Content writing can be a very rewarding job. If you have specialist knowledge in a certain field, you could be very well paid to write content on this to be posted online. Even without specialist knowledge, you could still get a gig writing about random topics and learn so much about them through the research and writing process. I have been a full-time content writer for almost a decade now and I love it. I am able to work at my own pace (adhering to deadlines, of course), work remotely (I consider myself a digital nomad), and I exercise my brain everyday writing creative pieces. It is literally perfect for me. If you are a content writer or are considering becoming one, here are a few tips that will help you improve your skills, regardless of what stage you are at.
1) Do an adequate amount of research
Emphasis on the word “adequate” here. Even if you have a lot of knowledge on a certain topic, it doesn’t hurt to do some research on it in case new, relevant information has come about. Don’t go crazy on the research however, especially if you are writing a relatively short article as that isn’t a productive use of time and could lead to “analysis paralysis”, where you over analyse and cannot make a decision. This applies to many things in life, too.
2) Understand SEO
If you are writing content for a website, the purpose of the content is likely to drive viewers to the site. If you understand SEO and its importance, you will be able to structure your writing in a way that uses keywords effectively so that search engines pick these up, which will help the page ranking increase. If you are writing for example, about office technology and have done keyword research showing “room booking system” to be one of the most popular and relevant keywords for this search, it is imperative you know how to do this process and where to fit such words in. SEO is very important in ensuring that your content actually reaches the right people.
3) Follow other writers
While you may have your own style and voice, it is always good to be aware of what others in your field are doing. This may give you some inspiration or help you refine your style (which should constantly be tweaked for improvements). Different content will require different styles of writing and having the ability to switch between styles is important. Read articles from different fields and analyse what makes them so appealing and entertaining (or not).
4) Always have someone or something, edit your work
This may seem obvious but when you are trying to save money you feel you have no other choice. We can be blind to our mistakes so it is always recommended to have someone else – ideally a professional copy editor – to go over our work and make changes where necessary. If you can’t afford an editor, at least use a writing assistant such as Grammarly, which will shed light on typos, grammatical errors, and many other issues you might miss that would lower the quality of your writing.