Creators is a broad term for someone who generates content. In this extensive guide to content creators, we share the essential content skills to help you along your journey. From writing, to graphic design to video production.
Come back regularly and bookmark this guide, as I plan to update it frequently.
The Three Levels of Competency
Before you scroll down, let’s define the three levels of technical skills.
- Basic Level: You’re starting or testing the water in a new area. At this stage, it’s about understanding the essentials and starting the process of creating content.
- Intermediate Level: You have the basic foundation skills down pat. Now you’re at the stage where you are pushing boundaries and constantly thinking, “How can I be better at this”.
- Advanced Level: Hi5, you’re a master. At this stage you’re mastering the technical skills and details. They often say, “God is in the details”.
How to use this guide
Everyone is on a different level and part of the creator’s journey is assessing:
- What competency levels are you
- Gaps in your knowledge
Take a moment to assess where you stand and identify areas where you can improve.
Example: Let’s say you want to be a great social media storyteller. You’ve assessed that you’re rocking an intermediate level in social media writing. However, you’ve noticed that you lack proficiency in short video content, so you’ve rated your skills as basic for videos.
Final Thoughts: Have fun creating
Remember, your journey as a creator should be fun. It’s fun to learn new skills and spread your knowledge and stories.
In most cases, creators need a variety of techniques to stand out. Beyond video filming and editing, YouTubers require graphic design and persuasive copywriting skills. They apply graphic design to create compelling YouTube thumbnails and write great titles for YouTube SEO (search engine optimization).
Let me know which other content categories you’d like me to assess. I’m planning to add Livestreaming, Broadcasting rooms, and other niche specialties.
Still, let’s get the ball rolling and assess your level with:
1. Content Writing
Basic level
- Short-form Content: Ability to write clear and concise social media posts, captions, or comments.
- Basic Structure: Familiarity with basic writing structures, including introductions, body content, and conclusions.
- Grammar and Punctuation: Adequate grasp of grammar rules and proper punctuation usage.
Intermediate level
- Long-form Content: Proficiency in writing comprehensive blog posts, articles, and essays that hold the reader’s attention.
- Research Skills: Possess the ability to research topics effectively and integrate information from reputable source.
- SEO Basics: Understanding of keyword placement, meta descriptions, and creating SEO-friendly titles.
Advanced level
- Editorial Writing: Mastery in producing opinion pieces, critiques, or in-depth explorations of subjects.
- Content Strategy: Ability to plan and strategize content for maximum impact, including understanding audience personas and creating content calendars.
- Advanced SEO: Proficiency in keyword research, understanding search intent, optimizing for featured snippets, and being aware of current SEO best practices and algorithm updates.
2.0 Specialty Niches in Writing
From ebooks to social media writing, there are speciality categories that we can explore with content writing.
2.1 Copywriting
Basic: Writing straightforward product descriptions or ad copy.
Intermediate: Crafting compelling sales pages, email campaigns, or CTAs (Call To Actions).
Advanced: Mastering the art of persuasive writing, understanding consumer psychology, and writing high-converting copy.
2.2 Social Media Writing
Basic: Writing engaging posts and using basic hashtags.
Intermediate: Adjusting content for different platforms and crafting short, captivating stories.
Advanced: Strategizing content for campaigns, leveraging analytics, and creating posts with viral potential.
2.3 Newsletters Writing
Basic: Sending regular emails with personal updates or curated content using basic email platforms like Substack or Ghost.
Intermediate: Segmenting email lists for targeted content and integrating basic analytics.
Advanced: Designing engaging emails, automating sequences based on audience behaviour, and mastering the art of email conversion.
2.4 AI Writing
Basic: Utilizing pre-trained AI models for simple content generation, like automated replies or basic articles.
Intermediate: Adjusting AI parameters and prompts for more tailored content, such as blog articles or product descriptions.
Advanced: Integrating AI with other tools for seamless content strategies, refining AI outputs for unique brand voices, and leveraging AI for complex narrative structures or creative tasks.
3. Graphic Design
Basic level
Basic Tools Knowledge: Familiarity with tools like Paint, GIMP, or basic features of software like Adobe Photoshop.
