If you’re familiar with social media and the internet, chances are that you’ve come across at least one piece of content from a digital creator. From the YouTuber who provides narrations about unsolved murder mysteries to the décor enthusiast who shares beautiful photos of their latest design projects on Instagram – content creators are everywhere. So it’s no surprise that you’re curious to learn more about what a digital creator is and what they do.
In this post, we provide you with an in-depth explanation of what is a digital creator and how it differs from an influencer. We also provide you with tips on how to become a digital creator and share some examples of successful creators to give you inspiration. Let’s take a look.
What is a Digital Creator?
A digital creator or a digital content creator is someone who produces content and shares them across various online channels. The content they produce may be in the form of images, videos, podcasts, or even written text. They may use social media platforms like YouTube and TikTok or even their own website to distribute the content.
A blog content creator may have their own website where they publish blog posts related to their topic of interest or expertise. Meanwhile, a YouTube content creator may primarily use their YouTube channel to create videos related to a specific topic. Similarly, you have podcast creators who share podcast content through channels such as Spotify or Apple Podcast.
For example, Andi and Miquita Oliver are digital creators with a main focus on podcast content. The mother-daughter duo hosts the “Stirring It Up” podcast where they invite a guest over for dinner and have conversations about food and culture among many others.
How is a Digital Creator Different from an Influencer?
The definition of a digital creator and an influencer is one of the easiest things to mix up. After all, influencers also create content and digital creators are also influential in their respective spaces. So what makes a digital creator different from an influencer? Let’s break down some of the key differences:
- A digital creator’s primary goal is to create high-quality content in their chosen niche whereas an influencer’s primary goal is to influence people’s decisions and opinions.
- Digital creators provide value through the content they create whereas influencers focus on promoting specific products and services through their content.
Additionally, an influencer accumulates a social following around their identity. Think a fitness influencer who posts pictures of them wearing a newly launched activewear brand. People follow them for the way they look and act instead of specifically for the content they create.
Meanwhile, a digital creator’s influence isn’t necessarily tied to their identity but rather the content they create. That means they may even create content behind a fictional persona without necessarily revealing their identity. So they may amass hundreds of thousands of followers who look to them for high-quality content even without ever knowing their real name.
For example, Tommy Toe Hold is a cartoon character that primarily shares fight commentary through YouTube videos. These videos are shared through a YouTube channel where it has garnered more than 121k subscribers. The creator behind the character is a digital creator whereas the character itself may be considered a virtual influencer.
Tips on How to Become a Digital Creator
Now that you have a clear distinction between an influencer and a digital creator, you may be interested to know how to become a digital creator yourself. Follow the tips below to begin your journey as a digital creator.
1. Decide on a Niche
Start with a clear idea of the niche you want to focus on. This will help you streamline your content creation efforts at the start and enable you to build a loyal audience base. You can always branch out and experiment with other niches later on, but you first have to start with one specific niche.
Ideally, you should be creating content on topics that you’re either an expert in or very passionate about. At the same time, there’s no point in creating content about topics that no one seems to be interested in because you won’t have an audience. Without an audience, you won’t be able to turn your content into a revenue stream. So you should also consider what topics people are currently paying attention to.
The key is to find the right intersection between profitability, audience needs, interests, and skills. For example, someone who’s good at writing and is interested in sharing their passion for writing could create content about writing tips for freelancers.
2. Focus on a Content Type
The next step is to decide on the content type you want to create. This depends on various factors including your personality, communication skills, niche, and audience.
If you have great interpersonal skills, then you may primarily want to create video content. If you don’t want to show your face but love conversing, podcasts and narration videos may be your best bet. On the other hand, if you’re more introverted and prefer to communicate through writing, written content could be ideal for you.
However, it’s also important to note that some topics are better shared through specific types of content. For example, people who are interested in writing tips may be more likely to consume articles on the topic. Meanwhile, those who are interested in real-life mysteries may want to listen to a podcast or a video narration about those stories.
For instance, Mandy and Melissa are content creators who host the “Moms and Mysteries” podcast. They discuss true crime cases every week in a conversational tone that engages the audience.
3. Choose Your Distribution Channel
Once your content type and niche have been decided, it’s time to choose your distribution channel. This will typically involve focusing on one specific channel to distribute your content and maintaining a secondary presence on social media to promote your primary channel.
Some content creators may also primarily use social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram to distribute their content. For instance, a comedy digital creator may use TikTok as a main channel to share short-form comedy videos. They may also upload the same content across Instagram and YouTube, but their primary distribution channel is TikTok.
Your distribution channel depends largely on the type of content you want to create and the audience you want to reach. For instance, if you’re creating podcasts, then you’ll want to look into podcast-hosting platforms like Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Or you may even set up your own website to host your podcast episodes and promote them through other channels such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
Andi and Miquita host their podcast episodes on Apple Podcasts and Amazon Music. However, they also promote their podcast through Instagram Reels that give viewers behind-the-scenes glimpses into the episodes.
4. Build Your Personal Brand
One crucial step that makes for a successful digital creator is building your personal brand. This is the step that will set you apart from other creators. It’s what will make your content more memorable, enabling you to establish a strong presence in your target niche.
Authenticity should always be central to your personal brand, so don’t be afraid to showcase your true personality. At the same time, it’s important to establish some key aspects of your creator identity that you want people to associate with your personal brand. For example, do you want people to associate you with a fun-loving, optimistic personality? Or do you want to come across as demure and mysterious?
