The creator economy is thriving! Globally, digital content creation grew to over $32 billion USD in 2024. According to Grand View Research, the market will continue to grow by 13.9% between 2025 and 2030. This may leave you wondering how to become a successful content creator. More importantly, how to monetize your content!
What Is a Content Creator?
A content creator is anyone who creates digitally consumed content to grow their brand. Video content is the fastest growing type of content, but it’s not the only type you require. For example, if video is your primary medium, you’ll need images, graphic design, and text for your website and email marketing.
Digital content creators may monetize in one or more of the ways below:
- Promote their brand
- Promote other brands
- Cross-promote with other creators
- Sell content to other brands
Types of Digital Content
- Ad copy and design
- Blog posts
- eBooks
- Email copy
- Graphic design
- Images
- Infographics
- Memes
- Motion graphics
- Podcasts/interviews
- Shorts
- Mid-length and long videos
- Sponsored videos and content
- UGC videos
- Voiceovers
- Website copy and design
- White papers/case studies
What Does a Content Creator Do?
Content creators curate content as a side hustle, aspiring full-time job, or as their full-time job. They create content for social media platforms, websites, and other online channels. While monetization is the ultimate objective, the content isn’t a hard sale. The priority is to engage in authentic and meaningful ways.
This includes:
- Everyday creators talking about their life or sharing their unique opinion or skill.
- Influencers and creators paid by brands to promote their products or services.
- “How to” blogs and videos that explain how to use products or services.
- Unboxing videos that showcase product packaging and the initial setup.
- Informational content that highlights different use cases for your product or service.
- User-generated content that details what consumers love about a product or service.
- Soft-sale videos where you feature and link back to one or more products or services.
- Posting shorts and longer videos to monetize your engagement with in-video ads.
Now let’s dive into how to become a successful content creator.
How to Become a Full-Time Content Creator?
Most content creators begin part-time while in school or while working a full-time job. Set aside 1 hour a day at least 5 days a week. Invest more time as your followers and engagement grow.
#1 Niche
The first step in becoming a content creator is identifying your niche. The most successful creators select a niche they’re well-versed in. Your niche doesn’t have to be an area you have formal education, but you do need to be passionate about your niche.
If you’re not passionate, your content won’t connect and engage. Plus, you’ll burn out quickly creating content you’re not enthusiastic about.
Go with what you know, but consider these categories:
- Arts or crafts
- Cooking or baking
- Décor
- Extracurricular activities
- Fashion
- Health
- Hobbies
- Home organization
- Lifestyle
- Nutrition
- Professional skill sets
- Personal skill sets
- Travel
#2 Market Research
Now that you know your niche, it’s time to research who your audience is and how you can add value. Even if you’re part of your demographic, eliminate the guesswork by completing formal research. Feel free to use Google Gemini or another AI tool. Or hire a freelancer to complete research and identify consumer pain points.
Can You Become a Content Creator With No Experience?
Yes! This blog is full of tips to help you create a winning strategy for your new revenue stream.
#3 Analyze The Competition
Your market research will uncover at least a few competitors. Now it’s time to dive in a bit deeper. Find and follow at least 3 creators in your niche. This includes subscribing to their email newsletter if they have one.
Your objective isn’t to copy, but to spark inspiration. Also to identify how you can differentiate your perspective with engaging storytelling.
Consider what your competitors:
- Are doing well.
- Aren’t doing well.
- How you can do better.
- How your perspective differs.
#4 Identify Your Branding
Your branding is the look and feel of your content. Even the style and tone you use when writing and speaking. You may want to begin with curating a brand story or your mission, vision, and values.
Your initial branding includes:
- Brand colors
- Brand fonts
- Logo and logo variations
- Social media thumbnails
- Style and tone
#5 Choose Your Platforms
Now it’s time to determine what social media and online platforms you want to utilize. You might start with 1 or 2 and add more as you grow.
Top Social Media Platforms
- Facebook
- Instagram
- LinkedIn
- Pinterest
- Snapchat
- TikTok
- Twitter
- YouTube
Complementary Platforms
- Simple sales or landing page
- Full website
- Substack or Patreon
- Email marketing/lead nurturing
- WhatsApp or SMS
- Linktree or similar tool
#6 Educate Yourself
Wondering how to get paid as a content creator? Each social media platform offers different ways to monetize your content.
This includes any combination of:
- Sponsored articles and posts
- UGC video content production
- Linking to products and sales pages
- Linking to affiliate links
- Receiving rewards or cash gifts from viewers
- Monthly subscriptions with exclusive content
- Paid partner programs
Content Creation Education
You’ll also need to educate yourself on content creation and content marketing. You can learn everything you need to know from YouTube videos, social media content, and online articles. Consider investing in a few paid courses from Udemy and Coursera created by successful content creators.
Continually invest in your growth and development to level up your earnings.
You’ll need to learn:
- How to set up your social media platforms.
- How to light, film, and edit videos.
- How to resize and edit photos.
- How to create graphic designs for social media.
- How to SEO optimize content within each platform.
- How to make simple updates to your website.
- How to use your email marketing software.
- How to use hashtags and keywords.
- How often to post to different platforms.
- What the best time of day to post is.
- What your content mix should be.
It’s Time to Start Creating!
You don’t have to create all your content, but it’s expensive to hire content creators and video editors. This is why many creators use AI software to create some (or all) of their content. With JoggAI you can clone your voice, turn a photo into an AI clone, or choose from a diverse range of lifelike human avatars. There’s even an AI writer to perfect your script.
For maximum success, post at least 5 days a week. Daily if shorts are your primary content form.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is lead nurturing?
Have you ever signed up to receive a free eBook, tips list, or checklist? This is a lead nurturing strategy. You receive the “free gift” in exchange for your email address. The sender “captures” you as a lead to continue emailing you. You can opt out of their emails at any time.
This strategy works because it keeps targeted prospects connected and engaged.
How to become a UGC content creator?
Instead of creating your own channel, consider creating UGC content for other brands. Solopreneurs and brands are busy, so you can earn money by creating some of their content for them.
UGC video content is a top pick because it’s one of the most in demand types of content. With JoggAI, you can create an AI clone of yourself to minimize live filming. Or create human avatars from a diverse range of genders, ethnicities, and demographics.
Why use a link bio tool?
Linking to a Linktree or other bio link tool empowers you to add links to everywhere followers can find you online. It connects your audience to your website, current promotions, lead nurturing free gifts, and more.
Can you earn in a competitive niche?
Yes! Don’t give up before you begin. There’s only one you, and you’re unique. So, find your differentiator and be your authentic self. Authenticity sells!
