Content writing is a lucrative, dynamic career path which you can pursue regardless of your background or past professional experience. All you need is the will to learn daily and a knack for writing creative content.

But is that enough to become a content writer? Due to its accessibility, the content writing industry is full of would-be writers who can muddy the waters and make it difficult to stand out.

Let’s talk about the ins and outs of content writing and introduce you to its key concepts, perks, and niches to consider pursuing in the future. This will give you a better perspective on the industry and help you build a career you can be proud of - let’s get into it!

Why Become a Content Writer in the First Place?

Why would someone want to become a content writer, to begin with? If you’re a creative individual who loves writing, reading, or blogging, content writing might be the calling you were looking for. 

Content writers have an opportunity to work in a wide range of industries and niches and contribute with their ideas and creative solutions. There are some good reasons to become a content writer if you’re unsure of whether it’s the right career for you:

• Opportunity to work as a freelancer or a full-time content writer
• Flexible career path, allowing you to switch niches quickly and easily
• Learn how to express your thoughts more easily and convincingly
• Gain knowledge in a variety of fields you will write in
• Ability to scale your workload based on free time and monetary needs

Content Writing Specializations to Consider

As we’ve mentioned, content writing is very versatile and anyone can find a niche that suits their skill set. When we talk about “content writing”, people will often think of SEO, copywriting, blogging, or social media management. All of these and more constitute “content writing”, and that’s good for you! Here are only some of the content writing specializations you can try out and dedicate your career to:

• Blog writer
• Ghostwriter
• Copywriter
• SEO specialist
• Legal writer
• Technical writer

Beyond that, there is a multitude of content writing formats in which you can specialize. Depending on your clients’ needs, you will need to learn how to write several different types of content for different marketing strategies. Some of the content types worth noting include:

• Articles
• Emails
• Product descriptions
• Webpage content
• eBooks
• Video scripts
• White papers
• Case studies

These content types only scratch the surface of what you can do as a content writer. Best of all, once you grow bored or uninspired by some content types, you can shift gears and start working on different ones for a time. Very few professions will allow you to do that, and content writing is one of them.

Tips on How to Become a Content Writer

Learn from Online Courses

Given that content writing is a digital marketing-oriented profession, you can find plenty of useful learning resources online. The best way to become a content writer quickly is to learn from online courses on platforms like:

• Udemy
• Coursera
• Skillshare
• LinkedIn Learning

Dedicate a few hours of your time each day to follow online courses on content writing. Professional writers and digital marketers who curate these courses will be some of your best resources for the time being.

Familiarize yourself with Basic SEO

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is what makes the internet tick - or at least, that’s what content writers will tell you. Even if you don’t want to specialize in SEO, you should know at least something about the process of optimizing content for search engines. 

Using the right keywords and phrases in your content can attract more visitors to your website or help you sell more products. Check out Google AdWords and SEM Rush, in addition to looking for an online SEO course to cover the basics.

Follow the Trends in your Industries of Interest

Once you start writing content, you will quickly realize that you need good resources and citations to work with. Platforms like Google Trends and social media like LinkedIn can get you started. 

Search for your industry’s trends and see if you can contribute to existing topics in some way. Create content relevant to today’s discourse and more people will spot your content writing efforts online.

Check Out Freelancing Platforms to Build your Portfolio

A great way to build your credibility as a content writer is to work as a freelancer for a start. Freelance platforms are rich with opportunities, especially for versatile content writers willing to learn new skills. Here are some great platforms to check out:

• Upwork
• Freelancer
• Fiverr
• SimplyHired

As you build your portfolio, you will attract more lucrative clients and build a name for yourself. This will give you a chance to specialize in the exact niche you’ve always wanted to work in as a content writer.

Starting your Content Writing Career (Conclusion)

Being a content writer means that you will constantly need to ideate and think outside the proverbial box. Learn how to market your skills and affinities as a content writing specialist, and you won’t have any issues standing apart from other writers. Gather client testimonials, build your portfolio, and study your industry every day - that’s how you’ll become a content writer worth working with.