What is a content writer

In a world that seems to get more digital by the day, businesses and companies are in constant need of content to help them thrive and grow and it’s the content writer’s job to provide this content. So, what exactly does a content writer do? In simple terms, they create informative, engaging, and/or entertaining content for websites, often for digital marketing purposes.

That’s not much of an answer, though - of course, a content writer writes content, that’s in the name! In fact, you’re probably left with more questions, the main one being…

What is Content?

In keeping with the spirit of simple answers: content is information. To many people, the first thing that pops into their heads when they hear content writing is blog posts, but content can be so much more than that, for example:

• Articles

• Web pages

• Social media posts

• Emails

• Product descriptions

• Speeches

• Landing pages

• Video or audio scripts

• Press releases

• Newsletters

Wow, that’s quite the list! As you can see, content writing is a very diverse field and there’s literally something for everyone - as long as you enjoy writing, that is!

What Does a Freelance Writer Do?

You now know what content is, but what about freelance writing? Many content writers freelance, which means that they are self-employed and take on assignments from other companies. This can be anything from one small post to an ongoing full-time project lasting months or even years.

Freelancing is a great way to get some experience and to try out a whole bunch of different media and industries - is IT content not for you? That’s fine, look for work in another field. Maybe you really enjoy freelance blogging? Great, now you know where to go next!

While you technically could find content work anywhere, sites like Upwork conveniently gather large amounts of jobs in one place.

Is Upwork Good for Beginners?

With thousands, if not millions, of job entries, Upwork could definitely be a great place to start your content writing career. Browse through work opportunities of all lengths and sizes in order to find the perfect one for you.

It can, however, be a bit disheartening and take some effort in the beginning due to fierce competition, but keep at it and you’ll soon land your first paid writing gig!

But if you're asking me if Upwork is good for beginners, I say no. You can spend your time finding better clients on places like LinkedIn.

More Tips for the Budding Content Writer

It would take several blog post series to cover all relevant advice for anyone considering a career in freelance content writing, but sometimes a quick overview is all it takes to gain some useful info, so let’s have a look!

It’s All in the Bio

Literally. Having a freelance writer bio can be an excellent way to market and broadcast yourself, what you do, and why potential clients should consider your services. Show off your personality and skills, and don’t forget to include your contact details.

Put your bio on your website, social media, and guest blog posts - anywhere you have a profile, really. And be sure to make it good - you never know who will see it!

Useful Skills

There are a whole bunch of things to add to your freelance writing skills other than writing. Knowing how to meet deadlines, using SEO and keywords, basic formatting, understanding target audiences, and being able to write in different styles are all valuable additions to your toolbox.

Resume and Portfolio

It's a good idea for a freelance writing resume to highlight any relevant experience and education. If you don’t actually have any, be sure to include how passionate you are about writing and any hobbies, such as reading, that could help your case. This is also where a great, engaging bio will come in handy.

Arguably even more important than a resume is a portfolio containing the best samples of your work. If you’re just starting out, you might not have anything to show off, and if that’s the case, you can always just write something up right now - portfolio samples don’t actually have to be published!

What About Niches?

Choosing a niche can be an excellent way to get to write about your special interest and become an expert in that field with loads of specific knowledge. However, it’s wise to start out broader in order to get more work - and who knows, maybe you’ll find a new favorite niche!

Content writing is such an exciting career or hobby, and hopefully, you now have a better idea of whether this is something you could see yourself doing. Happy writing, and good luck!

Heather Ritchie is the Founder of Writer’s Life for You, a blog that helps women leave their 9-5 to work from home as freelance writers. She also runs Ritchie Writing where writes SEO-optimized content for bloggers and small businesses.