The in and Out Guide to Know About What Is Content Writing?

One day my friend and I were going for a morning walk.
We started talking about many things casually, but suddenly it became a deep discussion.
The discussion was actually about what is content writing?
Do you wonder why we discussed what is content writing?
Once we completed our graduation, we both dreamt about starting our own business.
We had bigger dreams, and we planned to do something to stand on our feet.
But unfortunately, all went into the vein. We parted our ways, and life has turned the way that we never dreamt.
I kick-started my career as a Professor in an Engineering college since I had a passion for teaching.
But as the days progressed, Engineering colleges became business centers, and there were no scopes for the teachers.
Once the pandemic came, everything shattered.
The only field that was not at all affected by this pandemic situation was Digital Marketing because everything has become online.
More specifically, content marketing is one of the strategies almost all businesses are incorporating.
For content marketing, the essential requirement is content writing.
So, we had an in-depth conversation on what is content writing, why content writing is important, what are types of content writing, how to start content writing, what are the trending topics for content writing, how to earn from content writing, how to get clients for content writing, etc. In this article, I will discuss all the above topics, so that you too can earn from content writing. You will get a clear insight on how to start content writing, especially if you are a beginner.
Let’s discuss,

What is Content writing?

Content Writing is the process of planning and creating content for online marketing.
Content writing is mainly for attracting leads, nurturing them, and converting them into prospective customers for a business.
Do you know that 87% of marketers use content at different stages to attract their customers?
They use content writing for creating brand awareness, educating them, providing them with valuable information, and finally helping and convince them to make a purchase decision.
Yes, it is true! Studies show that web content influence nearly 97% of customers’ purchasing decisions.
As online businesses are on the rising trends, content writing plays a vital role.
Content writing will help businesses increase their profits and reach their targetted audience.
Do you know what is content writing in digital marketing?
Content writing in digital marketing includes different forms of content creation on various platforms like websites and social media.
Do you wonder how content writing in digital marketing would help the business reach its audience?
Undoubtedly with the help of SEO content writing.
Let’s explore,

What is SEO-based content writing?

SEO-based content writing or simply SEO content writing is nothing but optimizing the web content to get noticed and recognized by the search engines.
SEO means Search Engine Optimization
Say, for example, if someone needs some information, the first thing they would do is search on Google.
Let us assume that a person wants to buy a mobile phone for Rs.10,000.
What would he do?
He might probably type in “ mobile phones under Rs.10,000” in Google, right?
This particular word he types in the search engine is defined as the user query. It is also called a keyword or keyphrase.
The SEO content writer would identify such keyphrases and include them in their content.
By optimizing the content, they tell the search engines like Google that their content is all about that particular keyword.
It would be easy for Google to identify the particular content related to user queries.
If the content is more relevant and is of high quality, Google would recommend that piece of content for those people who search that topic.
This way, SEO-based content helps the writer to rank on Google. At the same time, SEO would help them reach their targeted customer.
I hope that you are familiar with what is content writing, what is content writing in digital marketing, and what is SEO-based content writing.
Right now, you might be having a little bit of confusion about what is content writing and blogging, right?
I too had lots of questions like what is content writing and blogging, whether content writing and blogging are the same, Is blogging related to marketing, etc. Let’s find out!

What is content writing and blogging?

Content writing and blogging are closely related to each other with slight variations in their purposes.
Content writing is mainly used for marketing purposes as discussed earlier like creating brand awareness, promoting the product, advertisements, etc.
On the other hand, blogging is nothing but a website page that is created mainly to educate people.
Nowadays, more than 90% of people search for information on the internet in their day-to-day life. Blogging is the one that provides information for people and educates them.
It is one of the powerful tools to build your authority. If people find your blog useful, they would trust you and in the long run, they would become your customer.
Everywhere content, content writing, SEO-based content writing, quite annoying right?
Do you want to know why content writing is important?
If your answer is yes, keep reading. Let’s explore,

Why content writing is important?

