Want to make a living as a content writer?
You're not alone.
The number of content writers have grown astronomically in recent times.
More businesses than ever are realizing the importance of having a good online presence.
This is one of the many reasons that content writers are being hired in droves.
If you're wondering what it takes to become a great content writer - and get hired, this post is just for you.
What is Content Writing?
What's the difference between copywriting and content writing?
Copywriting is writing the text to be used in an advertisement, sales pages,landing pages, sales emails, brochures, leaflets and so on.
Content writing is a broader term as a content writer is also involved with publishing articles for various digital marketing platforms such as blog posts, newsletters, how-to guides, social media content, etc. The goal of good content is to provide information, to inspire people, and to build credibility. It's also an effective way for you to share your personal experiences with the world.
Content writing is the process of writing web content for the sole purpose of providing information to readers. This is as opposed to writing promotional information or advertisements.
Types of Content Writer
The most common content formats for writers are:
Long-form Writer
A long-form writer writes primarily for online publications or larger brands, for example: articles, guides, e-books.
Technical Writer
A technical writer often writes instruction manuals, white papers, documentation or how-to guides. This is for technical products such as software, hardware or everyday products like home appliances.
Direct Response Copywriter
A direct response writer has the skill to craft advertising copy and marketing messages for products or services.
The type of promotional content written includes sales copy, marketing campaigns, email newsletters and brochures.
Editorial Writer
An editorial writer is one who drafts articles and reviews for magazines. This can be done in whatever format the magazine requires, from a traditional article, guide, how-to etc. This is sometimes referred to as 'editorial marketing' for example, in the form of an editorial on the latest technology trends, or a review of a film.
Book Writer
A book writer (or ghostwriter) authors books for other people - for example a celebrity autobiography, or maybe you've been commissioned to write a book on a specific topic. These are usually fiction and non-fiction books.
Social Media Writer
A social media writer writes for blogs, Facebook posts, tweets and news stories on social media posts. These are usually shorter messages, maybe even just tweets or Facebook status updates - although there's no limit really - it's all about how quickly you can get your point across.
4 Skills Every Great Content Writer Needs
1. Subject Matter Expertise
Successful content writing is having in-depth knowledge in a specific field or industry whilst retaining the ability to use simple but persuasive language.
A good base level of experience in a topic is useful, but deep understanding of a subject can really give your writing a boost. For example, you'll need to know how it works, why it's important and who finds it most useful.
Also, if you're passionate about your work, or doing it as an obligation, or just out of a need to earn money - you'll always be true to yourself.
2. Research Skills
Good research is an essential part of the content writing process. It adds credibility and value to your writing. Facts and research data cited from trustworthy sources online will instil trust in your readers.
Start by finding out what your target audience is interested in, what they care about, what they are talking about and where they hang out online. The more you know about their interests, the better you can serve them with your work. This will drive your decision on which channels and digital content formats work bestfor them.
3. Adaptability
The tone and style of your writing must be the right fit for the brand or company. A product page on a vegan store targeting consumers worried about their health, will have quite different copy to the formal tone of an oil company whose clients are plastic product manufacturers. Having a wide array of styles at your disposal, means you can adapt to suit whatever is needed. Whether that's writing a simple blog post with a specific tone or creating a full-on digital content strategy complete with an editorial calendar.
4. Organizational Skills
Organizing in this case is about staying on top of your writing jobs. Mark deadlines on your calendar. Back it up with email reminders (the free Google calendar can do this). There are even smartphone apps that can help you improve your time management.
Not meeting deadlines can leave a sour taste in your client's mouths - even if you have strong writing skills. Prioritize your work, so you can deliver high-quality content promptly.
What Does a Content Writer Do?
Ever wondered how content writers spend their time?
20% Research
It is not just the topic you will be writing about. This includes customer research, keyword research, reading similar blogs. Great writers are always researching. They know their industry inside-out - from the most reputable companies, authoritative blogs, to the best publications.
20% Strategy
Content strategy boils down to laying out your plan to achieve your goal with your piece. What type of content works best for that audience? It's also how you will structure the content in terms of headings and subheadings. Finally, working out how all the blog posts will work together in the buyer journeythrough the website.
40% Writing
This includes proofreading and editing. An essential step to producing a good piece of content is ensuring that no sentences are redundant, all facts are correct, and that there's consistency throughout the piece. By reading over the article from beginning to end again, you can not only check all the grammar andsyntax is correct, but the tone, voice and overall flow of content matches the place where it will be published.
A second pair of eyes is always handy at this stage. Sometimes this will be your editor.
10% Learning
You can learn a lot about content writing by reading relevant blog posts, Facebook groups and other content on the internet. Some learn better by taking courses. It doesn't always have to be on-topic - take inspiration by reading outside of your niche.
