All about creating content, and why it’s beneficial.
Over the past years we’ve seen an overwhelming increase in online content as our primary source of communication (and entertainment) has become the internet. In a way it’s quite intriguing how we trust sources online for virtually everything – a cooking tutorial on YouTube to help you make an unforgettable Christmas meal or a DIY article on how to change a flat tire. We don’t really acknowledge it but we’ve become extremely reliant on content online it has become an integral component in our daily living. Online content can start from the tiniest advice you get from a single sentence quote on Twitter, to an article on a weblog on how to ace an interview or even something as lengthy as a 12-hour video tutorial on a programming language on YouTube. All the scenarios I mentioned in the prior sentence are examples of online content and these days it’s really simple (and in some cases completely free) to get started creating your own content.
If you ever thought about getting started but have always gotten stuck on how it’s all done, you’re in great luck because this article is for you. As TZP we thought it best to give you a guide on online content creation as it has become sort of like a profession in other countries, and if it benefits other folks out there, why not us too.
1.1 Youtube Page
You might just be enthusiastic about getting your ideas/sentiments out to the world, or you might have a genuine passion to help using the knowledge you possess – content creation is that solution to get yourself out there. Regardless of your field of study or even general interests there already exists a community of content creators on the internet, and you might question the significance of your pursuit – this doesn’t necessarily mean that you should be discouraged to establish your own thing.
You may be wondering why your content would be any different?
Take into consideration the fact that some content is only effective to a particular group of people because the people delivering it have a better understanding of the community they’re targeting. It’s the same scenario as a classroom environment where despite the fact that most subjects are taught in English sometimes the teachers switch to a country’s native language so that the majority of the learners have a more lucid understanding of the topic under discussion.
So, here are some examples of online content you can start creating today:
YouTube Tutorials
Microblogs, Forums
Weblogs – Articles (Technical/Non-Technical)
Info graphics – Cheat sheets
SO, HOW DO YOU GET STARTED?
Articles
1.2 CMS showing an article posting page.
A weblog (blog) is an online platform used to post textual articles that focus on a particular subject matter. A lot of people are skeptical about starting blogs because they believe that it also involves web development, but the two are not mutually combined. In as much as articles are posted on a platform on the internet you don’t need to understand how to create a weblog – if you however want to know to get started with that check out our article on how to make a website (https://www.tzperspective.com/index.php/2020/09/28/web-development-zimbabwe/ )
It’s common practice to be the article writer and have a separate individual help as far as having the content posted. Here is a brief directive on how you can start out on the actual creative writing process:
Develop an idea of what topic(s) you’d like to focus on.
Identify the source of your information – based on the type of articles you want to focus on, be mindful of your information sources.
if it’s a news related blog then make sure that your source is accurate and up to date.
For educational blogs, always reference or acknowledge the sources if you’ve directly borrowed ideas from them.
Regularly take notes – some ideas are evoked in the most unexpected ways/places, so it’s good practice to always have somewhere to jot down ideas.
Do research on previous article that have a similar concept and see how to make yours unique – or rather relatable to your target viewers.
NB: this creative process is applicable in most/all of the other types of content creation.
YouTube Tutorials
1.3 YouTube Website
YouTube is a popular platform for finding videos on virtually anything. Traditionally it started off as a medium for artists to upload their music videos but with technology evolution it soon evolved into something way bigger. YouTube content now includes: music videos, course tutorials, live streams, series, infomercials and TV shows.
Above creative process applies.
Choose a concept – vlog, tutorials, live talks, animations with voice over.
With live sessions there is need to have a standing reputation, or at least marketing that’s good enough to earn you an audience.
Decent setup – high-end PC with good video graphics, mic, HD camera.
Micro-blogs
1.4 Twitter Login Page
The concept of micro-blogging is similar to regular articles but the word prefix suggests, it’s ideally on a smaller scale. Micro-blogs are platforms for sharing ideas, and you might be excited to know that you might already be using some of them: Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, StakeOverflow, LinkedIn. Micro-blogging is designed for quick and typically direct audience interactions.
Info-graphics/Cheat Sheets
1.5 Designer Desk
Infographics are best sought out by folks with artistic aptitudes. This type of content involves creating graphical representations of ideas in an immaculate way such that the end users find it relatively easy to memorize. Take for instance the diagrams or charts you see in textbooks, despite the fact that there will be notes on a subject matter at hand – infographics will aid in giving an additional visual representation whose main purpose is to help you remember a concept intuitively. Conversely, infographics can be used as a quick reference to a small concept that might be easily forgotten. Examples of infographics: cheat sheets, diagrams, tables, drawings.
1.6 GitHub Education cheat sheet
Some social media pages these days are now solely based on sharing ideas as infographics.
Despite the actual content for an infographic – there is also need for an artistic touch to make the content delivery as articulate as possible.
The most common tools for creating infographics these days are Adobe Illustrator and Canva. Adobe Illustrator might require some prior practice for effective use but Canva is extremely beginner friendly and can get you started immediately.
Alternatively, you don’t have to get acquainted with any designing tools, but collaborating with someone who has knowledge in that field can help out.
SAFE PRACTICES
Be a habitual note taker – The inspiration for some content may come in the most unexpected places, or maybe after going through a certain scenario in your daily activities. It is always wise to have a note taking app in your phone so that you write down the bursts of ideas as they come.
Be consistent – When you accumulate followers (readers/viewers) for your content it is advisable to become consistent with how you deliver your content, this helps retain the numbers of watchers. Consistency doesn’t necessarily mean having daily content, but give yourself realistic time frames between your updates, for instance, the first weekend of each month, after a fortnight or once a week.
Be quick to respond – With content like news articles there is need for quick response as the headlines become obsolete after some time. It is always good practice to share your article as early as possible so that viewers find your content ‘new’.
Be adaptive – As you mature as a content creator you get feedback from your viewers on the type of content they desire most. You’re better off making the suitable changes and adapting to the new advice so that your content continues to be relevant to your audience
WHY YOU SHOULD GET YOUR CONTENT OUT THERE?
You are able to prove your extensive knowledge of a field through sharing your views on it. It also displays your ability to do research.
Some recruiters consider proof of capability – this content can help you as it can act as a portfolio for your employment application.
With a content platform like YouTube that allows you to accumulate followers there is a possibility of monetization of your content.
Making content teaches an individual to be creative and have a better memory.
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