Are you interested in content writing but don’t have the information you need?
I’m here to help. I’ve been writing content for a long time and love the craft.
Here are my best answers to the content writing questions you’ve been asking.
Is content writing a good career?
Content writing can be a great career choice because almost anyone can do it – all you need is to have a good command of the language you’re going to write in. And you’ll need access to a desktop and learn about content writing a little.
It’s a skill that you can pick up without a degree and there’s a constant need for good content writers around the world.
It’s also one of the few jobs out there you can do entirely from home. And ever since the pandemic happened, full remote work has become more popular than ever.
However, it is challenging too. You are a marketer who writes as a way to meet a business’s marketing goals.
You have to know about content writing best practices and use different tools to help with your work. You also have to juggle different projects and deadlines at the same time.
And you have to keep learning about your market, your audience, and think of different ways to engage your audience. It can be hard to do, especially since content writing takes time to show results.
You’re also competing with other content writers for work. Many of whom offer their services for free.
However, there are also content writers making 6-figures from blogging and other writing work. It depends on how you apply yourself.
Overall, content writing is a great career choice because it is rewarding and challenging, and you can do it from anywhere in the world.
Is content writing easy?
Yes… and no.
It’s easy if you have a good command of English or the language you’re writing in. You’ll also find it easy if you read a lot and enjoy brainstorming creative ways to keep people reading your blog posts and articles.
However, you need to know some important content writing best practices. And most new writers and business owners who want to do content marketing don’t know about them.
As a result, when they create posts and share them, they don’t see any positive outcomes. Their content doesn’t rank for specific keywords or get traffic and engagement.
And so, it seems like content writing is hard. But once you learn about content writing best practices and apply them, you’ll find that it’s actually quite easy.
Is content writing important?
Yes! Content writing is critical for businesses and individuals who want to stand out online. Here’s why:
- Quality content educates your target audience about your product or service. It answers their questions and helps them make an informed decision about whether or not to buy from you.
- Good content also helps to build trust and credibility. If people read your articles and find them helpful, they’ll be more likely to do business with you.
- Interesting and well-written content also helps to improve your website’s search engine optimization. That’s because Google and other search engines look for sites that provide a good user experience. And part of providing a good user experience is having high-quality, relevant, and keyword-rich content.
- You can make money from content writing through affiliate marketing and ads on your blog or website. And as your traffic and engagement improve, so will your earning potential.
Content writing is also important because it’s one of the best marketing tools you have at your disposal. With quality content, you can attract new customers and grow your business and even build your personal brand.
What is the purpose of content writing?
The purpose of content writing is to educate your target audience about your product or service and build trust and credibility.
You may also generate money from content writing by promoting and advertising on your blog or website. As your traffic and interaction grow, so will how much you earn.
But the major goal that everyone focuses on is getting ranked in Google and other search engines.
To do that, you need to create keyword-rich content that is also relevant and engaging. If you can do that, you’ll improve your chances of appearing in search engine results pages (SERPS).
Does content writing work?
Yes, it does – if you’ve leveraged it correctly.
This means writing about topics that your audience is interested in and using the right keywords. It also means promoting your content on social media and other channels.
And you need to structure your blog posts well, answer questions people ask, and focus on creating value.
Finally, you need to cater to your audience’s journey which includes:
- Awareness: Your audience realizes they have a problem
- Consideration: Your audience is searching for a solution
- Decision: Your audience decides to buy a product or service
When you build content around these stages, you can guide your audience toward taking the actions you want them to take. These actions can be to join your email list, buy your product, or share your content.
Content writing is not a quick or easy fix. But it is a long-term strategy that can help you grow your business and achieve your marketing goals.
Will content writing be automated?
Yes! In fact, it already is to a large degree.
There are now artificial intelligence programs that can generate basic content. However, these programs are not yet able to produce high-quality, well-written, and engaging content.
For that, you still need humans. But as AI continues to evolve, it’s likely that we’ll see more and more content being automated in the future.
But it’s not a bad thing. In fact, you can use AI tools and writing apps to become a better writer.
How do content writers make money?
