With platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and more being an unquestionable part of nearly everyone’s day-to-day lives, you’ve probably wondered how to become a content creator.
It seems like a dream at first – getting paid for views and engagement, being sponsored by companies to review products or go on brand trips, and building a community of fans. There’s no obligation to fulfil a corporate nine-to-five, and you get to make content about topics you’re interested in.
But with over 207 million others out there doing something similar, how do you become a content creator that stands out from the horde?
The answer is to get a relevant degree.
The best part? All of them have transferable knowledge, which means if you choose to pursue something other than content creation in the future, you’ll be well-set.
YouTuber and video game enthusiast Seán William “Jack” McLoughlin, known as Jacksepticeye, actually possesses a degree in hotel management. Source: AFP
How to become a content creator: Choosing the right degree
Mass Communication
This probably goes without saying, but a degree in mass communication is one of the best ways to thrive if you’re wondering how to become a content creator.
Content creation is all about effectively communicating with your audience. No matter what your niche is, as long as you’re skilled at engaging your target audience, you’ll be a great content creator.
You’ll learn how to use all kinds of media to broadcast content with others, like social media, web, digital print, and even television and radio. You’ll also develop skills in writing, digital design, marketing, media production, and more.
Marketing
At its core, content creation is a form of marketing. After all, you’re basically marketing yourself to a wider audience.
With a marketing degree, you’ll learn ways to understand your audience’s needs and desires and craft messages that resonate with their interests and beliefs.
You’ll also learn to examine data analytics, such as consumer behaviour and engagement rates, and conduct market research to inform your content planning.
Then, it’s a matter of strategically distributing your content – do you want to do it organically, through SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) marketing, or pay for ads across Google and Meta? All are crucial for growing and sustaining an online presence.
Film studies or production
A degree in film studies or production can offer a strong foundation for anyone wondering how to become a content creator.
It provides a strong understanding of storytelling, visual media, and technical aspects like cinematography and editing, which are highly valuable in content creation. Explore various media formats, like short videos and films, clips, documentaries, tutorials, long-form, and more.
Being able to edit in an efficient and engaging way is just one aspect of a degree like this. Another part of it is being able to convey your thoughts through visual storytelling; there are things like cinematography, camera techniques, lighting, and angles – all essential for creating visually appealing content.
Additionally, this degree is beneficial for understanding the technical aspects of content creation, which is helpful in situations where you need to handle diverse production environments.
Graphic design
A degree in graphic design is a great way to start out as a content creator.
Aside from adding graphic elements, thumbnails, and typography to your videos and social posts, you can also establish your personal brand and become instantly recognisable across social media platforms. This directly impacts your Click-Through Rate (CTR), which is a vital metric for platform algorithms.
This degree is particularly popular within the gaming industry. VTubers, for example, are online content creators and entertainers who use virtual avatars along with real-time motion capture software. Some design their avatar, or commission a graphic designer to create one for them.
Writing
Perhaps in this digital age of video-first content, not many realise that being a content creator isn’t just about producing videos and graphics. Before TikTok and Reels were a thing, there were blogs galore.
Think about it. Podcast, videos, social captions – no matter the medium, content is built on a message, a story, and a structure. Virtually every piece of content begins with the written word, and a writing degree will give you the architectural skills to build each post effectively.
As a writer, you’ll possess strong research skills, along with the ability to present information clearly and concisely – these are essential for building credibility and trust with your audience.
It’s also versatile. Switch easily between long-form, SEO-optimised blog posts, a sharp and punchy video script, a professional email to a brand sponsor, marketing copy or social media captions.
