How do you become a content creator? Here's how to get started!

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Hoe word je content creator? Zo ga je aan de slag!

You hear it more and more these days: people becoming content creators. Becoming a content creator sounds great, but getting started is often difficult. You see polished videos and perfect feeds everywhere, while you're still thinking: where do I get my ideas from, which platform is right for me, and how do I create content that people will actually copy?

In this blog post, we'll explain what a content creator is, how to get started, and what you need. After reading this blog post, you'll know exactly which niche suits you, which platform to choose, and how to get your first video online in just a week.

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Intro: Why become a content creator and where do you start?

A content creator is someone who creates images and shares them on social media. This sounds simple and straightforward, but there's much more to it than that. Besides creating awesome images, sharing content connects you with many people, makes new friends, and can even build a community.

Many aspiring content creators struggle in the beginning. They don't know exactly what they want to create, what they need, or they don't upload consistently. Later in this blog post, we'll offer tips for aspiring content creators and help you get started. You can read more tips about creating videos in the blog post " 7 Tips for Smartphone Videography ."

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Choose a niche that suits you (and keep it feasible)

To be successful as a budding content creator, it's important to choose a niche that suits you. A niche is a specific area or target audience you focus on. Choosing a niche that suits you and that you enjoy will also motivate you to create the content for it and stay consistent.

A common mistake is that people want to create content "for everyone." You'd think this would reach the most people, but that's precisely the pitfall. By not having a specific focus, people are less likely to follow you. If you have a niche, you might have fewer potential followers, but the followers you do gain will be more engaged.

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Choose your platform: TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, or a combination?

What many people underestimate is the importance of choosing platforms carefully. The common mistake is either choosing the wrong platform or posting your content on every platform. Some content works, but not all. Below is an overview of TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, outlining the best content for each platform:

  • TikTok: TikTok is best for short, quick, and catchy videos with a strong hook, trends, and relatable content.
  • Instagram: Instagram is best for a mix of Reels, posts, and Stories to both gain reach and build a bond with your followers.
  • YouTube: YouTube is best for longer, in-depth videos like tutorials, reviews, and explainer content that can also be found through search.

Want to crosspost the same content across multiple channels? Don't blindly follow through. What works on one platform doesn't automatically work on another. You can easily post a video on TikTok and Instagram, for example, but adapt it to each platform: consider format, captions, length, and tone of voice. Don't view the overview above as hard and fast rules, but as guidelines to help you understand what performs best on each platform.

Generate content ideas using content pillars

Many aspiring content creators are very enthusiastic and come up with a wide variety of content ideas. We recommend using content pillars that fall within your niche. Content pillars are essentially subcategories you create for your content. For example, if your niche is "running for beginners," your content pillars would be "tips & explanations" and "personal experiences." Initially, you'll have many ideas, but eventually, you'll have used them all. In that case, it's helpful to have three to five content pillars, which will give you a boost for a new idea.

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From idea to recording: script, shot list and preparation

How do you turn an idea into a video? If you have a great idea, it's important to develop it into a video. One of the most important aspects of a video is a good hook. A hook is the beginning of your video, enticing viewers to watch the rest. Without a good hook, viewers are likely to lose interest.

Once you've figured out what kind of hook you want, it's helpful to write a script. The best way to do this is with a shot list: a list of all the shots you want to include in the video. This way, you can describe each shot's length, the audio that should accompany it, and what should be visible in the shot.

Once your script is completely finished, you can start preparing. This involves making sure everything you need for the video is ready. For videos where you read a script aloud, an autocue saves you a lot of time. You can read about how to best use it in the blog post " How to use an autocue? ". When collaborating with others, it's especially helpful if everything is set up before they arrive. This includes all the props or objects you need for the video, as well as any equipment to support the filming itself (more on that later).

Create a simple content plan that you can stick to

You hear it often, but the biggest tip often given to aspiring content creators is: consistency is key. It's more important to upload consistently than to upload perfected content (but preferably a combination of both). It sounds simple, but it's actually quite challenging.

