Terms

Over 50 million individuals consider themselves to be influencers , or digital creators

It may feel like, everywhere you turn around, there's a plethora of digital media creators professional in social media, as well as influencers. That's true! Today, more than 50 million people globally think of themselves as influencers or digital creators , according to the Influencer Marketing Hub which also estimates that the industry of influencer marketing will grow to around $21 billion by 2023.

While the terms 'digital creators as well as influencers' could appear interchangeable, they're different. In this guide we'll look at what it means to be a digital creator, how it differs from being an influencer, and the steps to become an influencer.

The definition: What is digital creation?

Digital creators are people who creates online content on different platforms. It could be blogs, social media and podcasts as well as videos. The creators and users create content that is authentic to their company and branding, and usually have a specific niche or audience they target.

Digital creators are those who is focused on building an audience of people who follow them, by connecting with their followers as well as sharing their special perspective on topics.

How is a digital creator distinct from an influencer?

There is a lot of overlap between an influencer and creators but there are some major differences. A person who is an influencer enjoys a huge following on social media -- often with a number of hundreds or thousands or even millions -- and frequently uses that following to promote the products or services they offer.

The majority of them work with brands to create commercial content. Their revenue is usually tied to the number of followers they've got.

A creator, on the other hand, is focused on producing content that is unique to them and their personal brand. Although they can also collaborate with companies, their main focus is on creating material that is resonant with their target audience. A creator's income can come from a variety of sources such as subscriptions, memberships, sales, or ad revenue.

What can you do to become a creator of digital content?

Becoming a digital creator is not something that happens quickly. It requires time, energy and dedication to develop a brand that is successful. These are the steps you can take to get started:

Find your niche

The initial step towards becoming a digital creator is to identify your area of expertise. What is it that you are passionate about? What perspective do you have that is unique to contribute to the discussion? Which topics could you bring significant value to?

As a digital creator Your niche must be something that you are knowledgeable about like food, for instance.

You'll want to choose an area that you are interested in, and are knowledgeable about, as well as one that is popular with the public. Do not be scared to be a bit specific: in various ways, the more specific your area of expertise will be, the more likely will be able to distinguish yourself in a crowded market.

Build your brand

Once you've found your niche, it's time to start creating your own personal identity. It involves creating a brand name along with a logo and one that is compatible to your specific niche and appeals to your audience.

It's true that this name may well be your own given name or nickname, but it's best when the name you choose is memorable or unusual. Also, you'll need to set up your own social media profiles and a website that showcases your content and interact with your fans.

Engage and be engaging

The heart of being digital creators is making! A majority of content is digital and could be blog posts, videos and social media updates and podcasts, and more. The content you create should be authentic to you and your business, and provide value for your customers.

Engaging your customers or your members is crucial for building a brand that is successful. This means responding to comments, DMs, and emails as well as creating the feeling of community surrounding your brand. It is also possible to organize events such as live Q&A or meetups for your followers to interact in the real world.

The skills you require to become a digital creator

Becoming a digital creator requires several skills. it is not enough to be creative and artistic and have an interesting insight about your area of expertise, but the most successful creators are focused entrepreneurs as well as business professionals with clear strategies for content and communication.

You'll need numerous skills to become a digital designer like a memorable appearance on camera

Here are the most essential capabilities you will require as a digital creator:

Creativity

If you are a creator of digital content it is essential to be creative in everything that you do. The hint lies in the name! Creativity is the ability to come up with new ideas for contentand speaking well on camera if you're creating video and creating visually appealing images - and this includes thumbnails for videos as well as attractive photos on Instagram.

It is also essential to continually finding methods to interact with your viewers for example, using Ask Me Anythings (AMAs) or sharing behind-the-scenes videos.

Communication

Communication is essential when building a brand and, consequently, when you progress through your career as a digital creator. You'll need to be able to communicate clearly your ideas and brand message to your target audience, therefore you need strong interpersonal skills and a sharpness of thought and communication.

More business-minded communication is also essential for digital professionals You could be in discussions with representatives from brands and companies looking to work together or promote your work, as well as with other creators you want to collaborate with. Getting your point across concisely and fairly is essential.

Business sense

Similar to the previous point, having discussions with fellow creators means you need to understand how collaborative projects will work to help you as well as everyone else involved.

Do you want to connect with a new audience? Revitalize the enthusiasm of less engaged members? Spark a debate? Maybe encourage sales of some product? All of these require clever positioning of your brand, understanding your USP in-depth, and the ability to promote - both ideas and products.

Some examples of digital creators that have been successful

Rhett as well as Link: Rhett McLaughlin and Charles Lincoln 'Link' Neal III also named Rhett and Link are friends since 2006. They have created "Good Mythical Morning', a comedy YouTube channel that discusses pop culture and food in addition to posting frequently on social media and hosting their own podcast, the Ear Biscuits podcast.

Kevin Smith: Actor, filmmaker, comedian as well as a writer Kevin Smith got his big break when he directed, and starred in 'Clerks'. Smith later created the cult comedy characters Jay as well as Silent Bob with Jason Mewes. He is now a well-known YouTuber, author and the host of numerous shows on his SModcast Podcast Network. Some of them include Fatman Beyond and Hollywood Babble-On.

Molly Baz Author, recipe creator and food stylist Molly Baz launched her online creator career in Bon Appetit magazine, where she developed and tested recipes, wrote articles, and starred in videos on the brand's YouTube channel. Since then, she has started her own food brand mollybaz.com with social media and a YouTube channel.

Scott Aukerman: The actor, comedian and author is most well-known for the host and creator for comedy show, the Comedy Bang! Bang! podcast. He was the creator and star of the TV show 'Between 2 Ferns together with Zach Galifianakis' and has appeared in shows such as Parks and Recreation. He founded the Earwolf podcast network and has been awarded two Primetime Emmy Awards.

Jacques Pepin: There's no need to be old to become a digital creator! Jacques Pepin has been cooking professionally for decades. His latest venture, The Jacques Pepin Foundation video recipe book, combines cookbooks with a the video-based membership program, which allows viewers to see famous chefs prepare meals at their homes, and print out the recipes if you'd like to follow the recipe.

Conclusion

Digital creators are not only about making content, it's about building a brand and engaging with the people in your network or. While it takes time and effort to build a successful brand, it's a rewarding profession that allows you to share your unique perspective with everyone around the globe.

Finding your passion by identifying your niche, creating your own brand, producing engaging content and engaging your target audience to become a highly successful digital artist!