Content Creation: From Shaky Selfies to Social Superstar
Ah, content creation! Remember when it meant awkwardly holding your phone at arm’s length, hoping your thumb wouldn’t photobomb your masterpiece? We’ve come a long way, baby! Whether you’re aiming to be the next TikTok sensation or just want to share your magic tricks without accidentally revealing them, this guide will help you level up from “my mom’s my only viewer” to “wait, is that video going viral?”
- Who is my audience/what is my purpose?
- The Basics
- Hardware
- Software
- Pre-Production
- Production
- Post-Production
- AI Tools
- Monetization: The Reality Check
Who is my audience/what is my purpose?
The Basics
Hardware
KISS: The best equipment is what you have on you.
Your Phone
Your phone—make most content here.
Don’t lose it
I put air-tags on everything, and since the cases don’t come with that, I stick them in elevation lab holders. I have them on everything, 100% worth it.
AirTag (4 Pack)
Elevation Labs TagVault
Microphone
- You can use an external mic, but I usually don’t.
- I got the something or other, which is nice as it has stereo mics. Not sure this has solved any problem I have.
Selfie Drone - Hover X1
- Careful, don’t lose it. That happens a lot.
DJI Pocket 3
- Just got it looks like it’s gonna be really fun.
- After the novelty wore off I stopped using it.
Insta360 X5
- 360-degree camera that captures everything around you
- What’s great is you just record it in 360, then use really nice AI features to find the best view.
- Does a nice auto upload to web
- Can put on table and record both sides of the conversation
Never use it: Action Camera
- Too much work.
Never use it: DSLR
- Too much work.
External Hard Drive
- Pretty useful, I have a 4 TB ultra-fast hard drive. Copy everything over; otherwise, you’ll fill up all your storage.
Webcams: OBS Tiny Cam
- Pretty sweet, built-in gimbal.
- Has a remote control which is great.
Software
Screencasts
Vertical ShortForm Video
Killer, just take video on your phone, then use CapCut to edit/auto-caption. It’s always getting better. The key is: don’t fight the app. If it wants to do stuff, let it. Over-trying to optimize is a waste of time.
- Best feature is AI Captions and AI editing.
Pre-Production
Planning
Scripting
Having a script transforms your content from rambling to focused. But reading from a script while maintaining eye contact and natural delivery? That’s where teleprompter software becomes invaluable.
My Go-To App:
Teleprompter (Free with Pro upgrade) - The app I actually use for mobile content creation. Import your scripts, adjust text size and scrolling speed, and record videos while reading. Works great for both iOS and Android.
Note: Just because you have a teleprompter doesn’t mean you need to be fully scripted. You can also use it for key points to keep your content focused while maintaining a natural, conversational delivery.
Pro Tips for Teleprompter Success:
- Font size matters: Use large, readable fonts (24pt+)
- Eye level: Position screen at camera height to maintain natural eye contact
- Pace yourself: Write conversationally, include natural pauses
- Practice first: Run through without recording to nail timing
- Backup plan: Always have key points memorized in case tech fails
Production
Lighting
Audio
Camera Work
Post-Production
Editing
CapCut - My go-to editor for mobile content creation. It’s a bit wonky to use, but like any other skill you need to build your muscles before you’re good at using it. The AI features for captions and editing are excellent once you get the hang of it.
Distribution
AI Tools
Thumbnails
Transcription
Monetization: The Reality Check
Creator monetization is complex and often disappointing. For a comprehensive guide covering all monetization methods, platform-specific strategies, and real earnings data:\n\n<div style=”margin-bottom: 0.5rem” class=”summary-link body-only” href=”/monetize”
</div>
Quick Summary
The brutal truth: 99% of creators make less than $100/month. Success requires:
- Multiple income streams
- Years of consistent content
- Genuine audience relationships
- Realistic expectations
Main monetization methods:
- Ad revenue sharing (YouTube, TikTok)
- Affiliate marketing (Amazon Associates)
- Brand sponsorships (where the real money is)
- Direct fan support (Patreon, tips)
- Digital products (courses, templates)
- Merchandise
For detailed breakdowns, case studies, and platform-specific strategies, see the full monetization guide.