Terms
More than 50 million individuals consider themselves to be influencers , or digital creators
You may find yourself feeling like everywhere you turn around, there's a plethora of digital artists as well as social media experts and influential people. It's not true! More than 50 million individuals worldwide believe they are influencers or digital creators , according to the Influencer Marketing Hub which also estimates that the industry of influencer marketing is set to grow to approximately $21 billion in 2023.
While the terms 'digital creators' and 'influencers' may seem interchangeable, they're different. In this article we'll look at what it means to be a digital creator, the ways it is different when compared to being an influencer, and what it takes to be one.
The definition: What exactly is a digital creator?
Digital creators are people who makes online content for different platforms. This can include blogs, social media as well as podcasts or video. They create and share content that is authentic for them and their branding, and usually have a specific market or segment they are targeting.
A digital creator is one who is determined on creating a community of followers, communicating with their fans, and sharing their often individual perspective on the topic.
How can a digital artist be distinct than an influencer?
While there is some overlap between an influencer and creator however, there are some important differentiators. An influencer has a large following on social media -usually in the hundreds of thousands or million - and uses that following to promote the products or services they offer.
The majority of them work in partnership with companies to develop sponsored content, and their revenue is usually tied to the number of followers they have.
Creators, however, is focused on producing original content exclusively for them and their own personal brand. Although they can also collaborate with companies, their main focus is on creating content that resonates with their audience. The income of a creator can be earned from many sources, such as the sponsorship of a brand, membership fees, sales or advertising revenues.
What can you do to become a digital creator
The process of becoming a digital creator does not happen overnight. It requires time, energy and dedication to create a successful brand. These are the steps you can take in order to start:
Find your niche
The initial step towards becoming a digital creator is to identify your area of expertise. What is it that you are passionate about? What unique perspective can you bring to the conversation? What topics can you add real value to?
As a digital creator, your niche should be something you're knowledgeable about like food, for instance.
Choose a niche that you're interested in, and are knowledgeable about, and that has an audience. Be sure to be hyper-specific: in many ways, the more precise your field is, the more likely you will stand out in a crowded market.
Develop your image
After you've identified your area of expertise then it's time to begin building your personal identity. This involves creating a name as well as a logo and one that is compatible with your industry and appeals to your audience.
It's true that this name could be your name, or even a nickname, however it's best when the name you choose is unique or memorable. You'll also want to create social media accounts and a site to display your work and connect with your audience.
Engage and be engaged
Being an online creator is well, creating! Most of the time this content is digital , and can comprise blog posts, videos, social media posts and podcasts. The content you create should be authentic to you and your brand, and provide value to the people who read it.
Engaging your customers or members is key in building a strong brand. This means responding to comments, DMs, and emails and instilling the feeling of community surrounding the brand. It is also possible to think about hosting events such as live Q&A or meetups for your followers to interact in the real world.
You need the skills to become an online creator
Becoming a digital creator requires a variety of skills; it is not enough to be arty and creative and possess a keen understanding about your area of expertise, but the most successful creators are extremely focused entrepreneurs and business people with well-defined content and communications strategies.
It takes a variety of abilities to be a digital creator like a memorable appearance on camera
Here are the most important abilities you require to become an online creator:
Creativity
As a digital creator is a must to be innovative in all you do . The clue lies in the name! Creative thinking involves coming up with new ideas for contentand speaking effectively on camera if you're making videos making eye-catching images and this includes thumbnails for videos and attractive pictures on Instagram.
You'll also need to be always looking for new ways to engage with your audiences, such as with Ask Me Anythings (AMAs) or sharing behind the scenes footage.
Communication
Clear communication is key in the creation of a brand, and thus when progressing in your profession as a creator. You'll have to be able to clearly communicate your ideas as well as your message to your audience so you'll need interpersonal abilities as well as a clear mind and communication.
A more professional approach to communication is essential for digital professionals You could be in talks with reps from brand brands as well as businesses looking to collaborate together or promote your content along with other creators you want to work with. Making your message clear and in a fair manner is crucial.
Business sense
As above, having discussions with fellow creators is a good reason be aware of how collaboration projects can help you as well as everyone else involved.
Are you aiming to reach an entirely new market? Bring back the excitement with those who have been less active? Spark a debate? Perhaps encourage the sale of products? All of these require clever brand positioning, knowing your USP in-depth, and the ability to market the idea and product.
Digital creators who have succeeded
Rhett and Link: Rhett McLaughlin and Charles Lincoln 'Link' Neal III (also named Rhett and Link - have been together since 2006. They created 'Good Mythical Morning', a comedy YouTube channel that discusses food and pop culture and also posts frequently on social networks, as well as hosts their own podcast, the Ear Biscuits podcast.
Kevin Smith: Filmmaker, actor, comedian as well as a creator Kevin Smith got his big break when he directed, and starred in "Clerks". Smith later created the iconic character Jay and Silent Bob with Jason Mewes. Nowadays he is a famous YouTuber, author and host of a variety of shows that are on the SModcast Podcast Network. Some of them include Fatman Beyond and Hollywood Babble-On.
Molly Baz Author, recipe developer as well as food stylist. Molly Bazlaunched her digital creator career in Bon Appetit magazine, where she tested and developed recipes, wrote essays, as well as appeared in video clips on the channel's YouTube channel. Since then, she has started her own cooking brand, mollybaz.com which includes social media and a YouTube channel.
Scott Aukerman The actor, comedian and writer is best-known as the founder and host on Comedy Bang! Bang! Comedy Bang! Bang! podcast. He created and starred in the TV show 'Between 2 Ferns with Zach Galifianakis' and has appeared in shows such as Parks and Recreation. He cofounded the Earwolf podcast and been awarded two Primetime Emmy Awards.
Jacques Pepin It's not necessary to be young to be a digital creator! Jacques Pepin has been cooking professionally for many decades. His most recent venture, the Jacques Pepin Foundation video recipe book, merges cookbook with videos as a membership option, allowing viewers to see famous chefs make meals in their homes, and take a copy of the recipes in case you'd like to follow the recipe.
Conclusion
The role of a digital creator is not all about creating content, it's about building an identity and connecting with the people in your network or. Although it requires time and effort to build an effective brand, it's a rewarding job that lets you share your unique perspective with the world.
Finding your passion by identifying your niche, creating your own brand, making engaging content, and engaging your target audience You can be a highly successful digital artist!