Update on 2024-04-15

How to Become Content Writer - Steps Become a Content Writer

The basic word to describe content is “Word Play”. Content is basically the use of words to convey something to the reader. This something can be a project, business, idea, and a lot more.
For instance, if someone owns a shopping site, then the owner has to tell the customers about the unique things and specialty of that site to get maximum benefits from the business. Here, content is the main key factor for describing the products available on the site of that person. In short, we can say that Content is the heart of Marketing. now before jumping to direct - How to Become Content Writer, First understand the type of Content

How to Become Content Writer:

Content is of two types - Digital and Offline:

Digital content is the content that is written on websites, blogs, ads, and social media platforms. Offline content incorporates presentations, technical papers, research papers, stories, etc.
Becoming a content writer is not an easy task. Certain important parameters are there to take care of. For good content, there should be a balance between rigorous research, wordplay, professionalism, and the most important thing- vocabulary and grammar. High-quality content is not a cup of tea. It requires acute editing, rewording, and refining to make sure that every single word is on point.

To know How to become a content writer, these points will be helpful. These are the basic things required for a candidate to become a content writer.

Career Requirements for Becoming a Content Writer
Degree level	Bachelor's degree
Degree Fields	English, Journalism, Communications, or creative writing
Certification	A certification program is available
Experience	Writing samples and portfolio is required
Key skills	Strong writing, grammar, and research skills Knowledge in the specific writing field Social media and web skills are an advantage
Salary	Near about Rs 73,090* for the writers and authors

Source: CareerBuilder, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Payscale.com

Skills for Becoming a Successful Content Writer:

There are certain skills for becoming a Successful Content Writer. Candidates have to look after the skill sets that are required to become a good writer in the field of content writing. Have a look:

Adaptability
Strong research skills
Good understanding of SEO
Organizational skills
Ability to get focussed
Ability to meet deadlines
Communicate
Proper editing
Deliver quality
Staying in demand

Courses or Certifications of Content Writing:

Doing a course in content writing will help the candidates to enhance their writing skills.
There are a lot of topics on which certain courses are there. Some of them are SEO content, Press Release, Creative writing, Business writing, Editorial writing, Report, and Research Writing, Instructional Design, Ghostwriting, and Copywriting.

Here is a List of Sources from Where Candidates can do Online as well as Offline Courses:

TBS The Brand Salon, Mumbai
IIEDM, Mumbai
Content Knock Out, Bangalore
Invented, Bangalore
Digital Academy 360, Bangalore
Leads Academy, Multiple Locations
Udemy Content Writing Course (Online)

Scope of Content Writing in India:

Content writers can get hired in big organizations, start-ups, institutions, or even by individuals as full-time or freelance writers. Given here are some of the career opportunities available for a content writer:

Content Creators/ Developers
Content Strategists
SEO Content Writers
Copywriters
Proofreaders
Editors
Brand Journalists
Bloggers
Social Media Specialists
Curriculum Designer
Instructional Designers
Academic Writers or Researchers
Technical Writers
Subject Matter Experts
Video Content Creators

Useful Tips for Aspiring Content Writers:

Read, read and read
Improve the networking
Keep research base strong
Maintain social media presence
Expand horizons
Keep evolving

Highlights for Content Writers:

The content writer aspirants have to do the following things to become successful in their field:

Researching
Brainstorming
Writing
Proofreading
Publish

How To Start Content Writing:

To start a career as a content writer, certain points are there to be aware of. Here, a detail of How to start content writing is given. The interested candidates can go through it to become successful content writers:

A lot of Research

For fresh content and ideas, candidates have to go to the research zone.
As soon the idea pops up, try to implement it.
Look after several websites for reference. But the basic idea of the candidate should be their own.
Start to write the important points which should be unique and creative.

Choose a Unique Writing Style

Take inspiration from the writers who have their unique styles for writing any content.
Do not copy their style or the way of writing.
Try to create your own style.
The writing style is the identity of any writer.

Focus on a Single Point

While writing content, try to focus on that particular topic.
Mixing different ideas in a single content will confuse the reader.
Do not go for an irrelevant topic. Write content up to the point.

Be Creative

Candidates can take references from the other writers also. But do not use their views regarding that particular topic.
Give a makeover to that content.
Put a unique topic, views, and ideas.
This makes the blog different from others.

Think for a Unique Title and First Paragraph

The major part of unique content is making a killer title.
A unique topic will definitely call the readers to go through the content.
The first paragraph should be interesting for the readers. This will allow them to read the full content.

Do not Overemphasize Make it Simple

Some readers are not that capable of reading difficult words or understanding difficult sentences. This will not create traffic to the site.
To create traffic, the content should be of simple words which can be understood by any of the generations.
Try not to stretch the content. Let the truth of the topic remain the same.
Keep the content informational
In short, keep the content’s paragraph short, sentences neat and words readable.

Proper Editing

Try to avoid any errors in the content. This will make a negative impact on the readers.
Make the edit in 3 rounds.
In the first round, eliminate and change the lines that are not in the flow of that content.
In the second round, check for any spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, and punctuation errors.
The third round is for the final reading. The candidate should read their content first.

