Modern technology has truly opened up a whole new world for online creators to share, promote, learn and earn like never before seen.
Here are some great names in the online creator space that are putting active strategies in place and getting positive results. Each piece of advice and experience below can truly help any aspiring online creator or online entrepreneur.
A big thanks to each of these people for taking the time.
Travis Johansen
As a video producer – I work all day helping online content creators turning their vision of standing out online into reality.
From my experience on the higher end side of video production, I’m typically working to create content (promotional videos, marketing related web commercials, and fundraising videos for non-profits) that will have a longer shelf-life than the daily or weekly vlog type of content.
That said – my most popular video ever was actually created using my cell phone and has been seen more than 2.8 million times.
My top two core values which guide every decision is that the end video must be clear and clever. If I have to choose just one – choose clear.
Some ways to be clear, clever and get your message across is to think about your message accomplishing 3 goals: 1) educate, 2) motivate, or 3) incite.
Educate: (“give someone training in or information on a particular field”)
– think about the last time you’ve watched a video on Facebook. What was it about? Perhaps it was a cooking video showing a meal quickly getting prepared leaving you salivating despite the fact you just got to work after eating breakfast? Teaching people how to do something – either through words or visual imagery can help you get your message across and position yourself as an expertMotivate: (“stimulate someone’s interest in or enthusiasm for doing something”)
– there’s a quote that goes something like “people never remember what you say – but they always remember how you make them feel”. (paraphrased from Maya Angelou). When you motivate people – you leave a good taste in their minds and they’re more likely to subscribe, like, share, comment, and become part of your “tribe” (think: Seth Godin).Incite: (“encourage or stir up”)
– in terms of building a buzz or tapping into viral news, consider ways you can incite curiosity and uncertainty (disagreement) between you and your audience. Incite them to comment – make a point that they disagree with and make them “call you out” either in a negative way or in agreement.
My most popular “viral” video blew up to 2 million views because many people were polarized by it. I asked people to comment and they sure did! Not always nice comments – but it sure build a buzz and now ranks quite well for some popular search terms in it’s category.
Purely Amy
As for being ‘successful’ as an online influencer, I think the title really hits the nail on the head. If you are influential (that is have something of influence to say) say it! People will naturally want to hear what you have to say and follow you on the platforms you choose to say it on. Whether it be your artistic flare on Instagram or your wit on youtube, you create the platform for your brand and people who have similar passions will find you given time.
The best way to ‘crack’ any of these platforms is consistency; in your work, your schedule and in your branding. If you’re a health blogger stick to what you know best, it’s what your audience are expecting of you. I think that’s what has made me stand out most, I’ve always stuck to my niche – even on the bad day’s where I’m not feeling healthy or like I want to give advice.
I use that to my advantage and talk about the negatives of being a health blogger. We all need to have a space to moan and my readers seem to appreciate that I’m always honest with them. From healthy drinks that aren’t so healthy to my own weight gain from poor dietary choices.
My strategy is consistency, I have schedules in place on a few platforms, I regularly share in different groups and try to vary my hashtags and social groups to reach as many people as I can. I have always published new content twice a week; Wednesday’s and Saturday’s and rarely miss a deadline – I’m always honest, even if it’s for a brand that could bring in the big bucks for me as a freelancer.
Sally Kane
Creating online content that generates page views and social shares is time-consuming and challenging. To be successful, content creators must develop creative ways to recycle existing content. For example, my team has repurposed FAQs into short videos; converted internal data into PowerPoint presentations; and recycled statistics into infographics.
Repurposing existing content helps content creators work smarter and faster. A unique angle and amazing visuals (such as photos and charts) can increase the potential for your content to go viral.After the content is created, the next step is promotion.
Promoting content on social media platforms and through newsletters, press releases and other channels helps your hard work get noticed.
Ron Grebler
I’m a producer/director of TV advertising, commercials and branded video content for traditional broadcast, web, digital and social platforms. My commercial work has spanned a wide range of brands from women’s fashion/beauty to food to automotive and more.
