During its infancy, digital content creation was met with ridicule. Creators or influencers, as what they are called, were usually the butt of jokes back then for earning money by simply making a paid post on Instagram or Tiktok. Many didn’t see stability or security in the job and did not regard it as a lifelong profession.
According to the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), a professional job is one that requires a specific level of college education, typically a bachelor’s degree or higher, for someone to perform its duties and responsibilities.
So does digital content creation fall under this? We’ve seen a lot of creators coming from different age groups with some not old enough to attend school, some did not finish college, and some with content not related at all to their bachelor's degrees. Based on this, do you think digital content creation is a professional job or not? Is it even the right question to ask?
Before we go further, what is a content creator anyway?
DigitalMarketing.org defines a content creator as someone who creates appealing and awe-inspiring content for an audience. It can either be educational or entertaining and maybe through any media form put out on the Internet such as a blog, vlog, photos, or layouts.
Today, we see content creators everywhere from Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, YouTube, Twitter, and their own blog sites.
What is the average salary of a content creator?
If you are a successful content creator, then you must be earning big bucks. Glassdoor Canada calculated that the average salary of a content creator in Canada falls at $47,830 a year. Freelancers have yearly earnings of about $23 to $27 per hour. Note that salary varies depending on how large the audience is, how high audience engagement is, and the form of the content.
How big is the market?
360 Research Reports has a positive outlook for the digital content creation market in 2025. By that year, it would have grown to USD 16900 million from USD 11920 million in 2019. The growth will be caused by companies wanting to grow their businesses through exploring multiple digital content creation channels.
Today, a company won’t be able to thrive and keep up with the competition if they refuse to adopt digital content creation in their marketing strategies. With the COVID-19 virus still persisting, almost every industry has turned digital now. In the next few years, content creation will be boosting the growth of the global market.
So to answer the question posed by this article, determining if content creation is a “real” or “professional” job doesn’t even matter anymore. The hate might still be there but it won’t affect the fact that content creation is growing rapidly and would grow even faster over the next few years.
The question we should be asking now is how do we get a share of the market. There are definitely many opportunities available where you could lend your talent and creativity. There’s YouTube where you can open and grow your very own channel or you may create a podcast with your closest friends. You may want to grow your Tiktok or take over Instagram reels. The possibilities are endless.
Tools You Need to Start Content Creation
a.) Strategic Plan
The first step is to choose your niche. If you’re thinking long-term, you should choose a niche that is of interest to you so that consistency will come easy. Once you’ve chosen a niche, the next step is to create a name and a logo that aligns with what your content will be. This is very crucial for your growth so don’t rush and take your time. When something strikes you so strongly, then listen to your gut and solidify your plan. This is the time you could sit down to write story ideas and make a calendar to follow when you will be creating content and publishing them. Do your research of your target market and make sure you tick off all the checks you need to capture their attention.
b.) A device with a Camera or a standalone camera
We will recommend investing in a good quality camera or a phone with a good built-in camera to level up your content against your competitors. People on the Internet are very visual and they are typically drawn to good quality videos that won’t distract them from understanding the narrative of your content.
If you can’t afford it just yet, then you could settle for now with what you have. Study the camera settings and make the most out of good lighting to still produce great quality content with even a low-cost camera.
c.) Laptop / Desktop Computer
To connect to the Internet, you of course need your laptop or desktop computer. You need to have one of the two as well for editing the videos you took or the words you wrote. Be discerning when choosing a computer. Do not go for brands just because they will bring you up the social ladder but rather check the specifications of each product so that you will know if it’s a fit to fulfill the content you have in mind. For editing, the processor of your laptop or computer must be compatible with the software that you have to install; case in point, Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom.
d.) Work Desk
It is hard to maintain proper time management as a content creator who works with a flexible schedule. You need a height adjustable standing desk for your workstation to help you stay alert and awake, shifting from sitting to standing positions anytime. This will have a great positive impact on your work efficiency and productivity.
f.) Lighting Equipment
Again, your required lighting varies depending on the kind of content creation you are doing. If you are a blogger and releases photos most of the time, using a softbox or an external flash will add life and crispness to your photos. If doing content at home, you may set up your photo station in front of a window for natural light. If it’s for a product shoot, then use DIY reflectors. You may grab the white side of an illustration board to reflect the light coming from the sun which you could then direct to your subject.
Your editing station must also have ample lighting to help you stay awake and focused, making sure that you’re seeing colors in their truest form. Use a modern table lamp or clamp a task lamp.
h.) Confidence
You know as they say, “Confidence is key.” As a content creator, you must be confident with your line of work which will make it easy to sell your brand to your audience and a potential partner company. You might end up saying no to life-changing opportunities if you don’t trust yourself well enough. Don’t be afraid to go out there and share what it is you could offer.
