# What do you need to start as a creator?

> Less than you might think. A smartphone, at least one active social media account and a complete Influentials profile are enough to get started. You don't need a big following, expensive equipment or an agency.

- Canonical: https://www.influentials.com/en-us/knowledge/for-creators/what-you-need-to-start-as-a-creator
- Locale: en-us
- Hub: creators
- Published: 2026-11-05
- Updated: 2026-11-05

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Many people think you need a studio, a professional camera or thousands of followers to work with brands. That's not the case. This is what you actually need.

## The basics

- **A smartphone.** Almost all creator content today is made with a phone. Modern phones film and photograph well enough for most campaigns.
- **An active social media account.** You need an Instagram, TikTok or UGC-portfolio that you post on regularly. Make sure your account is public, so brands can see your content.
- **An Influentials account.** Sign up for free and complete your profile with a photo, a bio and your connected socials.

## Handy to have

- **Good light.** Daylight from a window works perfectly. A simple ring light can help in the evening or in winter.
- **Clear sound.** For videos where you talk, a quiet space makes a big difference. A small clip-on microphone is a cheap upgrade if you want one.
- **A simple editing app.** Free apps such as CapCut or the built-in editing tools on Instagram and TikTok are more than enough.

## Practical details

- **A delivery address.** Many campaigns involve a product being sent to you, so make sure your address is correct in your profile.
- **Payout details.** Fill these in completely, so you get paid without delay after a campaign.
- **Time and reliability.** Brands count on you to deliver your content on time and follow the brief. That matters more than any piece of equipment.

## What you don't need

You don't need a big following, because many brands deliberately look for smaller creators. You don't need expensive gear, because a phone and good light will take you a long way. And you don't need an agency or a manager, because on Influentials you work with brands directly.

## Ready to get started?

Read [How to sign up as a creator](https://www.influentials.com/knowledge/for-creators/how-to-sign-up-as-a-creator) for the step-by-step guide.

Ready to start? [Sign up as a creator](https://www.influentials.com/become-a-creator) and get matched with brands looking for content like yours.