The Truth About Content Creators…
Many businesses have misconceptions about working with content creators. So let's set the record straight on some of the most commonly thought of issues from businesses.
Misconception 1: Content creators are expensive.
Sure, some creators might charge an arm and a leg, but there are also affordable creators out there. The key is having a budget in mind and at least a few ideas on how you want to spend it.
For example, perhaps you have a product you're looking to promote, determine how many Creators you want to work with, and how far your budget can stretch.
If you're budget is small (i.e. a couple thousand dollars or less) seek out Creators who might have smaller followings, like 20k followers and under.
Research their content, how is their engagement, do they get interest in the products they review, how frequently are they posting content, has their account been dormant for a while, etc. You are responsible for doing the research if you want to potentially get the best bang for your buck.
Figure out how many Creators you work with based on your budget.
And remember, Creators are here to help you, but ultimately they are looking for income as well for the same type of bills you have to pay, so when you find a Creator who's good, you've done your research, and it's time to hire them, pay them fairly.
Misconception 2: Content creators are unreliable.
I'd say, people can be unreliable, so knowing that, you must do your due diligence to pay attention to the type of communication you receive from the Creator when hiring them for a project. The working partnership requires effort on both sides! Many businesses miss this crucial aspect or just ignore it altogether. When you are engaging with the Creator to discuss project needs, here some things to pay attention to:
How quickly(or not) are they at responding back to you?
Do they ask the bare minimum of questions or do they take a more thorough approach?
Because I can guarantee you, if they ask the bare minimum, and you rely on them to ask questions about the project, this will be a painstaking working partnership.
Most creators take their work seriously and have a strong work ethic. But from time to time, you may come across some less than desirable partnerships, always remember to do your part to mitigate as many issues as possible. This can help ensure a pleasant working partnership for you and the Creator.
Misconception 3: Content creators don't understand your business.
While it's helpful for creators to have some industry knowledge, it's not always necessary. There's so many ways for Creators to find out details about your business and come up with fresh perspectives on how to convey brand messaging. That said, I'm always an advocate of not letting businesses take the easy route, so if there are crucial points you need Creators to know when working on a project….tell them!
Just like any relationship, it serves both sides well to not wait for the other party to read your mind. State your needs and encourage questions from the Creator in order to ensure the project has as little bumps in the road as possible!
Now that you have more insight on what to do….go out there….find Creators you enjoy working with and start building long term working partnerships with those who provide the results you're after!