I am not a content coach. I am not a marketer. All I know is I just like creating content, but recently content creation has become a hot topic for an interesting reason. What does it mean to be a content creator? How can we create the content we enjoy without getting caught up in all of the noise?

When I started blogging I just knew that I wanted to make something impactful. I wanted a place of my own to share my thoughts and insights. Finding other people who enjoyed them was just a bonus. More recently, I’ve been privy to some discussions around SEO, branding, partnerships, and everything that is takes to be a “real” content creator, a “real” blogger, a “real” podcaster. This list goes on and on. Even though there is merit to some of these things, at the end of the day if it impedes my own process, it’s just noise. Let me break this down for you before I say the wrong thing.

The Basics of Content Creation

A quick Google search will bring up a ton of definitions of a content creator. To summarize a content creator does the following:

• Creates educational or entertaining content primarily on a digital platform for a target audience
• Creates content for brands that connects brands and their products to specific audiences
• Produces material that engages consumers

There are a lot of ways to describe a content creator, but what is basic and foundational to it all is the actual content. Whether it’s through blogs, podcasts, videos, reels, etc. the content has to be made. Content isn’t something that needs to be overthought. Is there a message you want to communicate in a unique way? Is there a product you really enjoy? Share it with the world! Check out this article from Forbes written by Blake Michael that discusses even more of the in and outs about content creation and why people want to be content creators. There is a section on SEO that stuck out to me and it brings up one of the reasons for this blog post.

Filming, editing and posting content is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to being a creator. Part of the reason that content creation is a full-time job is that creators must wear so many hats to successfully grow. The average creator, without a team to assist them, must have a basic working knowledge of content trends, photography and videography, photo and video editing, copywriting, SEO, social media management and more.

SEO, or search engine optimization, is the latest hat added to the already-busting wardrobe of content creation. Although SEO for Google and Google-owned platforms like YouTube have been prevalent for quite some time, even TikTok creators now need to be aware of SEO best practices in order to make their content more visible

“What They Don’t Tell You About Being a Content Creator”, Michael Blake, Forbes Councils Member

It could all be so simple, but it isn’t.

The days of just making content for the sake of content seem to be fading and fading fast. It’s not enough to have an impactful message. Now you have to make sure that your blog posts will rank. You have to make sure the content is all 4k quality. You can’t just make content that you like, you have to make content that sells.

My space and my platform has always been one that I’ve used to motivate and inspire others. My focus hasn’t been monetizing or optimizing what I create for search engines. I would be lying if I said I don’t feel the pressure of all of those things. One thing I can say for certain is that I would never go out of my way to tell someone their words, their art, their creation doesn’t matter just because no one is signing a check for it. We’re losing the soul of creating. We’re forgetting why we create in the first place, at least that’s my opinion. Maybe it’s different for people who have a very specific niche.

Content creators also have a unique opportunity to thrive in a very unique career field! There are food and travel creators who have found much success, and revenue, from being able to create for brands. Content creators are in a league of their own and it’s not fair to say that one person’s content is more valuable than another person’s based solely on a paycheck. It takes courage to create something of your own to share with others. It takes a lot of strength to be able to talk about something you care about in front of internet strangers. We should be able to make space for it all.

You can’t (create) with us!

I do need to acknowledge that it’s okay for your goals to change. Even if you don’t start out thinking you want to monetize, there’s nothing wrong with seeing what other opportunities are in front of you and your content. There are many creators who are in this position and I can’t speak for everyone… but I do see some things.

A few months ago, there was a conversation on Threads taking place that kind of got under my skin a bit. Essentially, what was being said was that real content creators solely create content for brands that’s monetizable. If you aren’t pulling in regular partnerships or getting checks cut, you’re not a real creator.

One thing about me is I don’t like cliques and the energy over on this side of the conversation is a little cliquish to me. There seems to be this need to differentiate every single thing we do for the sake of our own egos. My personal definition of a content creator is someone who creates content. Simple as that. With the rise of SEO, branding, partnerships and sponsorships, the pressure to monetize is truly on. There’s nothing wrong with monetizing, but my primary concern will always be making sure my message is true to who I am and what I believe in. Here are some of my own tips for content creation or people who just want to start.

Let your content speak for who you are and your experiences.

Create the content that moves you. Create the content that is interesting to you. Just create something! We all have to start somewhere and your favorite content creator probably took years to be able to get to the level that they’re at now.

Don’t overcomplicate your systems.

When I decided that I was going to try going all in a couple years back, I would literally set up so much work for myself that, at a point, it stopped being effective. It felt like I was just trying to keep up with a schedule that I didn’t need to set.

Whatever frequency or schedule you set, let it be one that actually works for you. You don’t have to do things daily or weekly just because you see someone else doing it. It’s much better to make good content that took time to simmer verses throwing your content at a wall every five seconds and seeing what sticks. Things take time!

Niche down or don’t. The choice is up to you.

I’ve made content about restaurants, books I liked reading, and even reality shows I’ve liked. The common thread is that I was interested in talking about all of those things and I did just because I wanted to. Niching down can be helpful if you really want to be specific on one topic. Take foodie creators and travel creators for example. They have a very defined niche that they operate from. They may deviate every now and then, but the core of their content stays the same. There are other creators, like me, who don’t really have a niche. Don’t think that you have to stay in one lane in order to find success and remember that you can define your own success.

Remember to actually tell people about your content.

You never know how much people will enjoy your content until you put it in front of them. I briefly touched on my love and appreciation of Threads in Episode 18 of my podcast. This app has single handedly changed my social media and content creation experience just because I decided to put myself out there and give the platform a shot. I’ve been able to connect with more likeminded people and learn just because I’ve gotten to know other creators. It also gave me the support and motivation I needed to launch my newsletter which I never thought I could have done before.

Trust and believe that the right people are out there waiting for you and your content. Speak to those people first before you try to monetize everything single thing you create. Your message matters and your story matters. Your unique perspective is just as important as the next person’s.

Keep taking chances on you and your content. Regardless of if you are just starting out or you’re a seasoned professional, there is a space for you somewhere in these content creator streets!