Color Theory: Understanding primary, secondary, and tertiary colors and their relationships.
Typography Basics: Recognizing the importance of font choices and basic text alignment.
Intermediate level
Design Software Proficiency: Ability to use tools like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or CorelDRAW effectively.
Layout Design: Understanding of grids, alignment, balance, and contrast.
Branding and Identity: Developing logos, color palettes, and overall visual identity for brands.
Advanced level
UX/UI Design: Creating user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing digital interfaces.
Advanced Editing: Skills in photo manipulation, retouching, and advanced graphic effects.
Concept Development: Translating abstract ideas into compelling visual narratives or campaigns through brainstorming and iterative design.
3.0 Video
Let’s break the category to
- Presenting in front of the camera
- Filming videos
- Editing videos
3.1 Presenting on Video
Basic: When you’re starting out, the key is to overcome that initial camera shyness. Focus on speaking clearly, maintaining steady eye contact, and ensuring good posture.
Intermediate: As you progress, it’s all about engaging your audience. This means modulating your voice, making the most of your space and props, and truly connecting with your viewers in a conversational manner.
Advanced: For the pros, it’s about weaving narratives through skilful storytelling, bouncing back effortlessly from any live glitches, and dynamically interacting with your audience in real-time. This applies more on live-streams.
3.2 Filming Video
Basic level
Simple Shots: Understanding the basics of framing, focus, and steady shooting using smartphones or entry-level cameras.
Lighting Basics: Recognizing natural light sources and using basic lighting equipment.
Sound Recording: Capturing clear audio using built-in or external microphones.
Intermediate level
Camera Operations: Proficiency with DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, or professional video cameras. Understanding of manual settings like ISO, aperture, and shutter speed.
Advanced Lighting: Setting up multiple lights, understanding diffusers, and crafting moods with lighting.
Sound Techniques: Utilizing lapel mics, boom mics, and sound shields for better audio quality.
Advanced level
Cinematography: Mastery in shot compositions, movements, and storytelling through visual techniques.
Complex Setups: Use of cranes, sliders, gimbals, drones, and other advanced equipment for dynamic shots.
Sound Design: Crafting layered audio environments, capturing ambient sounds, and understanding acoustic treatments.
3.3 Editing Videos
Basic level
Cut and Trim: Using basic software to cut, splice, and sequence video clips.
Adding Music: Synchronizing background music with video clips.
Text Overlays: Incorporating simple titles or captions.
Intermediate level
Software Skills: Proficiency in software like Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro. Understanding layers, transitions, and effects.
Color Grading: Enhancing video aesthetics by adjusting color, brightness, contrast, and saturation.
Sound Editing: Balancing audio levels, cleaning up noise, and syncing voiceovers.
Advanced level
Visual Effects: Creating advanced VFX using tools like Adobe After Effects. Incorporating animations, green screen effects, and CGI.
Advanced Transitions: Crafting seamless transitions, match cuts, and innovative visual flows.
Complex Storytelling: Weaving multiple narratives, integrating B-rolls, and building a cohesive story structure.
3.4 Other Niche Speciality in Video
Short-form Vertical Video: Crafting content tailored for platforms like TikTok or Instagram Reels.
YouTube: Understanding platform algorithm, long-form content creation, and audience engagement strategies.
Live-Streaming: Mastering tools like OBS, interacting with live audiences, and real-time content delivery.
4.0 Podcasting
Basic level
Simple Recording: Using basic equipment to record clear audio.
Basic Editing: Trimming and adjusting audio levels.
Content Planning: Crafting podcast episodes with a basic structure.
Intermediate level
Quality Equipment Usage: Utilizing better microphones, mixers, and recording environments.
Guest Management: Coordinating, interviewing, and integrating guests into episodes.
Distribution: Uploading and promoting podcasts on platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc.
Advanced level
Sound Design: Crafting a rich audio environment with music, effects, and seamless editing.
Monetization Strategies: Incorporating ads, sponsorships, or paid subscriptions.
Community Building: Engaging with listeners, hosting live podcast events, or creating supplemental content.
