5 Pieces of Advice from One Creator to Another

Howdy folks, it's your CSI guy here!
Here's a random little fact about me: I used to be a content creator just like all of you! Well, if you count some of the webinars I host and some videos I post here and there, I guess I'm still a content creator... My point is that I can relate to many of you and your struggles! I've been there before! I understand how hard things can seem or how daunting it can all be!

I want to take a bit of time to share some advice that has helped me previously. Please keep in mind that these are NOT meant to be any sort of guarantee. Also, don't think of these as must-follows as everyone has their own way of growing. Finding the advice that works best for you is what's important! (Except that last one)

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• Avoid some common strategy mistakes
  • Don't just pick a random topic to create about without any thought. Sure, that popularity score may be enticing, but keep in mind; Can you do the topic justice? Will your audience like the video/topic? Will YOU like it? That popularity score should be that extra motivation, but the topic itself should be what you're excited about.
  • Slapping on trending sounds, effects, etc... isn't enough. While these can help a lot, you've still got to put in the effort to make it relevant to your topic and flow smoothly.
  • Ask yourself "why should they care?" when creating your video. In the same way, ask yourself "why do I care?" when you watch a video. What does the video you've created provide for the viewer? Remember, our research shows that viewers look for videos that are clear, engaging, and valuable. Be careful with inside-jokes or obscure references that others might miss.
• Don't forget to focus on brand identity and value
  • When I say brand, I don't mean like a product. I mean brand as in how you present yourself. Your content should align with your brand identity, it should align with YOU! And provide value for your audience!
  • How can you make yourself and/or your videos feel unique? How can you make your content so that when someone watches, they know it's your video? This one might be quite difficult, but sometimes, just being genuine and creating content you actually love is all it takes.
  • During our webinars, I see quite a few people ask how to build their brand if they don't have a niche. This is where getting creative gets even more fun! What can YOU do to help people recognize you as a brand? Your hairstyle? Your intro? Maybe something in the background? Your entire background?! There's many creative ways to make yourself stand out and be memorable.
• There is no failure, only lessons (and long-term growth!)
  • Imagine spending all week planning out your video, being excited, shooting, editing it, then posting it... only for it to just gain a few views initially. This isn't failure, this is a seed you've just planted. As seen from our webinar, you folks in chat, and our research, if you created your video with the right search keywords and hashtags used, your video can see some exponential long-term growth! That seed might end up being the tree that never stops growing so don't let it deter you.
  • Always remember to reflect. If a video didn't perform how you expected it to, go over why it may not have. Put yourself in the shoes of your followers. Take it one step further (pun intended) and put yourself in the shoes of a random user coming across your video. Why are they watching? Why aren't they watching? At what point did they stop and why? Reflecting is one of the best ways to grow, so remember to ask yourself some questions, but also, don't be too hard on yourself!
• HAVE SOME GOOD LIGHTING AND AUDIO!!
  • This one specifically stands out to me because (some more Tony CSI Guy lore) I'm a film major. Please, PLEASE, pay attention to the lighting of your videos. You do not need professional lighting, audio, or editing. You should, however, try to use the best lighting and audio you can get within your means and situation. Sometimes, this can mean waiting until the next day to shoot your video instead of shooting it at night in your room with a dim light. There is nothing wrong with that! But, visually, natural/bright lighting can be more eye-catching and professional. This also stands out as "high-quality" which is something I've covered before here.
  • Avoid over-editing and over-using effects and filters as these can make your videos harder to watch at times. Sometimes, a simple, well-lit video is all it takes.

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The most important piece of advice I can provide is...

!Remember to have fun!<

This should be something you enjoy and look forward to! You're excited to learn more and continually improve your creations! Some users come in with a goal: make money. There is nothing wrong with this goal, but sometimes, the process can take a lot more work and effort than expected, which may quickly lead to burn-out. If you have fun and stay proactive in trying to improve, success will find its way to you! Remember that Creator Search Insights has so many tools and features to help YOU grow so continue to explore and try them out!