How to Become a Video Content Creator in 2024

If you’ve considered becoming a video content creator but aren’t sure where to start or what’s required, this article is for you.

But first, a disclaimer:

To be a ‘successful’ content creator, there must be an audience for your content. 

Some people simply enjoy creating videos as a hobby or a passion and so it doesn’t matter if they only get a handful of views because monetizing their channel or building an audience is not their objective.   

This article is not for those people. 

We will focus on creating content that can get enough views to generate income, and we will cover the different ways to monetize your content. 

Remember: you need to create videos that people want to watch. They could be informative, funny, interesting, or entertaining in some way… this is the ‘magic ingredient’ that nobody can give you in an article because it requires your individual passion, talents, and creativity.

What we WILL teach you is all the practical knowledge and resources you need to be a video content creator. Combine this with your ‘magic ingredient’, and you can become a successful video content creator.

Let’s get started!

Why Become a Video Content Creator?

Video content creation is highly profitable with creators earning over US$100,000 annually in the US. Plus, with the rise of popular video content creation platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, it is clear that video content creation is a promising career path.

Addison Rae is a TikTok content creator that became popular in 2019. She has a beauty brand that she promotes using the platform. In 2021 alone, she made up to $8.5 million.

Jeffree Star is a model, fashion designer, and makeup artist who built a successful brand via YouTube content creation. He began his eCommerce brand in 2014 and made it popular by promoting it on the platform. With over 16.9 million subscribers, his YouTube earning is estimated to be around $17 million.

Sure, not everyone will become a YouTube millionaire, but there is a viable career path for a lot of people. The creator economy is currently worth $250 billion and is expected to double in value by 2027. Despite the increasing number of creators, there is a place for everyone.

Skills and Qualities for Video Content Creators

Building a successful YouTube channel as a newbie might appear intimidating. However, certain skills and qualities would give you an edge irrespective of the competition. These skills and qualities include:

1. Creativity

As a content creator, your creativity is your superpower. It is exciting to your viewers when you come up with fresh ideas and concepts. Your creativity will keep them coming back to your channel for more. 

2. Good communication skills

Effective communication is essential to connect personally with your audience. Video content creators must be skillful in expressing their ideas and narratives in a compelling and captivating manner.

3. Video production skills

As a video content creator, you should have basic video editing skills so you can produce interesting content. If you need to improve your production skills, you can harness many free video editing tools and tutorials on the internet.

4. Passion and authenticity

It is essential for you as a content creator to choose a niche that you are passionate about. Your audience can sense when you have an authentic and genuine passion in your creator video, which helps them resonate better with you.

5. Conveying emotions when telling stories

A recommended practice on how to be a content creator on YouTube is being able to capture your viewers’ emotions with powerful storytelling. Don’t just recite your stories; let your body language and facial expression reflect the mood of your narrative.

Steps to Becoming a Successful Video Content Creator

Every content creator desires to build a successful brand. And with the proper understanding, that desire can become a reality. The following are important steps to becoming a successful video content creator:

1. Know your niche and target audience

A primary step on how to become a content creator on YouTube is to clearly define your channel’s focus. Knowing the focus of your YouTube channel will help you identify your target audience and tailor your content to attract them. 

Also, in determining the perfect niche, you should choose a niche that aligns with your interests and expertise. That way, you’ll be able to effortlessly and constantly create engaging video content for your audience.

2. Have a content plan

Having a content plan is a necessary step on how to become a video creator. Before you put out your first YouTube video, be clear about your publishing schedule. If possible, have many weeks’ worth of videos already available so that you can post them in succession to gain new subscribers. It is always a good idea to maintain a consistent posting plan, so your viewers know when to expect a new video.

3. Invest in quality video equipment

As a new creator, you can start with the basic tools you have. However, investing in quality equipment is a major step in how to be a successful video content creator in the long run. Plan to get a good camera, microphone, and lighting equipment to create more appealing videos for your audience.

4. Optimize your content

Once your videos are ready for upload, make sure to optimize their titles, descriptions, and tags. Tags are particularly useful for YouTube SEO. Also, make sure to use relevant keywords for the topic your video is addressing. 

Optimizing your videos makes them visible in the search result, which would create organic traffic. Additionally, include an enticing thumbnail image that would make viewers choose your video instead of your competitors’ videos.

