How to Become a 'REAL' Content Creator in 2024?

5 no-nonsense step that works like magic!

Sweta Sharma

Aug 31, 2024

Content creator!

This term sounds pretty cool, right?

In today’s world, it’s definitely an exciting idea.

But, let’s be real — it can also feel a bit scary.

You might be thinking, “Where do I even begin?”

“What if it doesn’t work out?”

I totally get it because I’ve been through this phase.

I know how nerve-wracking it is to start something new, something you don’t have enough knowledge and experience about.

But, having said that, I’d also like to share a true statement with you —

Everyone starts from somewhere, and if your starting point is zero, that’s totally OK!

The only thing that makes a difference between someone who achieves and someone who just dreams is taking that first step, and then keep moving forward.

So, if you’re ready to take that first step, I’m here to lend you a helping hand by sharing 5 actionable steps that helped me kick off my content creation journey while juggling my 9–5.

And, I can assure you these tips can also help you get started without any stress.

Curious to see what are they.

Let’s jump right in!

1. Start with What You Know Best

Your life experiences are a goldmine of content ideas.

Think about your skills, your hobbies, or the things you’re passionate about.

Do you enjoy cooking local dishes?
Are you great at writing?
Do you love editing videos?

These everyday skills and interests can be the foundation of your content.

For example, if you’re a great cook, you could start by sharing simple recipes using ingredients found in your local market.

You don’t need a professional kitchen — your home setup is more than what you need.

Use your phone to take pictures of the ingredients and the cooking process.

Then, break down the steps in a clear, easy-to-follow way and finally record a video or finalize a blog post to share what you know with the world.

Remember: what makes you unique is your own opinions and expertise.

Don’t worry if your content isn’t perfect at first.

The most important thing is to start.

As you create more content, you’ll naturally get better at it.

2. Master the Basics — One Step at a Time

Starting something new, especially content can feel like climbing a huge mountain.

Do you know why?

Because there are so many different platforms, like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Pinterest, etc.

Each of these platforms has its way of showing content to people.

This is called an algorithm.

Due to the different algorithms across these platforms, the content that does well on one might not work on another.

For example —

the funny short videos that everyone loves on TikTok might not get much attention on LinkedIn.

So, how do we deal with this?

We start with the basics — taking one small step at a time.

Instead of trying to master every platform at once, pick just one to focus on.

Maybe it’s the one you already use the most or the one where you think you can reach people who would like your content.

Once you choose your platform, pay attention to these 3 things:

Content-Type: Find what type of content works well on the specific platform. You can choose between the following content types:

(i) Written: This could be short posts, longer articles, or even poems

(ii) Visual: Pictures, drawings, or infographics that explain things.

(iii) Audio: Podcasts or short voice clips.

(iv) Video: Short clips or longer videos where you talk or show how to do something

Make it Look Good: Visual appeal is crucial in content creation.

If your content looks good, it’s more likely to grab people’s attention and encourage them to engage with it.

Try these hacks:

(i) Clarity is key. Make your content clear and easy to understand.

(ii) Hook your audience with the first few seconds.

(iii) Less is often more — get to the point quickly.

(iv) Always offer something useful. Sharing random stuff won’t get you anywhere.

(v) Use eye-catching high-quality visuals combined with bold and readable text.

(vi) Be genuine; people connect with real voices.

(vii) Add a CTA (Call to Action). It will encourage your audience to take the next step.

When to Share: Start by posting once a week. As you get more comfortable, you can post often.

Consistency is important when you’re new to a platform, but it’s equally crucial to avoid burning out.

You cannot function at your best if you’re frustrated with the process.

So, find a balance — a routine that works for you.

One that allows you to produce content regularly while maintaining the quality and still giving you enough time for self-care.

3. Tools are Your Superpower

If you’re a solo creator (like me), the one thing that's going to help you save your time & effort is tools.

Yes!

Tools are your most important asset.

You don’t require expensive equipment or complicated software to start your journey.

In fact, some of the most powerful tools for content creation are probably already in your pocket or on your desk.

Your smartphone is a content creation powerhouse.

Its camera can take photos and videos, its microphone can record your voice for podcasts or voiceovers, and its note-taking app can help you jot down ideas wherever you are.

Many phones also have basic editing apps that let you enhance your photos or trim your videos.

For written content, a simple word processor like Google Docs (which is free) or Notion is all you need to start.

I manage my whole content in Notion too!

Image by Author (Snapshot of My Notion Workspace)

If you want to create eye-catching visuals, free tools like Canva or Kittl offer templates that make design easy, even for beginners.

For video editing, apps like InShot or CapCut provide user-friendly interfaces to help you put together professional-looking videos right on your phone.

Just find out what you need and start creating!

4. Diversify your Digital Presence

When you first start creating content, it’s good to focus on one platform.

But as you get more comfortable, try sharing your ideas on other platforms.

For example, if you started on Facebook, you might try Instagram or YouTube next.

You don’t need to create brand-new content for each platform.

Just repurpose your content.

Let’s say you made a video about how to cook a local dish.

You could:

Share the full video on YouTube
Post a short clip of the most interesting part on Instagram
Write down the recipe and post it on Facebook
Take a nice picture of the finished dish, create a pin, and post it on Pinterest

By sharing your content on different platforms, you can reach more people.

Plus, you might find that your content is more popular on one platform than another.

This can help you figure out where to focus more of your energy.

Remember: You don’t need to be everywhere at once. Start slow and gradually add the platforms.

5. Connect with Real People, Not Just Numbers

Tell me, what’s your goal in terms of your audience size?

Let me put it the other way around — How many followers do you want to cross on a particular social media platform?

Is it 100k, 500k, 1 million or 10 million?

Whatever the number is, you have to keep note of one thing:

An active and loyal community of 10k people is far better than a passive community of 100k.

What this means is that it’s not just about the number of followers you have, but how engaged and connected they are with you and your content.

Don’t get obsessed with the likes, follows, shares, and views.

At the end of the day, it’s the genuine connections that matter the most.

You can give a try to these hacks to build a real clan!

Respond to comments: Commenting works wonders!

Visit your fellow creators' profiles, comment on them, make sure you’re adding something valuable, or even if you’re just sharing your thoughts, be genuine.

If someone is commenting on your posts, try to reply. It will make them feel heard.

Ask questions: In your posts, ask your audience what they think. This invites them to share their opinions and experiences.
Share personal stories: Don’t be afraid to share personal stuff with your audience (if it’s not very private).
When you open up about your own experiences, it helps connect with you as a real person.
Finally, the most important thing — have patience.
Building a community takes time. It doesn’t happen overnight.