Content writing can be a fun and profitable profession, but it’s also one with plenty of pitfalls that newbies tend to fall into. Here are the top ten tips every newbie content writer needs to know if they want to break into the field with success and find work more efficiently in the future. Follow these tips and set yourself up to succeed in this industry!
1 – Embrace the Hype
As with all skills in content writing, you will have those who are beginners and those who have developed the skill over time. Knowing if your work is up to scratch with others is challenging.
The thing about content writing, though, is that this takes time. No matter what level you’re at when starting, embrace the hype and don’t be afraid of feedback – after all, if it’s constructive criticism, then that means it’s being done with good intentions!
2 – Give yourself deadlines
Set deadlines that are both realistic and specific. If you’re working on an assignment, turn it in by the date stated in your agreement. If you’re brainstorming blog posts, create a timeline and allot yourself time before your posts go live. Make sure you allocate enough time for editing so there’s no last-minute rush!
3 – Research Keywords in your Niche
With so many people searching the internet daily, your posts will be lost if they don’t contain relevant keywords in the title, introduction, and body. Conduct thorough research on keywords related to your niche to come up with a collection of words that will help your content rank higher in search engines and get more views.
4 – Have a flexible mind
The world of content writing is constantly changing and growing, so be ready to adapt. The most successful content writers are the ones who can think quickly on their feet and adjust accordingly. By adapting your thinking, you will be more equipped to turn challenges into opportunities, which leads to tremendous success in content writing.
Set aside an hour each day for reading and researching (five sentences)
5 – Accept rejection, but Don’t Give Up
Many content writers find it hard to accept rejection, but you mustn’t take it personally and not get discouraged. Being a content writer means that you are taking risks. Rejection is one of those risks, so think of each rejection letter this way: at least they saw your work and thought about it.
6 – Learn from the Pros
Learning from the pros is essential, but you must know how to find them. If you’re starting, here are some things that will help you on your journey:
Build relationships with more experienced writers by providing value (tips and tricks) in the comment section of their content or mentioning them on your social media accounts. Try sending them an email, commenting on their blog post, or even asking them out for coffee.
7 – Get Comfortable with Copy and Paste
It can feel like there’s no shortcut to producing original, high-quality content. If that’s where you find yourself and can’t seem to get more than a paragraph out of your fingers, know that you’re not alone. Plenty of professional writers struggle with the same things. It might help to learn the copy-and-paste function of your word processor, so you don’t have to transcribe each word from scratch.
9 – Mind Your Grammar and Spelling
Content writers are only human, and no one is perfect, but our tip for content writers is to be mindful of your grammar and spelling. We’re aware that sometimes it can feel like there’s not enough time in the day so you might slip up. But if you’re sending an email or writing some copy, make sure that you have at least had your work looked over by someone who knows the language of your piece.
8 – Finish What You Start
Please don’t wait to finish your work because it will be too hard later. Start from the beginning, and have an ending goal in mind. When you have completed an entire part of the writing, take a break and do something else for a little while. You can come back to it with fresh eyes and accomplish your goal more quickly than if you attempted to plough through the entire thing in one sitting.
10 – Never Stop Learning
This might seem a no-brainer, but you can continuously improve your content. Read industry blogs, books, or anything else you can find about writing that helps educate yourself on what’s happening in your industry. And even if you have one of the best blogs in the world, it’s never too early to start brainstorming new ideas!
Read more: How you can start an online Tutoring Business in 8 easy steps.