Whether you’re an aspiring blogger, YouTuber or Instagram influencer (or why not all three?), there’s no denying that the world of content creators is a competitive one these days. I’ve put together a list of my top seven tips for success for content creators to help you stand out from the crowd and build a successful career.

1) Networking

Building relationships is a crucial part of any business, and especially so in the sphere of content creation. Partnerships and collaborations with fellow creators and influencers helps you to get in front of new audiences and be noticed by new brands. 

I also think that in order to be successful in any walk of life you need to surround yourself with others who set a good example and inspire you to be better. Having a friend who is further ahead on their content creation journey than you are is a fantastic learning opportunity. 

You’re probably sitting there thinking “but Bella, I don’t have any blogger friends.” 

That’s totally fine. But you need to take action to get out there and meet fellow content creators in your niche. When I first started out, I attended conferences and group trips for precisely this reason. The relationships I took away from these trips have proved far more valuable and enriching to me than the knowledge I gleaned from the speakers or workshops.

This is why I created my Maldives group trip. In December 2021, I will be travelling to the most generous all-inclusive resort in The Maldives with a select group of luxury wellness content creators to give them the chance to network and forge career-advancing, lifelong friendships. This is truly the trip I wish I’d had when I was starting out.

Click here to learn more.

2) Create Content in Batches

Your favorite content creators may do a good job of making it look like they’re posting on the fly but I guarantee you that most of them don’t. 

It’s not realistic or sustainable to spend every second of every day recording videos or looking for photo opportunities. Successful content creators create big batches of content all in one go that they are able to use weeks, months or even years later. This is a far more efficient way of working that won’t leave you burnt out.

3) Consistency is Key

It’s boring advice, but it’s true. Consistency is always the key to success, whether we’re talking about dominating social media, building a YouTube following, creating a content rich blog or even success outside of the online sphere. Think about going to the gym: one workout won’t give you your dream physique (if only.) You have to keep going back day after day and putting in the work to see results months down the line.

Don’t be disheartened if the video you worked so hard on doesn’t get as many views as you hoped or the blog you poured your soul into doesn’t rank well on Google. Keep pushing, keep creating and trust that all of your effort will eventually compound into some serious results.

4) Stay Informed

In order to be successful as a content creator, you need to keep your finger on the pulse when it comes to new trends.

Things change fast in the online world. New apps can cause huge disruption almost overnight – just think about how TikTok has threatened Instagram and forced the app to change direction. All of the sudden, Instagram is eschewing photo-sharing in favor of Reels and adjusting the algorithm to prioritise video content.

It’s important to stay informed on changes that could affect your business and stay one step ahead so that you can capitalise on them, instead of struggling to catch up later on.

5) Maximise Your Reach

The more platforms you show up on, the more people you will reach. This will also help to protect you against algorithm changes and competition from new apps.

Let’s say you’re an Instagram influencer. What happens if you get hacked, or if TikTok really does kill off the ‘Gram? 

If you also have a content rich blog, a YouTube channel, a thriving Pinterest account and a TikTok, you will still be able to get your content out there and continue earning.

But if you rely solely on Instagram, this would leave you in pretty big trouble.

It’s fine to have a favorite platform, and I don’t recommend spreading yourself too thin when you’re just starting out. However, I do urge you to use as many platforms as possible to reach your audience and set yourself up for success. You know what they say about putting all of your eggs in one basket…

6) Outsource

As much as I believe in maximising your reach, you’re only human, and there are only so many hours in the day. 

Rather than hopelessly trying to juggle everything yourself, you should outsource certain aspects of your business as soon as possible.

Let’s say you’re a passionate blogger and love writing, but struggle to promote your blog on Pinterest. By hiring a virtual assistant to design, create and schedule pins for you, you’re then free to focus on creating quality blog content and you’ll start getting more page views, too.

7) Don’t Get Paralyzed by Perfectionism

The best way to start moving is to start moving.

I get it. You want the content you publish to be as good as it possibly can. That’s admirable.

However, if you continue to procrastinate in the pursuit of perfection, you’ll never publish anything… and no-one will ever see your work.

Be brave. Be vulnerable. You will never feel completely ready. But remember that your audience isn’t perfect either, and they don’t expect flawless content. They want to be educated and inspired by you, and that won’t happen unless you take the plunge and hit ‘post.’

For more advice for aspiring content creators, check out:

• How Do Bloggers Make Money?
• Quick Guide to Affiliate Marketing
• My Top 10 Secrets for Social Media Success
• The Best Affiliate Marketing Networks for New Bloggers