If there’s something here you decide you just must have, we’ve provided links to the product websites. When you click on the link and make a purchase, Beasley Media Group may earn a commission. We are an Amazon Associate and earn from qualifying purchases.
So, you’ve decided to get into the action and become the next viral content creator. In this information age, we’re lucky to have content creators eager and ready to share entertaining and informative content for our consumption. Well, in an ideal world. Nowadays, there are content creators who would do anything for the views, even spreading fake news or orchestrating harmful pranks that aren’t funny even in the slightest.
Before you become a content creator, you need to know how to become a responsible one to maintain a positive online presence. Don’t get canceled even before becoming famous.
As a Content Creator, Double Check Your Facts
If you don’t want bashers in your comment sections or, worse, get your account canceled because you’re spreading misinformation, you need to verify your facts before sharing them. It will not take long to ensure your content is accurate. Spare some minutes to countercheck, especially if you have someone doing your script or captions for you. Avoid being accused as a clout-chaser by doing your research and only sharing verified information.
Give Credit Where Credit is Due
Another thing you don’t want to be accused of as a content creator is that you’re stealing content from other creators. If you have other creators who collaborated with you on a project, acknowledge them and your sources. Plagiarizing content or failing to give proper credit can damage your reputation. Besides, some netizens can be spawns of Sherlock Holmes and Jessica Jones and are legendary detectives in detecting stolen content.
Be Honest and Transparent
If you’re paid to do an ad for a brand, disclose it to your audience. They should be informed if your content is because of a partnership or sponsorship. By being transparent, you can build trust with your audience. With that, also partner with brands that you believe in. If it’s a brand with products that you don’t use, how will you be able to encourage your audience about its merits?
TL; DR Don’t be a sell-out.
Respect Privacy
Avoid sharing personal information about others without their consent, and refrain from taking photos and videos of them without their permission, especially if it exploits their situation for views. Some content creators have been accused of participating in “poverty porn,” where they record videos under the guise of helping the less unfortunate. In reality, the financial aid these “poverty porn stars” have given to the poor is only a measly amount of the profit generated from such content.
Engage Responsibly
As a content creator, your audiences are your bread and butter. If there is no one engaging in your content, you are less likely to succeed as a content creator. However, we all know how harsh the online world can be, especially since there are “brave” trolls lurking behind their keyboards, dishing out rude comments and observations like they’re blameless. Once you become a content creator, you need to have a strategy to deal with all the hate and vitriol without adding fuel to the fire.
Consider the Impact
Think about how your content will affect your audience. Avoid creating content that could be offensive or discriminatory. Entertaining and feel-good content is more likely to be shared since people often turn to social media for a break from real-world problems. Your content will also spread organically without you having to boost it. With so much negativity already out there, avoid adding more problematic content to the mix.
High-Quality Camera
What’s a content creator without a high-quality camera? Sure, your smartphone will do but if you plan to make a living out of creating content, it’s best to invest in a high-quality camera. The Canon EOS M50 Mark II is an ideal first camera for you if you’re a beginner content creator because it’s a hybrid camera for photos and videos.
Ring Light
Light up your good angle with a ring light! Don’t make your audience squint to get a glimpse of your pretty face. A good ring light like the Neewer 18-inch Ring Light, which has 240 LED color filters and is compatible with most cameras and smartphones, will make you look your best on camera.
Tripod
Shaky footage is not artsy, it’s annoying. Keep your shots steady with the JOBY GorillaPod 3K. This versatile and compact tripod can be used almost anywhere, perfect for those spontaneous shots when creativity strikes.
External Microphone
When you take care of your visuals, make sure that you don’t forget about your audio. The Lavalier Wireless Microphone is compact yet powerful enough to capture clear and crisp sound whether for video recording, game live streaming, or vlogging. It also has built-in noise-cancelling tools.
Video Editing Software
Of course, you can’t upload your raw videos and let them get lost among other video content that is properly edited. Invest in a 12-month subscription to Adobe Premiere Pro and you’ll have all the tools you need to create professional-looking videos.
Portable Hard Drive
Save your laptop or PC’s memory! Purchase a portable hard drive since content files can get big fast. Store all your videos, photos, and projects on a hard drive like the Seagate Portable Drive with 1 TB of storage.
Green Screen
Take your content to the next level with Fancierstudio Green Screen to help you create backgrounds and effects. With these collapsible backdrops, the possibilities are endless!
Smartphone Gimbal
If you prefer to use your smartphone to record videos, you need a gimbal like the DJI Osmo Mobile 6 for more stable and steady shots. With this equipment, you can capture cinematic shots that are “smooth like butter” (admit it, you sang it!)
Content Planner
Never lose another content idea because you forgot about it. Use a weekly planner to help you plan your posts and track deadlines. It’s not just a planner, it’s like your personal assistant reminding you to finish editing that video soon.
