Short Summary
CONTENT WRITING: 10 SKILLS A CONTENT WRITER MUST HAVE
BY: ANKITA SHARMA, VIDHYARTHI DARPAN
Internet is flooded with articles, blogs, how-tos, all the whys, and whats. Have you ever wondered who writes these? All of them are content we consume written by qualified content writers. Content writing is done in different niches like technology, astronomy, current happenings, trending issues, food, travel, etc.
You don’t require exceptional writing skills to start content writing. In this article, learn all the skills an aspiring content writer must-have!
WHAT COMPRISES A GOOD ARTICLE?
A complete article consists of actionable and precise information desired by the reader. The following are characteristics of a good article:
1) It holds curiosity.
2) It extensively elaborates on the title.
3) The reader feels a sense of satisfaction after reading the article.
4) It is free of grammatical errors.
5) There is engagement. The readers feel connected to the writer.
6) The write-up is backed by facts and figures. It is not contradicting or misleading the target audience.
7) Precise vocabulary.
SKILLS OF CONTENT WRITER
1) ZEST FOR WRITING
If you like expressing your thoughts in words, content writing is for you. We’ve been writing since first grade. We all know how to frame sentences and some grammar, so what makes content writers special? It is their undivided passion for it. Content writing has enormous niches.
2) RESEARCH SKILLS
Writing with half knowledge about the subject is as good as eating a half-baked cake. You shouldn’t! Writing needs data and statistics to back up the content you are trying to put forward. Extensive background research is mandatory, especially in technical topics. Researching skills is crucial to accumulate the right information. This skill is learned with experience and progressing assignments. Hence, an amateur and cumulative approach in the starting is all quite well.
3) ABILITY TO SEW WORDS
Are you a storyteller? Do you like to play with words? Are you guilty of being called a Grammar Nazi? If yes, welcome to the club!
Having an easy and understandable language is enough to get your point through. However, if you want to grab readers’ attention, you need to do better than that. A sentence can be framed in multiple ways, and as a writer, you need to select the best of them. The content having a decent vocabulary with no grammatical errors fetch admiration from readers. Conversely, a single mistake can put off the reader to move on to the next article. Short sentences, easy language, and to the point facts – that’s all you need.
Editing and proofreading is also an essential factor. It mandates firm control of vocabulary and language.
4) BREVITY
Nobody has time to read sentences that has no plausible ending. Concise paragraphs, detailed explanations, and no beating about the bush persist the attention of the reader till the end of the article. It saves time, as well.
5) PERSONAL SKILLS
- Consistency
You will need to stay consistent in your delivery of facts and figures in any article. Adhere to the same writing style that you are comfortable in. There should not be a delay in the deliverance of quality content to the concerned client. A good content writer pushes its limits to provide the best possible experience in reading.
- Avid Reader
It is said that books are portable magic and those who read carry that magic within. A reader is a conqueror. Coincidently, a good reader is a fair writer too.
- Creativity
A monotonous, boring content can shoo away potential readers. An interesting conversational write-up is a key to get into readers’ minds; to allow them to absorb the content. Creative and actionable content is what matters in the writing field; to hook the attention of the reader on the first line itself! It is a must-have skill for bloggers and creative writers.
- Critical thinking
What is the reader looking for exactly in the post? What questions arise in his/her mind? Is the information present here quench their doubts? A careful analysis and interpretation of facts are requisite before putting it on paper. You need to have a 360-degree view of the concept.
- Flexibility
Content writing is a versatile profession that may be carried out from home as a part-time job/internship. The project is dependent on the requirement of the client. Hence, it varies from time to time. You can work for a site that solely focuses on a single niche or get out of your comfort zone to explore. Anyway, you will need to adapt to the current demands.
- Ability to take criticism
As a content writer, you will need to submit articles before the deadline, have constructive discussions with peers, deliver quality content along with keeping up with personal goals. If things don’t go your way, you might have to face criticism from your seniors. A content writer should be open to feedback. After all, it helps in improvement. Having a positive and calm mind in such encounters is necessary.
6) TECH SAVVY
Companies don’t demand computer specialists or software developers or know-it-all. Basic computer/laptop with internet knowledge is enough. Know the latest trends and useful apps that can embellish your writing. Grammarly and Hemingway are two of the applications mostly used to prevent grammatical errors. As for keyword search, there are plenty of tools available on the internet like Google AdWords and SEMrush.
7) TIME MANAGEMENT
Intensive thinking and writing speed are two of the quality of a content writer. A clear mind and suitable environment are necessary to focus on. When the aforementioned needs are not met, it becomes difficult to manage time for other stuff. Based on the niche and writing pace, an average article gets completed in 3 hours. Therefore, time needs to be managed accordingly.
8) DIGITAL MARKETING SKILLS
Okay, so you have successfully written an article, received appreciation, you are overwhelming with happiness. The next step will be to reach a greater audience. Digital marketing uses an online platform to promote a product or project. It is a must for aspiring content writers to shine in the writing industry.
9) KNOWLEDGE OF SEO
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) determines the ranking of the site among SERPs (Google Search Engine Result Pages). You ought to be well aware of the intricacies of SEO and all the ways you can improve them to gain popularity. Nowadays, websites look for SEO optimized content to aid in gaining internet traffic to their portal. Therefore, companies hire content writers who can implement this religiously to expand their businesses. You can get familiarized with SEO driven content by learning more about it.
10) STAND OUT FROM THE REST
We come across plenty of similar articles on the same theme every day. The authenticity of good content is what makes it stand out. Keep in mind that there are public for every category – from how to make an eggless cake to how to build a gaming pc from scratch, from what is the purpose of life to which is the most-watched videos on YouTube, from trivial to technical issues – writers cover a plethora of subjects. Find your niche, connect with pages/websites working on them, and apply for content writing. Brainstorm ideas. Go out of the box. Observe how others write, gain valuable ideas, and then write your own.
HOW CAN YOU IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS?
Read a book, read an article, read EVERYTHING!
It cannot be more stressed. Reading makes you think. By grasping and pondering over what the writer is trying to pass on, you learn new things. In this way, your vocabulary and grammar are also strengthened. It also lets you see a different perspective of the matter.
Have genuine curiosity
Be restless. Be uncomfortable. Be willing to learn new things. Have a thirst for knowledge, to understand how things work. It activates your mind. A sound mind has space for new information.
Get those pens (or fingers) running!
The practice is the key. Get into the habit of writing at least 100 words a day. Choose any random topic from the newspaper and write your thoughts and opinion on it. With time, increase the number of words to 200, 300, or 500. Enjoy while you work. Use text correction apps such as Grammarly to fix errors, get synonyms/antonyms of phrases. You can also keep track of the time and speed. Write regularly to improve them.
Join classes!
Like any profession, content writing can be learned. There are enormous institutes providing quality pieces of training in content and creative writing. Some of them are Internshala, IIM Skills, Coursera, Udemy, UrbanPro, among others. SkillShare and HubSpot are two of the many platforms that provide free content writing courses. The courses are conducted online and usually vary from a few weeks to months.
Be a part of community
If you are a beginner, it will be beneficial to join an online community of like-minded people. It is advantageous for job-seekers and students looking to earn from elsewhere. Many opportunities are also published in such communities. Valuable insights from professional and fellow writers will help expand your niche.
TO CONCLUDE
Content writing is not just about serving the people with what you know. It is a form of personal growth. It is here where knowing too much is a plus. Content writing can be done as a freelancer or full-time job with a well-paid income. If you got the skills, don’t hesitate to pursue this amazing field!
