This article was written by Melissa Rodriguez and by wikiHow staff writer, Aly Rusciano. Melissa Rodriguez is a Marketing and Advertising Specialist and the Founder of Social Media Relations out of Los Angeles, California. With over 5 years of experience, she specializes in branding, content production, social media marketing, and public relations. Melissa holds BS degrees in Global Perspectives and Corporate Finance and Accounting from Bentley University.
There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Being a content creator is all about putting yourself out there, but how do you do that? Do you need some special skills? Is the challenge of content creating worth it? If you’re curious about any of these questions, you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we’ll tell you everything there is to know about being a full-time content creator, from the skills needed to how to get started. So, what are you waiting for? Keep reading for your complete guide to becoming a content creator.
This article is based on an interview with our marketing and advertising specialist, Melissa Rodriguez, founder of Social Media Relations. Check out the full interview here.
Things You Should Know
- Producing social media posts, blogs, graphic designs, and videos are all part of being a content creator.
- Focusing on your target audience and staying true to yourself can help you succeed as a content creator.
- Growing as a content creator requires creativity, versatility, and adaptability.
Steps
How to Become a Content Creator
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1Choose a topic you’re passionate about. When you’re making content all day, you want to make sure you’re producing something you care about. Ask yourself, “What do I like to do? What hobbies do I have? What’s my personality type?” Answering these questions can help you find your community and niche.
- For example, if you love reading, consider branding yourself as a “booktoker” who makes TikToks on the latest book and publishing trends.
- If you’re a foodie, think about starting a blog reviewing the restaurants in your neighborhood.
- If you have an interest in true crime, try starting a true crime podcast on unsolved mysteries or cases in your area.
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2Know your target audience. Before you start producing content, ask yourself, “Who am I speaking to?” Your audience directly impacts your success as a content creator, so get to know them well! Research the topic you want to cover and notice any similarities between the top search results. Are the articles, videos, and/or photos intended for a younger audience? What vibes do the top results give visually? The answers to these questions will help you tailor your content to appeal to your audience.
- For example, say your target audience is Gen Z. Your content might include trending, upbeat audio, vibrant colors, emojis, and/or slang to appeal to a younger audience.
- If your target audience are baby boomers, your content may be cleaner, more serious, and respectable.
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3Pick a platform you’re comfortable using. What do you actively use most today? When you first start making content, it’s important to choose a site that supports your vision. For instance, you wouldn’t want to pick TikTok if you want to write long form posts, but you would want to start a blog. Similarly, you wouldn’t want to start a YouTube channel to make short form video content, but you would want to post Instagram Reels. Scroll through the platforms you like to see what’s trending and if your target audience matches.
- Stick to one platform at first to keep your focus and strategy as narrow as possible. As you grow and learn, you’ll be able to expand across other platforms.
- If you’re unfamiliar with a specific platform that interests you, download it and start fiddling around, search how to make content for the platform online, and get yourself as familiar with it as possible.
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4Find your unique style. Every day, there are millions of people marketing content. Your job as a content creator is to make yourself stand out amongst the crowd. Think about ways you can strategically use trends and current events to entertain your target audience and/or amplify your voice and message.[4]
- For example, if there’s a trending audio going around Instagram and TikTok, see how you can use that audio to match your specific demographic. Maybe you emphasize a movie trope, flirtation tactic, or relatable meme that plays into the audio’s tone.
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5Keep a consistent and reliable schedule. To be a successful content creator, you have to be willing to put in the work. Make time each day to brainstorm, create, edit, and post. Stick to a posting schedule to stay consistent in your followers’ feeds. Staying persistent is the key to personal and analytical growth.[5]
- Programs like Hootsuite, Loomly, SocialBee, and Sprout Social can help you schedule and track your social media posts.
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6Engage with your audience. When people engage in your content, they’re building a relationship with you, and reciprocating that engagement will keep you accountable and watchable/readable.[6] Reply to comments and DMs, repost shares, and start friendly conversations. The more you communicate with your audience, the more “real” and relatable you’ll seem.
- Keep in mind that target audiences often have preferences and favorite social media platforms.
References
- ↑ https://au.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-become-a-content-creator
- ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/content-creater
- ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/content-creater
- ↑ https://youtu.be/APQoWEqezFc?t=141
- ↑ https://youtu.be/0arou9boK8k?t=27
- ↑ https://youtu.be/APQoWEqezFc?t=163
- ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/content-creater
- ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/content-creater
- ↑ https://www.mtu.edu/umc/services/websites/seo/what-is/