If I started from scratch as a content creator in 2024, I’d do this…
Today, I want to take you through my comprehensive weekly routine for scheduling my week as a content creator. As someone who manages multiple platforms, brand deals, and future projects, I've honed my organization and time management skills to ensure maximum productivity. If you're struggling to find the right balance between creativity and effective scheduling, this post is for you. Let's dive into my detailed weekly planning process!
Think of Yourself as a Business Owner
So, you're dreaming of becoming a full-time creator. Awesome! It's like building your own online media company. The key? Start thinking of yourself as a business owner from the get-go. Many creators kick off as hobbyists, stumbling into making money, and that's fantastic. But, if I were starting over, I'd have treated this whole journey as "growing a company" sooner (and I would have seen results sooner, too)
Why? Well, thinking like a business owner means understanding you need a target audience, a quality product (your content), and a unique space in the market. It's not just about starting a YouTube channel or an Instagram; it's about creating a solid business plan.
Now, if you are somebody that really is just doing this for fun and as a hobby. Then that’s fine and a totally different episodes - but if you hope is to monetize your content and make a financial living from it - then it’s time to start looking at it as a business.
… okay, but where do you start? Well, today I want to share with you a simple formula for developing a content creator business from scratch. It’s just three simple components that you need to nail down if you want to grow online, and actually make some money off of it.
Starting from Scratch Checklist:
What you’re gonna post about
Where you’re gonna post it
How you’re going to make money from it
What you’re going to post about
Alright, so you probably have an idea of what you want to post about – maybe it's cooking, travel, tech reviews, or gaming. Instead of pigeonholing yourself into a strict niche, because you think that’s necessary for growth, think about what you genuinely want to talk about. What could you make 52 videos about in a year? What could be the focus of your entire business?
Your "niche" is basically the sweet spot between your interests and your audience's interests. But hold on, you don't have an audience yet. At this stage, it’s also important to build out who that audience is going to be, so you can tailor your content for them.
So, think about who would find you relatable or aspirational. Who would be interested in what you want to talk about? Look at who's already watching similar content to what you want to create. This step is crucial – don't just create based on what you want to create; think about what the market demands too.
Before moving on to the where in the checklist, I want to chat about how to provide value with your content” - this gives you a few ideas, especially if you’re starting from scratch!
Educational Content: Under the education category, although you can share inspirational and personal content, your main focus is going to be educating your audience. I think some people feel like they have to have an educational niche to be successful, which is absolutely not the case. But as social media has become a very important part of many people's lives, it is usually where they go to learn. So leaning into educational content can be very beneficial if it makes sense for you.
Inspirational Content: Like I mentioned, some people fall into the trap that if you want to be successful on social media, you need to create educational content. Something else that a lot of people seek on social media is inspiration. Maybe they just need to see that other people are going through what they are and have a community of people they can talk to about it, or maybe it’s hard for them to keep track of their goals each year and instead of having someone give them steps on how to do it, they just want to see that others struggle too and how they manage that struggle. Providing your audience inspiration can really be a big part of building a community. I think, regardless of what topic you are speaking about, you should definitely consider leaning into at least some inspirational content.
Entertainment Content: Developing content for the sole purpose of entertaining people is also totally fine. I would say this is probably one of the major reasons most people start scrolling on social media. Sometimes looking at your phone and just scrolling video after video is a way for somebody to escape their normal day-to-day lives. Finding relatable, hilarious, entertaining content on social media might be the highlight of the day. I think the best way to do this is by finding things that are not only funny and entertaining but give your audience that “I thought I was the only one who experiences this” feeling.
Content Reflecting Your Values
Your content is about more than just how you provide value: in education, inspiration, or entertainment. It’s also about showing you audience what you care about most. Even though it can be intimidating, it’s important to share about the causes you can about when it makes sense to do so. Whether it’s your care for the environment, social justice issues - or any other particular cause - your audience will appreciate knowing that you have passions outside of just the content that you share.
Choose a Platform (and Make Sure You Like It)
Now, where are you gonna post all this amazing content? If you're anything like me, you probably have a favorite platform already. Lean into that excitement and start with the platform you love the most, chances are, you’ll be the best at making content for a platform where you like to consume content. You don't have to be everywhere at once – start with one or two platforms, making sure one is evergreen and the other timely.
And in case you’re new to all of this, let me break those down for you!
Evergreen Platforms:
Think YouTube, podcasts, and blogs. These are your long-term allies. Stats show that YouTube videos, for example, keep racking up views even months after posting. It’s like the gift that keeps on giving – 70% of views on YouTube come from old videos the algorithm recommends. Blogs and podcasts follow a similar beat, gaining traction over time.
YouTube:
I am a YouTube girly, and it’s definitely my favorite evergreen platform, next to podcasts, obviously. Which this year, I decided to start a video podcast alongside my normal audio podcast because I love YouTube so much.
YouTube is a strong platform for growing a community and building a business. The great thing about YouTube videos is that if you consistently post and lean into the right strategy, you will have videos that keep performing for months and years, continuing to generate views. If you mention a free resource or product in your video, it can also keep getting you leads and sales.