5. Promote your channel

You can promote your YouTube channel on other social media platforms and by collaborating with other YouTubers. When you promote your channel, it improves your visibility and helps you gain more subscribers.

6. Check out video content creator success stories

The video content creator community has been around for a while and it is beneficial to learn from the example of successful YouTube creators. Look for high-ranking content creators within your niche and gain insights that will help your journey. Pay attention to their content strategy and how they have built a brand that stands out from others.

Video Content Creation Best Practices

A simple video creator definition is someone who creates online video content either for information, marketing, branding, or entertainment. Regardless of your purpose for creating content, here are four best practices to never lose sight of: 

1. Outline your content

Before filming your videos, outline your vision for each of them. Clearly develop the structure and visual elements you want to include so you are focused and organized during production.

2. Use good lighting and high-quality audio

Make sure there are no shadows or uneven lighting on the subject when making your videos. Your lighting should reflect the color and mood of the content you are creating. Also, make sure there is no unwanted background noise when you are recording.

3. Use stable footage

You can invest in a tripod stand or a stabilizer to avoid shaky videos. Smooth and stable shooting makes your videos look more professional.

4. Edit with precision

Be precise and patient when editing your videos. Remove unnecessary footage and ensure the transitions in your videos are smooth. You can also add relevant graphics to make your videos more appealing.

5. Use engaging titles

You set yourself apart as a YouTube content creator when you present your videos as a “must-see”. Your goal should be to craft an attention-grabbing headline while avoiding clickbait. Let your audience have a good idea of what your video is about from the title, also make sure the title piques their interest and curiosity.

6. Analyze and strategize

You can get insight into the performance of your channel by monitoring YouTube’s analytics dashboard. Based on the feedback you get, you can make necessary adjustments to videos you will release in the future. 

Tools like Mandala Analytics also make it easy to stay updated on new strategies and content ideas you can leverage to boost your YouTube channel. Mandala Analytics is a ready-to-use,  AI-powered software that helps you leverage billions of data for insight discovery, content creation, and social listening.

Build and Grow Your Career as a Video Content Creator

Your journey in learning how to be a content creator is incomplete without understanding how to build and grow your career. Now that you know the basic steps to begin your career, you can build your capacity by trying out the following helpful tips:

1. Branding

As a content creator, understanding the basics of branding and marketing would help you promote your work effectively. You should create a unique identity,  image, and brand voice that sets your channel apart from others.

2. Monetize your channel

Monetizing video content creation makes it possible for you to earn from your creativity. There are two main ways to do this:

You can create sponsored content for brands (either your own brand or others) and include affiliate links. Sponsored content can include:

‘shout outs’ where you mention your sponsor as a part of the video, ‘paid ad reads’ where you read out some copy that is provided to you by the sponsor (this is popular in the podcast format), or you can make an entire video about/featuring your sponsor’s product.

When your channel has attained the eligibility criteria, you can check out YouTube’s guidelines on the monetizing options available for you. This means you have enough views on your channel’s videos that YouTube can share some of its advertising revenue with you.

3. Interact with your audience

Another important step in how to be a successful content creator on YouTube is to actively engage your audience. One easy way to interact with them is through the comments section. Ask for their suggestions, respond to their questions, and acknowledge their feedback as often as possible.

4. Have a video content creator workflow

Build a content creator workflow that outlines the specific responsibilities involved from content ideation to publication. The workflow should include processes like creating a content calendar, capturing high-quality videos, and editing videos using professional software to get flawless final content.

5. Have a playlist to organize your content

As you create more videos, you must organize them so that your audience can easily navigate through your channel. Using playlists to arrange your videos into different categories makes it easy for your audience to follow your content and binge-watch your videos if they want to.

Get Started on Your Video Content Creator Career Now!

The video content creation industry will be around for a while. Moreover, anyone can build a successful video content creation career if they put in the right effort. With creativity and other skills like good communication and video production skills, you are sure to set your brand apart from others.

Mandala AI helps make your video content creator journey easier with powerful, AI-integrated tools that provide deep insights into the niche-specific titles, keywords, and strategies that can help you stand out in your social media campaigns.

Get started for free with Mandala AI’s advanced content and social media insights tool!