Content writing 101: how to start a career as a content writer
Want to start a career in content writing? This guide covers everything from essential skills to tips for beginners on how to be a successful content writer.
In 2024, content writers remain vital in creating compelling content that builds audience relationships and drives business growth. Despite the rise of AI content tools, human writers bring an invaluable touch of creativity and nuance that AI cannot replicate.
This role is even more crucial given the evolving reading habits. A recent survey shows that the average person spends only 20 minutes reading daily, yet top-performing articles often exceed 5,000 words. This underscores the need for engaging, high-quality content. In the digital landscape, content is a primary driver of traffic and plays a key role in establishing brand credibility.
How to become a content writer?
- What is a content writer?
- What does a content writer do?
- What skills does a content writer need?
- How much money do content writers make?
How to become a content writer with no experience
What is a content writer?
A content writer's job goes beyond just writing well. Writers must transform information into engaging, easy-to-digest content tailored to specific audiences. This requires creativity, research, and a deep understanding of the target audience's needs.
AI tools, such as ChatGPT, help writers by streamlining tasks like research, drafting ideas, and refining grammar. These tools allow content writers to focus on what matters most—adding value with their unique insights and creativity.
Content writers craft copy for various formats: blogs, social media, newsletters, e-books, and more. While they collaborate within marketing teams, their main task is to produce creative content that resonates with readers and drives engagement.
What does a content writer do?
The primary goal of a content writer is to engage audiences and convert them into loyal customers. They create content that adds value to products or services, while also optimizing for SEO to ensure their content ranks well on search engines.
Content writers are responsible for producing, managing, and distributing high-quality content. They ensure all content is SEO-friendly, which helps drive traffic to websites. A key aspect of their work is identifying problems their audience faces and providing solutions through valuable content.
What skills does a content writer need?
Many say that there is no secret formula to be a great content writer. However, there are certain skill sets that will no doubt make you a valuable asset to any marketing team. If you can master these skills and apply them to your work, you will be ready to kick off your career as a content writer.
1. Hook readers from the very first sentence
The average person’s attention span is only eight seconds. If your potential audience sees something that doesn’t grab their immediate attention, your content will be pointless. That’s why it’s essential to create an eye-catching headline and a strong hook at the start of any content.
2. Apply guided brand tone and voice
Every brand has its own way of conveying a message to its audience. Some skew more casual and personal, whereas others have a house style that demands technicality and objectivity. A good content writer has to be able to adapt to any writing style. Furthermore, they must be able to transform data into different formats, while still matching the brand’s voice.
3. Pay attention to details
What if you read an article and found a typo? Right off the bat, you would feel that the credibility of the content has dipped at least slightly. Trust us, you do not want your audience to feel that way. Therefore, it’s crucial to proofread and polish any words or sentences that might sound vague or questionable, so as to present your company as a credible, legitimate one.
4. Understand search engine optimization (SEO)
In this internet era, much of how well your content performs is reliant on how well it performs in search engines. To get people to read your article, one of the best ways is to have it rank highly on the search engine. A basic understanding of SEO, WordPress, and coding languages will also help you to gain plus points from any recruiter.
5. Understanding AI in writing
Content writers can also use free AI tools like ChatGPT. These tools assist in research, proofreading for tone, style, and grammar, and suggesting creative ideas. Using AI like ChatGPT is not only cost-effective but also enhances the quality of writing.
Mastering AI tools in writing can make a content writer's work stand out. It speeds up the writing process, ensuring quick delivery of high-quality content. This skill can differentiate a writer from others, making them more attractive to employers and clients.
6. Be creative
There are billions of articles on the internet, and many of them are just reproductions of other articles. Hence, a content writer must possess the skill to turn ordinary information into brand new interpretations that capture a reader’s attention and keep them engaged and interested. It takes a lot of creativity to create valuable content that stands out.
Jessica Tan
How to become a content writer with no experience?
For someone who has no experience, it is common to wonder, where to start. Luckily, nowadays, there are accessible resources to learn how to write professionally and earn a living.
Dive in learning
Start with writing daily for at least one hour to build a habit. Take time to do research, craft a story, and proofread it. The more you practice, the more you learn, and your chances to get a paid assignment grow.
For those looking to sharpen their general writing skills before delving into content writing, tools like CustomWriting's essay generator can be a useful starting point. While primarily designed for academic essays, it can help users practice structuring coherent arguments and organizing ideas—skills that are transferable to content creation.
