While some see social media as just a fun pastime, others see it as a promising and engaging career path with numerous perks and benefits. That said, becoming a social media content creator isn't all glamor and fun; it takes a lot of work and effort to get there. To help you out, we've put together this guide to help you tap into your creativity and become a successful content creator. As you go along, you'll find lots of useful tips and tricks to help you on your way.
We'll run through how to build your following, connect with an audience, and create a personal brand that could allow you to turn social media into a full-time job. So, join us as we discover the steps to becoming a social media sensation.
How Social Media Content Creators Make Money
Social media content creators can earn money in various ways, such as brand sponsorships, ad revenue, donations, and creator funds, to name a few.
The amount of money you can earn depends on the number of monetization methods used, the size of the audience, and the niche chosen. However, it has been suggested that the national average for social media content creators is around $48,474 per year - not too shabby! Plus, with TikTok creators with over 100,000 followers earning an average of $793 per post there’s no shortage of money to be made if you play your cards right. Â
How to Become a Social Media Content Creator
Establish Your Content Style
Figuring out your content style means choosing the type of content you want to create and the areas you want to focus on. It's a good idea to make content about something you're interested in or enjoy, but it doesn't have to be limited to that. Today, social media creators make content on all kinds of topics, but they usually have a main focus, like books, makeup, or politics. This makes it easier to find an audience and use monetization techniques later.
Alongside this, having a clear understanding of the types of platforms and content formats is essential. For those who enjoy creating vlogs, hauls, and get-ready-with-me videos, TikTok might be the ideal choice. Conversely, individuals who are passionate about writing and expressing their thoughts could join X, or photography buffs might prefer Instagram. Working this out early on is a key step in planning content and building a personal brand that people love and remember.
Create a Content Plan
Every successful social media creator has a marketing strategy and content plan to build their online presence. Especially for new creators, creating a content schedule helps to stay organized and avoid getting overwhelmed. Overall, consistency is key to building a following - people love regular content to keep them absorbed.
Planning three weeks in advance is a prudent strategy, yet it's important to maintain adaptability, particularly when an emerging trend presents an opportunity. Tools such as Loomly, Notion, and Acuity can aid in the organization of your plans, and crafting a written plan can be equally beneficial. As you map out your strategy, you might want to think about incorporating details like:
- What kind of content are you looking to produce, and on which days of the week? It could be a vlog one day and a product review the next.
- The platforms you'll be posting on.
- The trends and hashtags you're planning to use.
- The themes your content is going to follow.
Prepare for Launch
Once you have an idea of where you want to create your content, set up accounts on each social media platform and make sure you optimize your profile. Include a profile photo and images that speak to your niche, as well as keywords in the bio and descriptions that have been identified using Google Keyword Search. You can also include a bio link with contact information, merchandise, affiliate links, and an email newsletter signup to make it easy for followers to find and stay top-of-mind.
Before launching the profile, creating around 5 pieces of content that introduce the creator, their style, and niche is recommended to upload on launch day. This will give new followers a clear idea of what the creator’s page is about right from the start, so they don't end up looking at a blank profile. In addition, preparing and collecting design elements or themes for posts can save time when creating content in the future. Overall it’s important to get your content out there so you can see what’s working, and what isn’t, and adjust as needed.
Start Creating
Once your profile is up and running, the next step is to focus on producing content of a high standard. It's crucial to think about your intended audience and what they would enjoy, while also ensuring that everything you share remains genuine and aligned with your objectives. Engaging your audience with personal anecdotes, hosting Q&A sessions, and just being yourself can foster trust and draw more followers to your profile. Additionally, captivating your audience with striking visuals, dynamic fonts, and strategic use of hooks and teasers can keep them coming back for more. Tools like CapCut, Canva, and Crello are great for enhancing your content and giving it that extra flare.
Remember, prioritizing quality over quantity is key; refrain from posting mediocre content. Stick to your strategy for guidance and only share content you’re truly proud of. However, it’s important to acknowledge that mastering content creation is a journey, so don’t pressure yourself for immediate perfection.
Build Your Following
Building a following may sound simple, but it's one of the most challenging aspects of being a social media creator due to intense competition. However, there are several key techniques that can help grow a following.
Interacting with the audience is crucial for establishing connection and trust; this can be achieved by responding to comments, hosting Q&As, liking and commenting on others’ content, or organizing giveaways. Such engagement not only extends reach but also encourages deeper interaction with the content. Plus, networking with like-minded creators can build a supportive community and promote your page to new audiences.
In addition, using SEO by adding relevant keywords in captions, posts, bios, and hashtags increases the chances of your content being discovered. Finally, jumping on trends—especially on platforms like TikTok—can significantly boost exposure, as popular content usually attracts more attention.
Reach Out to Brands
For social media content creators, reaching out to brands can expand reach and create opportunities for paid sponsorships. Brands that match your content style and niche can be partnered with by starting the process of brand interaction.
Do this by following them on social media, commenting on and sharing their content, and eventually sending them an introduction and business pitch. Don't be discouraged if they don't always respond - that's part of the job!
Requirements to Become a Social Media Content Creator
The great thing about creating content on social media is that it is completely accessible to many people because all you need is your smartphone. However, certain skills, knowledge, and traits can improve the path to success, so if any of the following apply, you may be on the right track.
- Creativity: Producing content that people want to watch takes a lot of creativity - it's almost like writing a TV show! Coming up with entertaining ideas and themes is an essential part of the job, and you must be willing to use your creativity to call yourself a social media content creator.
- Editing: When creating video and audio content, having some editing skills can be helpful before getting started. That said, fortunately, these skills can be learned along the way.
- Copywriting: Knowing a few tricks of the trade when it comes to copywriting can make captions and descriptions stand out.
- Good communication: It's important to interact with and engage your followers to drive growth on the platform. Having good communication skills can help make this process more effective.
- Comfortable being in the public eye: Most social media platforms require a lot of self-confidence and comfort with being in the public eye, whether you're in front of the camera or behind it.
Conclusion
We've seen how social media can be used to build a brand, make money, and even turn it into a career. It's one of the most accessible tools out there to start making money, so long as you're consistent and bring something new and exciting to the table. When you follow the key principles for building your following and reach, and stay true to your niche and style, you too can become a social media creator who earns a decent income.
