What’s a Content Creator? The Answer + 7 Steps to Become One

Want to become a content creator? 

Want to share ideas, tell stories, influence others for good, and make a living working from home?

In this post, we’ll show you how.

Let’s begin.

What is a Content Creator?

A content creator is an individual or a team that creates, curates, and distributes digital content for a specific audience.

They primarily use social media-based platforms, but also post on websites, in newsletters, and even within interactive digital products.

In other words, a content creator is a digital storyteller, using the power of words, visuals, and sometimes sounds to get their message across.

These creative professionals are the lifeblood of the digital media ecosystem.

They produce engaging blog posts, eye-catching visual content, intriguing videos, captivating podcasts, and more.

The content they create promotes brands, companies, and sometimes individuals, allowing them to connect with their customers or followers in meaningful ways.

If we look at the numbers, content creators can definitely build successful careers with these skills.

Based on data from Glassdoor, the average salary for a content creator in the United States was approximately $48,439 as of September 2022.

But remember, this is just an average.

Successful content creators, particularly those with large followings and high engagement rates, can earn significantly more, especially when brand partnerships and sponsorships come into play.

But how does this benefit you? The answer:

• Endless Creativity: As a content creator, you are in the driver’s seat of your creative expression. You have the liberty to decide what stories you want to tell and how you want to tell them.

• Influential Power: Content creators have the power to influence opinions, inspire action, and promote change. This influence can be used to make a positive impact in your chosen niche or community.

• Personal Growth: The process of creating content fosters skills in communication, design, marketing, and technology. It’s an ongoing journey of learning, adapting, and growing.

• Economic Opportunity: Successful content creators have the potential to earn a comfortable income from their craft, through direct means like ad revenue or indirectly via sponsorships and collaborations.

• Building a Personal Brand: Content creation is an excellent way to build and showcase your personal brand. You can create a portfolio that reflects your skills, interests, and values.

• Flexibility: Content creation often offers flexibility in terms of working hours and location. You can potentially work from anywhere at any time, as long as you meet your deadlines and deliver quality content.

Content creation isn’t just about generating posts for social media or writing blogs. It’s about telling stories that matter, sharing perspectives that enlighten, and building a digital landscape that enriches the user’s experience.

As a content creator, you’re not just creating content — you’re creating impact.

Exploring the Diverse World of Content Creators

Content creators are as diverse as the content they produce. Let’s examine some popular types…

• Social Media Content Creator: This creator lives and breathes Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and other platforms, often juggling multiple social media accounts simultaneously. They produce a wide range of content types, from posts and reels to stories and live feeds.

• Blog Post Creator: Specializing in written content, these creators craft engaging blog posts designed to captivate their readers and drive traffic to their website.

• Video Content Creator: With platforms like YouTube and Vimeo as their playgrounds, video content creators produce everything from tutorials to reviews, documentaries to vlogs.

• Graphic Design Creator: Focused on visual content, these creators make anything from infographics to brand logos, often with a keen eye for aesthetics and brand coherence.

• Influencer: Often specializing in a particular niche, influencers use their personal brand to promote products or services, leveraging their followers’ trust.

• Podcast Creator: These audio-content specialists produce series of spoken-word content, covering a wide range of topics from business to hobbies, current affairs, and more.

So, which type of content creator draws your eye? And how do you become one…

7 Steps to Becoming a Successful Content Creator

Ready to embark on your content creation journey? Let’s navigate this exciting path together with these 7 essential steps to becoming a successful content creator…

1. Embrace the Content Creation Process

The first step to becoming a successful content creator is understanding and fully embracing the content creation process.

This isn’t a monolithic, one-size-fits-all process but a dynamic, often cyclical journey.

It starts with brainstorming fresh and relevant content ideas that resonate with your audience, creating that content in your unique style, then diligently revising and editing to ensure clarity and effectiveness.

Once perfected, the next phase is publishing and promoting your content strategically for maximum reach.

One tool to validate your content ideas is Google Trends.

It’s an invaluable resource to gauge public interest in various topics over time and across different regions.

Suppose you’re a fitness content creator. You could use Google Trends to see if there’s a spike in interest for home workouts, then tailor your content accordingly.

2. Define Your Brand and Target Audience

Successful content creators don’t just create content; they create a brand. Your brand isn’t just about a catchy name or a stylish logo; it’s an embodiment of your identity as a content creator.

