied matters, 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 some of the widespread and influential streamers on the planet. He gained huge reputation primarily by 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 assist in areas reminiscent of private improvement, 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 categorical their artistic creativeness.

One well-known writer who grew to become well-known by content material creation, notably 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 abilities. They compose and carry out songs, create music movies, and share their creative journey with their viewers. Platforms like TikTok, SoundCloud, Spotify, and YouTube are widespread locations to publish musical content material.

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

One notable instance of a musician who gained fame by 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 track. This user-generated content material contributed to the track’s viral nature and helped it achieve thousands and thousands of views and likes.

Due largely to its TikTok reputation, “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 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 often on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.

8 – Artist

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

Matt Chessco, who give up his job in 2020 to develop into a full-time artist, gained fame along 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 numerous 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 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: Find out how to promote a weblog (with methods and examples from established bloggers)

2 – Vloggers

Vloggers seize their experiences and tales by 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 matters — from tutorials and critiques to leisure and vlogs. 

Associated: Find out 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 may cowl a variety of matters. 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 pictures, vogue, 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 all types of content material, together with ideas, opinions, and updates. They interact in conversations, share information, and construct a following by 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 would 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 under what is taken into account a “livable revenue.” Six % of newbie creators have earned higher than $10,000 (Linktree Creator Report, 2022).
• Prime creators’ revenue: Solely about 4% of creators make greater than $100,000 a 12 months., in response to Goldman Sachs. Mr. Beast was the top-earning creator on Forbes‘ Prime Creators 2022 record. He made $54 million.
• Full-time creators’ revenue: 12 % of full-time creators make higher 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 higher 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 thirty days.

Whereas content material creators’ salaries range, hopefully this offers you a good suggestion of how a lot creators could make as newbies and professionals. 

Steps to develop into a content material creator

It’s time to present you a step-by-step blueprint that’ll present you how to develop into 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 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 matters or actions genuinely excite you? Your content material creation shall be much more pleasing for those who create content material round one thing you like.
• Your abilities: Take into account your abilities, experience, and areas the place you excel. Your content material shall be extra priceless 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 abilities in an space.
• Your information: Take into consideration the themes you realize 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 begin creating nice content material rapidly for those who’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 widespread with audiences. By selecting a subject or area of interest that’s already confirmed and widespread, you might be assured there’s an viewers to your content material. 

Right here’s how to do that:

• Analyze traits: Analysis trending matters 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. 
• Examine your opponents: Have a look at content material creators or influencers in your areas of curiosity. Analyze their content material, engagement, and viewers dimension. Establish gaps or alternatives inside these niches. Write down what matters they cowl of their most-popular content material and take into account creating distinctive content material on these matters 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, for those who’re enthusiastic about health, take into account specializing in “dwelling exercises for busy professionals” somewhat than normal 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 out the platform that most closely fits your content material. I like to recommend beginning with one content material format and/or platform once you’re first getting began. There are a couple of causes for this:

• Focus: Concentrating your efforts on one platform lets you 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. As an illustration, 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 without delay, you might develop into overwhelmed and succeed on neither platform. 
• Time: Managing a number of platforms might 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 need to use the record of kinds of content material creators from earlier on this information to resolve what sort of content material you’ll create. Take note: It’s simpler to create content material utilizing abilities you have already got than studying new abilities.

So, for those who’re already an important author, you may need to take into account running a blog or creating written content material on X or LinkedIn.

For those who’re an important photographer or videographer, take into account creating content material on TikTok, YouTube, or Instagram.

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

Step 3: Construct your model

Your model is what units you aside from the remaining. It’s your identification 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 identification 

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

Values

Take into account what you stand for, your rules, and the message you need to convey by 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 to your viewers. 

Right here’s an instance of a creator imaginative and prescient assertion I wrote for SkinnyTaste, the meals and diet weblog I discussed earlier: SkinnyTaste creates nutritious, low-calorie meals recipes, and diet content material for busy mothers and dealing girls that helps them cook dinner and eat more healthy meals. This content material is revealed 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 use to jot down your imaginative and prescient assertion:

Visible identification, brand, and design parts

Select a visible type that aligns along with your area of interest and persona. 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 brand and design parts (like icons or imagery) that symbolize your model. These visible cues will help reinforce your model identification.

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 once they’re partaking along with your content material with out seeing your title 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 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 to your viewers to search out and observe you.

Coherent content material type

Keep 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 persist with it. Constant content material supply retains your viewers engaged and coming again for extra.

Common engagement

Work together along 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 along with your values and area of interest. These partnerships can broaden 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 could 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 progress are gradual initially. That is the case for many creators. However listed here are some confirmed ideas that will help 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 enhancing, proofreading, and bettering your content material’s manufacturing worth.

Associated: 18 greatest content material creation instruments that can make creating content material a breeze

Tip 2: Have interaction with different creators

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

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

Tip 3: Create interactive content material

Host Q&A classes, dwell 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’ ideas and incorporate their concepts when related. Get content material matters and publish concepts from their feedback and questions. Conduct surveys or polls to assemble insights and preferences.

Associated: How profitable creators constructed a web based 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 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 matters.

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

Tip 8: Optimize for search engine optimization

Optimize your content material for search 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 by informative, entertaining, or inspirational content material.

Resolve issues, reply questions, and handle 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: Evaluation analytics and adapt and evolve

Constantly 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 protracted

Rising an viewers takes time. Be affected person and protracted, even in periods of gradual progress.

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 begin incomes revenue 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 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 could pay you to create content material that options their services or products. These sponsored posts can take varied 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 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 priceless abilities or information by 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: Provide premium content material or neighborhood entry to paying subscribers by a membership web site 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 is usually a nice monetization technique. Listed here are some concepts for bodily merchandise:

• Merchandise: Design and promote merchandise reminiscent of T-shirts, hoodies, mugs, or posters that includes your model, content material, or distinctive paintings.
• Books and print supplies: For those who’re an writer or illustrator, take into account publishing bodily books, prints, or artwork books that your viewers should buy.
• Handcrafted items: In case you have crafting or DIY abilities, create and promote handmade merchandise associated to your area of interest.
• Occasion tickets: For those who set up occasions, workshops, or meet-ups, promoting tickets or entry passes is usually a supply of revenue.

Begin publishing and develop 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 obtained priceless recommendations on 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 obsessed with creating their content material.

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

1. It’s free for beginner creators! Simply getting began and don’t have the cash to pay for e 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 e mail record. With AWeber’s sign-up varieties and touchdown pages, you possibly can 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 varieties 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 customized, automated e 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 every 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 as we speak!