There are a few ways content writers can make money:
1. Freelance writing
2. Writing for a content mill
3. Writing for a content agency
4. Creating and selling their own products
5. Affiliate marketing
6. Creating a blog and generating ad revenue
7. Selling services such as coaching or consulting
8. Giving talks or workshops
Content writers make money in different ways and in different industries. You just need to build your portfolio and reputation and you need to create great content.
Where can you learn content writing?
Start learning how to write content by checking out free videos on YouTube. I also recommend Everybody Writes by Ann Handley. It’s a great book for beginner content writers.
You should also check out affordable courses on Udemy and of course, read blog posts on content writing online. Another free resource I can recommend is the Copywriting Course by Neville Medhora. While copywriting is slightly different from content writing, you’ll get a lot of solid points from this source to help you.
But the best way to get the hang of content writing is to start practicing. Write blog posts, create an e-book, or start a YouTube channel.
The more you practice, the better you’ll get. And soon enough, you’ll be a content writing pro.
Where do you write content writing?
The core place where most content gets written is in blog posts and articles. However, there are other places where content can be written such as on social media, in email marketing campaigns, on sales pages, and in ebooks.
If you want to get started, try creating a blog for free on WordPress.com or Blogger.com. You can also start publishing articles from your LinkedIn profile.
Medium and Vocal.media are also great places to write articles and get your work seen by a larger audience.
Where to apply for content writing jobs?
You should apply for content writing jobs on popular platforms like LinkedIn jobs, Indeed, and Glassdoor.
You can also try job boards that are specific to your niche or industry. For example, if you want to write about health and fitness, you can try job boards like FlexJobs, Remotive, or Simply Hired.
If you want to write about tech, you can try job boards like AngelList or The Muse.
Another way to work is to list your profile on freelancing websites like Upwork, Fiverr, or People Per Hour.
Finally, reach out to content and digital marketing agencies. They are always on the lookout for great content writers.
Which content writing course is best?
It’s difficult to pinpoint which content writing course is best because it depends on your specific needs and goals.
There are popular content courses by well-known writers that are very expensive.
You also get affordable classes on Udemy. And you might find content writing classes in physical locations where you live.
I think the best way to learn content writing is to work for someone who’s an expert and willing to teach you. You may get paid less at first because your content isn’t ready to publish, but the experience and skills you’ll gain will be invaluable.
Where to learn content writing for free?
There are several free online courses for content writing. HubSpot offers one.
Another option is a course by Google itself. Google Digital Garage will train you on various ways to build your online presence. And it includes content writing as part of the course.
You’ll also find a lot of content writing tips on this website.
Can a content writer become a copywriter?
Yes. A content writer can become a copywriter. Many content writers start as copywriters.
Copywriting is a similar field but with a few key differences.
Copywriters typically write sales pages, email marketing campaigns, and other types of marketing collateral. The goal of copywriting is to get people to take a specific action, such as buying a product or signing up for a service.
Content writers, on the other hand, typically write blog posts, articles, and other types of long-form content. Content writing aims to educate, engage, and build trust with your audience.
While the two fields are similar, they require different skill sets. So, if you want to become a copywriter, you’ll need to learn about things like persuasive writing, sales funnels, and conversion optimization.
Is content writing and copywriting the same?
If you’ve read the section above, then you know that they are not the same. However, they are similar in many ways.
The short version is that copywriting drives immediate sales while content writing is about creating helpful information.
You can easily measure the outcome of your copywriting by looking at the conversion rate. For content writing, the outcomes are usually less tangible but can be things like building an audience, creating trust, and becoming an authority in your industry.
Can content writing make you rich?
There’s no guarantee that content writing will make you rich. However, if you’re good at it and you market your services well, it can be a very lucrative career.
There are bloggers, freelancers, and content agencies that make 6-figures and even millions a year. However, they either cater to high-paying clients or reach a mass market through education, digital products, or something else.
Some writers make pennies per word and often struggle to make ends meet.
It’s important to build your skills and a strong portfolio. And to try and find jobs and clients who are willing to pay you what you’re worth.
What’s the difference between content creation and content writing?
Content creation is a broad term that can refer to anything from creating videos and infographics to writing articles and blog posts.
