As we move towards the digital era, the demand for good content writers is increasing. Good and relevant content is the need of the hour, irrespective of how big or small the brand is.
Every brand needs to have a voice, a presence they can guide people to, and means by which they can communicate with prospective clients and customers.
Content writing, especially now, is not restricted to copywriting or working for a writing firm; it now consists of a lot of things, a lot of ideas, and a variety of writing.
So, whatever your niche might be, as long as you are talented and willing to learn, how to become a content writer won’t be too much of a task for you.
So, if you are looking for content writing jobs and wondering how to become a content writer in india , we are here to help you. Dig in to learn more about this topic.
How to Become a content writer
What is Content Writing?
Content writing isn’t just writing articles or winding blog posts; it consists of ideating, researching, planning, editing, and then coming up with a copy that can go out on digital media.
It starts with understanding the company and the target audience, goes through the process of figuring out the king of language
Or communication that can be established, and culminates in working on a copy accordingly.
That copy can be anything: long-form articles, short-form articles, blogs, Facebook captions, Quora answers, Instagram Captions and content, blogging, or emails.
Let’s take a look at these different types of content writing in brief:
You can check out the full process here: Types of Content Writing
Types of Content Writing
- 1Social Media Posts: Social media has taken over everything - figuratively - and brands are recognising the importance of engaging social media posts.
Digital Marketing is an important step in this direction and holds ample opportunity for a content writer.
All you need to do is stay up-to-date with the latest social media trends and lingo, keep your content simple and engaging, and voila, you are a successful social media content writer. - 2Blogging also allows a lot of flexibility and helps you cover a wide range of topics depending on the time and need.
- 3Emailers: Like everyone else, you, too, might receive a lot of emailers on a weekly basis. Some of these emails are relevant, others not so much.
Some have such an exciting opening or subject that you are tempted to read through them.
Writing these emailers is another form of content writing and requires an in-depth understanding of different sets of audiences. - 4Copywriting: Copywriting includes writing different sorts of content: website content, infographics, product descriptions, pop-ups, etc.
Though a lot of people don't consider copywriting to be creative content writing, it does require a lot of wordplay
And understanding of how to present any information in the simplest and most engaging manner.
Skills Required to Become a Content Writer
Becoming a content writer is not easy and these are some of the Content writer qualifications and must-have skills to be successful in this field.
How to Become a Content Writer: Step-by-Step Process
Now that you know the important skills required to become a content writer, first question comes in mind how to start content writing so here is the process you can follow to make your dream of becoming a content writer a reality -
- 1Find your niche: Do not be a jack of all trades and master of none in your content writing journey.
To start your journey as a content writer, it is important to identify your niche, polish your skills accordingly, and then start applying for relevant opportunities. - 2Build your portfolio: The beauty of content writing is that anyone can pursue it; you don’t need any specific degree.
However, to get a good writing job, you do need a strong portfolio of written work. So, start working on that the first opportunity you get. Your portfolio should be a collection of your choicest writings. - 3Create your social profile: Having a strong social media presence and good social media is important to start your career in the field.
- 4So, start with updating your LinkedIn profile and then move to your other social media profile like Instagram.
Ensure that your profile contains nothing controversial (racial slurs, political opinions, etc.).
Keep a neutral profile and one that highlights your interests and pitches you as a good candidate for a digital marketing job. - 5Build authority with blogs: Start blogging to create a strong profile. Blogging will help whet your skills and also tell the hiring managers that you have come prepared.
It will also help you stand out even if you are a fresher, especially if your blog is complementing the topic or ideas the company is pursuing. - 6Create a pitch: Why are you the right fit for the job? Why do you want to become a content writer? What makes you stand out?
Have a pitch ready to tell potential employers about your skills, what makes you the right candidate, and how you can add value to their organization.
Get a Job as a Content Writer
Once you are ready with your portfolio and pitch and have worked on your skills-set, you can start applying for jobs in the field.
Start with creating a resume. Ensure that the resume is reader-friendly, in PDF format, is crisp and to the point, and has all the relevant keywords.