Creating a realistic schedule can help with this. This might sound obvious, but many people don't do it and therefore give up. By writing down a schedule, you'll know exactly when something needs to be uploaded, and therefore what needs to be finished by when.

Another thing that can help with planning is batching. Batching involves creating content in chunks, rather than individually. In layman's terms, this means holding a shoot for multiple videos, instead of setting everything up and arranging for just one. This saves a lot of time, since you're already filming.

What do you need as a content creator?

We recommend that you don't just jump into filming; you'll need more than just a phone or camera. If you want to become a content creator, a little gear can make significant strides in the quality of your content. Below, we've listed the gear that will help you achieve the greatest gains:

  • Microphone : Good sound is incredibly important when making a video. If the quality of your audio recording is poor or you're difficult to understand, people will tune out.
  • Tripod : Filming handheld often results in shaky footage. This creates a jittery effect, making people more likely to tune out. Using a tripod keeps your composition clean and your video smooth. Want to film yourself? Then the MOJOGEAR TS4 is recommended. The tracker automatically follows you, ensuring you're always in frame.
  • Video light : By paying extra attention to lighting, you'll significantly improve the quality of your videos compared to others. If you film during daylight, you won't experience any problems, but to ensure good lighting at any time of day, a video light is ideal. With a video light, you can adjust the brightness and color temperature to your liking, ensuring your video is perfectly lit.

This is the basic gear we recommend for every aspiring content creator. With these essentials, you'll instantly elevate the quality of your videos.

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Do you film with your phone? There are also a few smart tools that make your workflow even easier and more professional:

  • Selfie screen monitor : if you want to film yourself, this is a truly life-enhancing tool. Your phone's rear camera offers better quality, but you can't see the screen. With a selfie screen monitor, you can see yourself and film with your rear camera. A selfie screen monitor is a Bluetooth-connected second screen for your phone.
  • Bluetooth remote : Once your setup is complete and you're ready to film, you still need to start recording. At times like these, it's helpful to have a Bluetooth remote (which allows you to start recording remotely) so you don't have to break your entire setup just to start recording.
  • Neck mount : Want to shoot from your POV (point of view)? Then a neck mount is an extremely handy tool. You place it around your neck, allowing you to film hands-free and perform any activities you want to capture. Read more about this in our blog post, " POV video: what is it and how do you make one? "
  • Power bank : This might seem obvious, but you don't want your (phone) camera to run out of juice while filming. Prevent this by using a power bank.

Also, remember: more expensive isn't always better. It's better to use a microphone, tripod, and video light that are slightly cheaper than just one of the three and choose the most expensive one.

Editing without stress: how to make your content better and clearer

How do you turn individual footage into a good video? After you've filmed everything, you start editing. Many beginners make the mistake of leaving everything in, while editing is precisely what makes it clear to the viewer what they do and don't need to see. The goal of editing isn't to make it look better with all sorts of effects, but to make your video clearer and faster, making it more enjoyable to watch.

Start by roughly selecting your footage. Remove silences, mistakes, duplicates, and unnecessary moments. This way, you'll only be left with the shots that truly contribute to your story. Then, consider the order: does the video flow logically, does it maintain a good pace, and is it immediately clear what you want to show or tell? Pacing is especially important with short content, as viewers are likely to tune out if something starts too slowly.

Once you've got the basics right, you can further enhance the video with simple edits like captions, zooms, or short text on screen. This helps clarify your message and capture attention. Just be careful not to add too much: too many effects can be cluttered. Good editing doesn't have to be complicated. With a clear structure and smart choices, you can quickly make your content much stronger.

Instagram offers Instagram Edits, a tool that allows you to easily edit content. Read more about it in the blog post " How does Instagram Edits work and what can you do with it? "

Growing as a creator: testing, learning and improving

Budding creators want to go viral right away, but that's unrealistic. You need a foundation before you can go viral. It's tempting to focus on that one standout, but it's much more rewarding to stay within your niche and build a community within it.

