So, you want to be a Youtuber? Or maybe you’d like to run a blog or podcast or some other kind of creative channel?
Well, hold up a minute. Before rushing into anything, you should know that the wreckages of hasty blogs and half-baked channels litter the waters of content creation, and if you go in without a plan, your “content” is very likely to join the debris.
What you need is an experienced sailor who knows the waters of content creation and can help you avoid the treacherous waterways that claim so many new creative efforts and help you navigate your way to your port of destination.
And who better than Delano Myers, award-winning UI/graphic designer, and web developer. He’s been awarded the Cayman island Marketing Association award for the Creative Professional of 2008, and he sat on the board from 2019-20. He’s worked as a creative for over ten years and is very experienced reading the currents and winds of content, and he shares some of the knowledge he’s gathered on content creation over the years.
Work with What You Have
“For as long as I can remember, I’ve been obsessed with creating, especially creating things with what I had readily available,” Delano tells me. Delano seized every opportunity to create, whether with the school’s simple camera from the photography club or watercolors from art class. When he discovered the magic of digital creation, he exploited every free tool he could find, and before long, he was proficient in using Photoshop.
Things are a lot easier these days. Much creative software offers free trials or free versions, and if that’s not enough, there are open source alternatives you can use to get started. There is so much at your disposal, so master the basics first.
Learn
“Never Stop Learning. The moment you stop learning, you miss out on innovation,” Delano says. And he’s right, especially in today’s digital world where innovation is customary practice. Seek out mentors, read books and keep up with the news. Do whatever you must to ensure that you do not fall behind in your knowledge.
Go Digital
Digital is the future, even for creatives. Much content is moving online, and innovations such as NFT’s are only accelerating the transition.
Delano recalls the first time he experienced digital content. He says, “during university, I took a web development and design class, and seeing “hello world” on the screen for the first time sparked my curiosity, and I wanted to know what else I could do with the free tools at my disposal.”
The accessibility, efficiency, and ease of using digital resources are reasons to move over. Innovative features improve the efficiency and effectiveness of digital work, and it is practically impossible to compete without them.
Start Creating
Getting started can be tricky. Delaney has experienced this first-hand. He says, “Being passionate about all things creative means I want to do all things creative, and a lot of the time, I find that the things that intimidate me the most are not as intimidating once I just start.” His advice to you and himself is just to start. Only the first few steps are the hardest.
Work Hard
“My work habit is simple,” Delaney tells me. “Work till it’s done… I’m not a robot, but I believe in doing good work, and good work takes time.” People often think creating is always fun and easy or takes little to no skill to create videos, graphics, or websites. That could not be farther from the truth. Creating is a complex business, but it can also be an enriching experience. Having a passion for creating makes it a lot easier, and for Delaney, what makes him feel inspired to be his best self is the “satisfaction of knowing that I put 100% of my effort into something and it yielded a helpful result.”
Be Honest
A huge part of learning is admitting that you don’t know but being ready to learn. “Be honest about what you can’t do and learn it of you can,” Delaney says. “I believe that if I don’t know how to do something, it is honest and empowering to say listen I don’t know how to do this, and even if I lose out because I don’t have the skillset, this is just an opportunity to learn.”
Create honest content that is genuinely helpful to your audience. Don’t use cheap tricks like clickbait or outright lies. They might work in the short term, but it is impossible to build anything long-lasting on them.
Conclusion
You need to do many things and not do even more things to succeed as a creator. Taking the time to locate the best watercourses and avoid hazards will be a deciding factor in your success.
Get updates on Delano Myers via Instagram here.