Target Audience
Posting content is pointless if it’s not getting seen by the right people. You need to meet your target audience where they already are. Publish content where they hang out.
Say you’re targeting Gen Z. YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok are the social media platforms they frequent the most. Trying to reach baby boomers? Turn to Facebook. Corporate executives? Maybe your platform is LinkedIn.
Dig deep into the nuances of your target audience and buyer persona to determine where they are actively visiting. This is the fastest and easiest way to get in front of them and build a following.
Content Medium
Make sure the platform you choose is optimized for your preferred content format.
For instance, if your topic calls for long-form videos, YouTube is likely your best option over TikTok, which has a maximum duration of 30 minutes. If you share primarily static graphics, then YouTube would make no sense. Opt for Instagram.
Pro tip: Be honest with yourself about your natural strengths when it comes to choosing your medium. Everyone can learn new skills, but when you’re just starting, lean into what works best for you.
If you freeze up in front of a camera but are a very eloquent speaker, maybe opt for a podcast over a vlog. If you’re a gifted photographer but a horrible writer, try Instagram over a blog.
5. Create a content calendar.
Next, sit down and list the content you plan to publish. Success as a content creator depends on consistency. You must regularly share content related to your niche to grow and maintain your audience and relevance. So, plan ahead.
Create a content calendar for as far into the future as you can. I recommend mapping out at least two weeks and having your content ready a week before publishing so you aren’t left scrambling at the last minute.
HubSpot has a social media calendar template to help you get started.
For most content creators, a smartphone is the only thing they need to get started. But, if you have the means, some additional tools can give your content that little extra something.
Visual content may mean investing in graphic design software (i.e., Canva or Adobe Illustrator) or video editing tools (like CapCut). Maybe it’s a ring light or a studio backdrop.
Perhaps a pro subscription to Grammarly oman telegram data or audio editing software like Descript would be beneficial for copy or podcasts. Take some time to think through what might be beneficial and get your toolbox together.
7. Create!
Now for the fun part — actually creating your content.
You’ve been waiting for this, so enjoy it, and give it your all. Perfection is the enemy of productivity. So, don’t let it stop you from getting content published.
Bloopers and mistakes are human, and people love creators who are human. So don’t be afraid if you fumble your words or forget a point. These little things can actually make content more engaging.
Plus, the sooner you ship content, the sooner you can start analyzing what works and what doesn’t.
8. Track performance and refine.
Hitting “post” or “publish” doesn’t mean you’re done with your content. Now, you need to track its performance and use that information to guide future creations.
What posts got the most views, comments, likes, and shares? What wasn’t as popular? These insights help you know what to lean into in the future.
If you’re a HubSpot user, our free Marketing Analytics tools make tracking many of these social metrics easy.
9. Create a portfolio.
Creating for the sake of creating is great, but if you can get paid for it, that’s even better. So, this last step is all about money.
According to Influencer Marketing Hub, one in ten influencers makes upwards of $100k a year.
How do they do this? Well, some platforms when did the new megafon logo appear? like YouTube will pay you for creating content when you’ve built a large enough audience and engagement. But if you’re not at the level yet, you need to establish brand deals or collaborations.
A brand deal can come in many forms:
- Sponsored Post or Ad: A brand pays you or offers a free product in exchange for a post about their product on your platform.
- UGC: A brand pays you to create a piece of content for them to use on their platforms or in ads.
- Affiliation or Partnership: You talk about a brand or product and get a commission if someone buys through your referral link.
(For a deeper dive, check out our article “Affiliate Marketing for Beginners: What You Need to Know.”)
Regardless of the arrangement, a portfolio is often the first step in making it happen.
When one of your creations performs well, or you’re simply proud of it, document it in a portfolio. Having a collection of your best work makes it easier to pitch brands you would like to work with or simply share what kind of content someone can expect.
Pro tip: Need help building an online portfolio? HubSpot’s Content Hub is a great free solution.
10. Master your brand pitch.
You’ll likely have to make the first move with brands when you’re just starting out. In other words, you’ll have to make your pitch.
My fellow HubSpotter text services Caroline Forsey surveyed 500+ social media marketers and put together a guide on how to get brand sponsorships as a content creator.
She suggested, “Once you‘ve curated a list of brands that might want to partner with you, send them an email. In your pitch, clearly and briefly outline who you are, what you do, and any achievements you have in the field that make you an expert.”
“Then, explain why you’re a good fit for the brand and include data such as follower count and average engagement rate.”
“Alternatively, you might consider sending a brand a DM straight from Instagram. It‘s certainly more relevant to the job you’re vying for,
