How To Become a Content Creator
What Is a Content Creator?
Content creators are individuals who produce content related to a diverse range of concepts and topics across various media and platforms. This content can come in many forms, including written articles, videos, visual media and artwork. Many content creators collaborate with businesses or brands, helping them build a strong online presence, engage their target audiences and increase brand awareness through strategic content marketing.
Content creators can pursue freelancing, cultivating their own independent platforms. By producing content that reflects their personal interests and expertise, they attract and engage dedicated audiences. Through social media and various digital channels, these freelancers promote their work and establish connections with others, expressing their creativity and perspectives with the world.
Projected number of job openings per year for media and communication occupations from 2023 to 2033(See disclaimer 1)
What Does a Content Creator Do?
Content creators’ main objective is to create engaging, attractive content to attract audiences and build a brand. If you’re asking what does a content creator do, you may also be asking what exactly “content” refers to. Content can be any kind of media, whether that be a video, well-written post or captivating photograph. The goal of creating content is to align creative output with a company’s goals and messaging, furthering building brand identity and strengthening its message.
These tasks are all part of a bigger picture of gaining traction in the online world and developing a strong connection with a brand and its target audience.
Brainstorm Ideas
Being creative and generating new, exciting campaign plans for content is a key part of putting out effective marketing materials online.
Plan Execution
Creators must come up with a plan for what content will be most effective and how to best implement their ideas and reach their target audience.
Develop Content and Asset Creation
Producing content is key for these professionals. They must construct their content, either independently or on a team, to then be published online.
Analyze Impact
Learning what is and isn’t making an impact is also crucial to developing effective marketing strategies and adjusting for future campaigns.
What Experience and Education Does a Content Creator Need?
The education needed to become a content creator depends on the individual's skills and career direction. For example, if someone is highly creative and driven but lacks technical skills or marketing experience, they may choose a degree that focuses more on multimedia, marketing or analytics. Meanwhile, if someone is experienced with the latter, they may find a degree focusing on specific social media management more useful.
The path to becoming a content creator is one of many options that can be customized to fit your interests and unique skills.
High School Diploma
College Degree
Internships
Entry-Level Roles
Professional Certifications
Best Degrees for Content Creators
Aspiring content creators should consider earning a bachelor’s degree in a related field. In your program, you will focus on developing skills related to different content types, including film, digital, media graphic design or new media writing, depending on your major.
As you consider which educational path and potential certifications may be best for you, take into consideration your career goals. Are you looking to work independently or in a team environment? What type of content are you most passionate about or are you well-versed in many? Where do you have room for growth? Questions such as these can help guide you in your decision-making.
In your program, you can expect to study material related to:
Digital design and production
Creative processes
Social media strategy
Advertising copywriting
Data and analytics
Photography and video
Digital advertising
Visual storytelling
GCU Recommends These Degree Programs for Content Creators
At GCU, we offer a variety of undergraduate programs and master’s degrees which may equip you with the specific skills you need to begin on your path to becoming a content creator. Explore some of our top options below.
What Skills Does a Content Creator Need?
As you pursue your program, you will discover that this career requires a unique skill set, involving a combination of collaboration and communication skills, as well as technical understanding and social media literacy.
Some skills that these professionals possess include:(See disclaimer 4)
Creativity
Tech savviness
Digital marketing and SEO knowledge
Brand development
Adaptability
Collaboration and networking
Storytelling
Data analytics
Where Do Content Creators Work?
With their innovative, creative abilities, these professionals have various opportunities for work placement.
In-house work, agency work and freelancing are three common possible work environments.(See disclaimer 7)
In-House
Creators may decide to work for a single organization, creating content for one industry and collaborating with other marketing teams.
Agency
Working for an agency allows content creators to work with various clients in a fast-paced environment while offering the opportunity for stability.
Freelance
One of the most potentially appealing aspects of this work is the ability to work for oneself, collaborating with brands and other creators to promote products or services.
Median annual wage of public relations specialists as of May 2023(See disclaimer 5)
Estimated number of new jobs for public relations specialists from 2023 to 2033(See disclaimer 6)
Advancement Opportunities Within Content Creation
As you explore the various career opportunities in this field, you may consider pursuing additional education that may help elevate your skills and take your brand to the next level. You may decide you want to learn more about the backend of digital content and enroll in a coding course. Or, you might choose to continue your education with a graduate degree in marketing or business analytics to stay up to date with current trends. With this may come the potential for new opportunities in this always-evolving profession.
Explore More on Content Creation
Stay informed with the latest insights and updates on content creation.
Gain insight into strengthening your personal brand and why it’s important to a career in media.
Discover tips and tricks to grow your social media following and enhance visibility in your industry.
Learn more about what exactly new media is and how to prepare yourself for a career in this field.
Contact a university counselor to learn more about the content creation programs offered at GCU. Get started on your path to a career creating engaging content.
- COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2024, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Media and Communication Occupations, retrieved Dec. 12, 2024
- Teal. (2024). Education Requirements for Digital Creators. Retrieved Dec. 4, 2024
- Teal. (2024). Digital Creator Certifications. Retrieved Dec. 4, 2024.
- Teal. (2024). Digital Creator Skills. Retrieved Dec. 4, 2024.
- The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (“BLS”), Public Relations Specialists as of May 2023, retrieved Dec. 12, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as public relations specialists, nor does it reflect earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc., against a pool of candidates.
- COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2024, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Public Relations Specialists, retrieved Dec. 12, 2024.
- Mason, K. (2024, Aug, 30). What Is a Content Creator? And How Can You Become One? Siegemedia. Retrieved Dec. 4, 2024.