Freelance Content writing is not only about blog post writing.
AI writing tools won’t magically make you a pro content writer overnight.
And trust me, content writing is not a cakewalk as it is considered.
If you want to become a content writer, you must actually shift your focus from all these myths to these questions:
What does content writing exactly mean? Why do people pay writers for words?
What do they get from writing? How does it work?
Who are you writing content for? What do they need?
How can you help your clients/businesses? And how can you make the most out of this creative profession?
In this post, I’ll answer all these queries and other relevant questions and concerns.
And after watching reading this post, you’ll get a crystal clear picture of “FREELANCE CONTENT WRITING.”
Let’s dive right in!
Let’s start with,
What is CONTENT?
The term “content” refers to the information, media, or material that is created and presented for consumption by a target audience. This consumption includes listening, reading, and watching materials.
Content can take various forms, like written articles, videos, images, audio recordings, infographics, and more.
The process of producing and sharing this material is known as “content creation.“
Now talk about,
What’s the purpose of content creation?
CONTENT is the cornerstone of marketing and digital marketing. It informs, engages, and persuades audiences.
It drives brand awareness, educates customers about products/services, and establishes authority.
Think of content as a marketing tool that works like a magnet. It pulls in the right people – the audience a business wants to talk to.
Why?
To get exposure or visibility so that they can promote their product, service, or anything else they want to promote.
For example: Remember, while watching a TV show or while listening to the radio, you often see or listen to ads like “ this show is brought to you by, sponsored by,” or sometimes brands also associate their brand with the show’s name like “XYZ show by XYZ” etc. Similarly, while watching the news, reading newspapers, and reading magazines, you come across advertisements. And if you are reading something online, you may come across LINKS that take you to any product or landing page.
Now let’s talk about,
What is content writing?
Content writing is creating written material for various digital and print platforms to inform, entertain, or engage a specific target audience.
What’s the purpose of content writing?
Content writing aims to engage and inform the target audience while promoting a particular message, product, or idea.
Ultimately, creating written content aims to connect with the audience, leaving a lasting impression and achieving a desired outcome, whether it’s a sale, a change in perspective, or simply a memorable experience.
And creating written content specifically for the Internet and online platforms is called web content writing/web writing. It’s also known as online or digital writing. It includes various content types designed to engage and inform online audiences.
Now, it takes us to another question:
What is freelance content writing? What is the difference between freelance writing and content writing?
Freelance Content Writing:
Freelance content writing refers to writing various types of content on a project-by-project basis for clients or companies. Freelance content writers can choose the projects they work on, set their own rates, and manage their own schedules. Depending on the project and location, they often work from home or at the client’s place.
On the other hand, content writing is all about working as a full-time employee for a single company or a person. Your salary, working hours, and responsibilities are fixed. You may either work from home or go to the office regularly.
But if you want to take freelance projects during your free time or weekends, you can absolutely do it.
Now, let’s talk about
Types of content writing
Yes, it’s important to understand what skills you have and what kind of services you can offer as a content writer.
Let’s break down some common types of content writing in simple words, along with examples:
SEO WRITING: optimizing content for search engines to increase visibility and traffic to a website.
COPYWRITING: crafting compelling and persuasive content to promote products or services.
SOCIAL MEDIA WRITING: creating engaging and shareable content for social media platforms to connect with the target audience and grow their following.
YOUTUBE SCRIPT WRITING: producing informative and entertaining scripts for YouTube videos to engage viewers and increase subscribers.
CREATIVE WRITING: telling stories and capturing emotions through imaginative and expressive writing.
TECHNICAL WRITING: providing clear and concise instructions and information for complex subjects or products.
NEWS WRITING: delivering timely and accurate news stories with a focus on objectivity and clarity.
Types of content writing FORMATS
Blog Posts: Informative articles that cover a wide range of topics and provide value to readers.
Web Pages: Content that fills websites with essential information about products, services, and company details.
Articles: In-depth pieces that delve into specific subjects, often for magazines, websites, or newspapers.
Social Media Posts: Concise content for platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to engage and connect with the audience.