But to get really good, practice is always key.
10% Networking
You should be reaching out to companies that require your services. Whether it's a search engine company, a big business or an entrepreneur, you'll need to have real conversations about how you can help them.
Speak with people who will give you honest feedback - one way or another, whether good or bad, as long as it's constructive. Your work is always changing, and you will continue evolving for the foreseeable future.
This could be a couple of hours a day in a relevant Facebook group or on LinkedIn. This will help you get clients and build a network for content promotion.
But - I'm not a writer!
Hold on.
You're trying to figure out how to become a successful professional content writer.
But what if you're not a writer?
People think writers are born with magical powers that have existed since the beginning of time.
I've got some great news for you. There's no such thing as a "natural born writer".
That's right.
And with a little work and keeping your goal in mind.
You too can get that freelance writing job you always wanted.
What You Need to Become a (Great) Content Writer
1. Pick a Niche
Why Pick a Niche?
You might have just started out with content writing. So, what are the best writing niches to start off with?
Start by putting yourself in any prospective client's shoes.
Would you (as a client) invest money on:
a) a writer who:
- Only writes generic content (about "any topic").
- Has no knowledge on your industry? or;
b) a writer who:
- Knows what you're talking about.
- Establishes themselves as an authority in your niche.
- Creates effective content that builds trust and gets social shares and links.
- Has SEO writing skills to optimize your content to rank it in the search engines.
Hopefully you chose b), right?
So, your greatest asset as a writer is your niche.
Choose one niche which has a certain need (e.g., financial advice) or anaudience (e.g. Silver surfers).
Then take a deep dive into it.
That will set you miles apart from your competitors - and allow you to charge higher rates.
Best Freelance Writing Niches
We've created a list of some of the most lucrative niches that are worthchecking out.
1. Finance (personal finance, budgeting, stocks,cryptocurrency, accounting)
2. Marketing (digital marketing, affiliate marketing, socialmedia, search engine optimization, eCommerce)
3. Education (courses, colleges, student life, etc.)
4. Health (alternative health, organic food, special diets –keto, paleo, intermittent fasting, CBD, supplements, bodybuilding, athletics,addiction, etc.)
5. Travel and Tourism (specific countries - e.g., New Zealand,airlines, hotels, promotional guides)
2. How to Build your Skills
Studying
Although having a degree isn't absolutely necessary to become an online content writer, it can be helpful in some situations. These are more useful if you’re looking for an entry-level position as an in-house content writer rather than being a freelancer. But, studying English, media studies or journalism can provide you with transferable skills you can use in the future.
Ultimately though, employers are more interested in your writing abilities, not your academic qualifications.
Best Content Writing Training
There are many ways you can study the art of writing. You can take content writing classes, read books and blog posts. To really love your industry, you must be a student of it.
Start by taking a course from the biggest names in the space - e.g., HubSpot, Udemy, etc.
1. HubSpot
HubSpot Academy has a choice of free courses on effective content marketing, inbound marketing, social media, etc. They also have free content marketing certification courses. At the end of each one, you will take a test to obtain your certification.
2. Udemy
Udemy is one of the main online education providers in the United States. It offers both free and paid training on writing and marketing.
3. Berkeley University's Academic and Business Writing course
This free five-week course offers an introduction to business and academic writing, focusing on the different writing styles, grammatical correctness, vocabulary development and revision and editing skills. Assignments include short assignments, small quizzes, journal entries, and longer essays.
Tools of the Trade
- Reliable internet connection
- Desktop or laptop
- Email and Skype accounts for client communication
- Project tracker like Trello or even the free Google sheets / Google calendarto keep on top of deadlines.
Best Content Writing Tools
Grammarly Premium
This online tool checks your grammar and spelling on all the content you write and gives suggestions on how to improve. The browser extension allows you to catch grammar mistakes while you write and then correct them as you go, and it also gives a full report of your writing quality with more than 10 different predefined categories (including content flow, readability, voice and tone of writing) - the online editor's comments will be caught in time and fixed before publication.
Hemingway App
Hemingway App is a web app that allows you to check your written work for spelling, grammar and style errors. It also has a premium version which can give you detailed feedback on your writing quality. The feedback is based on the best practices and standards from technical writers and editors, but they can still be particularly useful in many cases.
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word is the industry standard for many businesses. It's a great tool for creating well-formatted documents (e.g., articles, ads, company profiles, and more). Just make sure to take the time out to learn how to use all the features it has, as it's powerful. Some clients prefer Word to format documents, rather than the free Google Docs.
Google Docs
Google Docs is a great tool that is extremely easy to use and extremely popular among writers of all levels - making it an excellent choice for graphic designers. The templates can be downloaded and used to make a nice website or document.
