One of the most sought-after and lucrative occupations for prospective writers nowadays is content writing or copywriting. Content writing can be done full-time, part-time, or as a side gig in addition to your day job. But does having a passion for writing all you need to succeed as a content writer? There are a lot of misconceptions, misunderstandings, and questions surrounding the field of content writing. Here let us help you clarify and give a clearer vision of this job.
What is Content Writing?
First thing first! Before you begin, you must know what is content in the world of Content writing. In simple words, content or copy is anything that is authored and published digitally to generate revenue. Thus the writing must be compelling enough to make the reader take an action like hit the subscribe button, click on the attached link, visit the website or make a purchase. The sole motive of content writing is to generate revenue and scale a business.
Types of Copy/Content Writing
There are several ways to attract existing and potential customers through content writing. Here are some of the popular segments of content writing
- Webpage Copy – A webpage copy is the written content of a website including the homepage, about us page, products/services segment, and the contact us page.
- Blog posts – As the name suggests, blog posts are blogs to promote certain brands and their products and services.
- Social Media Copy – Nowadays, social media plays a major role in brand promotion. Social media copy are those paid adverts that appear on your Facebook and Instagram pages and have amusing taglines that entice you to click on them.
- Ad Copy/ Sales Copy – Compared to social media posts, ad copies have slightly longer material. They are typically employed to gain people’s trust without coming across as overly “pushy” when trying to sell something.
- E-mail Marketing – You must get emails from companies offering their new items, sales, and deals in your mailbox’s “promotion” section. These advertising strategies are known as email marketing and are very much in demand.
Myths about Content Writing
Now that you have a better idea of what exactly content writing is, let’s bust two most common myths about being a content writing
Great command over language & grammar
It is NOT necessary for you to have a strong grasp of the language or vocabulary. You only need basic language and grammar skills to write content. Never forget that readers are the ones who can comprehend simple sentences and basic words. When a company is trying to sell anything, fancy phrases and long sentences are a big NO.
You need a degree
A specialized degree is not required to work as a content writer. No degree determines your ability to write copy, either. Your effort is self-evident. Because of this, in this field, portfolios of prior work are valued over resumes.
How to prepare?
The market for copywriting services is quite competitive. However, there are more opportunities, so you need to be ready before diving into this cutthroat field. Here are some suggestions to help you get ready before you enter the field.
- Take up a course – Your confidence boosts when you are well aware of the industry you are aspiring to enter. A good course on content writing will give you a clear vision of the journey you are about to begin. Some online academies and institutions provide curated courses for a minimal amount. Take a course, evaluate yourself and get ready! You won’t be disappointed.
- Rebuild your social media – When you begin your career as a content writer, social media will play a crucial part. The majority of your early customers will discover you on different social media networks. Reorganize all of the social media channels where you are active. Make a Facebook and Instagram page that is only used for content development. Create a LinkedIn profile that reflects the same. For future networking, “like,” “follow,” and “join” as many pages and groups as you can.
- Make your portfolio – As mentioned earlier, your work speaks more than your resume for this job. Create an attractive portfolio on any of the sites. Add an introduction about yourself, and add some of your work, samples, and blogs. Your portfolio will aid potential clients in better understanding your work.
- Write some samples – If you are brand-new to the industry, this is a necessity. When a customer asks you to share some of your prior work, you are likely to lag behind a more experienced copywriter. Even if you haven’t written anything for a client, you can still add some sample writing to your portfolio in the form of blogs, social media postings, etc. When a client requests your services, provide them with some of your best work. A client only wants to see your writing ability, and a few strong samples are all you need to land your first client.
Pro writing tips
Once you are prepared, you are well equipped to enter the market. It’s always a little time taking to land on your first deal, and once that happens, there is no looking back. The only thing that’ll keep you going is your writing. Here are some tips to keep your writing engaging
- No difficult words – no one likes to open a dictionary before making a purchase.
- No lengthy sentences – Readers lose interest in reading lengthy sentences. Keep it short and simple.
- Research before writing – it is impossible to be familiar with all the markets and goods you will be covering, but doing a comprehensive study beforehand will always be helpful.
- Be empathetic – Don’t try to make a sale, empathize with the people, try solving their problems, sales will take place on their own.
- Add a personal touch – Make sure what you write should feel personal just like a letter from a friend. Don’t make it formal. Keep it light, friendly, and communicative.
When you put all of these together, it shouldn’t take you long to sign up your first client. Content writing will continue to be in demand in the near future given the constant expansion of digital marketing and online brand promotions. The scope and possibilities will only grow as more brands go online. Make sure you are well-equipped to begin your job as a copywriter and have a wildly prosperous future.
