Common mistakes new content creators make

Starting as a content creator sounds exciting until you hit your first 0 views, 2 likes, and self-doubt kicks in. 

This year, creating content is one of the ways to share what interests you and even make a living. 

However, starting may feel overwhelming before you find your way around it. Some people start with so much passion and energy, but give up a few weeks in because they feel stuck. 

Let’s look at some common mistakes and how you can avoid them. 

Not knowing your “why”

Why are you doing this? Is it for money, fame, or passion? One big new creator mistake is starting because you saw someone else make money from it. 

Content creation is hard work. If you don’t have a strong reason, you’ll burn out when the views are low.  You need a strong reason so that, when things get tough, it keeps you going. 

Waiting for the right equipment 

One of the most common new content creator mistakes is thinking that you need an expensive phone, camera, or well-furnished studio to start. 

Start with what you have. Your seventh post will be better than the sixth. Just keep at it. Also, focus on the message and not on the things you don’t have.

Trying to please everyone 

In the beginning, you might try to talk about everything, maybe because of the fear of being perceived as boring if you stick to one thing. If you try to speak to everyone, you’ll end up not building something solid. People follow you because they know what to expect.

Define the things that you really love and stick to one or two of them. That way, it’s easier for the right audience to find you. 

Ignoring analytics

Many content creators just pray and hope that it goes viral without looking at the data. They assume that looking at numbers is stressful and is only for people who love math

As a content creator, your analytics, such as click rate or watch time, are like a guide and tell you how your posts are performing or how people responded to a post.

Intentionally set aside time, a few minutes within a week, to study the analytics and do more of what works, and less of what doesn’t work.

Being inconsistent

One of the hardest parts of being a creator is consistency. Many people post five times at once or in one week and then disappear for a month. This is because they are waiting for inspiration before they create. The algorithm favours consistency. The more you disappear, the fewer people see your work. 

You can create a schedule you will stick to. Posting twice a week is better than posting every day for one week and then stopping.

Copying other creators exactly

It’s normal to be inspired by big content creators, but trying to be them at all costs is a big mistake. Your personality and originality are enough. 

You can, of course, borrow ideas, but add your own ideas. People want to hear your stories and your unique way of seeing the world. So, be yourself. 

Paying less attention to presentation

You can make the best video, but if your thumbnail or title is boring and unappealing, nobody will click it. You should also spend time on getting a good hook and a thumbnail instead of focusing squarely on the content. 

Comparing your journey

This is another huge new content creator mistake people make. They see a big creator with millions of views and then feel bad that their post got just 10 or 50 likes. 

That creator you’re comparing yourself to also started from scratch, and growth brought them to this point. You are currently not seeing how messy their beginning was. 

Every person you see thriving once made these new content creator mistakes, but persistence helped them sail through. Don’t overthink things. Every mistake you make helps you become better.

Don’t just stop learning, and have fun while you’re at it.

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