7 Unexpected Ways to Become a Big Content Creator

Becoming a successful content creator is often portrayed as a linear journey: pick a niche, post consistently, follow the trends, and wait patiently for your audience to grow. But real success rarely follows such a tidy path. In fact, many creators who have ‘made it’ did so through unconventional, often surprising means. If you’ve been grinding without results, it might be time to try something a bit unexpected.

Here are seven unexpected ways to become a big content creator, especially if you’re looking to stand out in a crowded space like Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok.

1. Buy Engagement to Kickstart Growth

Let’s be honest: when people discover your profile, they make snap judgements. A high follower count and good engagement can trigger the “social proof” effect, making real users more likely to follow, like, or trust you. Brands and collaborators often skim through numbers before looking deeper. If your content is high quality, purchasing engagement from the best place to buy followers can act as a foot in the door.

That said, not all bought engagement is equal. Focus on services that provide realistic, organic-looking interaction, and use it only as a catalyst—not a crutch. Long-term growth still depends on consistent value and authenticity.

2. Be Deliberately Polarising

Most people aim to please everyone, but great content creators often divide opinion. Being polarising doesn’t mean being offensive—it means standing firm on your perspective, even if it ruffles feathers.

When you speak passionately and confidently on niche topics—whether that’s veganism, cryptocurrency, minimalist parenting, or conspiracy theories—you build loyalty. People who agree will follow you religiously; those who don’t may still engage just to argue. Either way, your content performs better in the algorithm because it drives conversation.

Don’t manufacture outrage for the sake of it, but don’t be afraid to have an edge.

3. Focus on Micro-Content Before Going Longform

Many aspiring creators think they need to start with full YouTube videos, podcast episodes, or blog posts to be taken seriously. But in today’s attention economy, short-form content rules.

Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts offer explosive organic reach—and they favour creators who deliver fast, punchy value. Surprisingly, many large creators were discovered through short clips that went viral before they ever launched longer projects.

Once you’ve built an audience through micro-content, you can guide them toward your long-form material or paid offers. Think of short videos as the trailer that gets people into the cinema.

4. Make Your Personal Life Part of the Brand

Many creators try to keep a hard line between their content and their personal life, fearing that being “too open” might seem unprofessional. But paradoxically, the opposite is often true.

Letting your audience into your world—even in small ways—builds a connection that polished content alone can’t create. Share your routines, failures, relationships, or behind-the-scenes moments. Let them see the human behind the camera.

This kind of vulnerability can transform passive viewers into loyal fans. It’s especially effective in niches like lifestyle, wellness, entrepreneurship, and fashion.

5. Use Trends… But Twist Them

Jumping on trends is one of the oldest tricks in the content creator handbook—but simply copying what everyone else is doing rarely leads to lasting success. The real magic happens when you subvert a trend or add a personal, surprising twist.

For example, if there’s a viral dance or audio clip, don’t just repeat it—add a joke, change the meaning, or use it to tell a story relevant to your niche. The algorithm picks up on trend participation, but the audience rewards originality.

This blend of familiarity and creativity is one of the fastest ways to stand out without reinventing the wheel.

6. Collaborate with Smaller Creators, Not Just Big Ones

It’s tempting to aim for partnerships with big influencers, but the most effective collaborations often happen at the micro-level. Creators with 1,000 to 10,000 followers tend to have more engaged audiences and are far more accessible.

Reach out to peers in your niche and suggest co-creating content, doing shoutouts, or appearing in each other’s videos or streams. These collaborations expose you to new audiences and build credibility—without needing a massive budget or brand deal.

Plus, many creators grow together. The people you support early on might be the ones bringing you along for the ride later.

7. Niche Down in a Weird Way

You’ve probably heard the advice to “find your niche,” but going ultra-specific—almost absurdly so—can actually be your golden ticket.

Instead of a general fitness channel, think “fitness for office workers with back pain.” Instead of fashion, think “cottagecore fashion on a budget.” Instead of photography, try “vintage camera reviews for Gen Z.”

These hyper-niche identities help you stand out, build trust quickly, and dominate SEO and algorithm searches. You can always broaden later once you’ve captured a loyal base, but starting ultra-niche gives you a clear differentiator in a sea of sameness.

Becoming a big content creator is no longer about just posting consistently and hoping for the best. The digital space is noisy, fast-moving, and full of opportunity—but also competition. Sometimes, thinking differently is what propels you forward.

Whether it’s buying initial engagement to gain credibility from reliable engagement providers, sharing your personal ups and downs, or zeroing in on an oddly specific niche, success often lies in doing what others overlook or dismiss.

Just remember: strategy can get you noticed, but substance keeps people around. So by all means, try the unexpected—but make sure what you’re offering is worth sticking around for.