With a handful of awards and over 10 years in the business of advertising and marketing videos, I have unique insight into creating video content (from a technical, creative and strategic standpoint) for ad and marketing agencies as well as direct to clients.
Respect that people are consuming more video than ever before … so when they watch your piece make it worth their while. That could mean entertaining them, informing them, visually stimulating them, shocking them, making them laugh, tantalizing them … always make it worth their while.
Here’s a pro tip that every director (even the super successful Hollywood types) does: watch similar videos to what you want to produce. The point is not ripping them off but rather to be inspired by them. Notice how they used their creativity to make a point that you want to make as well. Being a good filmmaker (content creator) means constantly finding new approaches to creating. If you do so, the audiences will keep coming.
Aaron King
My most used vlogging camera is my smallest, the Sony RX100v. It’s a simple point and shoot that I keep in my pocket and use to film throughout the day. I document what goes on and then edit later. It’s that simple.
Music is a game changer. My favorite thing to do is match the right song with the right photography. An important part of the process is reaching out to artists for permission and giving credit. You can purchase songs at places like Audio Jungle and Pond5, or find artists on Soundcloud.
For instructional content, I create a basic outline to organize my thoughts and then improvise the rest. This comes off as both natural and organized. Audio and lighting will then be the two things that add production quality to your content. I always keep a Rode shotgun mic and Zoom h4n Pro in my bag.
Andre Boyer
I believe what makes me stand out above the rest is production value, knowing who your target audience is, and where you would want to put your money towards when it comes to advertising…ie PR, google ads, sponsored content etc.
There are so many ways of getting your content seen. Its more of a mindset of how one would want to achieve those goals.
After I created My “So-Called” Co Star Life. Here are some things that I did that defiintely helped in creating a stronger presence.
Create an online social media account for the show/blog via, Twitter, IG and Facebook.
Since most are all connected you can post daily about the show, or blog. Or If you are still in post production of the show. Its great to post BTS (behind the scene) photos daily to get fans excited about what is to come! Also using various hashtags so your algorithm changes for more likes, views, comments and shares. Yes the work is tedious but the outcome is huge if you keep at it.
Another way to help with your project. Reach out to other social media influencers that have done content like yours. Share your project with them, and ask for feedback. That will make them more obligated to help you, more than just asking them to “post” about your show. And If they like what you do, you’ve not only gained a new fan/friend, but also a future collaboration.
I have also hired someone in the PR world to reach out to bigger outlets about my show. Some PR companies are very hard to get into and very expensive. But if you have great material, most of the time, you’ll get a yes. Don’t kill yourself financially if you cant afford those things. But it still helps, while the PR company is working with you. You still post daily on your social media outlets about updates.
Memes are also a great way to tell a different side of your story. It could be made into a gif or you can write on the photo itself to get a reaction out of your fans. Don’t be scared to ask questions to your followers. Find out what they like, What they don’t like. etc. It makes your content and vision more concise. So youre not throwing darts up at the board and hoping something sticks.
– This is Andre Boyer I am an Award Wining Content Creator and Producer. My most recent successes have been featured in TubeFilter and Natpe. I was recently nominated at the Indie Series Awards for My “So-Called” Co Star Life. The show has garnered over 100k views on facebook alone.
Tina Courtney
Content creation is a game of authenticity and efficiency. To stand out from the mind-blowing amount of clutter, you have to find and cultivate your unique voice. There is no room for copycats or regurgitated info; not for folks that succeed. Don’t be afraid to be sassy, to be controversial, to ruffle some feathers and speak your truth.
If you speak what you believe in, no matter the topic, it shows!
Step two is to be very savvy about repurposing everything you create. A blog post can become a video diary which can become a slide show and an infographic. Take the material you create for one modality and apply it to all that feel relevant. Everyone consumes content differently; the more you diversify, the less effort it takes to reach the masses.
You can learn more about getting into creating your own video content by reading some of the following guides and articles. Check out the best cameras for video recording here and some useful lighting equipment for videos here.
Elijah Masek-Kelly says
Great Post Bill! Loved the read, some really good insight here!
Thanks for sharing.