How To Get Started As A Content Writer
One great way to make money from home is by becoming a content writer. There are two reasons for this — the first is that there are many content writing jobs available online, and the second is that you don’t need any special training or skills in order to get started. While having a degree in something like English, or in the topics that you want to write about, will help you to advance and earn more lucrative writing jobs, being a decent writer is all you really need to get started. The pay won’t be much at first, but as you build up your portfolio, and improve your writing skills, you can start charging more for your services.
What Is Content Writing?
For those of you unfamiliar with the role of a content writer, it’s pretty simple. One of the main ways that businesses attract new customers on the Internet is through content. This can take the form of a blog section on their website that shares helpful information related to their business or blogs on third-party websites that link back to their own website. This process is known as Content Marketing, and it helps in two ways. First, by giving potential customers a reason to visit their website, and second because search engines like to see a routinely updated or referred to website. By consistently producing good content, business owners can attract more customers through the content itself, and by improving their search engine rankings.
What Does A Content Writer Do?
However, not every business owner has the time or ability to write all of this content themselves. Perhaps they are poor writers, or they are simply too busy. This is where you come in. As a content writer it will be your responsibility to write content — usually in the form of articles or blog posts — related to your client. The client will typically work with you to come up with topics they want written about, along with other requirements they have such as keywords to include or sources to reference.
How To Get Started
If this sounds like something you might be interested in doing, here are some tips on how to get started:
Join Content Writing Websites:
First, you need to start finding some clients. Luckily, there are plenty of websites out there that hook up writers and businesses. For most of these websites, you will need to go through an application process – which typically includes some form of writing assessment – and then wait to be approved. Once approved, you can start scanning their websites for potential work. The amount of work available, the rates, and the topics you will write about will all vary with each website. Here are just a few such websites that you can look into first –
My recommendation is to start off with one of these sites, try it out for a week or two, and then sign up for another. As long as you are not selling the same articles on multiple websites, there is no reason that you can’t be a part of several writing communities. You’ll also have an easier time finding work that suits your knowledge base by having more options available to you.
You can also join websites like Upwork, Freelancer and Guru, and create a freelancer profile. From these websites you can apply for jobs related to content writing, and perhaps find more consistent work.
Start Off With Low Rates:
When you first start content writing, you will not have a portfolio to vouch for you. Anyone who hires you will be taking a chance, and are less likely to do this if your rates are high. By setting your rates low – or excepting work at a lower rate – you can build up your portfolio, and then slowly increase your rates over time. When you can provide a prospective client with numerous examples of the work you have done, you can charge a more reasonable rate and expect to get it. A good rate to start off with is $1 for every 100 words. If you have trouble finding work at this rate, consider dropping it a little lower.
Start Building A Portfolio:
As you start bringing in a few clients, start organizing your best work into a portfolio. The best way to go about this is to create your own website, and share your work on there. However, you can also create a portfolio by editing your profile if you are using sites like Upwork or Elance, or simply have a folder on your computer of your best work that you can pass on to prospective clients. Every time you land a new job, consider if your current work is better than what is in your portfolio, and make changes if necessary.
One thing to keep in mind with a portfolio is the rights to the work. When you work as a ghost writer, you are handing over ownership of the article once you are finished with it. Be sure to talk with your clients and get permission to use the article in your portfolio if you no longer have ownership. In some cases you may only be allowed to display an excerpt.
Improve Your Writing Abilities:
The more writing you do, the better you will get at it. It doesn’t hurt to speed the process along a little bit by learning more about what makes good writing. Read up on content writing tips, and on proper grammar rules. Read some of your favorite blogs, but with a critical eye as to how they write them. Just because you have landed a few writing gigs, does not mean you should rest on your laurels! Keep striving to become a better writer by learning as much as you can.
Learn About SEO Writing:
In addition to improving your writing skills overall, a great tool to add to your belt is SEO writing. More often than not your clients will want their articles optimized for search engines, and knowing how to do this can give you an advantage over other writers. SEO writing is all about seamlessly incorporating keywords into content, and making sure the work meets other standards. For more on how SEO writing works, you can visit this link.
Market Your Skills Locally:
Lastly, to really start earning a living with content writing, you should branch away from the Internet. While there are plenty of jobs out there, they can often be inconsistent. For a steadier stream of income, you’ll want to set up your own Content Marketing business, and start contacting local businesses. Tell them about the benefits your service can provide, and show them the portfolio of work you have amassed. While working with local business will require you to leave your home from time to time, the work will still primarily be done from home. Finding clients who work directly with you is a great way to have consistent work, and you get to set your own rates as well.
Conclusion
Anyone with some decent writing ability can get started as a content writer. All you need to do is find some sites that will connect you with potential clients, and then start building up a portfolio as you work. Over time you can start increasing your rates, and if you’re a good writer, starting earning a decent amount of money. So whether you are looking to just make some extra spending money each month, or a full time income down the line, consider becoming a content writer and see if it is right for you.