Content creation has become one of the most dynamic, varied, and creative paths for artists of all disciplines. Whether you’re an actor coming up with your own sketches or a painter who wants to put their art into the world, being a content creator allows you to reach an audience without a middleman. With increasingly evolving social-media platforms and ever-changing audience behaviour, becoming a digital creator now takes more than a camera and a tripod. Those may be your tools to start, but becoming a successful content creator takes strategy, stamina, and resilience. Read on as we unpack the job and give you tips on how to make the most out of your social media.
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Content creators create content. Admittedly, “content” is a fairly broad term. It can include videos and photography, blogs and articles, visual media, sound bites, and pretty much anything you can create for a digital audience on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
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Although the two terms are often used interchangeably, being a content creator is not the same as being an influencer. Where an influencer promotes a lifestyle, experience, or product, often leveraging their personal brand to alter the buying habits of their audience through advertising partnerships, a content creator focuses on making high-quality content with the primary focus on self-expression. That is not to say, however, that the two roles are mutually exclusive. Many famous content creators have become influencers in their own right (Amelia Dimoldenberg is a prime example), and many influencers create content themselves (think of Nara Smith and her culinary exploits).
Content creation starts with picking up your phone and pressing “record.” There’s no need for fancy cameras or elaborate setups when you start; many content creators began their careers in their bedrooms or at their kitchen tables. If you’re planning to make it as a social media creator, however, a degree of planning needs to go into it.
Follow the steps below to get started.
1. Find your niche.
It’s important to carve out your own space on the internet. Pick something you’re passionate and knowledgeable about, and start researching the latest trends. Whether you’re into drama, comedy, fashion, fitness, aesthetic videos, books, or gaming, you may want to focus on what sets you apart from the competition or what angle you can exploit.
Whether you’re going for an aesthetic day-in-the-life TikTok or a fashionable carousel on Instagram, having a unique look will help you stand out. You don’t have to force it; your personality can also be your niche. There are plenty of creators whose content spans several topics and genres. Take, for example, Maddy Lucy Dann. She’s an A&E doctor who entertains her audience with natural observational comedy and videos about her daily life, occasionally diving into education and raising awareness of specific issues. Her unique selling point – crucial to have as a content creator – is her bubbly, no-nonsense personality.
2. Plan your content.
Once you’ve found your area of interest, you’ll need to make a plan. Consistency is key when you’re building an audience, and any algorithm will automatically push your profile once you start posting regularly with adequate relevance. Joining the flow of trending topics, viral videos, and challenges will also help your numbers as platforms normally favour that type of content.
Audience engagement differs from platform to platform, but it tends to be higher on weekdays in the late afternoon and evening. This, however, depends on your audience, so the analytics page on your social media of choice will be your best friend when it comes to choosing the right time to be active.
3. Learn basic editing skills.
If your choice of content is audiovisual, a good edit will not only be aesthetically pleasing, but it will also make it look polished and high quality. Make sure you spend time finding your own style and pace. Once you have a smooth edit, include SEO-based keywords, captions, and descriptions to make your content more discoverable. That’s how your audience will be able to find you.
Cecilia Blomdahl, who famously “lives on Svalbard, an island close to the North Pole,” has grown her profile to over 1 million followers by showing the polished, gorgeous views from the remote cabin where she lives with her partner and adorable dog. Her photos (and videos) are beautiful, cosy, and warm even during Polar Night, when the only lights that brighten the island for six months are the Northern Lights.
4. Make it a two-way street.
Just like it takes two to tango, so it does to create content. Keep your audience in mind and engage with them. Reply to comments, ask for feedback, and interact with them so you can learn what they respond well to. That will help you adjust your strategy and make more of what your audience enjoys.
Hannah Lowther has mastered this: The public has followed her all the way from her Tesco shifts to slaying the West End stage. These days, her Instagram page is geared toward her professional brand as a performer and influencer, but her TikTok has a more personal and approachable vibe with its casual window into her life as an actor and other adventures.
5. Be patient.
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither will your platform. Building an audience takes time, and you will need to establish yourself as a reliable creator for people to grow an interest in your page. Whether it’s through your artistic work, your personality, or your unique insight into a specific area of life, the democratisation of digital outlets has made it so you’ll have to share the spotlight with many other people who may do something very similar to what you do. But remember: They are not you! Exploit your individuality, find something singular to bring to the table, and your resilience will pay in numbers.
Happy posting!