As someone who writes and edits for a living, let me tell you that it is very hard to be a successful content writer. Even someone with a Ph.D. in creative writing or English might find it hard to break through in the cut-throat world that is web content writing. Content writing is very different from normal writing, and you need to be conscientious of that to be successful in this industry.
Writing is my dream job, but I get that it isn’t for everyone. I’m a fiend for literature, and I’ve loved books since I can remember. Writing has been an integral part of my life and is also a way for me to cope with the day-to-day stresses of my mostly mundane life. So, without further ado, let;’s dive into this blog and learn some of our tips to become a successful content writer.
1. The different writing styles
The way you write differs according to the medium you are writing for, and you should always remember this, this is not only the 101 of content writing but writing as a whole. You won’t write a blog and an ad post in the same way; they are different mediums requiring different writing styles.
Blogging is a more personal and opinionated piece of writing. At the same time, News is usually delivered in AP style, that is, in short, informational paragraphs, and the meat of the subject tends to be at the top of the story. White papers are usually long, describing a problem and substantially providing solutions to the former.
Writing is simple; you just need to know what piece of content you are writing about and who is the target audience of said writing. Ad copies are usually short, persuasive, and to the point. Regardless of all these categories, at the end of the day, they are content, and each style writer usually masters one and makes them more valuable and in demand.
2. Originality is key
Now we aren’t saying that other pieces of writing can’t inspire you, but you have to be original in whatever you are writing, as this will differentiate you from the rest. So, even if you are inspired by another piece of art, you ought to put your own stamp of originality on it to keep the reputation you worked hard to create. To quote Lawrence J. Peter: “Originality is the fine art of remembering what you hear but forgetting where you heard it.”
Now you might be asking me how I write an original piece when there are already tens, if not thousands, of pieces on the same subject, but it’s easier. Every writer has to have a unique voice to build up their own audience as they will have a different perspective on an otherwise overworked subject. Plagiarism is bad for everyone involved, be it for the SEO, your employers, or your clients, but it is even worse for you. This is why originality is King when it comes to content writing.
3. You should know how to work with social media
Working with social media platforms as a content writer has never been easier. You have to build your audience, meet publishers and even talk to experts in your industry, which is why networking is important. Another important thing you should know about content writing is name recognition, and social media puts everything one needs within their grasp.
It is important for you to know that successful content writers are usually friendly, public, and, most importantly, active on social media. The more active you are on these platforms, the more likely you are to get more new followers. Social media is a number’s game, and as sad as this is to say, the more followers you have, the more likely your work is to be seen by others.
As a content writer, you have to be a social butterfly as this is something that will help you develop in the long run and is beneficial to your specific line of work. As a content writer, you must be a marketing expert, an on-page coder, and an SEO specialist. You have to be a jack of all trades when it comes to content writing.
You also have to know and be able to work with some tools, like WordPress, SEO, CSS, and HTML. WordPress is a primordial tool for any self-profess content writers out there. Its themes have varying levels of automatic function, and at times it can be the only way to make your text appear the way you want it to.
Final thoughts
Writing is a craft like any other, and practice helps you better your writing skills, and the more you write, the more you are able to ameliorate your craft. Sound off in the comments section below and tell us what you want to read next and if you want to read more about being a successful content writer.