Product Descriptions: Compelling explanations of products or services, highlighting their features and benefits.
Press Releases: Formal announcements that share news, events, or updates about a company or individual.
Email Newsletters: Regular emails sent to subscribers, sharing updates, offers, and valuable content.
Ad copies: writing as copies for various platforms and marketing purposes
Whitepapers and Ebooks: Comprehensive documents that dive deep into complex topics, often used for lead generation.
Video Scripts: Written content for videos, guiding presenters or voiceovers in conveying information effectively.
Podcast Scripts: Well-structured content for podcast episodes, ensuring smooth and engaging conversations.
Case Studies: In-depth real-life situations or scenario analyses showcasing solutions and outcomes.
Product Reviews: Personal opinions and insights about products or services to guide potential buyers.
Interviews: Conversational pieces that capture dialogues and insights from individual interviews.
How-To Guides: Step-by-step instructions to help readers accomplish specific tasks or learn new skills.
Guest Posts: Articles written by one author but published on another person’s website or blog.
Ghostwriting: Writing content on behalf of someone else, such as articles, speeches, or books.
These are just a few examples of content writing formats.
Each one serves a unique purpose in conveying information, engaging audiences, and achieving specific goals.
Why do freelance clients/businesses pay you for your writing services?
No matter what kind of content it is – be it a video, a podcast, a picture, or an article – there’s usually some TEXT involved. It’s like the words that make everything make sense.
Here are a FEW REASONS why Freelance Clients or Businesses Pay for your writing services:
Busy businesses have a million things to do, and YOU save their time and energy
Businesses need words that resonate with people.
Businesses pay you to craft stories that capture attention. Your words can turn readers into customers, boosting sales and conversions.
Building Trust and Connections: Your words bridge the gap between businesses and their audience.
Businesses often need to educate their audience by sharing valuable information.
Solving Problems: People search the Internet for solutions to their problems.
Showcasing Expertise: Businesses want to come across as experts in their field.
SEO Boost: Businesses want to be found online, and that’s where you come in.
Remember, as a content writer, you’re not just putting words on a page – you’re crafting the voice of a business, helping them connect, engage, and thrive. Your ability to weave words into compelling stories and valuable information makes you a valuable asset to clients looking to make a mark in the digital world.
What skills do you need to become a content writer?
To become a content writer, You must have:
- Strong written and communication skills
- Research skills
- SEO Knowledge
- Keyword Research or at least using Keywords correctly if you aim for SEO writing.
- Understand target audience
- Understand Keyword Intent.
- Adapting to different writing formats and style guides as per the client’s requirements
- Creativity and Presentation skills: Coming up with fresh and exciting ideas and presenting information creatively and engagingly can set you apart from the competition
- Time management and organizational skills: You must manage your time efficiently and also know how to organize your workflow
- You must have enough patience to handle feedback revisions and be willing to improve your work per the client’s requirements.
What are the Roles or Responsibilities of a Content Writer?
Your role and responsibilities as a content writer may vary depending on the company or person you work with.
But here are some common job responsibilities of a content writer.
Your Content Writing responsibilities include:
Keyword Research: It’s necessary for SEO writing. If you know it, you can offer it as a complimentary service or part of your content writing service. If you don’t know, but you can use the given keywords the right way, then your clients will give you the keywords and topic.
Research: You’ll need to gather information about the topic you’re writing about. For instance, if you’re writing about healthy eating, you’ll research different foods, their benefits, and maybe even recipes.
Writing: This is where the magic happens! You’ll use your creativity and words to craft articles, blog posts, social media content, or anything else needed. Your writing should be clear, interesting, and easy to understand.
Editing and Proofreading: After writing, you’ll review and edit your work to make sure it’s error-free, flows well, and gets your message across effectively.
Meeting Deadlines: Meeting deadlines is important. You must manage your time well to complete your writing tasks on time.
TEAM Collaboration: Content writers may work closely with graphic designers, marketers, or other team members to ensure their content aligns with overall marketing strategies.
You must have all these skills to become a professional content writer.
For example, A beginner content writer might start at $15 per hour, writing simple blog posts for a small local business. In contrast, an experienced content writer specializing in technical subjects or marketing materials might command $40 per hour.
