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Successful content creators are talented and creative, but they also have the discipline, systems and a mindset that helps them become successful content creators!
It’s been about 2 years since I left my corporate desk job.
Admitting that is terrifying. It means that I have intentionally been out of the job market for two years, which is not something the corporate world recommends.
I left my job because I was unfulfilled, burned out, and maybe was going through a quarter life crisis.
I have to acknowledge that I do have an immense amount of privilege and a supportive husband. This allows me to work on creative projects that I enjoy, to find work that inspires me, without worrying about how I’m going to pay rent or for my next meal.
My journey to a full-time content creator
In the time since I’ve left the corporate world, I’ve tried and failed at an e-commerce business. I have taught myself to make macarons, cakes, and cupcakes, then started and stopped a home bakery business. Through these ventures, I had to teach myself the world of digital marketing to try and market myself.
In reflecting on those experiences, and considering what I really enjoyed in that time, I realized that I loved creating content, building an audience, and understanding how and what content performed well.
I have finally come to the realization that I really want to give my best shot at being a full-time blogger/content creator while building an online brand.
I’ve been blogging on and off for the last three years. (You can find my lifestyle blog Sprinkles and Scribbles). I had started my lifestyle blog as a creative outlet while I was still employed, but truthfully never had the time to figure out the technical and marketing side of the blog.
After several false starts and stops, I am now realizing that for me, blogging and content creation is what I would love to work on full-time. I started and stopped a few times because life got in the way. But also because I felt inadequate when looking at other content creators.
With the pandemic, however, I have become more motivated to make this dream work. Not counting on sheer luck, but rather on self-discipline, good habits, and a mindset shifts to intentionally become a successful content creator.
Reflecting on this, I have found that there are several habits and mindset shifts that need to happen in my daily life, in order for me to pave my way to success.
I hope this list of 10 mindset shifts and habits help you create a positive mindset to become a successful content creator as well!
Habits to become a successful content creator
Comparison with Intention
I see a lot of advice online about creating content that inspires you, and that you should not compare yourself to other content creators. That might be good advice. But it also means turning down a golden opportunity for market research.
You need to observe and connect with others in your niche. It’s possible to learn from the successes and mistakes of others. It can also help drive your creativity, and help you find your own creative voice, rather than creating in isolation.
Getting personal
Creating content is one thing, but I have noticed that the successful content creators, the ones that I admire are also good at storytelling. They create content that I want to see, but also provide a little personal context to give a little color to their content. This is something that I, as a content creator will have to continue to work on. I’m quite introverted, so I shy away from sharing anything personal. But my personal experiences are the source of my expertise and stories. I have to learn to provide value to my audience and provide context through my personal experiences while putting myself out there a little bit more.
Finding balance between algorithms and human
The best kind of content is a balance between what your audience is looking for, and content that inspires me personally.
I need to focus on researching my content more, to create content that my audience is looking for, but also gets me a little excited. Because that is truly when I am providing the best value to my audience.
Analytics with intention
Your analytics are important. They will show you if your strategies are working. But you need to know which metrics are important to you. Is it the number of followers, page views, bounce rate? Whatever metrics you decide to focus on, ignore the rest. They are vanity metrics that do not help you grow and pave your part to success.
Discipline and Organization
Creativity is important, but so is consistency. In order to be consistent, it is important to stay organized. As a blogger, I’m wearing so many different hats. It is important to create processes and systems that allow me to work on the stuff that I like, without forgoing the things I don’t like.
Doing a little everyday
It’s the baby steps that pave the way. Creating something new every day, and little by little is what will allow me to progress. Being a successful content creator will take time, it is not something that will happen tomorrow, or maybe even in the next few months. But I will have to continue to work even on days where I feel like I’m not progressing forward.
Not neglecting other parts of my life
A large part of why I left my corporate job was that I didn’t feel fulfilled. Could I really work another 30/40 years in a field that I felt was uninspiring, and just a paycheque? To me, it was important that work was fulfilling.
I have found that fulfillment in blogging and creating content, but I also have to remember that just because gets me excited today, doesn’t mean that I can forgo the rest of my life – health, family, friends. At the end of the day, it is work, and I have to remember that there is more to life than work..
Remembering to rest
I know what burn out feels like. I didn’t even think that I was burned out, until I stepped outside of my situation.
I’m the kind of person who can get invested in an idea or project, and work on it for every waking moment. I also know that I need to rest in order to do my best work. So remembering to rest is just as important as being disciplined to keep going.
Giving myself space to think
As an accountant, the majority of my life focused on technical, right-brained work. I didn’t need to get creative to input data or create charts. That kind of work can happen, even when I am tired.
But blogging and content creation are different. I’m learning about creativity and more importantly, my own creative process.
Allowing myself the space and time to think, to come up with new ideas, and try new things will help me create better content.
It’s a marathon not a sprint
I’m not counting on any kind of overnight success. Growth will happen little by little. That means celebrating small wins, and remembering how far I have come in my journey so far. But there is a lot further I want to go!
Cheers,
