The 2024 DStv Content Creator Awards’ Content Creator Workshop ignited a wave of enthusiasm and engagement among aspiring content creators, with a full house in attendance at Artistry in Sandton.

• Now in its second year, the event has quickly become a highlight on the awards’ calendar.
• The event draws in a diverse crowd eager to learn, network, and dive deep into the world of content creation.
• The workshop aimed to empower creators by providing a platform for knowledge sharing and offering invaluable insights into the rapidly evolving content landscape.
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The 2024 DStv Content Creator Awards’ Content Creator Workshop featured an impressive line-up of industry experts and panels, each bringing unique perspectives that left the audience inspired and informed.

Manuela Dias de Deus, the founder of the DStv Content Creator Awards, set the tone for the day with an opening address that emphasized the importance of such events in fostering the growth of creators. She also took the opportunity to acknowledge the sponsors whose support made the workshop possible, underscoring the collaborative spirit that drives the industry forward.

The first panel discussion, titled ‘How to Find Your Niche and Monetize Your Content’, tackled one of the most pressing questions for many creators: how to identify and cultivate a niche audience and eventually turn their passion into profit. Moderated by Omar Morto, the panel featured insights from established creators like Kim Jayde, Tums The Narrator, and Phaello Tshabalala, who shared their journeys to becoming professional content creators.

Phaello offered a candid account of how she began her career through trade exchanges, gradually earning the trust and investment of brands. Kim Jayde highlighted the importance of staying true to one’s content and maintaining authenticity in brand partnerships, a principle she has upheld since her early days as a model and TV presenter. Tums The Narrator delved into the business side of content creation, emphasizing the need to find a niche within a niche and the value of open communication with brands to ensure mutually beneficial partnerships.

Ntokozo explained how brands are increasingly seeking authentic, relatable content over highly curated, aspirational material, while still needing to incorporate the brand narrative. He also provided valuable advice on contracts, urging creators to be vigilant about the terms they agree to. Greg Walsh shared his experience working with influencers like Caspar Lee to market events, highlighting the early days of social media’s impact on influencer marketing. Manuela Dias de Deus discussed the evolution of PR with the rise of influencers, offering practical dos and don’ts for creators looking to build their personal brands.

Renaldo Schwarp, Senior Manager of Multiplatform at DStv South Africa, introduced an exciting competition for content creators centered around the theme of getting ready to watch all the football with DStv. The competition offers a lucrative prize package, including R20’000 in cash, double tickets to the 2024 DStv Content Creator Awards, an official backstage photo opportunity, and a bar tab worth R1’000. To enter, creators must use the hashtag #footbALLonDStv and tag DStv on their respective social media platforms.

In addition to the panels, the workshop featured a series of insightful talks. Devi Govender, Executive Producer and Anchor of The Devi Show on eTV and eNCA, shared invaluable lessons from her career, offering advice she wished she had known earlier. Gail Schimmel, CEO of the Advertising Regulatory Board, followed with crucial tips on content regulations and legalities that every creator should be aware of.

Leigh Carter Cochrane, Head of Commercial at Africa Podcast Network, explored the growing popularity of podcasts, offering guidance on starting and commercializing a digital platform. Meanwhile, 947’s Digital Content Producer Nondwe Maqubela, along with Chanley Wong and Thabile Masuku from the Suzuki 947 Amp Squad, provided a ‘Radio 101’ discussion, covering topics like digital amplification, events, programming, and key performance indicators (KPIs) in the context of brand trends and engagement.

The final panel, moderated by Manuela Dias de Deus, brought together industry leaders like Sadika Fakir, Executive of Digital Marketing & Media at Absa Group; Pumeza Chilembo, Senior Brand Manager for Nestlé’s Bar One and Tex; Maisha Mamabolo, Brand Manager of White Spirits & Liqueurs at Heineken Beverages; and fitness influencer Zinhle Masango. The discussion focused on the expectations brands have when collaborating with creators, offering a well-rounded conclusion to a day filled with valuable insights.

The 2024 DStv Content Creator Awards‘ Content Creator Workshop concluded with a palpable sense of inspiration and motivation. The event not only equipped aspiring creators with essential knowledge but also fostered a strong sense of community, emphasizing the importance of continued learning, networking, and collaboration in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

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