YouTube also has its own short-form videos, Shorts. Over time, we’re seeing that these actually help with growth on YouTube. So in 2024, I feel like leaning into Shorts is absolutely critical.
Podcasts
Creators are seeing massive growth with podcasts at the moment, primarily because it provides a direct and authentic connection with audiences that other platforms just don’t provide. In 2024, audiences want authenticity and access to their favourite creators. Podcasts provide a place for a more meaningful connection to happen. A Spotify study reveals that 80% of Gen Z appreciates audio content for its ability to express individuality.
Blogs:
To me, having a blog is a no brainer! Most creators are writing out at least an outline of their video or podcast scripts, so creating a text only version just provides more way to generate views. But having a blog, in my opinion, should come secondary to a YouTube channel or Podcast.
Timely Platforms:
This would be platforms like Twitter, or should I say X and Instagram. X posts, on average, have a lifespan of about 15-20 minutes, and Instagram posts usually get the most engagement within the first 48 hours. Quick and dynamic – perfect for instant updates and staying in the current conversation.
This is my favorite timely platform. Its the one I feel can help you connect with you community. But also provides you the opportunity to gain reach, and have the chance of going viral, usually through Reels.
TikTok
Similar to Instagram, you have a chance of finding viral success on TikTok. TikTok has a very specific audience. So I would make sure to see if this actually aligns with the type of audience you’re trying to grow. And I personally have always just been a bigger fan of Instagram, but this is definitely an option if you’re wanting to see success using short-form video content
X (formally known as Twitter) or Threads
Now, you might be aware of that recently Instagram launched their own version of “Twitter” called Threads. And recently Twitter has been renamed to X. I don’t really lean into either of these platforms, but if you like this style of content, I honestly feel like threads would be more interesting to me because it connects to an account that I’m already very active in, Instagram.
But to rewind a bit, let’s chat about why you should start with the platform you love the most.
Well, posting where you love to consume content helps you understand what's "good." It's hard to be successful on a platform you've never really watched before. Be a consumer or fan first – use that to your advantage. It’s also going to help you with your consistency. When you genuinely enjoy the process of creating, you’ll be much more likely to keep it up in the long term.
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Monetize From the Beginning
Now, let's talk money. Unlike the old days of creating content for free for years, I'd suggest monetizing from the beginning. Audiences today understand that creators need to make a living, so they’re much more sympathetic to you doing brand deals or selling products. (Unlike 2015 YouTube where people would call you a “sellout” for the smallest brand collaboration) Start building an affiliate marketing strategy, create your own digital products, and get an email marketing strategy going. Lay the foundation for future monetization opportunities, even without a massive audience.
Monetization Tips:
Build an affiliate marketing strategy.
Create your own digital products (e-books, courses, workshops).
Develop an email marketing strategy to capture and convert traffic.
Let’s dive into each of these:
Build an affiliate marketing strategy:
Affiliate marketing is an awesome way to earn passive income. To create a strong strategy, start by choosing affiliate products that are relevant to your niche. You can find these products on platforms like Amazon, through direct affiliate programs, or by partnering with specific brands.
Here are some action steps to get you started:
Identify high-converting affiliate products that align with your content (and you love)!
Integrate the affiliate links seamlessly into your content.
Track and analyze the performance of your affiliate marketing efforts using analytics tools to optimize your strategy.
Did you know? According to a recent study, businesses make an average of $6.85 for every dollar spent on affiliate marketing! Not too shabby!
Create your own digital products:
Creating and selling digital products can skyrocket your revenue potential. Whether it's e-books, courses, or workshops. And it means you’re not depending on other brands to build your profit potential, like with affiliate marketing or even brand deals.
Here are some action steps to guide you:
Identify a niche and tailor your digital products to meet a specific audience need.
Use user-friendly design tools like Canva or Notion to create visually appealing content.
Market your digital products using social media and SEO to reach a wider audience.
Fun fact: According to a study by G2, the e-learning market is projected to reach $325 billion by 2025, showing the lucrative potential of digital courses!
Develop an email marketing strategy:
Building and nurturing a community through email marketing is an art. Flodesk, known for its user-friendly interface, can streamline this process for you. Craft an engaging email sequence that guides your audience from initial contact to conversion.
Here are some action steps to help you get started:
Connect Flodesk with your content platforms for seamless communication.
Develop thoughtful email sequences that gradually nurture leads.
Craft compelling emails that seamlessly transition from providing value to promoting your products.
Interesting fact: Email marketing boasts an impressive ROI of $42 for every $1 spent, making it a cornerstone for monetization strategies.
The Biggest Piece of Advice
Before we wrap up, here's the real talk. Treat being a creator like a full-time job, even if it isn't paying the bills yet. When I focused on growing this channel, I treated it like my full-time job for about 8 months before it started making money. I get it – not everyone can do that. If it's a part-time gig for you, just know it might take longer. There are no guarantees, but you can make it happen.
Remember what my mom always says: Plan your work, and then work your plan. And if you want more tips about starting a YouTube channel, check out [link to your video] where I talk about why 90% of YouTube channels fail.
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