Ideal Working Environment
Writing is a creative process, but it requires time and focus. To be successful, you'll need to get into a routine that will help your writing become more consistent, allowing you to work on your own without any distractions. The point is to be able to shut off all external distractions.
You could try spare rooms in your apartment or house - assuming you have no noisy family, housemates or neighbors. And if you can't find the right environment working from home, there are many other places where you can go to focus on your writing work:
1. Coffee Shops
Wonderful places to write and do work. Most cafes will have at least a couple of tables where you can work comfortably. Some even have free internet access. Some writers like the coffee here as well as their own home-brewed coffee, some just prefer the atmosphere here.
2. Libraries
Many libraries have quiet areas where you can go to write. The key is to find a place in the library that is not too noisy, or near a window - if you are working in the evening or at night. For some, libraries may not be the best place - they are often not very comfortable.
3. Internet Cafes
Many internet cafes have individual rooms where you can write and focus on your work without any distractions. They usually offer free internet access as well as the ability to pay a small amount to stop the distraction (e.g., by playing video games).
4. Office Co-Working Spaces
This choice is not ideal for most writers as there will be constant interruptions from phones, etc. and may not be the cheapest option. However, if you have the finances for it, it may be an excellent choice. Office spaces usually have amenities like coffee or tea, computers and printers that can be used to do your work.
3. Growing your Presence
Establishing Your Authority
Remember, people don't care as much about you, as they do about what you can do for them. So, to get clients as a freelance writer, you need to build authority, both as a writer and in your niche. The more knowledgeable and authoritative that you become on a subject, the more clients will respect and appreciate your work - because it will provide them with solutions to their problems.
Marketing Your Services
Portfolio
Having a portfolio of published writing examples is one of the best ways to highlight your skills and stay ahead of your competitors. Potential clients can see real-life examples of your writing.
You can start by blogging on your very own personal website. Make a blog writing schedule and stick to it. Try doing one post a week or even more often. You can also use this website for guest posting and reaching out and pitching to bigger online publications. This will increase your exposure as well as building your writing portfolio.
Social Media
Having a social media presence can help your writing career in two ways, by allowing you to
- connect with your future employers.
- network with other writers, either about real life events like conferences or virtual ones
Write a consistent stream of posts, sharing relevant, engaging content that will get people's attention. Use LinkedIn, Facebook groups and Twitter to network so you get noticed as the writer that clients want to hire.
Optimize your Linkedin profile for your writing services. Create a head-turning headline. Have a professional looking photo. Do the same for your other social profiles too.
4. Finding Work
So, you’ve developed the skills and portfolio pieces. Now you can start looking for paying clients. Here are three ways to find content writing jobs:
1. Freelance Platforms
Join freelancing sites: One of the best ways to get started as a content writer is by signing up with freelancing sites like TextBroker, Upwork, Freelancer and Guru (avoid hirewriters). The process is simple. You simply post a project for consideration and wait for the right clients to contact you. Just make sure that you write all your pricing upfront for clarity - as some clients want to negotiate the price after they have seen your work and skill levels. There are also content writing platforms or content marketplaces that cater specifically for content writing jobs.
2. Word of Mouth
Ask your friends and family for opportunities. If you keep an active presence on social media sites, you have a good chance of finding work through word of mouth. It helps if you have a solid reputation and satisfied customers too. You can also use this opportunity to show off your writing skills and portfolio. Asking other writers for opportunities is a fantastic way to build credit and grow your network. In addition, you can get their input on the type of projects (as well as the pay rates) that you should be looking for in the current market climate.
3. Cold Pitching
Cold pitching is not for everyone, but it's a terrific way to get fresh writing gigs. The idea is to reach out to potential clients and let them know of your services. Here are a couple of ways of doing this:
Cold calling is another way. Most people are either too scared or don't bother. This is what will set you apart. Remember, if you have a portfolio examples of your work, this is the best way to get new opportunities. Most hiring managers would prefer to hire someone who has tried and tested their services in the past. If you have a relevant story to tell, they're more likely to want to give you an opportunity. You can also use testimonials from past clients as proof of your skills.
Cold email outreach is a consistent, systematic way to reach out to potential clients. It involves researching companies and bloggers and pitching relevant, personalized emails to them. Create a list of 5-10 potential websites or your ideal clients that could need loads of content written for them (e.g., travel blogs in Australia).
Bonus Tip: (Please) Don't Spam
Spamming clients is one of the biggest mistake's writers make. It comes off as unprofessional and can damage your reputation. You want to reach out to people in the industry that you know you can help and ask them for work. There's always a shortage of reliable content writers.
You now have everything to get started as a freelance writer.
Over to you.
Best of luck on the start of your next, exciting journey!