_ed.png)
When I was a child, I loved to create. I was entranced with the written word and made every excuse to find a way to scribble my latest musings into a sticker-clad spiral-bound notebook. Unbeknownst to me, this was the beginning of my journey as a creative.
Let me remind you that when I was young, the term "content creator" did not exist. If I suggested this career path, my inner circle would have scoffed and suggested alternatives like a teacher, marketing executive, or lawyer. I chose the latter. Going to law school was a sensible (yet expensive) choice. Yet, there was something deep in me that kept me scribbling in my stack of Mead notebooks.
The past decade has given me, the freedom to harness this deep calling of creating content and I have decidedly positioned myself to monetize this pursuit and prove to the naysayers that the archives of scribbles, doodles, and poignant diatribes can be monetized.
Content creation is a vehicle not only to call your own shots like a boss but also to give you the ability to monetize your lifestyle.
Side Note: This is a long, and arduous path, that does not provide instant gratification. The gratification comes with the ability to do what you love and make a difference through a creative expression so deep that, when released, draws you closer to your purpose.
My Top Tips To Launch Your Career as a Content Creator:
Start writing. Start at the beginning at start writing a blog. Find a platform like MEDIUM to upload your masterpieces.
School yourself in SEOs. SEO: Search engine optimizers are the critical piece to align yourself with Google. Google allows your works to be seen by the audience you want to engage. Take a course on UDEMY. Udemy is a wonderful clearinghouse of online courses and offers reasonable price points and monthly sales.
Understand the algorithms of social media. While I hesitate to focus solely on social media, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, TikTok, and Twitter, are necessary components in the content creation lifecycle. Google has a complicated relationship with social media. The immensely populated power of social media holds court in Google searches so it is important to have a well-rounded online presence. *Use the ridiculously easy online tool Canva to bring your vision alive. This is the one tool I cannot live without.
Teach yourself how to build a website. I taught myself everything I need to know from Google University. As a creator, I want to offer my clients and holistic approach to marking their territory in a digital age and a website is the foundation of all things digital.
Write a book. With the advent of KDP (An arm of Amazon), the power to self-publish has given potential authors the golden key to creating a literary work that speaks to their expertise and passion.
Start a podcast. Podcasting has been a delightful extension of my content creation. Podcasting has changed the trajectory of my business and allowed me to mingle with humans I never would have had the opportunity to meet. The art of audio creation is an ever-evolving craft and an opportunity to expand your brand as a content creator. I love the hosting platform Podetize. Podetize not only hosts your podcast, but the core mission of this company is to teach podcasters how to do it better.
Create experiences through video. Use that beautifully unique face of yours to connect with a larger audience. Use YouTube, a powerful search engine (second only to Google), to express your content through a highly-engaging platform. My go-to editing favorite is DeScript.
Be an expert on engagement. All of the ways to launch yourself as a content creator are useless if you do not harness the skill of engagement. Being an entrepreneur is not only about creating, it is about engaging in relationships where you offer service. A handshake, a conversation, or memorable interaction is what builds a loyal audience. Understand how you do things differently and how you can make an impact.
Be present in your content creation. Be present to the audience you serve.
And never, ever give up.
You got this- Jules
Julie Lokun, JD. a legal eagle and facilitator of dreams, is changing the trajectory of underserved entrepreneurs who are using their voice to make an impact. As a mom of four (4) boys, Julie has learned to leverage her power to lead a bustling household while also serving as the head maven of Crown & Compass Life Coaching. She adeptly "anoints and points" -- directing the strategic growth of businesses and professionals around the globe. Julie has delivered presentations on the big stage, and in virtual events. With a background in law, she teases through complex information and gets to the root of issues, telling deep, compelling stories that resonate with audiences far and wide. She is a celebrated best-selling author of the entrepreneurial series, Hustle Smart, the owner of The Mediacasters Publishing House with several bestselling titles, and is a 5-star business coach. In the spring of 2021, Julie launched a swiftly growing podcast, Obsessed with Humans On The Verge of Change which is already in the top 3% of all podcasts globally.*