When most people hear "content writing", they think "writing articles". However content writing isn't just limited to the blog posts. Today, it has taken many forms and people don’t write just for fun or things like ‘dear diary’. Concepts like freelancing have come up which can help you earn a decent amount. But, do you feel that your writing skills are not up to scratch? Then keep on reading.
Basic Information on Content Writing
Content writing is the process of planning and editing web content, typically for digital marketing purposes. It can include writing blog posts and articles, scripts for videos and podcasts as well as content for specific platforms, such as tweetstorms on Twitter or text posts on Reddit. producing a good piece of content depends upon your writing skills. And even if you don’t have them in you, skills can always be developed with immense hard work.
Although there is no secret formula for writing high-quality content, Here are some content writing tips for you that will help you develop your content writing skills.
1. Just Get Started
Everybody writes, but not many make their writing public. Most people are held by self-doubt. So to get started as a content writer take up any sort of content writing you like. "There is no wrong or right, just write."
The scope of content writing is immense. There are so many different types of content formats that you can specialize in like blog writing, website content, copywriting, and many more.
2. Write a Head-Turning Headline
The headline determines whether audiences will read the rest of your work. If the headline doesn't spark interest or stir their hearts, it’s most likely that they won’t read the rest of your content. You can use tools such as Flipboard to generate headlines to get tons of ideas within a short time. with time, you’ll learn to write them on your own without the help of any tools.
3. Do Your Research
You must have extensive knowledge of the topic you're writing about. There are so much data and information available out there on the web. You can use them to structure your content pieces better. However, even though a lot of information is available on the internet you should always verify the credibility of the information provided first. Learn google hacks, it will help you research much faster.
Also, make sure that you don’t copy the entire content. After the research, give your own flavor to the content.
4. Focus on Getting to the Point Clear and Fast
Become a curator, not a collector of words. You should identify at least one key message you'd like to convey before you create your content. Keep this in mind when writing and tie your content back to the main point as much as possible. Take a stand. Your audience isn't everyone and you can't please every person who reads your writing. Have an opinion, draw a line, and aim to please your audience.
5. Edit Your Writing
After you have created the first draft, go, and consider how you might polish rough edges in your writing. Edit relentlessly. Cut as much as possible. Be 100% technically correct. There should not be any grammar issues, passive, or spelling mistakes. These can easily be corrected by using various free online tools. You can also download Grammarly as an extension in your web browser. This tool is very helpful.
Don't be bothered about word count, bother only with getting your point clearly. Getting your point clear and delivering a clear and crisp message is of utmost importance.
6. Seek Help From Content Writing Professionals
You can share your final draft with your family and friends, but is that enough? Not really. Although they may be kind enough to through and offer you their opinion, it could be biased and sometimes uninformed.
Your editor will surely find more mistakes or errors than all of them put together. So get help from the pros. There are many online and offline support groups for content writers where you can get informed feedback on your work. You can also use networks like Twitter, and Reddit to interact with an experienced content writer but make sure you establish a rapport before you seek help.
7. Become a Better Reader
"The world belongs to those who read" is very rightly said. All the best content writers out there are voracious readers. The more you read, the more you're exposed to high-quality writing. Soon without realizing yourself, you will start internalizing the elements of the text, and you will slowly find yourself implementing them in your writing. More importantly, it will also help you learn and understand different ways you can approach a topic, how to frame your ideas, how to maintain your flow, and so much more.
8. Go Easy on Yourself
As a content writer, you will have to meet the deadline, ensure your tone and voice matches the company's target audience. You will also have to write helpful and unique content and impress your audience as well. Moreover, you will have your own standards to meet. Due to this, it is very easy to feel pressured and stressed. The pressure is good as it helps you focus but, when it becomes too much, it shackles your productivity and creativity. Often you will end up being too hard on yourself and question your own abilities. This will reduce your efficiency.
Content writing is a creative task and not a mechanical one. So, instead of putting yourself under more pressure. Be kind and understanding, and work your way out of it.
Conclusion
Great content is not too hard to create. You just need to be consistent with your effort. The more you learn, the more you discover and adopt, and it will polish your writing skills. Don't hesitate to bring in something out of the box, then build on that thought until you're convinced about the idea.
Yes, the exercise takes a bit of time, but once you start doing it regularly, you'll soon have a treasure of information to share.
Written By - Siddharth Shankar
Edited By - Neha Kundu
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