Once you've published some content, you'll have access to data. This will give you insight into how your content is actually performing. Are you already getting a lot of views, likes, and comments? Keep up the good work. Are the views, likes, and comments still disappointing? Try something different, like a different hook. By continually looking at your content this way, you'll see what works and what doesn't. This way, you'll consistently improve and grow your following.

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Common beginner mistakes (and how to avoid them)

As a beginner content creator, it's understandable that you won't be perfect at everything. Especially in the early stages, the same mistakes are often made. Below, you'll find the most common pitfalls and how to easily avoid them.

  • Being too perfectionistic: When someone is just starting something new, they tend to want to do it too well. When making a video, both during filming and editing, you can get very frustrated if something has to be perfect. Try to consider whether your message is clear and whether there are any major errors. Making small mistakes is human, and especially in the beginning, it's not the end of the world. If you spend too much time on the precise details, it will ultimately be less enjoyable (if it just won't work out consistently).
  • Posting too little: we've mentioned it before: consistency is key. If you don't upload consistently, your account won't grow properly. At some point, all those great ideas you came up with in the beginning will have already been implemented. You can prevent this by creating a content plan; read more about this in "Create a simple content plan that you can actually stick to."
  • Lack of focus: Another rookie mistake is not focusing your images. This results in unappealing images, which can turn people off. To avoid this with a camera, gently press the record button first, which focuses the lens. On your phone, you first need to tap on what you want to focus on before starting the recording. This trick prevents blurry images!
  • Poor audio: For many viewers, audio is the most important part of a video. Poor audio lowers the quality of your video and can lead to losing viewers. A good way to combat this is using an external microphone. This way, you prevent poor audio. Not sure what kind of microphone you need? Read our blog post " Best Microphones in 2026 - Selection Guide ."
  • No clear message: In some videos, the message isn't clear. People watch your video, but don't know what you're trying to say. A clear message gives viewers an incentive to learn more about you and/or to follow you.

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Collaborations and earning money as a starting creator

Once you increase your reach, you might be approached by companies for collaboration. There are two categories, which we explain below:

  • Barter: A company sends you a product, and in exchange for that product, you create a video for them. So you get a "free" product, and your payment is for a video about that product.
  • Paid: A company pays you for a video about a product. It depends on the terms of the agreement, but sometimes you can keep the product, and other times they ask you to return it.

The greater your reach, the stronger your negotiating position. As a beginner, you might be happy with a barter deal for a relatively inexpensive product, but as your reach grows, you can certainly charge for videos.

Suppose you've already created a lot of barter videos, but your reach still isn't very broad. Then you have a portfolio of barter videos. By having them all in one place, you can demonstrate that you know what you're doing and thus strengthen your negotiating position.

Conclusion: How to start creating content today

Becoming a content creator doesn't start with perfect videos or expensive gear, but with simply getting started. In this blog post, you've read that a good start is all about making clear choices: choose a niche that suits you, choose a platform that aligns with your content, and work with content pillars so you don't run out of ideas. Then, you simplify the process by preparing your videos with a hook, script, and shot list, creating a simple schedule, and, where possible, recording them in batches. You've also learned that basic gear like a microphone, tripod, and video light often makes a big difference, and that good editing is all about clarity and pace rather than complicated effects.

It's also important to realize that growth takes time. You don't have to go viral immediately to be doing well. By posting consistently, seeing what works, and gradually improving your content, you'll naturally build more experience and a community. Making mistakes is part of that. It's precisely by testing, learning, and persevering that you improve. Your first video can be online within 48 hours. Not perfect, but published.

Here's how to get started: choose a niche, brainstorm three subtopics for your content pillars, and develop one idea into a short shot list. Then all you have to do is hit record. That's how you take your first real step as a content creator today.

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