To get your foot in the door, you may enroll in one of the free courses and tutorials in Hubspot Academy, LinkedIn Learning, or Skillshare. They will make you familiar with content writing basics, and you will receive a certificate at the end.
Checking grammar is crucial and tools like Grammarly and ChatGPT are great for this. Grammarly, available as a free browser extension or online editor, offers basic corrections. Its premium version gives advanced suggestions and checks for plagiarism.
ChatGPT can help with grammar and also refine style and tone. You can use prompts like 'Can you check this text for grammar errors?' or 'Please make this text sound more professional.' These tools ensure your writing is error-free and cater to a wide range of needs, suitable for writers of all levels.
Jessica Tan
Identify your niche
Do you want to stand out from other writers? To do so, choose a niche and focus on it. For example, if your main topic is marketing, you should write about it as soon as possible. It will help you to stay up-to-date with trends and become an expert in your field.
You can start with any topic you are passionate about. But if you are in doubt, here is our overview of the best-paying freelance writing niches. You can also focus on specific content types, such as writing case studies, blog posts, or whitepapers.
Joining writer communities is another great way to dive into the writer's market and make connections. It can help you explore job opportunities, meet like-minded people to exchange experience, and grow as a professional. Keep your eyes open for opportunities that match your interests. It will make content writing truly exciting!
Maximize online presence
Once you have your area of expertise, it’s time to publish your work. It is easier than may seem at first glance. Platforms like Medium or LinkedIn are great starting points. They simplify the process by taking care of technical aspects, allowing you to focus solely on writing. Medium is an open platform for sharing on any topic, while LinkedIn lets you build an audience and connect with industry experts.
For those seeking more control, starting a self-hosted blog is a good strategy. It showcases your work and demonstrates your SEO skills by managing your site's visibility in search engines. However, this comes with the responsibility of handling technical issues.
Remember, whether on a self-hosted blog or platforms like Medium and LinkedIn, it's crucial to actively share your work. Write at least one article per week to maintain engagement with your audience. Your blog or online presence is not just a portfolio; it's a tool to market yourself as a writer and improve your visibility in Google searches for related keywords.
Build a portfolio
A strong portfolio is another ticket to getting paid gigs.
This portfolio may include articles, social media captions, and so on — anything that demonstrates how well you can create copy and content. An additional tip: most employers seek content writers who don’t just write well, but can also create compelling stories, so that their business is seen as a solution provider and not just a business.
Starting a career as a content writer creates many further opportunities. Within this career progression, you could become an editor, or work in a more specific field such as user experience (UX) as a UX writer, SEO content writer, or even a copywriter.
Ramil M. Del Rosario
Start pitching
Once you are done with the training and building a portfolio, it’s time to look for assignments. Start with making a list of websites that may be potentially interested in a topic you cover. Contact the editor and pitch your idea, explaining why the audience would be interested.
Don’t worry if you don’t earn a fortune straight away. Focus on building connections and receiving positive reviews. If clients are happy with your work, they are likely to come back and recommend you to others. With time, you will decide on what rates are reasonable.
Guest posting on blogs and websites with an established audience is another way to get exposure and build trust with potential clients. Popular bloggers often do not have enough time to write posts regularly or look for fresh ideas. For a beginner, this is a chance to show your skills and learn from someone more experienced.
Stella Estee Samantha
How much money do content writers make?
Content writers can earn enough income to make this profession their full-time work. According to Indeed, the average content writer in the US earns US$3,719.
There are largely four factors that influence a content writer’s earning: years of experience, industry expertise, language, and content output. Naturally, writers with extensive knowledge about a particular industry will be able to produce more insightful stories, and they’ll be able to command a higher price tag.
Producing content in English language to cater to the international audience would more likely fetch you better rates as well, as compared to serving the local audience with native language. When it comes to content output, you can check some of the high-paying rates here.
As this guide reveals, while pursuing content goals, it's crucial to focus on producing human-centric content. This approach not only fulfills objectives but also creates meaningful connections with the audience.
Remember, the essence of content writing lies in its ability to touch lives and engage readers on a personal level. Balancing strategic goals with the human element ensures your content remains relevant, impactful, and genuinely resonant.
This post is created by ContentGrow, providing scalable and tailored content creation services for B2B brands and publishers worldwide. Book a discovery call to learn more.
Enricko Lukman