What is content writing? Easy actionable tips
What is content writing? Easily actionable tips
Learn about content writing in easy-to-understand language. Also, get actionable tips on where to learn content writing skills.
I'm sure many of you have heard the term "content writing" before, but what exactly is it? In its most basic form, content writing is simply creating written content for a website or other online platform. However, there's a bit more to it than that!
You may watch the video or read the post below.
In this article, you'll learn:
- The core purpose of writing content is to drive traffic, build trust and convert
- Important terms of content writing
- Five different types of content
- Four vital content writing skills
- Five places from where you can learn to learn content writing
A Quick History of Content Writing
Where writing has its roots way back in the early stages of human evolution, content writing is relatively new. I'm sure many of you are wondering, "What is content writing?" Well, let me give you a brief history of this relatively new profession.
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Content writing is the art and science of creating content for the web. It's a relatively new profession, only coming into existence with the rise of the internet in the late 20th century.
Before the internet, there was no such thing as content writing. There were writers, of course, but they wrote for newspapers, magazines, books, and other traditional media. The internet changed all that.
With the rise of the internet, businesses and individuals suddenly had a new way to reach their audiences: through web content. And so, content writing was born.
Content writing is now a multi-billion dollar industry, with hundreds of thousands of professional writers creating content for businesses and individuals around the world.
If you're reading this, chances are you're a content writer yourself. Welcome to the club!
How I learned content writing?
I never thought I would be a content writer. It wasn't something I ever aspired to be. I entered the profession as a technical writer. I was supposed to write user manuals for software, and then I forayed into content marketing only after I started my own writing company named The Write Pick.
While working for this company, I researched a lot on content marketing techniques, content writing courses, sales writing, UX writing, and neuromarketing. Not only this, but I applied a bit of all that I learned to the content I used to produce for my company's marketing.
I quickly learned that content writing is not as easy as it seems. There is a lot that goes into it. You have to be able to capture the voice of the client, understand their business, and know how to write engaging and compelling copy.
It took me a while to get the hang of it, but I eventually did. And, now, I'm happy to say that I'm a content writer! It's not my dream job, but it's a job that I enjoy and that pays the bills. Who knows, maybe someday I'll be writing for my dream client!
Why content is important?
In this day and age, content is king. No matter what business you're in, chances are that content plays a role in it.
1. Communicate with the Audience
And that's because the content is how you communicate with your audience. It's how you tell your story and how you sell your products or services. Whether it's a blog post, an email, or even just a Tweet, content is what gets your message across.
2. Build Engagement with the Audience
But it's not just about getting your message across. Content writing is also about engaging your audience and building relationships. It's about creating something that people will want to read, share, and come back to again and again.
So if you're not already doing it, I urge you to start thinking about content writing as an important part of your business. It's not as hard as you might think, and the rewards can be great.
Still not convinced? Here are three more reasons why content writing is important:
3. It's the best way to build trust with your audience.
If you want people to buy from you, they need to trust you. And the best way to build trust is through content. When you provide valuable information that helps people solve their problems, they'll start to see you as an expert in your field. And when they see you as an expert, they'll be more likely to do business with you.
4. It's a great way to differentiate yourself from your competition.
In any given market, there are always going to be a lot of similar businesses competing for attention. Content writing can help you stand out from the crowd by giving you a unique voice and perspective. By creating quality content, you'll make it more likely that people will remember you and choose you over your competition.
5. It can help you drive traffic and sales.
If you want people to find your website or buy your products, you need to have good content. That's because quality content is what gets people to link to your site and share it with their friends. And when people share your content, that's free advertising for you!
What is Content Writing?
If you're a wordsmith, a grammar nerd, or just someone who loves to write, you might be wondering: what is content writing?
Content writing is a type of writing that focuses on creating content for the web. This can include anything from blog posts and articles to ebooks and whitepapers.
Informative Content
As a content writer, your goal is to create content that is interesting, informative, and engaging. This can be a challenge, as you need to find a way to stand out in a sea of online content.
Evergreen Content
One way to do this is to focus on creating evergreen content. This is content that is relevant and useful no matter when it is read. This can be difficult to do, but it's worth it as evergreen content can help you build a loyal following and attract new readers.
