The following post comes to us from Indiana Lee, a writer, reader, and expert on business operations, leadership, marketing, and lifestyle. Keep reading to learn her personal perspective on content creation in today's changing world.
There are over 50 million people who consider themselves to be content creators across the globe. Some are more successful than others, but that's a staggering statistic considering the term 'content creator' is only about a decade old.
In many ways, these creators are artists. They have to come up with creative means to keep existing fans and followers engaged while attracting new ones. Their livelihood is essentially based on their popularity. If they stop producing content people want to see or experience, they'll become unsuccessful.
If you're a content creator trying to boost your brand or thinking about stepping into the world of creation, you should know a few things. To make effective content, you have to be strategic, informed, and consistent in your execution.
Can you have fun creating content people want to see? Absolutely. However, it's important to understand the "less glamorous" side of content creation. Let's cover some of those darker details that can help you determine if it's a road you want to travel.
1. You'll Need to Understand Data Analytics
Even the term "data analytics" can make some people cringe. However, being an effective content creator means looking at a lot of information, including
- Reach
- Engagement
- Reaction
- Target audience
- ROI
Thankfully, most social media platforms make it easy to look at analytics quickly. This allows creators to decide where they should make changes and what they should keep the same. If you're getting into content creation, make sure you know how to read your analytics, analyze them, and how you should interpret the results.
2. Cybersecurity Issues Can Be Frightening
When the Internet is your livelihood, the last thing you want is for your information to get compromised. Unfortunately, no one is immune to cybercrimes. In 2021, cybercrime damage cost businesses and individuals around the globe over $16 billion a day.
Most creators are running their business out of their homes, and likely without a lot of high-tech security measures in place. You can improve your security efforts, especially on your social media platforms, by
- Building strong passwords
- Keeping your software updated
- Keeping personal information private
- Using a full-service Internet security suite
- Staying informed about breaches
It can be worthwhile to work with an IT professional if you're not well-versed in cybersecurity. They can help you establish an in-house system that keeps your information safe and up-to-date.
3. Audience Identification is Necessary
Maybe you started out creating content that appealed to you and your friends. However, if you want to turn your creative efforts into a business, you have to appeal to a wider audience.
Using data analytics can be a great start to honing in on your target audience. However, you can take things even further by focusing on building your brand and finding your voice, especially with B2B audiences that can help you with sponsorships. Some tips you can use to establish your voice include thinking about your persona, staying consistent with the type of content you post, and regularly reviewing what you've said and done.
Additionally, don't be afraid to ask your audience what they want to see. Whether you're trying to appeal to other brands and businesses or a causal viewing audience, they'll appreciate that you want to develop the content they're interested in seeing.
4. You Have to Manage Your Marketing
When you become a content creator, you're essentially operating as your own business. That can offer a lot of freedom and flexibility. However, it also means all the responsibilities of running a business fall on your shoulders – including marketing.
If you don't have any experience in marketing but want to outrank your competitors, developing a strategy is the best place to start. Everyone's strategy will look a little different but should include a few basics like
- Your mission
- Your goals
- Your target audience
- How often you'll post content
- The "form" of your content (long or short)
- Where it will be posted
- How you will cross-market your content
If all of that sounds like a lot to think about, consider outsourcing your content creation. It can give you more flexibility, offer more diversity, and can even help to prevent burnout.
5. The Risk of Burnout is Real
Speaking of burnout; it can happen more often than you think for content creators working as their own boss. While it's easy to assume you'll have a lot of free time and flexibility, that isn't necessarily the case when you're trying to run a business or build a brand.
Being a content creator isn't just about filming yourself for a vlog each week or posting to social media periodically. You have to create consistent schedules, come up with fresh ideas, respond to emails from businesses, interact with your audience, and so much more.
Your content creation career will quickly become overwhelming if you're not taking time for yourself. You can combat burnout by practicing self-care. Get enough sleep, stay active, eat healthily, and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Having a strong support team can take away a lot of pressure and make it easier for you to strike a healthy work-life balance.
Content creation is likely to become more popular and more demanding in the future. There will always be room for new creators with fresh ideas, and you could end up being very successful if you do things the right way. However, don't let the "glamor" of content creation keep you from seeing the harsher realities of it, too.
About the Author: Indiana Lee is a writer, reader, and jigsaw puzzle enthusiast from the Pacific Northwest. An expert on business operations, leadership, marketing, and lifestyle, you can follow her on Twitter @IndianaLee3
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