Being a content creator means, well, creating. So, if you’re new to the industry, you’ll need to hone your creative skills like writing, photography, video editing, and graphic design.
Writing
I hate to break it to you, but even if you’re not a blogger, writing is a skill that will up as a content creator.
Photo captions, video scripts, brand pitches, newsletters — In all of these, you want to be able to clearly and memorably communicate your messages to your audience, and good writing skills are a key part of this.
So, how can you strengthen this muscle? Here are some of my favorite resources:
- Book: Everybody Writes by Ann Handley
- Free Lesson: Content Marketing Lesson: Writing Quality and Engaging Blog Content
- Free Course: Creative Writing: The Craft of Style
- Blog: Copyhackers
- Article: What Is Content Writing? Plus 15 Tips to Take Your Content to the Next Level
Note: If you run into writer’s block (even the best of us do), try using HubSpot’s Free AI Content Writer to get started. Give it an idea of what you’re looking for, then use the results as a first draft to rephrase into your own voice and elaborate on.
Heck, when I’m stuck for ideas, even I have turned to ChatGPT for examples to get the creative juices flowing.
Photography & Photo Editing
Thanks to smartphones, anyone can take a high-quality photo these days, but that doesn’t mean everyone knows how to take a good photo.
(Trust — I’m reminded whenever I reluctantly ask a stranger to take a picture for me.)
As a content creator, investing in your photography skills can truly elevate your presence and help you communicate effectively with your audience.
Now, this doesn’t mean you have to spend thousands on professional equipment but do make an effort to familiarize yourself with some photography best practices.
Here are some tips I live by whether I’m taking a photo:
- Always wipe your camera lens clean.
- Follow the rule of thirds in your framing.
- When all else fails, center your subject and aim for symmetry.
- Capture small details.
- Opt for natural light.
- Regardless of the light type, always have the source facing your subject.
- Avoid digital zoom and extreme cropping. (This lowers photo quality.)
- Get shots from multiple angles of the same pose/setup.
Also, familiarize yourself with camera canada telegram data elements like exposure and shutter speed. All of these can dramatically affect your final product. Udemy offers a ton of free courses on these topics and more.
Once you take your photos, don’t be afraid to run them through some light editing to help with lighting or clarity. Some options include:
- Canva
- Photoshop Express
- VSCO Cam
Again, doing this can give your presence just that tiny bit of refinement audiences look up to.
Video Editing
Whether you’re creating videos for TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube, you’ll need to know how to edit. All of these platforms have in-app tools with unique quirks, but there are some overarching concepts and features you’ll see.
These include:
- Footage selection
- Trimming
- Clip arrangement
- Transitions
- Color correction and grading
- Adding text and graphic overlays
- Adding captions
- Audio editing
- Special effects, including VFX, filters, and presets
- Exporting
These are other areas Udemy can help you, but if reading is more your style, check out these articles:
- How to Edit YouTube Videos: A Beginner’s Guide
- 16 Video Production Tips to Enhance Quality and Drive Views
- How To Make Instagram Reels and Use Them to Your Advantage
Graphic Design
Graphic design is another skill who creat the megafon logo? that is used across content mediums. Perhaps you’ll need a video thumbnail or graphic for your Instagram, an infographic for your blog, or a banner for your website.
Having a firm grasp on the basics of design empowers you to create visuals consistent with your brand and deliver exactly the vision you have in mind for your audience.
Don’t feel like you need professional software like the Adobe Suite, either. Canva, Adobe Express, and even a host of AI tools make graphic design accessible for creators of all levels and are free or low-cost.
Here are a few resources to help you get going:
- Free Course: Learn Graphic Design for Beginners
- Free Courses: Canva Design School
- Free Course: The Language of Design: Form and Meaning
3. Zero in on your brand and voice.
First off, your brand is not your niche. Your niche is more about your subject matter. Your brand is how you approach your niche.
It’s what makes your content unique and special. This could include the colors and fonts you use as well as music, words, or taglines. It could also be your personal style of presenting information.
To find it, ask yourself:
- How do you stand out?
- What will make your content different?
- How will it look and feel?
- What would make someone be able to recognize it even if it wasn’t on your platform?
A creator who has mastered this, in my opinion, is Lilly Singh.
Lilly Singh first became a public name as YouTuber IISuperWomanII, sharing satirical skits and vlogs about growing up in a South Asian family.
But even as her career progressed text services beyond this — acting and producing films, authoring books, and being one of the first women ever to host a late-night talk show — her signature brand and humor remained:
The key to finding your style and personal brand like Lilly? Be yourself.
Content creator Erica Schneider has built a large following on X (formerly Twitter) by sharing writing and editing tips. These are common topics, but Schneider stands out by weaving her voice and personality into everything she shares.
“Sounds simple, but it’s easy to lose your voice in a sea of templated tips,” she posted. “Let your personality out. Add your unique flare. Take a stance for or against something.”
