Are Content Creators Entrepreneurs? Turn Your Content Into a Business

Are content creators entrepreneurs? Four simple words, one big question. And the answer to that question is a favorite of every seasoned content marketer… That depends.

Content creators are sometimes entrepreneurs, and entrepreneurs are sometimes content creators. But the two categories are not synonymous.

Content creators are not necessarily entrepreneurs. Sometimes they just create content. Entrepreneurs do not necessarily create content. While content has become a part of every type of business, some simply start businesses that sell products or services.

Let’s first look at the journey of becoming a content creator. Then, we’ll explore the next steps a content creator would take to become an entrepreneur.

Content creators, entrepreneurs and everything in between

Building an audience involves a lot of trial and error.

But if you want to have your own audience, put in the effort, because it's incredibly valuable to have a group of people who look forward to your content.

The chance that your target group will become customers or clients is greatest because they to know, to likeAnd to trust you by the value you already provide them, before any money has exchanged hands.

While every content marketing journey of trial and error is different, your personal story likely shares a common thread with the paths of your peers…

Content creators influence each other

A few years ago, I wrote about an impressive YouTube channel called Pick Up Limes.

A dietician named Sadia Badiei created Picking up limes and started posting videos about food, travel, minimalism, and productivity in early 2017. By the end of that year, she had more than 650,000 subscribers.

Now, in 2023, she has more than four million subscribers.

I discovered the canal after a damn good head on my YouTube homepage caught my attention. All the videos I binged in a short period of time were professional and polished, and I knew I would be watching new content from Sadia in the future.

I also noticed a lot of similarities with another YouTube channel I followed called Jenny Mustard.

It was therefore no surprise that in mid-2017 Sadia collaborated with Jenny and indicated that Jenny's style of content creation influenced the videos on the Pick Up Limes channel.

The business of creativity

Sadia not only remained a fan – a consumer – of Jenny's content; she transformed from from a fan to a fanatic to a fantastic content creator.

Your favorite content creators have all decided to shed their old selves in order to grow. And your favorite content is a direct product of time spent learning and studying.

It's a process, and it's one professional writers know well.

Let's review the three phases.

Fans

Don't underestimate how important this stage is for content creators on their journey to entrepreneurship.

Smart content marketers not only know how valuable their fans are, there's also nothing like the passion and enthusiasm that comes with fandom.

As a fan, you are in a unique position to learn a lot about content creation.

You will find that your favorite publishers:

• Follow a consistent posting schedule
• Ask for feedback
• Try new content types and topics

You may regularly comment on content, participate in discussions in LinkedIn groups, or attend free webinars.

Fanatics

You know you've entered the Fanatic phase when you say:

“I think I could do something like that…”

You are ready to admit that deep down you have always had the desire to create Your Own Things. 🙂

The content and communities you've explored as a Fan have inspired you to get serious about studying everything you need and want to learn.

You will feel good as you dive in and discover your own style.

Awesome Content Creators (On Their Way to Becoming Entrepreneurs)

Now you have your own publishing platform, but the truth about content is that you can always get better at creating it.

You may be a great content creator, but that doesn’t necessarily make it easier to produce your next project. And there’s no guarantee it will be effective.

So these three stages are not really separate. Success comes from embodying all the stages simultaneously.

Great content creators must remain fans, and most importantly, they must remain passionate about their own work.

There is no complacency in content marketing.

How do content creators become entrepreneurs?

Are you ready to grow, but don't know what to do first?

As I wrote in the introduction to this article, your content marketing journey will consist of a lot of trial and error.

But taking just one step toward learning a new skill will give you all the momentum you need to confidently experiment and figure out what works for you and your audience.

Forget the 'best way' and find your own way.

Content creators are often well positioned to become entrepreneurs because they understand their target audience and how the right products or services can help them.

It doesn't hurt to stop comparing yourself to others

People in your life mean well. They really do.

Your family and friends want to protect you. They want you to have a “safe” career (i.e. one they understand).

So after content creators decide to become entrepreneurs, they often hear a lot to assure when discussing their new business venture.

I've been there. In 2008 when I started a writing businessNo one I knew thought it was a good idea.

Believe me, I had my own fears about it, and the disapproval I received from others only added to those doubts. I looked at other working content marketers with popular blogs and wondered how I could compete.

One day I had to make a choice

I had to choose to Find clients for content writing … strategic.

That meant two things:

1. I needed to invest in training that would help my business grow.
2. The writing and editing services I provided were supposed to deliver business results for clients.

I couldn't just sit back, search for low-paying jobs on freelance sites and hope to keep busy.

That was unsustainable and the kind of work I would get on those sites would be soulless and meaningless. I wanted to write for companies I believed in and help them achieve their marketing goals.

But how would I get in touch with those great clients? Aren’t they already working with other content writers?

Creativity is not a competition

While you need to position yourself to stand out to your ideal prospects, creativity is not a competition.

I used all the content marketing blogs I read as a source of motivation, rather than a reason to give up.

If others could do it, I certainly could too. My way.

There are endless opportunities to provide unmatched value, no matter how interesting someone else's services may seem.

Another freelance writer can do their thing and you can do yours…remarkably enough.

You just need to commit to:

• Offering premium services
• Charging higher prices
• Building a sustainable business

Sounds professional, right?

The Content Entrepreneur's Guide to Success

When you're ready to get serious about transforming from content creator to entrepreneur, you'll need a combination of business fundamentals and content strategy.

And that's where most content entrepreneurs fall short…

Here's the problem: content creators love to write, but they don't know how to use their writing to convince people to sell more.

What's worse is that many writers think They are happy entrepreneurs, but primarily have no product or service to sell.

So they put a lot of energy into creating content that never makes them any money.

It's disappointing and feels like a waste of time. Like you should give up and find another job.

Luckily for you, we have a solution. At Copyblogger Academy, You will learn how to:

• Building an audience
• Create a valuable product or service
• Write sales copy to sell your product or service
• Create marketing automations that work while you sleep
• Scale your business

Copyblogger Academy is for writers and content creators who want to become successful entrepreneurs, and you can Join us now.

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