content creator camera

The perfect time to become a content creator is now!

Author: Daniël de Groot - September 12, 2024

Becoming a content creator is getting easier and more accessible for budding enthusiasts each year. More vloggers, influencers, streamers, and bloggers are finding their way into small, growing communities all around the globe. And there’s good news about this too. Research shows that the content creator economy is thriving, growing year after year. Over the past decade, platforms like YouTube, Twitch.tv, TikTok, Instagram, and Buzzsprout have consistently shown increasing numbers of content creators on their platforms each year.

But did you miss your chance to become a successful content creator in today’s world? The answer to that is a resounding, No!

So why is it never too late to become a successful content creator? Well, to answer that, we need to look beyond all the YouTubers, Twitch streamers, podcasters, and influencers. Most creators are unaware of this, but content creation itself is not the only industry experiencing massive growth. There is actually an allied industry alongside it that also benefits from your success as a content creator. Hardware manufacturers have become increasingly adept at this new form of media, producing gear specifically designed for it. Audio, video, and lighting manufacturers have upped their game in recent years to bring more custom, professional kit tailored for content creators. Online platforms and services have also grown, offering new handy tools and services to not only build up your audience but also keep them engaged with your content. But this still doesn’t explain why it’s never too late to become a content creator today. To explain that, we need to chat about you as an aspiring content creator.

As you progress through all these steps, your content might catch the eye of other creators. This opens the door to new exciting opportunities like collaborations — or "collabs" where both creators can engage with each other’s communities, benefiting from new viewers, followers, and subscribers. But it doesn't stop there. Many companies are also keen to collaborate with content creators. These are what we call in the creator industry brand collaborations and offer a long-term income stream, essentially turning you into an affiliate marketer for their brand.

Why every content niche has its own loyal audience waiting for you

The beauty of being a content creator is that each one of us showcases our creativity in our own unique way. Whether you're mad about making unboxing YouTube videos or prefer streaming your journey to fame on Twitch, it's your personality, passion, and skill that define the content you create. And this works both ways. For every unique content creator out there, there’s a group of followers who are eager to see you and your content. It’s your job to find these folks and introduce them to your community. Now, don’t get us wrong — it requires determination, hard graft, and the ability to learn every day to get there. But if you’re willing to put in the effort, eventually, it will pay off.

You may not see it now, but within you lies the talent that can inspire, entertain, and influence others. Every content creator starts somewhere, and with perseverance, that talent will craft something that leaves a lasting impact on other new creators while taking one step closer to realising your own dream...

But is it hard to actually make a few bob from this? Well… yes and no. Nobody gets rich on the first day of trying something. Followers or subscribers don’t automatically flock to your channel the moment you go live. Consistency, creativity, hard work, and, most importantly, time are the key ingredients to making this magic happen. Over time, you’ll learn better ways to engage with your audience, and that will keep them coming back. This is called a core following. But it doesn’t stop there. As you grow your community, you might want to up your game with better gear. Often, content creators invest in more professional equipment, like headsets, microphones, cameras, or key lights, to make their content more appealing. Or you might be reading blogs for the latest tips, tricks, and trends, such as incorporating SEO into your YouTube content. Trust me, you’ll rarely find a creator who knows everything about creating content perfectly or who spends a fortune on gear before even getting started.

As your creativity, skill, and passion combine with more professional equipment and handy online tools or services over time, you’ll reach your goals to monetise as a content creator. It will start small, maybe €70 to €200 a month, but learning and growing your content doesn’t stop. And if you take all the right steps, neither will your monetisation. But creators go beyond that. Monetisation is just one part of a content creator’s income. Brand affiliations, sponsorships, and your own merchandise are (in time) also forms of income a content creator can focus on.

Overcome your fears, you’re more ready to be a content creator than you think

So, let’s take a step back and have a look at why you haven’t become a content creator just yet. On the bright side, you might be feeling confident that you’ve found the niche you want to dive into, and maybe you’re even feeling secure in your ability to learn and grow in this area. But what’s actually holding you back from taking that all-important leap?