Content Writer Job Titles

Creative Content Writer
Digital Content Strategist (Freelance)
Marketing Content Writer
Web Content Manager
Content Development Specialist

Duties and Responsibilities of a Content Writer:

For the students who wonder How to Become Content Writers certain points are there which should be clear to become a successful writer. If a candidate wants to become a content writer in a big organization, they should be aware of the responsibilities and duties. For the candidate's knowledge, some are listed below.

Create content marketing campaigns to engage traffics and make more subscribers.
Access SEO best practices to create traffic to the site.
Actively write different content types such as email, social media posts, blogs, articles, and white papers.
Regularly manage and promote blogs, and articles to the relevant third-party platforms.
Edit contents that are written by the other members of the team.
Go through the content marketing metrics and makes changes accordingly.
Discuss with the other departments of the organization to write innovative content ideas.

The Complete Guide to Getting Started Regular and Freelance Writing:

How to Become Content Writer-Here is the complete guide to getting started with regular and freelance writing. The best part is that if a candidate is doing another course and still they want to do content writing, then they can go for freelancing.

Freelancing is something that anyone can do in their spare time or as part-time. It is basically working from home. So, if a candidate wants to become a content writer, then they can go for regular as well as freelance writing. Both have equal things to do. Now, have a look at the stepwise process of becoming a content writer.

Freelancing

This is a great way of being in the field of content writing.
Nowadays, companies are providing their content requirements to independent writers, therefore, it is a better opportunity for the candidates who want to do freelancing.
Candidates can look for freelancing work on freelancing websites such as Fiverr, Freelancer, WorknHire, Upwork, etc.

Internships

This is for the candidates who are in college or school. They can go for an internship at the organizations that are providing it for a specific time span.
Or else, candidates can go for share their views on a particular topic in newspapers or magazines.
Some organizations will offer stipends also during the internship period.

Blogging

The very first step in writing that anyone can take at any age is blogging.
Candidates don’t require any specific degree or qualification for writing their own blogs. Only clear views and writing style is more than enough to write any blog.
In this way, candidates can make their portfolios and try out the different writing styles.

Added Qualifications

Candidates can go for Subject matter experts where added qualifications are required.
Higher qualifications add a plus point to my writing skills.
Candidates can work as subject matter experts in a specific organization.

Certification Programs

Candidates can do any certification program to enhance their writing skills.
The fields in which they can apply are writing, content marketing, and digital marketing.
The available courses are in blogging, technical writing, electronic rhetoric, SEO (Search engine optimization), CMS (Content management system), Keyword search, WordPress, Social Media Fundamentals, and many more.
These courses will improve their writing skills and allow the candidates to compete in the professional market.

How to Get Content Writing Jobs

There are a lot of ways by which candidates can get content writing jobs.
It is better to reach the company directly. Simply go to the desired company’s website and apply it from there.
If the ‘Apply Now’ option is not there, take the e-mail id or phone number of Human Resource (HR) of that company and mail your Resume or place an instant call for inquiry regarding job opening for content writer post.
If any candidate wants to do freelancing, then the same steps are for them also.
There are various job portals available in India which offers job. Some of them are Naukri, Times job, Indeed, Freshers world, and many more.

Common Niches for Content Writers
Some common niches that most writers can write are given below:

Product reviews
Lifestyle
Writing
How-tos
Technology
Medicine
Travel

Interview FAQ for Content Writing:

Here are the basic top 8 questions that a candidate has to come across at the time of the interview. These are the technical questions with answers that a candidate must know.

Important Note: Prepare for HR questions as well. This will take your confidence to the other level.

What do you do to research the target audience?

As a content writer, it is important to identify the target audience and to identify his/her personality, preferences, and needs.
To do this, take help from the analysts and review the data given by the analyst.
Take an overview of the Sales and customer service team and try to interact with the customers once in a while.

What do you think are the essential components of good web content

Usefulness: The content should be relevant to the topic. It encompasses what the reader wants. This is the first thing that engages the audience in that specific content.
Engagement: The views and the sentence structure should be clear due to which the audience will be engaged in that content.
Call to action: Some of the content is written for the marketing objective. So the content writer needs to pull the audience.
Credibility: The source of the content should be original. Any wrong information will harm the organization.
Originality: Plagiarism will affect the content in a bad manner. So it is important to write original content with errors and plagiarism.

How will you go about creating a content strategy for a client or a brand

Define the marketing strategy
Search for the audience
Explain how the client or brand is recognized by the audience.
Brainstorm ideas - to create topics, make a keyword list, and many more
Create a rollout plan

How do decide which topic is suitable to write on

Go according to the needs and target of the audience
Search more volume keywords
Take a look at the conversations on social media
Take a look at the conversations of the competitors
Track all the blogs and articles written by the subject matter experts, critics, etc.

How to analyze the performance of the content

Search engine result page
Traffic on that page
Like, share, comments, etc
Inquiries, leads, sales, etc.

How to promote content

Sharing the blogs and articles through social media
Asking the co-workers to share the blogs/articles
Contacting the influencers & industry colleagues for their opinion on the blog

Difference Between Bolg and Article:

Articles are traditional & formal types of writing.
It informs the reader about a subject with the use of facts, events, analysis, and research.
A blog may or may not have terms of an article and is written in an informal and personal fashion.
It normally encompasses the opinion of the writer.

How to use SEO in the content

Candidates should have basic knowledge about the Google Algorithm and On-page SEO functions.

Keyword density
Meta tags
Body tags
Alt tags
URL Structure
Internal/External linking

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