How To Become A Content Writer And Boost Your Income In 2021

Becoming a content writer is one of the most popular choices for people who want an additional income stream. It’s also an exciting career move especially if you want to escape the 9-5 grind and start working on your own schedule.

So if you have a penchant for the written word and you want to become a content writer to boost your income in 2021 then this blog is for you! Today we’ll be talking about content writing is, the popular types of content writing, the skills you need to become successful, and how you can start your career as a content writer.

What is Content Writing

Content writing is the process of creating and publishing digital content on the internet. This can include blog posts, scripts for podcasts or webinars, eBooks or whitepapers, press releases, product descriptions, microcopy for landing pages, or social media copy, and more. These

These days, creating high-quality content a critical part of many modern marketing strategies. Content writing is an excellent way to tell a compelling story about a brand. With the help of carefully crafted, meaningful, engaging, and educational messages, you inspire readers to become hot leads and then to paying customers.

Types of Content Writing

As a content writer, your clients will ask you to write all sorts of pieces for their business. This can range from email subject lines to landing page copy, to blog articles, to product descriptions, to tweets, and even podcast scripts.

So it pays to master a wide range of content types that not only cater to the needs of your clients but also align with their values, voice, and ethos.

Here are the different types of content writing you need to brush up on to become a successful content writer:

Articles

These are descriptive pieces of content that companies and organizations use to enlighten readers about a particular topic. These are detailed and highly informative texts that aim to educate readers about topics related to a brand’s industry or niche. It is a popular tool for top-of-funnel content marketing because of its ability to give value to readers.

Blogs

A blog is a personal journal maintained by an individual or organization. It is used to talk about topics related to a brand’s industry but unlike articles, blogs can be more casual and laid back in terms of tone. It is also more interactive with the readers and tends to reflect the opinions of the brand about a certain topic.

Press Release

Press releases are brief news stories about a brand. It can talk about facts about the company, sales figures, profit margins, new services, or product releases.

Web Content

This is visually descriptive and interactive content found on a brand’s website. Web content highlights the services, products, and amenities that customers can get when they purchase from a business. It can include content on a home page, landing page, about us page, contact page, and more. Additionally, web content provides readers foundational information about a brand and how it can help a reader. It is engaging and conversion-friendly.

Advertising and Sales Copy

This style of content writing showcases the unique attributes of a brand and its products and services. It aims to increase brand awareness and to persuade people to follow through using a call-to-action. It’s about building trust and gaining the confidence of the audience. Not misleading them with claims that a brand cannot support.

This can be advertising copy, direct mail copy, landing pages, promo blurbs, onsite product descriptions, and sales collateral.

Social Media Content

These days, it’s not enough for a brand to just have a social media account. They also need to have compelling and engaging content that has the potential to go viral. Social media content uses language that readers resonate with, is usually short and simple, and can use CTAs that help move people further down the sales funnel.

It can include pieces of content like social media posts, quizzes, interactive content, platform-specific content, and PR outreach.

Scriptwriting

This is a type of content writing that is used for multimedia projects. It aims to tell a compelling story that is aligned with a brand’s messaging strategy. It requires content writers to have the ability to visualize how words can translate into other media formats including videos and podcasts.

Scripts can be used for explainer videos, podcasts, radio/audio advertising, video ads, motion graphics, and even for Chatbots.

They provide storytelling expertise and stay aligned with the messaging strategy. Scriptwriters visualize how words on a page will eventually translate to richer formats, like videos and podcasts.

Longform Content

This type of content writing highlights a brand’s expertise on a certain topic in their niche. This lengthier format is often more than 2000 words long and is often used as opt-in offers. They can be eBooks, data studies, white papers, case studies, or pillar blog posts.

Skills You Need To Be A Content Writer

A good content writer isn’t just someone who has a flair for stringing together words. If you want to attract the right clients, you need these skills:

Adaptability

Content writing is an exciting career option because it lets you explore different writing styles and try different tones. As a content writer, you need to be adaptable so you can create pieces of content that fit the needs of your clients. The more styles you know how to execute properly, the more valuable and competitive you can become.

Research Skills

Good research adds credibility and value to any type of content you’ll write. You need to know how and where to find trustworthy and interesting information to include in your work. Furthermore, knowing how to research topics well expands your knowledge so you can take on projects in different industries and niches.

Solid Grasp of SEO

As an online content writer, you’re always at the mercy of the latest Google algorithm. So you need to stay on top of new SEO trends, know how to craft SEO-friendly titles and descriptions, and use keywords effectively.

Time Management and Organization

As a freelance content writer, you’ll likely take on more than a couple of clients at any given time. Therefore, you need to stay on top of your deadlines, prioritize your projects, and get them done promptly.

Communication

Keeping the lines of communication is a crucial part of any freelance work. If you have questions or if you’re running into problems, let your clients know. Keeping in touch with your clients is important so you can keep the details of your project in check at all times.

Editing

Editing is an essential part of the writing process. As a writer, you’ll most likely spend more time refining your content than writing it. Before submitting anything to your client, watch out for grammar and spelling errors, punctuations, redundancies, and flow issues.

How To Become A Content Writer

Brush Up On Your Skills

Before you can become a full-fledged content writer, you first need to make sure that your skills are top-notch. It’s not enough to just have a good command of the written word but you also need to equip yourself with other soft and technical skills. This adds value to you as a service provider.

Market Yourself

Once you know you have the skills for any potential project you might encounter, it’s time to let people know you exist. After all, you land projects if your potential clients don’t know about you.

Start by building a portfolio that showcases your skills and highlights real-life examples of your work. A website helps you link your previous work, feature client testimonials, and blog about things you care about. It’s an excellent platform that serves both as your portfolio and as a way for people to reaching you.

Being on social media also expands your network and helps you find more clients. Social. Networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn are excellent for meeting other writers and giving your two cents about industry-related topics that will help you get noticed.

Find Work on the Right Platforms to Receive Work

As a freelance content writer, you now have many options to choose from when it comes to applying for projects. Freelancer marketplaces like FreeUp are excellent for finding clients who need professionals like you.

You can find different types of work on platforms like this including one-time projects with fixed rates or ongoing hourly projects.

Marketplaces like FreeUp make it easier for freelancers to find projects that are suited for their skills, rate and preferred working schedule. Furthermore, most platforms are equipped with project management tools like time-logging and payment systems that take care of the financial side of freelancing.

Be a Content Writer Today

We hope the tips above can help you take the first step towards your journey. Want to start earning more as a content writer today? Sign up as a freelancer on the FreeUp marketplace to find hundreds of freelance work opportunities!