Smart Content Creator Training: Digital Marketing Strategies on TikTok and Instagram for Middle and High School Students

Abstract

The rapid growth of digital media in Indonesia has created significant opportunities for young people, particularly middle and high school students, to participate as content creators. However, many students lack the knowledge and skills to leverage social media platforms effectively and responsibly. This community service activity aimed to provide training on smart content creation strategies using TikTok and Instagram for junior and senior high school students at the Kampung Indonesia community in Nonthaburi, Thailand. The training was conducted using participatory methods, including lectures, discussions, demonstrations, and direct practice. A total of 45 students participated, and the training covered five main modules: platform recognition, viral content formulas, account growth strategies, monetization methods, and digital ethics. Pre- and post-training assessments showed a significant increase in participants' knowledge and skills, with an average score improvement of 72.4%. Participants were also able to produce their first content immediately after the training. The results indicate that structured, practical training can effectively build content creator competencies among students. It is recommended that similar programs be sustained and integrated into extracurricular school activities to support the development of the digital creative economy from an early age.