What Is a Content Creator, Anyway?

Are you hearing the buzz and wondering to yourself, what is a content creator, anyway? Content creators are the artists and messengers of the digital age, and they work in a field that will always keep growing. But first, let’s talk about content.

What Is Content?

Content refers to all of the visual and audio material that populates our digital world. It’s all the “stuff” that you experience online, from Instagram fashion pics to Facebook status updates to YouTube video clips. Content expresses a message or even better: it tells a story. And it all has to be created by somebody: the content creator.

What Is a Content Creator?

Content creators are the people who generate all of the original things that you read, see, or listen to online. They can be anyone from a Pulitzer Prize-winning war journalist at The New York Times to a teenage kid posting homemade prank videos. Content creators are writers, photographers, videographers, and graphic designers. 

But the one thing they have in common is this: they produce unique, original creations. They’re not just retweeting other people’s videos or sharing a collection of pictures. They’re making something new – and hopefully, something that is engaging, entertaining, and inspiring. Some of the types of content creators include:

Photographers
Videographers
Visual Artists
Graphic Designers
Writers & Bloggers
Fashion Influencers
Online Commentators
Social Media Managers
Website Managers

How Much Do Content Creators Make?

The pay offered to content creators varies intensely. They might work for free or they can earn millions. Harper’s Bazaar reports that Kim Kardashian can make $500,000 for a single Instagram post. But most content creators start out earning very little. Many earn nothing at all at the beginning, because they’re doing it for the love. In fact, if you don’t love photography, or writing, or shooting videos in the first place – you probably shouldn’t pursue this career path.

But if you do truly love to create content – AND if you are determined and willing to work hard – the sky is the limit!

Find Your Tribe & Ignite Your Career

Join Los Angeles Influencers and discover a thriving community of content creators. Attend networking events, work on our amazing co-creative space, and take your career to the next level. 

Join the movement and sign up today!
 

How to Network Your Way to Success

Networking is an essential skill for any entrepreneur, and it’s even more important if you’re a content creator or social media influencer.

But networking is much more than schmoozing at parties and business events; it’s building authentic connections and long-term relationships. And it’s about helping others as much as they help you. Learn to network more effectively and you can grow your business exponentially.

6 Smart Networking Tips for Content Creators & Social Media Influencers

1. Identify your goals AND what you have to give. Who do you want to establish relationships with? Brands, collaborators, photographers, videographers, models? What do you have to offer them in return? Be specific and have a clear understanding of what makes you special. 

2. Be genuine. Authenticity is the key to successful creative content and influencer marketing. Don’t pretend to like a product you hate just because the brand offers you a sponsorship. Fans and followers can smell fakeness a mile away.

3. Ask open-ended questions. Brainstorm questions before a big networking event if you have to. Focus on the other person’s needs before your own. Instead of asking what’s in it for me? – ask what’s in it for them?

4. Attend a variety of events with different groups. You might not find your niche right away. Check out different communities and consider the vibe and attitude of each. Do people seem supportive? Optimistic? Energetic? You should walk away feeling inspired.

5. Follow through on connections. Never be afraid to be the first one to reach out to new friends via email or text. Follow them on Instagram and Snapchat. Ask them to meet for coffee to brainstorm ideas. Don’t wait for others to contact you first.

6. Put yourself in places where networking authentically happens. If you’re a musician, go to music shows. If you’re a model or a fashion blogger, go to designer launches. If you’re a photographer, go to photography exhibits. If you’re any of the above – hang out at creative co-working spaces that inspire innovative ideas: like Socialset’s studio. Our colorful, industrial space features paintable set walls, Instagram-friendly set designs, and tons of natural light. 

Socialset Studio Special: Buy 2 Hours Get 1 Free!

For a limited time, we’re offering a fantastic deal on our one-of-a-kind creative space. Book two hours and you’ll get the third one free! Network with fellow artists, photographers, and videographers. Find a space that inspires your creative vision and your goals as an entrepreneur.

Do you want to know more about our studio or this amazing deal? Check out our studio space and contact us today for more information or to reserve your time.

