How to Become a Content Writer: 5 Tips for Success
Have you ever read a company’s blog or downloaded a free eBook from a brand you’re interested in buying from? If so, you’ve benefitted from the work of a content writer. Content writing is becoming increasingly demanded, so if you’ve ever considered this career path, now may be the time! Content writing is endlessly scalable and allows you to set your own hours, providing freedom and flexibility that not many other careers can offer. If you’re not sure how to become a content writer, here are a few places to begin.
Gather Your Equipment
Content writing is a great work-from-home opportunity, so you don’t necessarily have to worry about finding an office space. You’re welcome to work from wherever is most comfortable for you, whether that’s a home office, local coffee shop, or even your couch. However, there are still a few pieces of equipment you’ll need before you get started.
Perhaps the most obvious thing you’ll need is a computer. Whether you opt for a desktop computer or a laptop, you’ll want it to be reliable and relatively fast. Plus, a secure internet connection is a must. It’s also helpful to have Microsoft Word and Zoom downloaded onto your device of choice so that you can easily meet with clients and produce work that’s easy to open and properly formatted.
It may also be helpful to get a planner to help you keep track of all your clients and projects. You can opt for a physical planner or download a digital planner platform such as Notion. Finally, you can choose to get a free EIN, or Employer Identification Number, from the IRS. You can use your EIN on W9s instead of providing your Social Security Number. This step is optional, though, so it’s up to your preference.
Get Some Training
While you can try to figure out how to produce effective content on your own, it’s much easier if you invest in some training first. With a little bit of background, you’ll be able to produce content that you’re proud of and feel confident moving forward with new clients.
Luckily, you don’t have to pay an arm and a leg for this training. Some platforms offer free training and certification courses, such as HubSpot. You can also take affordable courses through Skillshare to learn about editing and proofreading, writing video scripts, creating engaging content, and much more.
In addition to enrolling in courses, you may find that reading blogs about content creation is helpful as well. Major companies such as Moz and Ahrefs maintain blogs with tons of great advice about improving your writing skills and ensuring the best performance possible.
Find Your Niche
Finding your niche is one of the most important things when it comes to becoming a content writer. By narrowing your focus, you can become an expert in your field, making it easier for you to produce relevant and impactful content in that industry.
Many content writers begin with wide niches such as lifestyle or product reviews. You can also choose to write in a niche that you’re personally familiar with. For example, if you’re a parent, you may feel comfortable writing in the parenting niche. Other notable niches may include real estate, travel, finance, and education.
Create a Portfolio
When you begin looking for writing jobs, many potential clients are going to want examples of your previous work. That’s where a portfolio can come in handy. As a content writer, having a portfolio allows you to let your best work shine and helps clients get a glimpse into your expertise and writing style.
In your portfolio, you can include pieces you’ve written about your specific niche(s), whether or not they’ve been published. If some of your work has been published online, it might be helpful to provide links to that content. Alternatively, you may be able to reach out to businesses in your niche and offer a free piece of short content in exchange for allowing you to share it in your portfolio.
Keep in mind that your portfolio can contain various types of content. You need not limit yourself to just blog posts! You can also include any marketing material you might produce, email newsletters or sales funnels, landing page copy, and the like.
Start Hunting for Jobs
Now comes the part that many new content writers are intimidated by: finding content writing jobs. When you’re wondering how to become a writer, this is perhaps the main aspect of the job that jumps to your mind.
One of the most important impacts of finding content writing jobs is networking. If you’re not sure where to start, LinkedIn can be quite effective. Begin a LinkedIn account as a content writer and be sure to engage with the writing community. You may also be able to find jobs through job-posting sites like UpWork, Fiverr, or even Facebook Groups.
Of course, you can also dive in and just perform a Google search to find content writing jobs. You’ll likely be presented with content writing agencies who hire writers from around the country (or even around the world!). Do your research and be sure that working with these companies is worth your time.
Working with WriterArmy
WriterArmy stands out from other content creation agencies in that we work not only to provide great work for our clients but also to provide an encouraging environment for our writers.
Our content writing team consists of passionate and dedicated writers from the United States and Canada, writing in notable verticals like travel, real estate, technology, SaaS, and others. We work with you to understand your skill set and assign work that you’re truly interested in. Along the way, you’ll continue to learn more and grow as a writer, all from the comfort of your own home.
WriterArmy is always searching for new talent to join our content writing team. For more information about how to become a content writer with WriterArmy, visit our Careers page and get in touch!
