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Content writing is virtually everywhere. From smaller firms to large companies, every business turns to blogs and articles to market their products and services better online in order to build their visibility. There is abundance of work for aspiring content writers in today’s world and there is no better time to begin than now!
Online content writers come from different paths of life and no two content writers will have the same journey. It is, therefore, difficult for aspiring content writers to follow one specific leader in this field.
However, in this blog you can read in detail about certain future-proof steps to follow in order to start your content writing career towards growth, visibility and success.
9 Steps to Become a Digital Content Writer
Step 1: Select Your Niche
It is the first rule of content writing to write about subjects and topics which are unique and different than what others are writing about. When you tend to put two random things together, it suddenly starts to become more appealing and interesting to the readers. This is how you need to begin positioning as a content writer.
When you add a specific niche or combine a skill to your content, you are on the path to become an expert in the niche. This can be useful for aspiring content writers because now not only do they have subject matter expertise but also a specific skill around the subject matter.
Therefore, choose a niche which you can rely your content upon and find enough opportunities in the same.
Step 2: Build Your Portfolio
You need to gain trust of the readers and build credibility before you start earning in this field. To build an impressive portfolio, it is important to forget about the monetary aspect of the job but to work on elements which will help build the reader’s trust. A portfolio is a showcase of your capabilities.
After selecting your niche, you now need to start working on different content ideas and should start creating blogs, eBook or maybe a case study about the topic. An impressive portfolio will be a platform for you to grow and become a successful social proof of being a good credible content writer.
Step 3: Become Socially Active
While we are all social beings, it is natural for us to follow what other people are doing online. Checking reviews, looking at numbers of hits on songs and which movie is trending is part of following the social game and a proof of how others react in a similar situation.
As a content writer, you need to create your own social proof. The best way to do it through Quora which allows you to flaunt your content skills and attract social proof showcasing people your work and engaging them.
Step 4: Be Authoritative with Your Blog
Use your sense of authority and expertise to attract more clients and readers to your blog which also helps in conversion at a higher price.
Build your blog on your niche topics to showcase your capabilities and authority to the readers. With few easy steps of setting up a blog, it can help you become credible in the long run.
Step 5: Create an Effective Pitch
A great pitch needs to be clear and to the point. Here are a few elements to keep in mind while creating an effective pitch for land yourself some gigs.
- Clean, customized subject line
- Address the recipient by name
- Where you saw their requirement
- Why are you the best fit for the company
- Attach portfolio and samples of work
- Link to your blog (WordPress, Quora, Upwork)
- Link to your social media accounts
Follow up your pitch later and keep updating your pitch until it becomes your highest converting pitch.
Step 6: Start Freelancing
Freelancing platforms such as Fiverr and Upwork are the flag bearers of content economy. You will find never ending opportunities on these platforms. Once you set up your account, order will start flowing.
You can also choose to work for free initially to build up your reviews on these platforms in order to make your portfolio stand out. Once you have gathered enough reviews, you will be able to attract qualified clients which turn into long term commitments. It never hurts to upsell!
Step 7: Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile
One place where HRs of small to large firms all come together to find suitable candidates for projects and their companies is the platform LinkedIn. It is important to take this platform seriously and focus on making a decent profile mentioning every possible information.
Remember, unlike other social media platforms, this is a place to interact professionally so use your most decent and professional pictures. To optimize it further, make sure to put in keywords in the title and in your description to appear on search engines for specific skills sets required by companies.
Step 8: Reach Out to Recruiters
Be attentive for full-time content writing opportunities on job portals. Even though it is hard to get a full-time content writing job, you must reach out to your companies of choice and convince them for freelance work, if not full-time. If you are lucky, they might hire you full-time.
You can also reach out to digital marketing agencies and advertising agencies who are actively looking for content writers. So, pitch your best and reach out to the right people.
Step 9: Start with Facebook Groups & Communities
This might be the last step but the most effective one in finding good work. Facebook runs the largest digital marketing group in the world. There might be plenty other platforms specifically meant for content writers but nothing like this.
On Facebook, people usually post their requirements on groups and pages, so you need to make sure you follow such pages and pitch to them wherever you find the opportunity.
Do not forget to follow up, but don’t be annoying at the same time.
Conclusion
The journey of becoming a successful content writer will take a while, but there is always a beginning. Follow the above-mentioned steps with focus and dedication to become an expert in your niche and to master all the projects that come your way to become popular on every platform you choose to operate.