If we say content writing, it is not just limited to writing the articles.
You would be familiar with the quote, “ Pen is mightier than the sword”
In concurrence with the quotes, content writing is a powerful tool for making or breaking a brand.
Yes! It is highly significant to convey the right information to the right people
so that the businesses will identify their potential customers.
For carrying out an effective content marketing strategy, every business should create high-quality and worthy content to stand out successfully in this competitive world.
Here are the main reasons why content writing is important:
1. Content writing helps businesses to create brand awareness among the audience.
2. High-quality content would help in SEO. Well-optimized content would help the brands to reach the most appropriate audiences.
3. Content writing helps all businesses to establish their businesses by sharing new ideas, various insights, trending technologies, rising trends, news, and updates among their customers.
4. High-quality and well-written, and optimized content will receive more likes and shares. People would like to share informative content on social media platforms. Sharing content will help the business to grow.
By now, you have understood what is content writing and why content writing is important?
Next, we will discuss what are the different types of content writing.

Types of content writing

As already discussed, content writing is not limited to publishing articles. There are different fields and forms in which content writing plays a significant role.
The different forms of content writing include:
1. Content writing for videos, video scripts
2. Content writing for Newsletters
3. Content writing for Emails
4. Content writing for publishing white papers
5. Content writing for the keynote address
6. Content writing for a podcast
7. Content writing for creating Landing pages
8. Content writing for social media posts, etc.
There are a few categories where different types of content writing are required.

Content writing through Blogging

Blogging helps to educate, entertain and provide informational content to the audience

Copywriting

Copywriting is indeed a written copy for sales. It is the pillar of a business and a foundation for the brand. It is the written piece of content that your customers will go through first.

Technical content writing

If you are running a product-based business, technical writing would greatly help you. It includes creating content for product descriptions, how to do articles, tutorials, working principle explanations, manuals, etc.

Social media content writing

Content writing for social media helps brands to reach a wider audience because more than 40% of people are more active on social media.
Writing appropriate and platform-specific content for different social media would help brands reach more people.

Email Content writing

Email marketing is one of the best tools for nurturing leads. High-quality Email copies and attention-grabbing headlines would greatly help nurture the leads. It will also help convert them into potential customers.
Hey, Is this overwhelming?
Don’t panic. I will walk you through different steps on how to start content writing.
If you are a beginner and wish to kick start your career as a content writer, you follow the below-given steps.
Undoubtedly, it works wonders.

How to start content writing for beginners?

Step 1: Find out and choose a particular Niche to start content writing

Choosing your Niche is crucial to start content writing as a career.
Niche is nothing but the area or a topic on which you want to start your content writing journey.
For example, you can write about product reviews, pets, fashion, haircare, skincare, health and fitness, yoga, diet, etc.
To find your Niche, follow these simple three steps:
1. List down all of your interested areas.
2. List down all your expertise. It means that in which area of your interest, you have got experience.
3. Compare the above two lists and pick the one in which you have more interest, and at the same time, ensure its market value.

Step 2: Publish a blog post to start content writing

Yes! You heard it right. You have to start writing about any topic related to the Niche you have chosen.
You can either start your website on WordPress or publish your articles on free platforms like medium.com, bloggers.com, etc.

Step 3: Build your social proof to start content writing

To start a content writing journey, you need to be active on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, etc.
You have to provide value through your social media pages and explore yourself as an expert in your field.
For example, you can open a Facebook page and start publishing informative content through posts and small videos.

Or else you can join Facebook groups and communities and start responding to the queries posted by people. It will help you build your online presence and tell people that you are a content writer.
At the same time, you can optimize your profile on LinkedIn, as recruiters are actively searching for talents on LinkedIn.

Step 4: Start working in Freelancing Platforms to start content writing

There are many freelancing platforms available like Upwork, fiver, freelancing. in, etc.
These are some of the most reliable platforms to explore your talents and pitch the clients.

If you are a beginner in content writing, you would probably find it hard to choose your Niche and may be confused about your topics.
To help you identify your topics, I will give you a list of trending topics on which you can start your content writing journey.

