What is Content Authoring? How is it done?

Quality content that delivers valuable, relevant information is the foundation of most successful marketing campaigns. According to a recent Hubspot survey, 70% of surveyed marketers are actively investing in content marketing and recommending that others do as well. But marketers don't create this content themselves. A report by SmartInsights reveals that 84% of B2B marketers surveyed outsource their content to freelance writers . This means that content writers will be in high demand and one of the easiest ways to  freelance .

Let's dive into the details now to understand what content writing is and how you can get started in this increasingly popular field.

What is Content Marketing?

Content marketing is about building brand loyalty by creating and sharing relevant and useful information for the target audience; It is a way to sell products, services and expertise.

This marketing strategy is based on written or visual materials ( blog, article, infographic, video, etc.). In this way, people are willing to trust the brand and turn to them when they need their products, services or expertise.

What Does a Content Writer Do?

Content is essentially simply giving people information. Content can take a variety of forms, both written and visual . Content writers, of course, specialize in written content, but this can range from typical blog posts and web pages to social media posts, press releases, whitepapers, and even video scripts.

The content is intended to directly address the needs of a specific audience, which may include current and potential customers, investors, employees or other stakeholders. That's why understanding the purpose of the content is key to producing high-quality work. Content can be well written, researched, and creatively designed, but it's useless if it doesn't speak to the intended audience and deliver the value that audience is looking for.

What Skills Does a Content Writer Need?

Content writers need to be versatile, but it also helps to have specific knowledge of the client's industry or niche. 

If you want to be a content writer, you will generally need to have the following skills:

• A solid knowledge of spelling, spelling and style.
• Excellent research skills.
• The ability to write fast and perform to deadlines .
• Versatility.
• Creative ability to generate content ideas on your own.

The ability to write is at the heart of this skill set, but it's not the only quality of being a content writer . Knowledge, creativity, and writing speed are essential and should all come together to hone your skills as a content writer. These qualities may seem daunting, but all you need to do to master them is regular practice and taking the time to improve in your chosen areas of expertise.

What Are the Things You Need to Become a Content Writer?

To be a content writer, first of all, you need to be able to write well . In order to write well, you must have a passion for the subject you are writing about, do the necessary research, love to read, organize your thoughts into an outline, and review your writing over and over to make sure it is error-free.

If you don't think you have some of these traits, you can enroll in content writing courses or take authoring training at relevant universities, but this is not a requirement. Many clients want to work with reliable content writers who can meet deadlines, accept revisions, and create good content. However, written education and experience help you prove to clients that you are capable, professional and serious.

You will need a few more materials to complete the job, such as:

• A laptop or desktop computer with a secure internet connection.
• Microsoft Word (iPages if using MAC)
• A Skype or Zoom account for client calls and video conferences .
• A planner to keep track of invoice dates and project deadlines.

Since most content writing jobs are paid at a flat rate per hour, wasted time means less money overall. Ideally, you want to complete as many projects as possible without sacrificing quality. If you're stuck with the thought of producing a lot of content on a tight schedule, then becoming a freelance content writer may not be for you.

What Should You Do to Improve Yourself in Content Writing?

There are some things you need to do to connect with your target audience and write in a way that clearly shows readers what makes you better than your competitors.

Are your writing skills adequate? 

If your answer to this question is yes, read on to find other tips you can do to improve yourself as content writing.

1. Know your target audience

If you're writing for people who are interested in the arts, you can write more slowly, but if your target audience is kindergarten children, your style should be simpler. So take the time to research who you're trying to target. Thus, you can be sure that your content will attract the attention of your target audience.

2. Plan your content development process ahead of time

What kind of content do you create? What is your main point? Even if you don't create a formal outline, taking the time to think about what you want to convey and how you plan to convey it will help you write more effectively.

3. Keep the content simple

Long words and sentences may make you feel smarter, but they are confusing and harder to read. Remember, the purpose of content creation is to share information and increase your credibility, not to prove that you have a large vocabulary. So, if the brand you're working with is appropriate, you can write as if you're speaking.

4. Remove extra words

Even if you're not limited to a word or character count, you should remove excess words from your content marketing text. So as you read what you write, think of ways to express the same idea in fewer words.