Is it the fear that so many other creators are already churning out content in the niche you’re eyeing? Well… we’ve already pointed out that it’s not just the content itself that drives the growth of a core community—it’s also you, as a personality, and how you present your content that truly makes a difference. So, let’s tick that off the list as a reason. Perhaps you’re worried about not succeeding as a content creator, or you’re unsure whether you’ll gather followers or subscribers over time. From reading our piece, you now know that in the beginning, this journey takes time and requires tweaks to find the right format for you. You also understand that ongoing effort is needed to enhance your equipment, quality, and — most importantly — your content. So, that can’t be the reason either.

Let us share a little secret you might not have thought of. The real reason you haven’t taken that step yet might be that you’ve forgotten to enjoy the process of becoming a content creator. You shouldn’t be fixated on follower counts, view numbers, or subscriber goals or worrying if your niche is saturated. Instead, focus on the passion you have for creativity in this field. Savor the many social interactions you get with your new community. Think about how you envision sharing your unique perspective with the world through your content. It doesn’t matter if a few followers or many subscribers flock to your content — what matters is that you’re doing something you love and sharing it with others who share that same enthusiasm.

Being genuinely yourself while showcasing your passion and personality in your content is the key to your success. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, embrace them. Use them to show your authenticity, as viewers love to see the real you.

So, stop pressuring yourself with the “need to succeed” and start enjoying the process of creating content. Fixating on a specific goal can limit your creativity, while making content purely out of love for what you do will set you free. However, here’s a word of caution: if you’re creating content with the sole expectation of achieving financial independence within a set timeframe, then—as many have said before, you’re likely to face a tough road ahead.

People can sense when you’re more focused on taking than giving, especially when community engagement is lacking. If you’re only asking for support without offering anything in return, your audience will notice. And I guarantee that it’s only a matter of time before creating content starts to feel like a chore. You might find yourself stuck, out of ideas, worried that followers or subscribers won’t stick around, or frustrated that financial independence isn’t coming as quickly as you’d hoped.

So, ditch that mindset if you truly want to become a content creator. Focus on the joy of creating, engaging with your community, and growing organically. Success will follow when you’re genuinely passionate about what you’re sharing. Take that first step knowing that we believe in you. And if you give it a go and find it’s not your thing, well, at least you gave it a fair shot and gained some valuable experience.

Not just a webshop, Orinaku's mission is to support your content creation story

At Orinaku, we’re not just another webshop for content creators — we aim to go beyond the usual e-commerce setup. We’re all about supporting, promoting, and advising on every aspect of content creation to help you unlock your full potential. Whether you're starting out with just a few followers or you’ve got a well-established channel pulling in thousands, we’re here to give you a hand.

As a commercial entity, we get that your success is tied up with ours. That’s why we’re committed to offering advice that supports your journey to becoming a successful content creator. If you have any questions, whether it’s about your podcast setup, finding affordable mic gear, or anything else related to content creation, don’t hesitate to reach out through our contact page or our customer service chat. No strings attached — we’re keen to share our knowledge and help you thrive.

Remember, at Orinaku, we’re always your biggest fan, cheering you on every step of the way.

12 Fun Facts About Content Creation That Might Surprise You

To wrap up this piece, we’ve put together 12 fun facts about content creation that might just take you by surprise. Do bear in mind that many of these stats are a bit out of date, and as we’ve mentioned earlier, the content creation scene is always on the move. It might be a bit of craic to update these figures for the current year before you dive in. And remember, while some seasoned creators might step back from their projects, fresh faces are always coming through and ready to shine. So, where do you see yourself fitting into this in the coming years?

  • - The global digital video content market is expected to hit $204 billion USD by 2022.
  • - In Q2 2021, the total investment in creator economy startups was $1.7 billion.
  • - 12% of full-time creators make over $50K, while 9% of niche creators rake in more than $100K in a year.
  • - 68% of creators consider themselves part-time.
  • - Short-form video is the most engaging content on Instagram.
  • - The online learning market is set to surpass $305 billion by 2025.
  • - 17% of consumers subscribe to a creator’s membership site.
  • - 67% of consumers discovered new products through creator videos.
  • - 47% of YouTubers can earn $200 or more per month by 2023.
  • - YouTube paid creators more than $15 billion throughout 2021.
  • - Over 21K YouTube creators have more than 1 million subscribers.
  • - Twitch.tv has over 300K professional streamers who are monetized.

Word from the author: I have adapted this text to Irish English in a subtle way rather than using standard English. I hope you, as a reader, appreciate this.

#ContentCreator, #StartToday, #Enjoy, #Orinaku, #Irish