Share This Article
Are you set to take your writing hobby into a full-time career? Are you ready to begin sharing your ideas and thoughts with the rest of the world while earning money from it? Here is a walkthrough on how to build and become a professional content writer in 2022.
What exactly does a content writer’s job entail?
Content writers develop various writings to meet their clients’ needs. This might include everything from blog entries and website text to emails and social media updates. Ebooks, white papers, and research notes are additional examples of content writers’ work.
Most writing briefs will include extensive client instructions on the style, tone of voice, and rules to follow for content creation. Content writers become acquainted with recurring customer requirements and may develop texts consistent with the company’s culture and mission statement. Many content writing tasks will have a sales focus and may relate to items or services given by clients to attract new consumers and keep current clients.
How to become a content writer.
Get a degree or not!
Unlike other freelance work, there is no set professional route into content writing. It all depends on your determination and the level of consistency you put in. A writing degree is not required to work as a content writer, but it will aid with research abilities and demonstrate to potential employers that you have strong writing prowess.
Assemble your resume & portfolio
A writer portfolio displaying samples of your prior work and any published pieces usually is required. If you want to apply for ‘in-house’ content writing jobs with companies, you’ll need to bring your samples to interviews, and you may be asked to write a sample text as part of the interview process. Although content writing is a universal appointment, it is more frequent in the media space, where a lot of promotional, explanatory, and entertaining text is always needed.
Many successful freelance content writers run their businesses online, so you’ll need a website, a Linktree, and social media profiles that emphasize your writing skills, including samples of your written work. Here’s an example from James Daniel, a great content writer in the word-craft space.
Know your niche(s).
Another critical aspect of starting a career in content writing is deciding if you want to specialize in a specific niche or want to cover articles on a variety of subjects. Are you more learned in entertainment, fashion, tech, and politics? You have to know your strengths and play to them. This will influence the jobs and the kind of companies you apply for.
Where to get content writing jobs.
Bids for freelance content creation assignments and other writing projects may be quickly submitted on freelance work sites such as PeoplePerHour, Fiverr, Upwork, Truelancer, Problogger, and Worknhire. Though, unless you price peanuts for your services, getting your first couple of tasks might be challenging, and some even need advance fees for the privilege to bid on jobs. However, when you have established a strong reputation on any of these sites, business tends to come in regularly.
NOTE.
As a beginner, sitting back and waiting for writing gigs to knock on your door is highly unwise. Directly pitch yourself to media outlets or companies you feel could use your unique voice to spread their agenda. Here are some templates you can use to write a solid cold pitch.
Take Content Writing Courses.
If you want to pursue a career in content writing, there are several free online courses and certifications you can take to master the art of conveying ideas to words.
A content writer must also have content marketing expertise. Content marketing necessitates creating and distributing online resources such as blog posts, articles, videos, and social media postings to promote a brand and increase awareness of a subject through content writing services.
Network.
Knowing a people or two within and outside the content writing line of work pays. Your next client could emerge from that random conversation in the right space and time.
Learn to take feedback & criticism.
Never let your ego come in the way of your improvement. You will be working with editors who are far more experienced than you and have grander visual sensory details. Be open to constructive criticism. It helps.
Benefits of a freelance content writing career.
Freelance content writing has several advantages, the most important of which is the freedom to pick and choose what work you perform and when it is most convenient for you. Night owls and early risers are particularly suited to these professions since they typically struggle to find jobs with proper hours. Still, freelance writing allows you to work at times that fit your body clock and movement schedule.
Writing broadens your knowledge of a variety of topics. It often involves extensive research that expands your views. This makes any content writer much more valuable to businesses and organizations.
Another essential highlight to building a successful content writing career is being gentle with yourself. Remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. When writer’s block and burnout emerge, do the right thing and rest.