Is Content Writing a High-Paying Job?
Yes, content writing can be high-paying if you choose a profitable niche and build a strong portfolio.
A niche refers to a specific area of expertise, like finance, healthcare, or technology.
Focusing on a niche can make you an authority, allowing you to command higher rates.
Content Writing Salary (Ranges from $15–$40/hr)
Content writers can earn different salaries based on factors like experience, expertise, and the complexity of the work.
On average, content writing salaries can range from $15 to $40 per hour.
This variation reflects the diversity in content types, industries, and skill levels.
For example, Suppose you specialize in writing for the tech industry. You’ve built a portfolio with well-researched articles about the latest gadgets and software. Companies seeking tech-related content will be willing to pay you more for your expertise.
Besides relying only on content writing services, you can also try your hand at building your portfolio and monetizing your content, including affiliate marketing in your writing, working on digital products, etc.
The beauty of the content writing profession is that each specialized role brings a unique flavor to content writing.
Here are a few specialized roles for content writers:
By upgrading your skills, you’re not just writing—you’re crafting stories, shaping brand voices, and driving results.
SEO CONTENT WRITER- Creating content that is optimized for search engines and helps improve a website’s search engine ranking.
SOCIAL MEDIA WRITER– Crafting content that is engaging and shareable on various social media platforms.
TECHNICAL WRITER – Creating content that explains complex technical subjects in a way that is easy to understand for non-technical readers.
COPYWRITER– Writing persuasive content that promotes a product or service to potential customers.
UX WRITER – Writing content that enhances the user experience on websites and apps.
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION WRITER – Creating compelling and informative descriptions of products for e-commerce websites.
ACADEMIC WRITER– Writing academic papers and articles for scholarly journals.
CONTENT STRATEGIST– Developing a comprehensive content plan and creating content that aligns with business goals.
BRAND MANAGER– Responsible for developing and maintaining a brand’s image and reputation through various marketing and advertising strategies.
CONTENT MARKETER– Creating and distributing valuable content to attract and engage a target audience, with the ultimate goal of driving profitable customer action.
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT: A subject matter expert is someone who has extensive knowledge and expertise in a particular field and can write about it in a way that is understandable for a non-expert audience.
So, as you explore these paths, remember that the journey ahead is brimming with possibilities! 🚀🖋️
Who can become a content writer?
Anyone with a good grasp of language, enjoys writing, and is willing to learn can try their best at content writing.
Content writers can come from various backgrounds – from English majors to engineers with a love for writing.
It doesn’t necessarily require a specific educational background, but knowing a particular field (healthcare, technology, fashion, etc.) can be beneficial when writing specialized content.
But!
While anyone can attempt content writing, not everyone will excel at it.
Effective content writing requires a combination of creativity, research skills, the ability to adapt writing styles, attention to detail, and a passion for communication.
It is a skill that you can develop through continuous learning and practice over time.
Is Content Writing Easy or Hard?
Content writing isn’t necessarily easy.
I just discussed the skills and responsibilities of a content writer.
Starting from research to collaborating with teams and handling feedback and repetitive revisions.
Do you still think it’s an easy job?
If you’ve seen videos promising that you can become a content writer effortlessly using an AI tool, it’s important to be cautious.
While AI tools can assist you, real content writing involves more than just clicking buttons.
For example, Imagine you need to write an article about a new fitness trend. You can’t rely solely on an AI tool. You need to research the trend, understand its benefits and risks, and craft a compelling and informative article that engages readers.
However, once you master content writing and work on different projects, you may become faster and more efficient in writing.
And you may be able to create high-quality content in less time.
But that doesn’t mean content writing becomes easy for you. It means you mastered it.
Is Content Writing a Good Career?
Content writing can still be a rewarding career, even with the rise of AI writing tools. While these tools have brought changes to the field, they haven’t replaced the value of skilled and knowledgeable content writers.
I DISCUSSED EVERYTHING ABOUT CONTENT WRITING.
Now, I leave this question to you: Let me know if content writing is a good career choice for you.
