5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Becoming A Content Creator

It has been over 10 years since I started creating content, starting with my YouTube channel and Instagram, and now this blog! I’ve definitely learned a thing or two about the industry but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t take years to figure out. This industry is SO new and when I started, there weren’t any resources on how to grow your following or how to make money like there are now. Heck, when I started YouTubing, Instagram had JUST launched and it was nothing like it is today!

If you’ve been thinking about becoming a content creator (yes, influencers and bloggers fall into the category!), I wanted to share 5 things I wish I knew before becoming a content creator. Hopefully, it’ll help you get started so you don’t have to figure it out on your own.

5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a Content Creator

Monetize From The Start

When I started my YouTube and Instagram, there was no such thing as affiliate platforms. Since then, so many programs have launched that make monetizing your content EASY. My favorite? LTK! I’ve been a part of the LTK platform (formerly rewardStyle/LIKEtoKNOW.it) for many years now and it’s one of my favorite tools for making money on my blog, YouTube, and Instagram. If you’re not familiar with the platform, it simply monetizes links to retailers and products so when people click on them and make a purchase, you make a commission. The best part? It’s at no extra cost to the shopper!

LTK also has a bunch of really great resources! Whether you’ve been creating content for a while or are new to the industry, they’ll walk you through how to get everything set up. You can apply to the program here and download the LTK app to shop your favorite creators here!

Invest In Your Brand

Other than monetizing my content from the beginning, I wish I invested in my brand way sooner. It took me years to realize that investing in my brand, whether it was gear, branding, my website, or photographer, that it would only help me in the long run. Every time I log into Life with NitraaB, I fall in love with it more and more!

For gear, a good computer (I use a MacBook Pro) is a must, especially when it comes to editing video content! This brings me to my vlogging camera. I promise you, you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on a camera to create high-quality content. I’ve been using this Canon camera for years and it’s under $700. This mini tripod, phone tripod, and laptop stand have also been a game-changer.

Create Helpful Content

It’s easy to create content just to create content but to create influence, you have to be creating content that is helpful. From your voice and goals to making sure blog posts are optimized, having content that is helpful and can be found will allow you to drive more traffic to your site, grow your following, and work with more brands.

Get Organized

No matter how you organize your content calendar and any admin tasks you need to complete, make sure it gets done! For years, I was just writing down ideas and tasks that needed to be completed on random pieces of paper and it really hurt my productivity. Now, there are programs like Asana, ClickUp, and Trello, along with traditional paper planners and notebooks, that will help you stay organized.

Get Comfortable Pitching Brands

Yes, you can earn money with affiliate links, but one of the best parts of creating content is working with brands. I hear from so many influencers and bloggers that they’re nervous to pitch brands, mostly because they don’t know what to say, and that was me at one point! Over time, I’ve learned that you just have to do it and the more you do it, the more comfortable you’ll be. Plus, when you make these connections, you’ll be able to build more relationships and generate more revenue.