Catchy Headlines (copywriting)
Another way to make your content stand out is to focus on creating catchy headlines. Headlines are often what determine whether or not someone will click on your article. So, make sure your headlines are interesting, attention-grabbing, and relevant to the article.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Finally, don't forget about SEO. Search engine optimization is key for getting your content seen by people who are searching for it. By using keywords and other SEO best practices, you can ensure that your content is ranking high in search engines and getting in front of potential readers.
Content writing can be a great way to use your wordsmithing skills to build an audience and share your voice with the world. So, if you're ready to start writing, keep these tips in mind to create content that stands out from the rest.
Content Writing Types
1. SEO Writing
SEO writing is all about creating content that is optimized for search engines. This means using the right keywords and phrases in your articles and blog posts so that people can find your content more easily.
If you're interested in SEO writing, then you need to make sure that you're up-to-date on the latest trends in search engine optimization. This can be a bit of a moving target, but there are plenty of great resources out there that can help you stay on top of things.
In addition to using the right keywords, another important part of SEO writing is making sure that your content is easy to read and understand. This means using short paragraphs and simple language. No one wants to read a wall of text, so make sure that your content is easy on the eyes.
2. Blog Writing
Blog writing is very similar to SEO writing, but with a few key differences. First, blog posts are usually shorter than SEO articles. This is because people tend to have shorter attention spans when they're reading blogs than when they're doing a search online.
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Second, blog posts are usually more personal and conversational in tone than SEO articles. This is because people want to read blogs that feel like they're written by a real person, not a robot.
If you're interested in blog writing, then you need to make sure that you have a strong understanding of SEO best practices. But more importantly, you need to focus on writing in a voice that is natural and relatable. Think of your favorite bloggers and try to emulate their style.
3. Social Media Writing
Social media writing is all about creating content for social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. This means understanding how to write headlines that will grab attention, as well as how to use hashtags and other strategies to get more views and engagement.
If you're interested in social media writing, then you need to make sure that you understand the different platforms and what works best on each one. For example, Twitter is all about brevity, so your tweets should be short and sweet. On Facebook, on the other hand, you have a little more room to write longer posts and include images and videos.
In addition to understanding the different platforms, you also need to be up-to-date on the latest trends in social media marketing. What worked last year might not work this year, so it's important to stay on top of things. There are plenty of great resources out there that can help you stay up-to-date on the latest trends.
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4. Copywriting
Copywriting is all about creating persuasive content that sells products or services. This means understanding how to write headlines, calls to action, and other elements that will convince people to buy what you're selling.
If you're interested in copywriting, then you need to make sure that you understand the basics of marketing and sales. You also need to have a firm grasp of grammar and style so that your copy is error-free and easy to read. And last but not least, you need to be able to think creatively so that you can come up with new and innovative ways to sell products and services.
5. Ghostwriting
Ghostwriting is all about creating content for someone else. This could be anything from articles and blog posts to books and speeches. If you're interested in ghostwriting, then you need to be comfortable with taking on someone else's voice and writing in a style that is true to them. You also need to be able to work quickly and efficiently so that you can meet deadlines. And last but not least, you need to be able to keep confidential information confidential. This is one of the most important aspects of ghostwriting since people often hire ghostwriters because they want their stories told without their names attached.
Important terms of Content Writing
If you're reading this, chances are you're interested in content writing. And if you're interested in content writing, chances are you've come across some unfamiliar terms.
1. SEO
Search Engine Optimization is the process of optimizing a website for Google search to earn higher web traffic levels and improve the visibility of the site.
2. Keywords
Keywords are the words or phrases that people use when they search for something on the internet. When writing content, it’s important to choose keywords wisely to attract the right audience and earn higher web traffic levels.
3. Web Traffic
Web traffic refers to the number of visitors that a website receives. The higher the web traffic, the more successful the website is considered to be.
4. Content Marketing
Content marketing is the process of creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and retain a clearly defined audience.
