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.
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.
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.
A high school diploma is necessary to enroll in any college degree program. Connecting with your high school counselor may be useful in suggesting any potential classes that may help you on this path as you pursue higher education.
There is no one degree that is needed to become a content creator. Bachelor’s degrees in areas such as graphic design, multimedia, social media or digital marketing can help provide you with a solid foundation in many important areas of content creation. Becoming a marketing or business management major may also prove to be useful, as you can gain a background in strategic marketing techniques that may become useful in your work as a creator.2
Obtaining an internship managing social media or producing digital content for an organization can be a great way to get your foot in the door of the profession, as many companies continuously look to improve their online presence. Reach out to local organizations that you’re interested in working with to see if they offer any internships or if they are open to the idea.
Because of the spectrum of this field, there are various roles one may take on after completing their degree. The term “content creator” may mean different things for different people. For example, a public relations specialist is one example of an entry-level career that one may explore after earning a bachelor’s in social media. Additionally, becoming a writer or author may be an option if you choose to complete a bachelor’s in professional writing for new media.
With the many types of media and analytics that creators use to promote the biggest impact for their brand comes the opportunity to gain specific certifications. Some possible certifications that content creators may consider obtaining include:3
- YouTube Certified
- Google Analytics Individual Qualification
- Facebook Blueprint Certification
- SEO Fundamentals Certification
- Adobe Certified Expert
The path to becoming a content creator is one of many options that can be customized to fit your interests and unique skills.
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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.
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.
Bachelor’s Programs
Master's Programs
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:4
- Creativity
- Tech savviness
- Digital marketing and SEO knowledge
- Brand development
- Adaptability
- Collaboration and networking
- Storytelling
- Data analytics
Median Annual Wage
Specific salary information will vary depending on which specific career path you choose to utilize your content creation skills. Looking at the role of a public relations specialist, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported a median annual wage of $66,750 as of May 2023.5
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.7
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.
Get started on your path to a career creating engaging content.
1 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
2 Teal. (2024). Education Requirements for Digital Creators. Retrieved Dec. 4, 2024
3 Teal. (2024). Digital Creator Certifications. Retrieved Dec. 4, 2024.
4 Teal. (2024). Digital Creator Skills. Retrieved Dec. 4, 2024.
5 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.
6 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.
7 Mason, K. (2024, Aug, 30). What Is a Content Creator? And How Can You Become One? Siegemedia. Retrieved Dec. 4, 2024.