It’s official: Gaining fame on social media has become a legitimate career path that can transform your life. Around the world, digital entrepreneurs are leveraging their smartphones to generate content and cultivate an audience that can be monetized. To those observing from the sidelines, it may appear that influencers simply stumbled upon success. However, the reality is more complex. The art of content creation is a valuable skill set that generates income, especially through sponsorships, ad revenue, and product sales.
TikTok sensation and comedian London Lazerson talks about the journey to becoming a digital entrepreneur. Lazerson, who boasts 4.6 million followers on TikTok, aims to showcase how attainable content creation really is.
“When you discover your niche, you can truly succeed,” Lazerson states. “It doesn’t matter what your focus is. You could be critiquing the shrubs in people’s yards and become the go-to garden expert. Suddenly, you’re a millionaire thanks to social media.”
Is it genuinely that straightforward? Not exactly, but the internet opens the door to endless possibilities. Turn your aspirations into reality with this five-step roadmap to digital entrepreneurship.
1. Identify your niche and own it.
Recognizing your creative passion is the first step toward becoming a digital entrepreneur. If you can define your gifts or knowledge, it will aid others in recognizing the worth of your work.
“It was only after I joined TikTok that I understood if you identify your niche, you’ll cultivate a following and monetize it,” says Lazerson. “It’s really that straightforward because you can consistently create similar content.”
Having multiple niches is acceptable, as long as you position yourself under one main category. Lazerson, for example, is a comedian with three distinct sub-niches: Home Alone spoofs, humorous Tesla content, and random comedic bits he believes will resonate with audiences. Having a variety of “content buckets” enables you to capture different audiences across a wide range of topics.
2. Conduct thorough research and commit to continuous learning.
Looking to create engaging products and compelling content? Examine what other entrepreneurs within your niche are doing. Explore platforms like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, or even a competitor’s site, and engage in some thorough, lengthy research. Is there potential for you to build on similar ideas? Could you create superior content?
“For me, scrolling through social media is different from the average consumer…. I’m actively seeking my next viral concept from someone else’s content,” says Lazerson.
While digital entrepreneurship is largely within reach, it isn’t as effortless as many believe. Alleviate some of the pressure by drawing inspiration from appropriate sources.
3. When you hit a wall, just start producing.
How do seasoned creators manage to upload three videos daily? Even in a full-time capacity, generating that volume of content is labor-intensive. A single video may call for a brief script, hours spent on editing, keyword research for tags and titles, and possibly a custom thumbnail.
To enhance your output speed, you must detach from the need for perfectionism. That’s how viral icons achieve success after years of dedication. In the beginning, they aren’t hesitant to push through the discomfort of uncertainty.
“Simply entering into a creative mindset is more crucial than the pre-production process,” Lazerson notes. “It surpasses the importance of your scripts and even your concept.”
Once you find your rhythm in content creation, be consistent. Genuine, organic growth may take years to manifest.
4. Regularly pitch yourself to brands.
Once you start to build a loyal following, reach out to brands you admire or see as potential partners. Lazerson recalls how he would direct message 50 different brands each week to familiarize himself with the pitching process.
“It wasn’t solely about generating income for me, as I had other income streams back then,” Lazerson explains. “Part of it was that I needed to understand what these brands want to hear from me and what they don’t.”
As you engage in pitching, keep an eye on two aspects:
- Which discussions yield fruitful results (and which don’t).
- The wording you use (to refine your direct messages).
5. Seek assistance, but only when absolutely necessary.
If you implement the four strategies mentioned above, you’re on track to becoming a digital entrepreneur. It may take time, but seeing thousands of people appreciate your content or purchase your products is an attainable goal.
However, don’t stop there. Amassing thousands (or millions) of followers introduces new challenges to your business. Do you require a manager for negotiating brand partnerships? What about a video editor? These can be wise investments, but ensure you truly need them before fully committing.
“You genuinely can achieve social media success independently,” Lazerson asserts. “I know individuals with 10 million TikTok followers who are only now considering hiring interns because I suggested it to them…. It ultimately depends on your current stage.”
