Writing – something we all do in our lives!
We write messages, essays, research papers, stories, blogs, letters and so much more.
For many, writing is a passion. Some get to explore their passion, and others simply are not aware of the possible opportunities. In recent times, content writing is one profession that is helping many to earn a decent income.
It is the big new buzz in the market that most people are still not aware of. A professional content writer can earn way more by writing on their favourite topics. Something to look out for is to ensure that you are dealing with the right strategies as a content writer.
If you choose a career as a content writer, you can be a:
- Freelance content writer
- Part-time writer
- Full-Time writer
- Blogger
- Editor
- Social media expert
To start content writing, you need to either apply for content writing jobs or start your own business where you can earn as a freelance writer.
Career as a Freelance Writer:
If you want to be a freelance writer, you will fist have to create a freelance portfolio. Now, if you are a beginner and just starting, you might ask – What is a freelance portfolio of a writer?
It is nothing but a collection of write-ups that include blogs, articles, essays and stories written by the writer. It provides a glimpse of the writing ability, style of writing, and helps to understand how suitable the writer is for a particular job, project or style of writing.
Any writer needs to start with learning the basics of content writing. There are a number of things that any content writer should learn. Content writing courses offered by several senior content writers or institutes help in learning the basics.
Content Writing – How To Start
In this competitive field, several writers are writing on the exact same topic, so how to stand out from the crowd?
Well, simple, you need to follow some steps and guide yourself while writing.
Ready? Let’s start.
Step 1: Research is the Key!
The key to ace the content writing field is by doing a lot of research to keep new ideas constantly flowing. Remember, there will be several writeups on the same topic available on the internet. What you need to look for is to sound unique and keep readers engaged. Detailed research on the exact topic can help you to build a better structure and plan on the write-up.
Step 2: Focusing on the point
Content writers should always focus on their writing to the point and stop wandering about other things. This could ensure a better ability for the audience to understand what you are talking about. Of course, when writing about a specific topic, it is okay to provide little details about related things. But constantly talking about other related things could definitely break the flow of reading for the audience.
Step 3: Creative perspective
When you get a topic to write about, try to understand that there are various other copies of the same topic available. Writing similarly to the other alternative writeups available on the internet won’t make your piece better. Instead, try to ensure that your view and idea are different from others and provide a unique voice. The more creative your writeup will be better it will be appreciated when read by the audience.
Step 4: Engaging headline and content
The first thing noticed by the reader is that of the heading and introduction paragraph. Most readers search content on the browser and then select which one they are more attracted to based on the title. Therefore, the more interesting and attention grabbing the headline is, the more the readers will appreciate it. When developing the heading, one thing to keep in mind is writing about the topic and not falsely claiming something else to grab readers’ attention.
Step 5: Proofreading the content
The last and the most important step to follow is to proofread your content before publishing it. When audiences read your content, it should be error-free and create an impact of better understanding. Thereby, silly mistakes like spelling and grammar errors could create a negative impact when they read. This is the reason for a thorough proofing of the content and using user-friendly language for better readability.
Content writing is just perfect for those who love to write and have the tenacity and willingness to learn throughout life.
Here are some of the most common questions that come in the mind of writers:
Is content writing hard?
If you have perfect grammar skills and you love to write, content writing is not hard. There are many things a content writer learns through her career. What is needed is patience, perseverance, and the willingness to learn.
Is it easy to be a content writer?
It is never easy to be successful in any career. Content writing demands a lot of time, learning, skills, patience, research, and love for writing. With practice and dedication, one can become a successful content writer.
Is content writer a good job?
If you wish to know if content writing is a good career option – the answer is Yes. It is the best option for those who love to write and can easily express their view through their writing.
Can you learn content writing for FREE?
Yes, there are several videos on YouTube that are available for FREE and help aspirants to learn.
Are there content writing courses?
Yes, there are several short and long-term content writing courses available. Students learn the basics of content writing, the importance of plagiarism, research skills, SEO knowledge and lot more.
How To Start Your Freelance Content Writing Career:
- First select a niche (this can be anything which you have knowledge about – health, fitness)
- Set up a blog (You have to purchase a domain, hosting and create a blog)
- Write articles and Blogs
- Look for writing opportunities everywhere
- You need to collect testimonials from clients when tasks are completed.
It is easy to start content writing. All that you need is being motivated, be patient and work hard. Hard work will always give you the result you want.