What It Takes to be a Content Writer

I’d like my readers to know that I have exactly 5 years of experience in content marketing.

When I set foot in the industry, I didn’t have a knowledge base in anything as such. I was adamant that I wanted to be a writer and I wanted to earn my money as one.

Even though I had an educational background in engineering, I was never really interested in pursuing a career in it.

To cut a long story short, I recently enrolled for a digital marketing course so that I could grow in my career and learn to write better content — content that is original, fresh, insightful and with a journalistic level of research (?).

The course was really useful in that it got me thinking.

Some of the questions that came to my mind were:

1. How do I always write original content?

2. What level of education do I need to have to write authentic content?

So, on that note, I’d like to tell you what it takes to be a content writer and produce awesome content that is useful to people.

6 Things It Takes to Become an Excellent Content Writer

1. Knowledge

The first weapon a content writer should possess is knowledge about a variety of topics.

In the past five years, I have written on cats, Caucasian Shepherds, cryptocurrency, SEO, health, fitness, psychology, mutual funds, sex, loans, travel, marriage, couture, machinery and a lot more.

When I first stepped into the industry, I did not have any knowledge of the above, so I produced “scrapped” content which Google hates. I apologize to the world at large.

It’s only after I gained a basic idea on the various subjects, that I was able to churn out several innovative pieces of content.

So, the first thing I believe every content writer should have is a solid foundational level knowledge of some domain.

You can then build on what you know.

2. Marketing Skills

As a content writer we primarily don’t write to create a work of art. We write to market.

Hence, it is very important that we keep the client and the target audience in mind at all times. The client wants their product or service spoken about in a positive light, and our job is to help deliver that in the form of palatable content.

So, as a content writer you have to know which points to emphasis, which to downplay and which to ignore.

A good content writer essentially convinces users through their words that they are missing out on something and that void can be filled in only “this” way.

You succeed when your words manage to convince beyond a shadow of doubt.

3. Avoid YMYL Unless Qualified

Your Money, Your Life pages should really be avoided by general content writers such as myself, unless you get the corresponding degrees. YMYL pages need to be written or at least reviewed by very experts in that field.

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Furthermore, get aware on laws, if any, about information produced on the Internet. I absolutely have no idea about the implications of this. I will make attempts to clarify this aspect in some other blog.

Apart from YMYL pages, you’re safe. You can write incorrect things (obviously not intentionally) and not fear the law. I think. I really don’t know the legal aspect on this and I depend on you dear reader to help fill in the gaps of my knowledge.

4. A Chameleon-like Nature

As writers we need to have a chameleon-like nature.

For instance, if you are writing for sports, your attitude can’t be one of who sees no point or value in sports and the world of games. The ambivalence will seep into your writing.

Similarly, if you don’t like fashion, you will ruin the dainty world of couture reportage. While it’s necessary to write about what you know and understand, you should also behave like a chameleon.

Content writers like myself who work for a digital marketing agency have no control over the genres coming our way.

So, we have to pretend to like sports, and fashion, learn the lingo for each, and write in a way we know that that particular audience will like.

Otherwise, the content is as dead as a doornail.

Hence, we morph. Pink for pink. Green for green.

5. Analytical Skills

If you want to produce original content, you have to have good analytical skills. Information is always available, whether it be from government sites or journals or other reputed websites. It’s your job to glean useful data from that information.

While people on the Internet rave about surveys and polls, I have very little faith in them. But I do believe, especially when curating YMYL pages, a certain amount of analytical skill is required.

Also use your analytical skills to understand the form of language you will utilise to convey your information. Analyse English and the target audience’s hold on the same.

Not all content is meant to be read by the masses. But this is just my unpopular opinion. The general consensus is that content writers should write simply for the world at large and not for a specific community. Except with YMYL pages, I don’t really believe that’s a good idea.

Write for the audience. The audience may not always like to be addressed as you would a five-year-old.

6. Be Curious

If you really want to succeed as a content writer, be curious. Ask questions. A lot of them. Go scour the Internet for answers. If you can perform your own experiments, do so. That makes for innovative, exciting content that people want to read/know more about.

The only way to write fresh content is if you are considerably curious about your work. Ask the questions no one else will, and you’ll have fresh, original content on your hands.

Takeaway

So, to sum up, how do I always write original content?

Ask questions you do not know the answers to. Others may have asked the question before you, there’s no doubt about that, but you need to answer those questions uniquely.

What level of education do I need to have to write authentic content?

At least a Bachelor’s degree, I suspect. Anything higher would certainly be a win for you.

If you want to excel as a content writer, I recommend you keep studying on the side. Take classes, take courses, get as many certifications as you can and stay tuned to the news.

Knowledge is power.

Goodbye!