If you're interested in content writing, you're not alone. The content marketing industry is booming, and it's projected to continue its growth in the years to come. That means there are plenty of opportunities for aspiring content writers looking to make a name for themselves. So, how can you become a successful content writer? What are the main steps that newbies should keep in mind? This blog post will explore some essential content writer tips for beginners and everyone interested in improving their writing skills.
Let's start with some statistics first. According to Semrush, Content marketing has become an integral part of over 97% of businesses. Content marketing strategies have helped over 73% of companies succeed in driving conversions and ROI.
Clearly, content writing is a lucrative field to get into. And it's not just businesses benefiting from content marketing - content writers also see the fruits of their labor. For instance, experienced content writers can earn an average of $64,000/yr in the United States. That number will only go up as content marketing continues to grow.
Why Does Content Writing Matter?
Content writers are in high demand because they play a vital role in today's digital landscape. They are the ones who help businesses create content that is both informative and engaging.
There are many different content types that businesses need to succeed, including blog posts, web page copies, landing page copies, eBooks, podcasts, social media posts, email newsletters, etc. In fact, content writing is an integral part of modern businesses’ marketing solutions. If you're interested in trying yourself in this niche, now is the perfect time to get started.
Top 5 Content Writer Tips for Beginners
So, what can help you get off on the right foot? Here are a few key things to keep in mind. Take notes as you read, for a great deal of practical advice comes your way!
#1 Start with Keyword Research
Before you start writing anything, do your due diligence and research the topic you're going to write about. That includes finding the right keywords that you can use throughout your content piece.
Not sure how to go with the keyword research? There are plenty of tools out there that can help. Let's take Ahrefs, for instance. It's a great tool that content writers can use to find the right keywords to target.
First, go to Ahrefs and type your topic idea into the Keywords Explorer. Once you do that, you'll see a list of related keywords. You can further filter those by clicking on the "Questions" tab. This will show you a list of content ideas based on questions people ask about your topic.
Note: Keyword stuffing is not a good practice. Try to use keywords naturally, without forcing them into your texts.
That's just one example of how you can go about keyword research. There are other tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest, and Moz Keyword Explorer. Do some experimenting and see which one works best for you.
#2 Invest in Modern Technologies
Content writing is a rapidly changing industry. The professionals need to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies. That way, they can produce the best content possible for their clients.
So, what are some of the latest content writing trends you should be aware of?
One of the most trending means of integrating AI into content writing is using tools that can ease content generation. Artificial intelligence can help writers in several ways, from content ideation to content optimization.
Let's introduce you to Podcastle. Initially a podcast recording tool, Podcastle is also actively used by content creators. One might wonder about the connection between podcast creating software and content writing. Let us show you just one example of how Podcastle's artificial intelligence can come in handy.
Note: We'll use Podcastle's Audio to Text Tool for this case study.
What can Podcastle do? It helps you save your precious time on content creation. The software can automatically transcribe audio recordings into text. You'll get a ready-made transcript that can be later edited, copied, and used as a blog article or social media publication copy.
How does it work?
Podcastle's innovative algorithm is trained to detect various accents, background noises, and different speech speeds. That means that it can transcribe any recordings with a high level of accuracy.
Content creators can use the Audio-to-Text tool absolutely for free and transcribe up to an hour of audio. Those who want to go bigger are welcome to upgrade their profiles to the Storyteller subscription plan and get more than 10 hours of transcription.
All you need to do is upload an audio file or hit the record button right inside the software to get started.
Once the recording is ready, press the three tiny dots in the right corner of your audio clip and choose the Transcribe option.
If there's a need for additional edits, you can do that with a built-in Text Editor tool. The AI will quickly detect various speaking elements and transcribe the recording into a copyable text. Sounds like magic, right?
#3 Keep Your Readers Intrigued: Use CTAs
Every content piece should have a purpose. Whether it's brand awareness or website traffic, every article you write needs to lead your readers to specific goals. How do professionals do that? By using calls-to-action, of course!
A CTA (call-to-action) is an essential element of every marketing copy. It's a short sentence or phrase that encourages your reader to follow the predefined route and get to where you initially wanted them to arrive.
CTAs are more than relevant for content writers. By adding them to the articles, they can make your readers convert and further increase the ROI of the blog.
#4 Never Underestimate the Power of Links
Links are among the most powerful content writer tips you need to remember and master! There are two types of links - internal and external. Internal links are especially relevant for SEO as they help Google understand your website better.
External links are beneficial as they help you increase brand awareness and build relationships with other businesses in your niche. Moreover, external links are handy for content writers who want to position themselves as experts in their field.
With the help of link-building strategies, SE (search engine) identifies the most relevant content to the user's query. So, make sure to add links from high-quality and trustworthy websites.
#5 Provide Added Value with Your Content
What hides behind the term "added value?" In brief, it makes your work stand out and encourages the reader to come back for more. Your texts should be insightful, practical, and engaging. But most importantly, they should solve issues or provide answers to questions that have been bothering your target audience.
As you can see, becoming a content writer requires dedication, effort, and willingness to improve your skills on a regular basis. You're on the right path to excelling at content writing if you manage to do that!
Summing up today's thoughts on content writer tips for beginners, let's highlight the fact that becoming a successful content writer doesn't happen overnight. However, if you keep the following things in mind, you'll be on your way to building a portfolio and client base that will make your writing career dream a reality. Don't forget to make use of modern innovations and write articles worth admiring!
