How to Stand Out as a New Content Creator in a Crowded Online Space
As a content creator, it can be challenging to stand out in a crowded online space. With so many creators vying for attention, it can be tough to differentiate yourself and build a loyal audience. However, with the right strategies and mindset, it’s possible to create content that resonates with your audience and sets you apart from the rest.
As someone who has been creating content for 6 years and has worked in various creative positions, I’ve learned a lot about what it takes to stand out in the online landscape. These days, my main focus is on further understanding web3 and helping onboard more talent into the space. In addition, I’m quietly observing the Ed-tech space and other verticals that I’m interested in before working on my own project.
When I’m not working, I love to connect with fellow like-minded builders, founders, and CEOs. I’m also creating travel videos on my Instagram and TikTok. If you’re a fan of those, please give me a follow on Instagram.
I’m proud to say that I was part of Y Combinator’s Startup School and accepted into New Order Bootcamp. I even helped a start-up become a finalist for the Golden Kitty Awards. In this article, I’ll share my top tips and strategies for new content creators who want to differentiate themselves and build a loyal audience.
Develop a Unique Voice
One of the best ways to stand out as a content creator is to develop a unique voice. Your voice should reflect your personality and values, and it should be consistent across all of your content. When you have a unique voice, people will be able to recognize your content immediately, and they’ll be more likely to engage with it.
To develop your voice, start by thinking about your values and the things that are important to you. Consider the tone you want to use in your content and the type of language you want to use. Try to create a persona for your brand, and think about how you want your audience to perceive you.
I have learned the importance of creating content that not only resonates with my audience but also aligns with my personal goals. When I sit down to create new content, I always consider if it’s unique and if it will stand out in a crowded online space.
One of my goals as a content creator is to be approachable and relatable to my readers. I want to create content that is both informative and engaging, while also being casual and easy to understand. By doing so, I hope to build a community of like-minded individuals who enjoy reading my content and sharing their thoughts and experiences with me.
To achieve this, I have developed a unique voice that sets me apart from other content creators. I try to infuse my personality into everything I write, whether it’s through personal anecdotes, or a conversational tone. This not only makes my content more relatable but also helps to establish a connection with my audience.
Create Compelling Visuals
In a crowded online landscape, it’s essential to create visuals that stand out. Compelling visuals can help you capture people’s attention and make your content more shareable. When creating visuals, consider the colors, fonts, and imagery you want to use. Try to create visuals that are eye-catching and reflect your brand’s personality.
If you’re not a designer, don’t worry. There are plenty of tools available that can help you create professional-looking visuals. Canva is a great tool for creating graphics and social media posts, and Unsplash is an excellent resource for free stock photos.
Continuum has design courses for individuals looking to get into the design space or become a designer, check out our courses here.
I recognize the importance of incorporating high-quality visuals into my work. Visuals have the power to captivate and engage readers, making them a critical component of any piece of content.
In my experience, utilizing platforms like Unsplash or Pexels is an excellent way to source stunning, royalty-free images for my articles. These platforms offer an extensive library of images, including photographs and illustrations, that can help bring my content to life. By using images that are relevant to the topic at hand, I can create a cohesive visual experience that reinforces the message I am trying to convey.
However, there are times when I need to create custom visuals to better align with my content or to convey a particular message. In those cases, I turn to design tools like Figma to create custom graphics or edit existing images.
Figma is a powerful, cloud-based design tool that allows me to create everything from icons and logos to complex illustrations and animations. Its user-friendly interface and collaborative features make it an essential tool for any content creator looking to produce high-quality visuals.
It’s worth noting that while visuals are essential for capturing a reader’s attention, they also serve a more practical purpose. Studies have shown that incorporating visuals into content can improve comprehension and retention, making it easier for readers to understand and remember the information presented. Visuals can also help to break up text-heavy articles, making them more digestible and enjoyable to read.
Ultimately, incorporating high-quality visuals into my content is a critical part of my content creation process. By using platforms like Unsplash or Pexels and design tools like Figma, I can create engaging visuals that not only capture my reader’s attention but also help to reinforce my message and improve comprehension.