Trend Highlight: Long-Term Relationships

Brand Seeks Content Creator for Committed, Long-Term Relationship

Are you a content creator? Make a bigger impact when you build long-term relationships with brands instead of focusing on single campaigns. You already know that the best social media relationships aren’t just about one pic or one tweet – they’re ongoing connections that create a shared sense of reality. Influencer marketing works the same way. 

What Are the Benefits of Ongoing Relationships Between Brands & Influencers?

Brands, influencers, and fans all benefit from long-term ambassadorships, which are much more effective than one-and-done transactions like simple brand mentions or product reviews.

• Brands invest in partnerships with influencers to develop genuine enthusiasm, belief, and loyalty in their product – and ultimately, sales. Influencers have the power to convert their followers into a brand’s customers by fostering an authentic connection with high-quality, creative content. Long-term relationships lead to higher engagement. It’s also easier for brands to work with a pre-approved influencer vs. having to train someone new for every campaign. 
• Influencers get paid to post about products and brands that they truly love. Influencers have the freedom to set their own schedules and be their own bosses. You also enjoy the satisfaction that comes from inspiring others by your unique taste and style. Influencers may also receive free merchandise, services, and other perks as part of their compensation. 
• Fans get the richly developed narrative that they crave and are able to follow the influencer on their journey of discovery and exploration. They learn about cool new products and ideas that help enrich their lifestyles and express their unique identities.

How Do I Build Long-Term Influencer Marketing Relationships?

Explore new collaborations when you join Los Angeles Influencers. We connect trendsetters, brands, agents, and content creators at fun networking events and in our colorful so-creative space. 

Join the movement and sign up today!

Instagram’s Recent API Changes and How It Affects Influencer Marketing

FROM OUR PARTNER SITE: LosAngelesInfluencers.com

Instagram’s Tightened Privacy Policy: What Influencers Need to Know

Instagram recently introduced changes that made big waves in the influencer marketing
industry, and it’s crucial for you to understand how it will affect your business goals.

Here’s the Deal with Instagram API Changes

You’ve probably heard that Facebook got into a lot of trouble recently for sharing 87
million users’ private data with Cambridge Analytica, a voter-profiling company.
Instagram is owned by Facebook. In the wake of the data breach crisis, Instagram
overhauled its management of user information by changing its API (application
programming interface). The API is the software system that provides user data to third-
party apps and developers.
Instagram no longer allows apps and developers to read a user’s own profile
information or read public media on a user’s behalf.

This means that influencers and brands can no longer:

• Access lists of user’s followers
• Access relationship information
• Access a post’s “likes”
• Receive notifications when media is posted

With this highly reduced access to user information, it’s more difficult to analyze users’
demographics and preferences – and to market to them effectively.

What the Altered Instagram API Means for Influencer Marketing
 

While the changes have created a seismic shift for Instagram influencers, the influencer
marketing industry is young and easily adaptable. Influencers are adjusting their
strategies, converting accounts to business profiles, and expanding their presence on
other social platforms.

How You Can Make the New Instagram API Work for You

1. Stay Calm and Post On
Don’t freak out. Learning how to adapt and be flexible is one of the greatest skills you
can develop in the influencer marketing industry. Rest assured that Facebook can only
stay afloat if it is able to sell data-related ads. The platform is simply finding a new balance between data sharing and privacy, and this API change is part of the growing
pains.

2. Diversify Your Social Channels.
You never know when a social network will make changes that affect your business.
Influencers with blogs and followers across numerous social channels were much less
affected than influencers who only posted on Instagram. It’s time-tested advice: never
put all your eggs in one basket.

3. Switch to a Business Profile on Instagram
A business profile will enable you to access metrics on comment moderation and
content performance. To do this, you’ll need to link your Instagram account to a
business page on Facebook.

4. Find Power in Numbers
Meet other influencers and content creators to build a circle of collaborators with whom
you can share your strategies, struggles, and followers. Join Los Angeles Influencers to
meet likeminded trendsetters at parties and networking events.

Take your game to the next level with Los Angeles Influencers. Sign up today!