Content writing presents an amazing career opportunity to persons who can write with flair and have the requisite skills. Lately, there has been a growing demand for skilled content writers especially on the internet. Therefore, if you can write good content, the content writing industry is a gold mine that you cannot afford to leave untapped.
You can become a content writer as long as you have an interest in writing, have excellent grammar, and a good mastery of SEO. Once you have that combination, you can venture into the vast world of content writing.
Below, we will discuss how you can become a content writer and earn money writing.
What is content writing?
Before we go further, it is imperative that you understand what we mean by content writing. Content writing entails composing content or information for websites, or in other words, for online consumption.
Content writing is the basic for all types of online writing. Once you have mastered the art, you can specialize in one or several different niches such as article writing, medical writing, copy writing, travel writing, research writing, and creative writing among many others.
Skills Required To Become A Content Writer
Before we delve deeper into content writing tips for beginners, there are skills that you ought to have to be considered as an accomplished content writer.
Some of the skills include:
- Be well versed with different writing styles.
- Be original and unique. Avoid plagiarism.
- Good understanding of SEO tools
- Have excellent research skills.
- Ability to manage time, meet deadlines and stay relevant and in demand
- Adaptability and the ability to stay focused.
How To Get Started As A Content Writer
There is not a clear cut path that one ought to follow to become a content writer. What may work for other people, may not work for you and vice versa. However, the following guidelines entail what most successful content writers did while they were starting out. I believe they will give you a good starting point.
1. Read Widely
Inculcate a reading culture in your daily life. Read things such as blogs, books, newspapers and any other thing of value that you can put your hands on. The art of reading helps build perspective and at the same time makes you more knowledgeable and aware.
Reading also enables you identify different writing styles used on various pieces of work. From this, you are able to pick out which styles are effective and what styles is to be used where and for what purpose.
2. Start A Blog And Begin Writing
For you to make it in content writing, you have to be an expert at writing. This will set you apart in the content writing industry. The only way a client will settle for you is if your content stands out from the others. It is advisable to opt for a niche that you are comfortable with and stick to it.
Steer clear of writing about anything and everything. You will realize that the highest paid writers are those that have picked out a niche that they prefer writing on. Picking a niche makes you polish up your skills better, while at the same time giving you a wide scope of knowledge and experience.
3. Learn How To Research
Good research skills are a must have for you to make it as a content writer. You should be able to research a topic from scratch, and come up with a captivating write up. Well researched content is easy to tell as it is not shallow and it meets the reader’s needs or answers the questions that they might have had.
4. Build A Portfolio
Your word is not enough to convince potential clients that you are a good content writer. They will ask that you provide them with proof that displays your skills and the quality of your work. This is what assists clients pick out the best content writers for their projects.
That is why you ought to take enough time and effort creating a varied portfolio which showcases your skills, style and quality that you are willing to offer. Your portfolio is what determines whether your career as a content writer will take off or not.
5. Be Tenacious
Tenacity is a virtue that you ought to have when you decide to become a content writer. Success does not come with the shake of a magic wand, you will be required to put in lots of effort and persevere until you start landing high paying clients. Do not be discouraged as you start out. Instead, use all challenges encountered as a stepping stone to better days.
Most clients prefer content writers with experience, and that is why you have to work towards building your credibility. In the meantime, accept the cheap projects that come your way. They not only add on to your experience, but also bring in little but steady income.
6. Maintain Your Credibility And Remain Relevance
Always remember that your job does not come to an end whenever you land clients. Actually, that is the beginning. Ensure that you are focused and committed to delivering superior quality content that will impress your clients. Client satisfaction should always be your motivation.
Another thing that you should always observe is set deadlines. Work should never be submitted past the agreed timelines. This builds the trust and reliance the client has in you. Once a client has trust in you, you can rest assured that they will bring in more work for you.
7. Begin On The Correct Platform
It is advisable that you begin your content writing career on the correct platform for you to gain the required exposure. There are plenty content writing sites that you can choose from. However, not all of them are ideal for beginners and it is up to you to carry out some research in that regard so that you begin on the correct foot. Your foundation will determine whether your writing career will pick up or not.
Roles Of A Content Writer
Content writers perform vast array of roles. However, most of it revolves around content creation. Let us take a deeper look at some of those duties.
- Content creation based on the required writing styles and research.
- Ensuring that the quality of content is always up to standard
- Editing, proof reading, reviewing and revising work done
- Content management
- Keeping records of work done
The Best Bits About Being A Content Writer
Content writing is a very attractive career. It is quite versatile so that you get to choose the niche that is best suited with you. It also gives you the chance to choose working hours that are convenient for you.
Another enticing thing about it is that the more gigs you pick, the higher you returns will be. However, this may not be the case always as you might land a single client who is willing to pay a hefty amount for a single project. As a result, you will not need to out- source other gigs in the bid to make that extra coin.
Challenges of being a content writer
Efficient is what you should always be, once you decide to become a content writer. You will be expected have excellent research skills and to write at a good speed. Your clients will also expect that you meet deadlines on time. Therefore, it is advisable that you come up with a process that will enable you work speedily and efficiently.
Since most content writers work from home, at times it becomes difficult to separate their work life form their home life. Sometimes things at home distract you.