How to become a Content Creator in the UK

We look at how you can go from scrolling to scripting with a career as a Content Creator.

The Content Creator economy is booming in the UK. What was once dismissed as a hobby is now a career with inbuilt creativity and earning potential. But with everyone and their pet pug appearing online to chip in to the online content pool, how can you stand out and make a splash?

We’ve put together some key information to help you get a clearer overview of content creation and learn how to develop the right skills for this modern career path.

Are Content Creators in demand in the UK?

The UK is a thriving market for digital content. Where brands used to rely on celebrities to sell their products, they are increasingly placing their trust (and their products) in the hands of Content Creators and spending more on online platforms such as TikTok, YouTube and Instagram rather than traditional advertising routes of TV or billboards.

Content Creators work hard to build a community of followers, using language they understand and a shared perspective. This creates a more genuine and relatable backdrop for presenting a product or a service compared to traditional advertising.

Content that has been created by users rather than a brand or its marketing team is called user-generated-content (UGC) and around 86% of businesses use it to connect with possible customers. In fact, around 40% of consumers have bought things after being influenced by social media.

What does a Content Creator do?

Being a Content Creator involves much more than recording yourself talking about products.

You’ll need to:

• write scripts and plan your video content
• record content in a studio space or at home using a camera or phone
• livestream relevant events to your followers
• edit videos and add text or effects using editing software
• apply relevant tags and links to your content
• promote the content you create to increase your number of followers
• analyse tracking data to inform and improve your work
• stay up to date with what’s going on in the world of content creation including mastering new technology

Before you get started, it’s important to have a good knowledge of media production and the relevant software as well as strong communication skills. You’ll need to be detail-oriented, resourceful and creative, and have the ability to understand people’s reactions and accept feedback. Placing yourself and your opinions online leaves you open to both praise and criticism, so you’ll also need self-confidence and resilience to approach this type of role. 

You can read a case study of a Content Creator here.

What qualifications do you need to become a Content Creator?

The online world is overflowing with home-made content, but to set yourself apart, you’ll need to develop your skills – and this may require formal training. If you’re looking to develop your skills or get hired by a creative agency or brand, then Capital City College (CCC) offers Digital Media and Creative Computing Courses for learners of all levels.

Beginner Content Creator courses

If you’re new to Creative Media, the Creative Media – Level 1 Diploma (UAL) courses provide a dynamic introduction to the world of media arts and help you build a solid foundation for further study and exploration in the field of media. Next up, the Creative Media Production and Technology: Media Communication and Entrepreneurship – Level 2 Diploma (UAL) is a hands-on course that takes you through digital content creation, visual storytelling, marketing strategies, and the fundamentals of media business – all while supporting the development of practical skills in video production, photography, social media management and branding.

Courses to develop your Content Creator skills

For those with a little more experience, CCC offers a Creative Media Production and Technology: Social Media and Digital Marketing – Level 3 Extended Diploma (UAL). This course is aimed at those looking to build a career in the fashion and design industry and covers fashion styling, brand development, social media management, and marketing strategies. Students learn how to create visual content for platforms such as Instagram and YouTube, and how to use social media for brand promotion – all essential stuff for budding Content Creators.

Finally, for those interested in getting industry experience while learning the ropes, CCC offers two T Level courses – Content Creation (Media, Broadcast and Production) – T Level (Pearson) at its Soho campus and Content Creation – T Level (Pearson) at its Enfield campus. In addition to a 315-hour industry placement, these courses cover content creation, media production techniques, scriptwriting and storyboarding, visual and graphic design, technologies and equipment, project management and collaboration as well as industry insights and professional development. 

CCC’s Content Creation courses at a glance:

• Creative Media – Level 1 Diploma (UAL) (King’s Cross Campus)
• Creative Media – Level 1 Diploma (UAL) (Holloway Campus)
• Creative Media Production and Technology: Media Communication and Entrepreneurship – Level 2 Diploma (UAL)
• Creative Media Production and Technology: Social Media and Digital Marketing – Level 3 Extended Diploma (UAL)
• Content Creation (Media, Broadcast and Production) – T Level (Pearson) (Soho Campus)
• Content Creation – T Level (Pearson) (Enfield Campus)

How much does a Content Creator earn?

Many Content Creators work on a freelance basis, winning work with brands by developing their portfolio, while others work in house.

The amount that you’ll earn as a Content Creator will depend on the quality of your content, your follower count, the engagement rate and the platform. The average freelance entry-level rate across all product types for creating UGC in the UK is around £35 for a 30-second video. This increases with experience and popularity, as UGC creators with a more substantial following (eg. 100K followers and upwards)  can make up to £400 for a video of the same length. 

If you’re using platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, you can also earn money through creator funds (these are funds set up by platforms to share revenue with Content Creators), brand deals, affiliate marketing, and sponsored content. To be successful, you’ll need to be consistent in your efforts to create and share good-quality engaging content so that you can develop your audience and work to create partnerships with brands.

If you choose to take your skills to a brand or organisation on a more permanent basis, then starting salaries for entry-level positions such as digital marketing assistant are around £23,000-£25,000. After a few years, you can expect to earn around £27,000-£30,000 as a digital marketing executive.

Career Progression

If you develop your experience working as a freelance Content Creator and build a strong audience along with good brand relationships, then the sky’s the limit. Working freelance allows you to pick and choose your brand partners while working in-house may open up different opportunities within marketing and brand management and you could even go on to train, mentor or manage other Content Creators in your field.

Next steps

There’s no time like the present so, if you’re ready to start creating, there are three key things you can do right now.

1. Assess your own feed. Look at Content Creators that you like. How have they created their videos? Think about lighting, sounds, editing and start picking it all apart. Make note of what works and what doesn’t, and think about which areas you need to develop within your own skillset.
2. Explore relevant courses to help you move forward. At CCC, we offer industry-standard facilities, strong employer partnerships and a practical approach.
3. Start making content that reflects who you are and what you can do and build a portfolio. You can do this by creating a website or an online portfolio that includes different types of content such as photos, audio, video and written content. Make it easy to navigate,  ensure that you optimise it for mobile devices such as tablets or phones and keep it updated with your best work.

If you’re excited by the idea of working as a Content Creator, take a look at our Digital Media and Creative Computing Courses and apply today!

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