You can search for these keywords from the job description posted by different organisations. Ensure that you are including a link to your portfolio in your resume.
The next step would be to search for jobs in your area of interest and start applying. Don’t get disappointed if you don’t hear from someone right away.
Applying for jobs is a long process, and recruiters are constantly bombarded with hundreds of resumes.
For a better chance of getting seen, send an email to the relevant person instead of applying only on job portals.
You can also connect with the recruiters on LinkedIn and form a connection there. The next step would be to prepare for the job interview.
Interviews are an important part of the hiring process and give the recruiters a good idea of your skills-set and how well you will fit in their organisation.
So, search and prepare for common interview questions beforehand.
You can also do some research on the company to see how you can best formulate your answers and ask questions in return to have a conversation during the interview.
Start Freelancing
every new Person who have dream to become content writer have always a one question in Mind
how to become a content writer with no experience and answer was so Simple "freelancing"
A great way to start your career as a content writer is to start freelancing. Unlike the days of yore, freelancing is actually a very good and viable career option.
There are numerous sites like Upwork, Fiverr, etc., that you can turn to build a career as a freelance writer.
Getting opportunities on these sites is simple and follows a simple pattern of bidding for the work you want.
- 1Setup your profile: The first step would be setting up your profile according to the site you choose.
Most sites will ask for your basic details, a few words to describe your work, how you stand out, and a small write-up to attract the audience.
You should also check out the profile of fellow writers before setting up your profile and keep updating it from time to time. - 2Create your gig: Once your profile is set up, create a price range for your gig packages and boost your profile by adding a link to your portfolio.
Connect with recruiters the opportunities they have and create a gig based on it, telling them how you intend to approach the work, what are your talents, and how you can collaborate with them. - 3Show your blogs: At places like Upwork ad Fiverr, your work speaks volumes. So, showcasing your blog will be the right thing to do at will guide you towards newer opportunities.
It will also attract customers who might stumble on your blog through keywords and will also help you pitch for higher gigs. - 4Connect your social profile: Connecting your social profile to your Upwork or Fiverr profile will authenticate your profile.
This is especially important for freelancers who are just starting out and haven’t yet built a name or trust in the audience.
Content Writer Salary
The salary of a content writer can vary dramatically, basis the skill-set they have, experience, and speed.
For example, both a freelance and a full-time content writer can earn anywhere between INR 10,000 to 1.2 lakh in a month, though the average salary is INR 20,000.
The average salary per annum is around 3 lakh. However, once you have identified your skills and niche, there can be no dearth of opportunities for you.
You can upscale quickly and move up to higher salaries very rapidly. You can additionally do both freelance and full-time gigs side-by-side, making good money.
I hope you liked our article on how to become a content writer, if you have any comments or suggestions do share them in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What qualifications do I need to become a content writer?
There is no particular degree that you need to become a content writer; people from different fields, as long as they are talented, can apply for content writing jobs.
However, a degree in English and Communication, Journalism, and Marketing field will be of advantage as you start your journey.
Q2. How do I start working as a Content Writer?
To start working as a content writer, you first need to identify the niche your want to work on and then shortlist jobs that you can apply to based on that.
You can also build a portfolio to showcase your skills and work. Additionally, you can also start working as a freelancer.
Q3. Can anyone become a Content Writer?
Since there is no particular degree required for starting out as a content writer (particularly freelance), it can be assumed that anyone can become one.
However, that isn’t true. You need to have a good command of the language, impeccable grammar, creativity, and the willingness to learn and research to become a content writer.
Q4. How do I become a writer with no experience?
You can begin by writing your blogs so that you have a portfolio of work to show potential recruiters.
You can also apply for freelance opportunities or internships in the field to get started and gain some experience.
Q5. How do beginners write content?
When just starting with writing content, you might face some issues. But identify your niche, not just the topics (lifestyle, travel, beauty, etc.).
But also the kind of content you want to write (blogs, emailers, website content, etc.) Start practising and create your portfolio accordingly, ad start applying for jobs.