Your personal brand will also shape how you develop your content and your brand voice. For example, a video creator with a fun and positive personal brand may want to shoot in a setting that includes bright colors and décor items while using a perky and uplifting voice. On that note, here are a few tips to help you establish your personal brand as a digital creator:
- Maintain visual consistency. This includes having a consistent color palette and theme as well as fonts depending on the type of content you create. For creators whose looks are showcased in their content, the way you dress will also be a part of your personal branding.
- Develop your signature and use it consistently. This includes creating unique intros and signoffs that people will associate with your content. Use them across all your content so that people will associate it with your brand.
- Develop a brand lexicon. On the same note as above, come up with signature phrases and terms to give your content a more unique touch. This adds personality to your content and differentiates you from other creators in your niche.
For example, Kurtis Conner is a comedian who creators YouTube videos with commentary about internet trends. His sarcastic and witty comments, self-deprecating humor, and unique mannerisms are associated with his personal brand.
5. Nurture Your Community
As a digital creator, your audience is the biggest contributor to your success. You need people who will consume your content regularly and even share it with their peers so you can establish a strong presence in your niche. This makes it crucial to nurture your community and build a loyal fanbase.
Without a strong following, you’ll have a hard time monetizing your content as most platforms have minimum requirements you need to start earning revenue. Similarly, you won’t be able to make much money even through merchandise sales and monetary gifts unless you have a significant audience base.
Start with the way you speak to your audience. When creating content, avoid simply talking to yourself. Talk directly to your audience as if they’re friends so they feel acknowledged.
Bailey Sarian is a YouTube content creator who discusses murder mysteries while doing her makeup at the same time. She starts off her videos by greeting her “friends” and talks directly to the camera as if in a conversation with them. She also ends her videos by asking her viewers to stay safe and shares some good advice as closing thoughts.
You could even come up with terms to address them or share phrases and inside jokes that make them feel like part of a community. Think about how many celebrities have names for their fans like BTS has Army, Lady Gaga has Little Monsters, and Taylor Swift has Swifties. Provide your fans with a unique name for them to identify themselves as so they feel like they belong to your community.
For example, YouTubers Dan and Phil have a Phandom while Thomas Sanders has Fanders. Think of something catchy and unique to associate with your fans. You could even involve them in the fandom naming process and ask them to submit suggestions. These suggestions can then be shortlisted and voted on by the rest of your fans.
6. Develop a Monetization Strategy
When you’re a digital creator, you’ll likely want to monetize your content or your influence as a creator. Besides creating great content, you’ll need to develop a strategy to make money from your content. While many content and social media platforms let you earn revenue from your content, there are other ways to make money as a digital creator:
- Affiliate marketing, which involves sharing unique links and codes for another brand’s products and services. You get to earn a commission from the purchases you drive.
- Merch sales, which involves developing your own merchandise and selling it to your audience.
- Subscriptions, which involves getting paying followers on platforms like Patreon or through your own site. In exchange, paying subscribers will have access to exclusive content and perks.
- Sponsored posts, where you create content that features a brand in exchange for monetary compensation or free products.
For example, Film Cooper creates commentary videos about trending internet topics. Many of these videos are sponsored by brands that provide his viewers with free trials and discounts.
Examples of Successful Digital Creators
Before you start your journey as a digital creator, it’s important to look at the landscape to see what kinds of people are finding success in the space. Here’s a quick list of some examples of successful digital creators:
Vlogbrothers
Hank and John Green (yes, that author) are digital creators who share videos through their channel – vlogbrothers, which has over 3 million subscribers. In their videos, they provide in-depth explanations on topics ranging from politics and science to history. Some of their content also includes vlog-style videos where they visit places and share thoughts emerging from those visits.
Rhett & Link
Rhett and Link are content creators who share comedy videos and discussions about pop culture through their YouTube channel – Rhett & Link, which has more than 5 million subscribers. Their videos feature songs, rap battles, sketches, and experiences – all with a comedic element to entertain their viewers.
Mel Robbins
Mel Robbins is a podcast host and digital creator with a focus on motivational content through The Mel Robbins Podcast. She shares podcast episodes where she discusses valuable tips on how to improve one’s life and mindset. This digital creator has amassed millions of listeners worldwide and a significant social media following.
Wendy of The Kwendy Home
Wendy is a digital creator behind the blog – The Kwendy Home. She regularly shares decorating and DIY tips through aesthetic images and written content. She also maintains a strong Instagram presence, where she creates aesthetic Reels about her home transformation and décor experiences. The Kwendy Home now has more than 800,000 Instagram followers.
Trevor Noah
Starting out as a TV personality, Trevor Noah is now one of the most popular digital creators, sharing content through his podcast – What Now? With Trevor Noah. The podcast show features conversations with special guests where he engages in authentic back-and-forths and honest reactions.
Start Your Journey as a Digital Creator
Now that you have a clear idea of what a digital creator is and how to become one, it’s time to start your journey. Make the most of the tips and ideas shared above, and take inspiration from these successful digital creators to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be a digital creator?
A digital creator is someone who creates content such as videos, images, blog posts, and podcasts and distributes them through online channels.
How do you become a digital creator?
You can become a digital creator by finding your niche and developing high-quality content on topics related to that niche.
What is the job of a digital creator?
The job of a digital creator is to create content and share it through digital platforms such as social media, podcast platforms, or their own website.
Can anyone be a digital creator?
Anyone with perseverance and skills can become a digital creator with the right strategies.
How do digital creators make money?
Digital creators make money through ad revenue, subscriptions, merch sales, sponsored posts, and affiliate marketing.
