Are you an aspiring content creator? Or do you already have your foot in the door as a freelancer or as part of an organization?
Wherever you are in your content creation journey, you’ve chosen a role that is highly sought after by just about every industry in the world. A successful digital marketing strategy is impossible without content. That’s the simple fact.
“Content is king” as they say, however not all content is good. For content to be effective, it has to be good. And for content creators to be successful, they absolutely have to make quality content that sticks.
But what does it take to become a successful content creator? How do you become a leader in your field who people want to hire? Today, we’re talking about what makes a good content creator and how you can set yourself up for success.
The first step in becoming a successful content creator is to ask yourself what a successful content creator looks like. This is different for everybody and, because the answer varies, it’s important to really define your version of success so that you have a clear target to aim for.
Does becoming a successful content creator mean that you’re booked all the time? Does it mean you can churn out a large quantity of content efficiently? Does it mean you are the person that all of your friends go to for content marketing advice? Really dig deep into this question to determine the goals that you want to reach.
With anything in life, practice makes perfect. Michael Jordan didn’t become Michael Jordan without investing endless hours in the gym shooting hoops. Being a good content creator takes time, effort, and discipline to create everyday. This skill is a muscle that needs to be worked, otherwise you lose it.
Now, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to publish content everyday. It can mean that you sharpen your tools by sitting down for at least 15 minutes to write, jot down ideas, or get inspired by other successful content creators.
What makes a good content creator is one who knows what their audience is looking for. They’re able to create something that their audience resonates with because their audience needs this type of information. To do this, you have to stay relevant and up-to-date in your industry.
The best content creators invest time in researching current industry news and trends to be able to get into their target audience’s mindset. In the digital marketing world, things can change quickly and what’s working now may be different tomorrow.
In a sea of content creators, it can feel impossible to stand out. What will help you significantly is to define your own personal voice. While anyone can write about the best bagel in town, no one else writes like you do. People come for the information, but they stay for the personality.
Now, establishing your voice shouldn’t replace delivering content that’s on-brand with a client’s company. But chances are, they’re hiring you because they like the content that you create.
Find unique ways to blend your own personal style with the professionalism or persona that your client is looking for to deliver their message. This will help you build your technique and further strengthen your abilities.
As you’re improving your skills, it’s important to remember that you’re creating content for someone. Whether it’s for a client or the organization that you work for, someone is hiring you for that piece of content.
What this ultimately means is that, no matter how good of a content creator you are, if you don’t have the work ethic to deliver, success is not attainable. Some of the most successful content creators are where they are because they’ve over delivered for their clients, who in turn spread the word about their quality of work.
Being a leader in the content marketing world doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s a dream that is very possible to achieve. With hard work, drive, and a true passion for creating quality content, you’re well on your way to becoming a thought leader in your industry.