5. Pay attention to word repetition

As you read your text, do you see the same words used over and over again? While using certain keywords or phrases throughout your content is good for SEO, too many words can really bore readers. Therefore, it is useful to use synonyms instead of the same words.

6. Check your sources

The problem with internet citations is that they are not always accurate. So do your homework and don't accidentally post fake news in your content.

7. Add compelling visual elements

Consumers respond well to images and videos, so make visual elements an important part of your content creation efforts.

8. Take a break and read aloud

Coming back after a break of at least 30 minutes (or ideally a night) and reading what you've written aloud can help you see if you're using unnecessary language. 

9. Reread your content after editing

Double-check your writing to avoid embarrassing typos or misspelled words. 

How to Find Content Writing Jobs

You can find content writing jobs in a number of different ways: You can reach companies directly, apply for freelance content writing positions advertised on websites like Indeed.com, or apply for postings on freelance job platforms like Upwork . 

However, these submission methods result in hundreds, if not thousands, of submissions, which can make it difficult for new content writers to acquire their first clients.

Contacting marketing agencies, content writing companies, magazines, and other companies that publish a lot of content can be a more effective strategy for many writers. The editors at these companies are too busy to run an ad for new writers. Therefore, there will be fewer applicants to compete. Fortunately, you don't need a lot of clients to become a full-time freelance content writer . Many writers only need a few regular clients.

Which Platforms Should You Use To Make Money By Writing Content?

Freelance -specific platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, and Freelancer.com help connect writers looking for opportunities with employers.

1. Upwork

Upwork is the most used freelance job posting site. Individuals or companies can post jobs or browse candidates on this platform. Candidates have the opportunity to apply for available jobs.

2. Freelancer.com

Founded in Sydney in 2009 and known as one of the oldest and largest of its kind, Freelancer.com is somewhat competitive as it's a platform for you to bid against other freelancers, but if you're confident in your skills and know how to put a great offer, there's no reason you won't find great clients here. there is no reason.

3. Fiverr

Fiverr allows freelancers to package their services instead of being billed hourly or for a specific job. Fiverr has become popular thanks to its online services priced as low as $5, but freelancers can choose to charge as little or as much as they want.

How Can You Make Money By Writing Content?

There are several different ways to make money as a content writer .

Considering the type of content you specialize in, there could be more than a dozen different ways. 

Some of these are as follows:

1. Content writer

The role of a content writer is to create content that informs, entertains and educates the reader .

A content writer; can write articles for many channels, including websites, blogs, social media accounts and email newsletters. Experience with online marketing strategies, strong research, and the ability to write engaging content are some of the key skills needed.

One of the downsides to this role is that it takes some time to develop a portfolio of jobs before you can get more costly jobs. That's why content writers with good experience are more in demand.

Content writers are not just for websites, blogs, social media, etc. not on platforms. If you're a good content writer and have a great idea, you might also consider writing a book. Self-publishing was a business in itself 10 years ago, but now it's much easier to make money by writing books , thanks to platforms like Amazon.

The positive thing about this option is that once you put the book on a platform like Amazon, you can continue to make money with potential future book sales as well. Similar to niche websites, success in this field depends on targeting an established market or finding an idea that appeals to any era.

2. Copywriter

A copywriter position has a lot in common with a content writer, with some key differences. The primary purpose of a copywriter is to persuade. They use language and vocabulary to persuade the reader to engage with a company in a certain way or purchase a product.

Copywriting is often used in ads, landing pages, emails, sales content, print ads, digital ads, and brochures. The best copywriters know how to craft highly persuasive short-form texts. Copywriting can be a high-stress position for some writers as it is more conversion-oriented than other forms of writing, but the added responsibility is reflected in the money you earn.

3. Technical Writer

If you're a fan of technology and know how things work, you might consider using your skills to help you present technical information in a user-friendly way.

Technical writers have a harder time finding freelance jobs, as salaried positions are often offered . Fortunately, once you secure this position, you don't have to worry about looking for new clients.

4. Blogging

By blogging , you can be your own boss, manage your own content, and be responsible for all necessary text.

The trick is that instead of getting paid to produce content, you need to monetize your website, including promoting third-party products, ads, or sponsored content.

The amount you can earn depends on how well you choose your website niche, your ability to produce search engine optimized content, and the quality of the content you produce.