This encompasses your tone of voice, the values you advocate, the aesthetics of your content, and the specific type of content you specialize in.

For instance, if you’re a food blogger, your brand could be focused on vegan recipes, promoting a green lifestyle. Your content would then consistently reflect this brand identity, from the dishes you feature to the tone and language you use.

Complementing your brand definition is a clear understanding of your target audience.

To create content that engages and resonates, you need to know who you’re creating for. Are they young professionals looking for quick meal prep ideas, or are they culinary enthusiasts seeking gourmet recipes?

Understanding your audience’s interests, needs, and content consumption patterns will guide you in creating content that captivates and holds their attention.

3. Create Engaging and Original Content

The essence of successful content creation lies in generating content that’s both engaging and original.

As a content creator, your primary goal should be to deliver content that not only captivates your audience but also offers them value.

An insightful blog post, for example, could offer fresh perspectives on a trending topic.

A humorous TikTok video could bring a smile to your followers’ faces while subtly conveying an important message.

A visually compelling Instagram post could be a feast for the eyes while telling a powerful story.

One tip for creating original content is to bring your unique perspective to the table.

Even if the topic you’re discussing is widely covered, your interpretation, insights, and presentation can make it stand out.

Remember, quality trumps quantity. It’s better to produce one exceptional piece of content than numerous mediocre ones.

4. Master Your Chosen Social Media Platform

Every social media platform has its own strengths and weaknesses, not to mention target demographic.

Instagram is the perfect canvas for aesthetically pleasing images and short, creative videos.

YouTube serves as a vast library for more in-depth video content like tutorials, documentaries, and reviews.

Facebook and LinkedIn, on the other hand, offer opportunities for long-form content and community-building.

X (formerly Twitter) is excellent for sparking conversations and sharing quick updates.

To master your preferred platform, learn about its specific algorithms, features, and user behaviors.

For example, Instagram’s algorithm favors posts that receive quick engagement, while YouTube’s algorithm considers watch time. Each platform also has unique features like Instagram’s Reels or LinkedIn’s Professional Articles.

Mastering your chosen platform also means building your personal brand on it. For example, if you’re a travel vlogger, your YouTube channel could feature well-edited videos of your adventures, complete with tips and personal insights.

5. Engage with Your Followers

Engaging with your followers isn’t just about responding to their comments on your posts. It’s about building a two-way relationship where your followers feel seen and appreciated.

Ask for their opinions through polls or question stickers on Instagram, share user-generated content, or create content in response to their feedback.

Remember, genuine engagement leads to a loyal community.

For example, YouTube vlogger Peter McKinnon frequently responds to comments and incorporates viewer suggestions in his videos. This practice has helped him create a community of over 5 million subscribers.

6. Deliver Consistent Value

Being consistent isn’t just about maintaining a regular posting schedule. It’s about consistently offering value to your audience. Whether it’s educational, entertaining, or inspiring, each piece of content should serve a purpose.

Look at educational YouTuber Vsauce, who consistently provides mind-boggling scientific and philosophical content to his audience.

Or consider Instagram influencer and body positivity advocate Megan Jayne Crabbe, who consistently uplifts her followers with positive messages about body image.

7. Learn and Adapt Continually

The digital content landscape can feel like shifting sands — ever-changing and evolving. As a content creator, you need to stay abreast of emerging trends and tools.

This could mean learning how to use the latest editing software, adapting to new social media features (like TikTok’s Duets or Instagram’s Reels), or understanding new trends in your niche.

But more than just adapting to new tools and trends, being open to feedback and continually improving your craft is crucial.

Look at creators like Marques Brownlee, who continually evolves his tech review videos based on viewer feedback and new video production techniques.

The best content creators aren’t those who stick to the status quo, but those who adapt and innovate to keep their content fresh, engaging, and impactful.

The Content Creator Journey: An Ovation-Worthy End

Now you know how broad the spectrum of content creators can be, and what steps you need to take to become one.

So what kind of content do you want to create? 

Take a moment to think about your message, your medium, and your ideal platform, then get to work! 

Success comes from action, experimentation, and development over time, so the sooner you get started, the sooner you’ll achieve the content creator’s life you want.

The world is waiting to hear your story.