Lists of topics for content writing

Here are the top 15 trending topics for a content writer to kick start their content writing journey:
1. Cryptocurrencies and Bitcoins
2. Making money online
3. Personality Development and Lifestyle
4. Do it Yourself tutorials
5. Financial Planning and personal growth
6. Dating and Relationships
7. Health and Fitness
8. Tours and travels
9. Reviews on Movies, books, web series, etc.
10. The skincare, Haircare, Beauty tips, and Fashion
11. Facts and myths
12. Storytelling
13. General Vlogging
14. Interior Decoration
15. General Knowledge
I hope these topics will be handy for you if you are about to start content writing as a beginner.
Now I will give you some tips and tricks on content writing. You would never regret following these tips.

Content writing tips for beginners

To write well, you need to read a lot. As a content writer, you need to keep yourself updated. Similarly, ensure to improve your skills to meet the demand and stand out from the competition.
Let’s see the incredible content writing tips for beginners.

Identify your targetted audience

Before starting your content, make sure you identify your ideal audience.
If you are writing about cosmetic products, the targetted audiences are ladies, girls, and women using that product.
Once you have found out your reader, start writing like you are talking to them sitting beside them.
That is in a conversational tone.
They would get some personal connection with you.

Organize your Content

If you plan a structure or an outline for your content, it will help you in several ways.
More specifically, it will save you time.
On the other hand, if you want to write long-form content comprising 3000 words, it will be challenging for you.
But if you frame a structure and plan 500 words for the introduction, 200 words for each subheading, etc., it would be easier for you to complete the task.

Come out with a more compelling heading

Content is crucial, but the headline is more important than the content.
The headline helps in grabbing the attention of a reader.
Human beings’ attention span will prevail for 2 to 8 seconds.
Within that particular time, you need to attract your audience to your content. The only way is to keep your headline catchy and super-specific.

Focus on Readability

Writing readable content is another significant factor to keep in mind.
Your content should be readable since the people who come across your content may be of different literacy levels.
So, you should always make your content as readable as possible.
Always try to come up with short sentences.
Try including images after 100 to 200 words because it will break the monotony of the reader.
Always use an active voice.

Edit and Proofread

Once you have come up with your draft, you take a break.
After the break, start reading out loud.
Put yourself into the shoes of your reader, and edit your draft.
And above all, ensure your content is error-free.
Keep an eye on your Grammar and spelling as well.

I hope now you have got a clear insight about what is content writing, why content writing is important, how to start content writing and some ideas on topics for content writing.
Now I will walk you through the most significant part of content writing, how to earn from content writing.
Yes! We will discuss how to get clients for content writing, and how to earn from content writing.
Aren’t you excited?
I am as excited as you are.
Let us explore,

How to earn from content writing?

Once you are ready with your samples and portfolio, you can pitch in by sending emails and start applying for the content writers job through LinkedIn or other platforms.
Apart from this, a content writer can earn in many ways
Here are some of them:
1. Earn from content writing by creating articles for blog posts, business magazines, and newsletters.
2. Earn from content writing by creating articles for Guest post
3. Earn from content writing by becoming an author and self publish your book
4. Earn from content writing by becoming a copywriter
5. Earn from content writing by creating Lead Magnets for your clients
6. Earn from content writing by establishing a niche-specific blog and monetizing the blog
7. Earn from content writing by selling online products and affiliate marketing.
8. Earn from content writing by providing script writing services for video makers and youtube
9. Earn from content writing by creating social media content for businesses
10. Earn from content writing by creating Email sequences for your clients

FAQ

Conclusion

Like any other skill, content writing is also a skill. You can develop it effortlessly.
All you need is to practice. Maintain consistency in your tone and style of writing.
If written strategically, content would help the businesses to scale up. It will assist business owners in brand building and acquiring potential customers.
I hope you will find this article useful and helpful.
Don’t forget your thoughts after reading.

Cheers,

Shenbagalakshmi