5. Copywriting
Copywriting is the art and science of persuasion. It’s the act of writing text that aims to influence the behavior of the reader, usually to sell a product or service.
6. Tone
Finally, let's talk about tone. The tone is the overall attitude of your writing. It can be serious or humorous, formal or informal. The tone of your writing should be appropriate for your audience and your topic. For example, if you're writing an article about a serious topic like the Syrian refugee crisis, you'll want to use a serious tone. But if you're writing an article about a lighter topic, like your favorite TV show, you can use a more light-hearted tone.
Examples of Content Writing
There's no shortage of advice out there on content writing - what to do, what not to do, how to come up with ideas, how to structure your posts, and so on. But who should you listen to?
There are some big names out there in the content writing world, and their blogs are full of helpful tips and insights. Here are five of the best:
1. Copyblogger
Link: https://copyblogger.com/
Copyblogger is one of the most popular blogs on copywriting and content marketing, with a huge following of loyal readers. The site is full of articles on everything from coming up with ideas to structuring your posts to promoting your work.
2. The Content Marketing Institute
The Content Marketing Institute is another big name in the content marketing world, and its blog is full of helpful tips and resources for content marketers. They cover everything from creating great content to promoting it effectively.
3. HubSpot
HubSpot is a leading inbound marketing and sales platform, and its blog is a wealth of information on everything from generating leads to closing deals. They have articles on all aspects of content marketing, from creating it to promoting it.
4. Moz
Link: https://moz.com/blog
Moz is a leading SEO software company, and their blog is essential reading for anyone looking to improve their search engine ranking. They have articles on all aspects of SEO, from keyword research to link building.
5. Social Media Examiner
Social Media Examiner is one of the biggest social media blogs out there, and it's packed with articles on everything from using Twitter for business to creating Facebook ads. If you're looking to get the most out of social media for your business, this is a great place to start.
5 places to learn content writing
There are a lot of different places you can learn content writing. Here are five of the best:
1. Content Writing Courses
If you want to learn content writing, one of the best places to start is by taking a course. There are plenty of great courses out there that can teach you the basics of writing effective content.
2. Online Resources
There are also a ton of great online resources that can help you learn content writing. These can include blog posts, articles, and even video tutorials.
SnapRytr also has videos on its YouTube channel where you can learn content marketing. For example, check out this video: https://youtu.be/axwYnPyBAdc
3. Books on Content Writing
If you prefer to learn from books, there are several great options available for content writing. These can provide you with in-depth coverage of various topics related to writing effective content.
4. Writing Workshops
Another great option for learning content writing is to attend a workshop. These can be either in-person or online, and they offer a great opportunity to get some hands-on experience with writing.
5. Mentorship Programs
Finally, another excellent way to learn content writing is through a mentorship program. These programs pair you up with an experienced writer who can help guide you through the process of developing your skills.
Before you make a decision, here are some more points to consider:
- Content writing courses can be expensive. If you're on a budget, there are plenty of free online resources that can be just as helpful.
- Not all content writing courses are created equal. Make sure to do your research to find a course that covers the topics you're most interested in.
- If you want to get the most out of a content writing course, be prepared to put in the work. Courses can be helpful, but they won't do all the work for you. You'll still need to practice and hone your skills on your own time.
Final Words
So if you're ever wondering what content writers do all day, now you know! We're busy crafting content that we hope will make a positive impact on those who read it. To increase your content production at scale, you can always use an AI writing assistant.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Content Writing
What skills do I need to be a content writer?
A good command of the English language is obviously a must, but beyond that, you don't need any formal qualifications to be a content writer. However, it helps if you're a quick learner and have a knack for research, as you'll often need to write on topics that you may not be familiar with.
How much do content writers earn?
This is a tough question to answer as it really varies depending on experience, skill level, and where you live. In general, though, you can expect to earn anywhere from $20-$100 per hour as a freelance content writer.
What are the benefits of being a content writer?
There are plenty of benefits that come with being a content writer! For starters, it's a great way to earn a living from your passion for writing. Plus, it's a relatively flexible job that can be done from anywhere in the world. And last but not least, it's a great way to build up your portfolio and showcase your skills to potential clients.
