5 Things I Wish I Knew As a Content Creator
Reflecting back on my journey, there are so many things I wish I knew earlier as a content creator.
But, before diving in, I want to commend you for your effort(s) and the content you make!
Being a content creator is no easy task. And pushing yourself past the thoughts of self-doubt to create content is even harder.
So pat yourself on the back for how far you’ve come!
It takes dedication, commitment, and a unique skillset to be successful in the world of content creation.
When I was starting out on my journey as a content creator, there were a few things (a lot of things actually, but for the sake of this blog I’ll keep it at 5) that would have been helpful to know earlier.
Here are five things I wish I knew earlier as a content creator.
1. It’s Ok To Mess Up 28 Times When Recording A Video
Eventually, you’ll get better, and making content will start to flow naturally.
As a new content creator, you feel pressure to make videos perfectly the first time around.
But it’s important to remember that practice makes progress.
You probably thought I was going to say “practice makes perfect” but there is no such thing as perfecting a craft.
Completely disregard that popular quote because it doesn’t reflect reality.
You will never reach perfection. You will only ever get better!
The only way TO get better is to practice and fail. Over and over and over again. Failing is the key to progress and breakthrough.
Failure is what teaches us to either keep trying the thing or to do the thing in a different way.
2. Haters Gonna Hate
Whether they’re family, friends, clients, trolls, or “supporters.” Haters and people who don’t want to support you will come in all forms.
Also, there will DEFINITELY be times you mess up and disappoint someone. This message is more so for service-based content creators. (Photographers, Artists, etc.)
An inevitable moment you’ll experience is coming across people who love what you do, decide to pay for what you do, and are not pleased with what you produced for them.
And that’s ok, it doesn’t define you or your worth.
My advice would be to do everything in your power and comfort to satisfy them by correcting any mistakes you’ve made.
But also have the wisdom to know when you actually did something wrong. When they’re expecting something outside of your creative style or process.
And when they really just want to complain despite you offering solutions.
3. Sharpen Your Ax
Study, research, try, and fail over and over again. This is how you’ll get better at your craft and producing content.
To be effective, consistent, and creative in the world of content creation requires constant learning and practice.
Don’t be so comfortable with your level of skill and knowledge that you get in the way of your progress. Rather, get comfortable with the idea that you should always be in a constant state of learning.
And there’s nothing wrong with studying your competition.
I know firsthand pride gets in the way of finding out what’s working for a successful competitor. And when I did finally go through their content and studied their work, I could feel myself getting insecure or jealous.
ESPECIALLY when the competition had a level of confidence and belief in themselves that I lacked within myself.
But I’ve Come To This Conclusion As a Content Creator:
- There are enough clients to go around
- I bring something unique and different to the world
- My skill set is broader and my creativity is unmatched
- The difference between me and them is discipline and commitment
- There’s nothing wrong with someone being better than me in a certain area
4. Create Content Because You GET To
If you’ve never heard this before let me tell you right now:
You are FREE.
You’re free dude! You have free will and no past trauma can hold you back from this present moment.
And if you need to remind yourself just how free and powerful you are, pray before recording, read some affirmations, or watch a motivational video before creating.
You have so much power within yourself to change your life circumstances, you just have to believe it (I’m preaching to myself a little bit too).
There’s nothing stopping you from creating beautiful work. It’s amazing how far the world has come where anyone can go viral and anyone can become a millionaire.
Take advantage of this freedom!
5. Starting Is The Hardest Part… For Now
As daunting as it seems, starting the process in anything is the hardest part. But wait, that’s not the end of it.
Once you start creating content, definitely celebrate because it’s a win.
But keep in mind that there are more hard things to come.
The journey of a content creator is like a rollercoaster. There are ups, downs, twists, and turns. Sometimes it’ll go backwards too.
But it truly becomes worth it when you accept that the journey is the exciting part!
Lift your arms up and SCREAM in enjoyment because it’s all just a ride. A lot of the time, people end up hating the journey and are looking forward to the end result (e.i. money, brand deals, materialistic things).
But let me ask you this…
What type of person gets on a rollercoaster and says, “I’ll be excited when I get off this ride!”
The type of person that didn’t want to get on the ride in the FIRST place!
People who enjoy roller coasters already know the experience is scary.
They also know they’ll experience anticipation, excitement, and thrill. And some of them are crazy enough to keep their eyes open the entire ride! (I close my eyes sometimes lol)
Things I Wish I Knew As A Content Creator
The overall message I’d like for you to walk away with is, give into the journey. Enjoy the process as you make your way to achieving your goals through content creation. Accept that there will be difficulties along the way and look at them as opportunities to grow and get stronger.
With all that being said, I’ll end this post with a Bible scripture that came to mind about hardships.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
– James 1:2-3 NIV
