What qualifications do I need to be a Content Creator?

Take a step away from the old world’s preoccupation with qualifications and experience, and step into the infinite possibilities of the world online; talent, relatability, and consistency go a long way.

A decade ago, making money for being yourself, from your quirks or niche hobbies was unimaginable. But with over 200 million people calling themselves creators and the industry thriving at an estimate of over $100 billion, to say there’s scope and space for you to hop on the trend is an understatement.

Seth Philips (@dudewithsign) makes money on Instagram holding up witty cardboard signs. Jiff Pom, the smiling Pomeranian, has garnered millions of followers for being adorable. At this point, it’s easier to conclude what won’t make you a Content Creator than what will. The simple answer is that everyone can become a Content Creator. And everything is content. But let’s take care of some of your concerns so you can go on to earn money for yourself.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro looking for a better-suited platform and areas to branch out in, or a babe in the woods when it comes to content, we at MintStars are here to guide you along the way.

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What qualifies you as a content creator?

1.      Credibility over qualification:

No, you don’t need to go to culinary school to have your homemade pasta video blow up. Nor do you need a master's in Creative Writing for viewers to swoon over your poetry. Formal qualifications aren’t necessary to become a content creator, but to increase your chances of being discovered and adored online, a strong background does always help.

Be it writing, graphic designing, or video production, knowing what you’re doing paves the way for you. But fear not. Many creators have also gained viewership as they literally documented themselves learning these skills and showing their journey as they progressed.

2. Creativity and execution:

Creators are creators because they’re taking everyday things and giving them their own creative twist that makes us pause, laugh, think, and re-watch. So, let your creative juices flow, step out of the box, and execute your ideas as and when they come. Being creative means nothing until and unless you properly and effectively put yourself out there.

What differentiates Content Creators from Creatives is that creators are constantly churning out content. Very often, quantity beats quality here, so you have to consistently produce content to stay in the game and please the algorithm.

3. Relatability:

Hitting the right emotions and prompting the right feelings with your content will retain your audience’s attention in a sea of creators. Got a personality? A thought? A problem? A solution? Put it out there. Find your community.

Knowing who you’re reaching out to, who’s drawn to your creations, and what demographic is seeing your content the most helps you create things that resonate with the audience you’ve built and draw more like-minded people toward you.

Having a niche audience, and knowing who your online fam is sets you apart from those just grasping at thin air and gives you a strong footing in this industry. Play your cards right and soon enough, your community is here for you as much as it is here for your content.

4. Good communication skills:

As you gain an army of followers/subscribers, you can expect to be addressing thousands and thousands of people who hang onto your worlds. People will hold you accountable to the persona you’ve created online, and societal standards. Having an online presence comes with perks, but it also brings along a good amount of accountability.

Beyond your audience, as a growing content creator, you’d also be interacting with other creators for collaborations. And then with companies, clients, and team members as you evolve. If you play your cards right, you’ll soon be a solopreneur juggling several roles, and working on your soft skills will go a long way. Content creators often work with other team members, clients, and partners.

On the flip side, you’re also bound to run into trolls and haters, and learning to keep your grace and humor throughout will keep you in the game for longer.

5. Tech-enthusiast:

With new platforms and technology growing every year, hitting the ground running and adapting to new trends will put you ahead of the race. Whilst you don’t need to be acing every platform, being open to learning new tools and testing new waters keeps the work fun and challenging for you and opens up new avenues.

Back when Instagram introduced Reels, creators, and viewers were resistant to this new change. But those who hopped on the trend were not only having more fun, they also grew quicker because the platform pushed their accounts to a bigger audience.

Changes can be challenging but stepping out of your comfort zone a little will help you grow as the platform itself cushions your fall. Fortune favors the brave.

What is an example of a “content creator” job?

‘Content Creator’ is an umbrella term for several jobs.

• There’s been a rise in demand for Social Media Managers in the past few years as brands big, small, and personal are outsourcing this meticulous job to experts. A social media manager is responsible for creating and curating content that aligns with the brand value and making timely posts to keep the account up and running.
• One of the oldest forms of content creation is Freelance Writing. If you have decent writing skills and something to say, you can turn your words into articles, blog posts, zines, or whitepapers for various clients. A YouTuber is also a content creator, as they create and publish videos on their channel for their audience.
• Graphic designers are also content creators who take information and translate it into attractive visual content. A graphic designer can design infographics, logos, brand identities, or add more spice to it all and create motion graphics, UI, and interactive design, etc.
• Podcasts have been all the rage lately, and for good reason! Podcasters can talk about anything under the sun as they create and produce audio content for their listeners. There’s a podcast for everything you can imagine: Science, true crime, spirituality, relationship anxiety, self-development. And there’s an audience for it all.

How many followers do you need to be considered a content creator?

• As long as your audience is engaging with you, it doesn’t matter whether you have millions of followers or a thriving community of 2000. If you have a steady following and you’re only growing, congratulations, you’re a content creator!
• For some, it takes years to get to their first thousands of followers, while some get lucky and skyrocket quickly. Both journeys are legit, and so long as you’re in the game, all else is boloney.
• What keeps you going is your loyal audience. Focus on creating consistent, quality content that provides some value to the people waiting on to see what you come up with. An active, engaging community supersedes a large number of followers any day.
• Once you have a substantial following, you can leverage that attention retention to land some sponsorships, and advertisements, and monetize your content. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t actually need a huge following to land paid gigs at all.
• Falling into the maze of the algorithm, and constantly worrying about upping your follower count can take a toll on you and confuse you on the way. Remember to stay true to yourself and keep creating whatever makes you feel good about your work. 

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Thanks for reading! We hope this helps you understand more about what it’s like being a content creator.

If you're a creator that wants to push interactions with your community to the next level and earn more from your content, register to join MintStars here.

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