Leverage Social Media and Other Platforms
Social media is a powerful tool for building an audience and promoting your content. It’s essential to be active on social media platforms where your target audience spends their time. Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter are popular platforms for creators, but you should also consider other platforms that are relevant to your niche.
When using social media, it’s crucial to engage with your audience and build relationships with other creators regardless of your niche. You can do this by commenting on other people’s posts, responding to comments on your posts, and collaborating with other creators.
I am currently active on several social media platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Medium, Facebook, Discord, Web3 social platforms, and Twitter.
Each platform offers unique opportunities to connect with different audiences, and I leverage these platforms to reach a wider range of people. For example, Instagram and TikTok are visually-focused platforms that are ideal for sharing images and short videos. LinkedIn, on the other hand, is a professional networking platform that allows me to connect with other professionals and share my content with a more business-focused audience.
After creating content on Medium or Instagram, I typically create additional content specifically for social media platforms, including teasers and graphics. These pieces of content serve to generate interest and drive traffic back to the original article or post, ultimately increasing engagement and visibility.
I also prioritize engagement with my followers and community on social media platforms. This means responding to comments, sharing relevant articles, and interacting with other creators in my space. By engaging with my followers and community, I hope to build stronger relationships and foster a sense of loyalty and support.
Consistency is Key
Consistency is essential when it comes to content creation. When you’re consistent with your content, your audience knows what to expect from you, and they’re more likely to engage with your content. Create a content calendar and stick to it. This will help you stay organized and ensure that you’re consistently creating content.
Unfortunately, it’s also one of the most challenging aspects of content creation. I, too, have struggled with consistency in the past, and it’s one of my main goals for this year to be more consistent with my output of content creation.
To achieve this goal, I’ve set myself up with a content calendar and scheduling tools to help me stay organized and focused. I try to plan out my content creation schedule in advance, so I will always know what I’m working on and when it needs to be published.
Ultimately, being consistent with content creation takes a lot of effort and dedication, but it’s an essential aspect of building a successful career as a content creator. By setting clear goals, staying organized, prioritizing personal interests, and engaging with your audience, you can stay motivated and inspired to create high-quality content on a regular basis.
Be Authentic
It’s essential to be authentic as a content creator. Your audience can tell when you’re not being genuine, and they’ll be less likely to engage with your content if they feel like you’re not being true to yourself. Be honest, vulnerable, and share your experiences with your audience. This will help you build a deeper connection with your audience and make them feel like they know you on a personal level.
Feedback is an invaluable resource that can help me improve and refine my work. That’s why I always welcome comments and thoughts on my content from my audience.
If you’ve read my other articles or watched my videos on Instagram, I’d love to hear what you thought about them. Did you find the content informative, engaging, and entertaining? Or did you have suggestions for areas of improvement or topics you’d like to see me explore further?
I’m always striving to create content that is both meaningful and valuable to my audience, and your feedback is an essential part of that process.
In addition to comments, I also welcome other forms of feedback, such as direct messages, emails, or even collaborations. By engaging with my audience and building a community of like-minded individuals, I can continue to grow and improve as a content creator.
If you’re interested in connecting with me or sharing your thoughts on my content, please feel free to reach out on Instagram or any of my other social media platforms. I look forward to hearing from you and continuing to create content that resonates with my audience.
Standing out as a new content creator in a competitive online landscape can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. By developing a unique voice, creating compelling visuals, leveraging social media and other platforms, and staying consistent and persistent, you can build an audience and establish yourself as a credible and valuable content creator in your niche.
It does takes time and I am the proof of it.
Do you want to support me?
I am currently building a global vocational school for the next generations of digital workers and creating content on the side. I would be grateful for any support you can provide. (A tip via my link in bio)
If you are planning to travel soon, please consider booking your next trip with Trip.com using my link. You can also follow me on my Instagram for more travel related video content! I am also running a crowdfunding campaign for my trip to ETHDenver, read more about it here.
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