Content writing, on the other hand, is narrower and refers specifically to writing text-based content.
Content creation can include content writing but not all content creators are content writers.
What’s the difference between content writing and creative writing?
Creative writing is any type of writing considered to be art, such as fiction, poetry, or screenplays. It can be fictional.
Content writing, as you know, is narrower and refers to creating text-based content like articles, blog posts, or eBooks. It’s often based on facts and usually intended to educate or engage an audience.
Can you become a content writer without experience?
Yes, you can become a content writer without experience. However, your chances of success will be much higher if you have some experience under your belt.
The best way to get started is by writing for yourself or for free for other people. Once you’ve built up a portfolio of work, you can start charging for your services.
What are the responsibilities of a content writer?
Content writers create written content like blog posts, articles, eBooks, and more. But their responsibilities can also include things like managing a website’s blog, promoting their company’s content on social media, or even creating visuals like infographics.
They may also need to create and maintain content calendars. And manage comments and feedback from readers.
Depending on your workplace, experience, and role, you may also set your own topics, do your own research, and pitch ideas to editors or clients.
What’s the difference between content writing and technical writing?
Technical writing is a type of content writing that focuses on creating documentation for technical products or services. This could include user manuals, how-tos, or even installation guides.
Technical writing is usually more straightforward and to-the-point than other types of writing. And it often requires a different skill set, such as the ability to understand complex technical concepts.
Content writing doesn’t necessarily have to be about technical topics. But it can be. And if it is, the same rules of clarity and conciseness apply.
Is digital marketing and content writing different?
Digital marketing is a broad term that can refer to anything from social media marketing to email marketing. It also includes advertising, lead generation, and sales activities. Writing content comes under digital marketing.
Content writing, on the other hand, is narrower and refers to creating written content, especially blog posts and even email content.
What’s the difference between SEO and content writing?
SEO, or search engine optimization, is the process of optimizing your website and content to rank higher in search engine results.
Content writing is generating and distributing writeups in the form of blog posts, articles, and email body copy. And while SEO often comes into play during the content writing process, it’s not the same thing.
A content writer can easily do SEO writing as long as they have the right SEO and content marketing tools.
SEO is more about making sure your content is keyword-rich and search engine friendly. While content writing is about creating well-written, engaging, and informative content.
Content writing can help with SEO but SEO is not content writing. It can include technical issues like website design, site structure, and code.
What about content writing vs. journalism?
Journalism is all about reporting the news. It’s about writing stories that are fair, accurate, and objective. Journalists have degrees in journalism and adhere to a strict code of ethics.
Content writing doesn’t focus on the news – although it can include news-related content. You also don’t need a degree in journalism to be a content writer. However, journalistic principles like accuracy, fairness, and objectivity are still important.
Content writers also don’t have to adhere to the same strict code of ethics as journalists. But it’s important not to make false promises or oversell your products and services in your writing. It’s also critical to never plagiarise content.
Is content writing and blogging the same?
Not exactly. But there is a considerable overlap.
In the early days of blogging, people would share about their day and express their thoughts and get readers and engagement. But blogging has changed today and there are different types of blogs with different purposes. And many blogs are serious sources of information, entertainment, and news.
Blog content writing still has some of those same early characteristics, like being personal and expressive. But there’s also a focus on creating helpful and informative content.
The bottom line is that if you’re writing blog posts, you’re technically doing content writing. But content writing is done with the intent to meet a business’s goals while helping people.
What is a content writing portfolio? And how to create one?
Your portfolio is a collection of your best work. It’s a way to show off your writing skills and highlight the results you’ve achieved for past clients.
There are different ways to create a content writing portfolio. You can start by creating an online presence for yourself with a website or blog. Or you can compile a PDF document with your best writing samples.
Portfolio sites like Clippings.me and blogging platforms like Squarespace are great for showcasing your work in a user-friendly way.
If you’re just starting out, it’s helpful to have a few different pieces of content in your portfolio so potential clients can see the range of your skills. As you build up your experience, you can focus on adding more examples of work that’s similar to what the client is looking for.
Back to you
Do you have any more content writing questions? I’ll be happy to answer them in the comments!
