Hello, Simon Taki Zaku, your favorite, content writing and SEO specialist. Today, we cover a popular topic - content writing. This post shows in detail how we Nigerians can get into the field of content writing (or writing content for clients) to make money.
This web/blog page discusses;
what content writing is,
examples of content writing,
who a content writer is,
the aims and objectives of content writing, and;
getting started as a content writer.
At the end of this guide, I share 12 secret content writing tips to help you (or anyone) get started as a beginner.
You see, I've been writing content for over a decade. (12 years now).
I've written 100,000s of words ranging in content types like;
content for blogs,
websites,
social media profiles,
networking accounts,
landing page copy,
Ad copywriting,
email newsletters,
reviews, and more,
YouTube scripts,
Outreach emails,
Product pages.
I've written several ebooks, white papers, press releases, blog posts, video scripts, podcast streams, landing, and social media copies.
Let’s begin - what is content writing?
Definition of “Content Writing”.
How can the term “content writing” be defined by someone who has been writing content for the past decade?
Content writing is the process of brainstorming, researching, writing, editing, publishing, and promoting written content online to engage a particular target audience.
Content writing involves putting down written texts or articles to be published online.
Who is a content writer?
Definition of a Content Writer (AKA a content writing expert)
How can I define a “content writer” (like me)?
A content writer (or a content writing expert) specializes in writing content for websites, YouTube channels, landing pages, startups, email newsletters, movies, podcasts, blogs, etc for some reward which is mostly money.
I am a content writer because I research, plan, and write SEO content for business websites and get paid.
Get the idea?
A content writer handles creating, researching, writing, and publishing several content pieces for various channels to help attain or achieve these business goals.
A content writer may specialize in video scripts, written scripts, blog post articles, social media copy, email marketing copy, landing page copy, or website copy in general.
(More on the categories of content writing below)
Now, what are the common types of content writing?
Examples of “Content Writing” Professionals
Content Writing Specialists, and Strategists:
Ali Faagba
Joshua Okey-Ogunjiofor
Maero Olori
Emily Fowler
Maureen Eugene
Lucy Adegbe
Kelle Campbell
Jennifer Halligan
Ashley Cummings
Simon Taki Zaku (me;)
Types/Categories of Content Writing
There are many categories and types of content writing but here are the most common ones;
blog posts,
video scripts,
podcast scripts,
press releases,
email newsletters,
social media copies,
landing page copy,
product descriptions,
white papers,
ebooks, etc.
Video Scripts:
This is the process of writing a script for a video.
This could be a YouTube video, a Vimeo video, a landing page video, or a sales or promotional video.
Email Newsletters:
Email marketing involves writing copy that, sells to your email newsletters. This is another form of content writing as well.
Keynote Speech:
As a keynote speech writer, you can write scripts for different keynote speakers or presenters.
Social Media Copywriting:
We need social content writing skills to create engaging social media copies for our feeds or clients'.
Landing Page Copy:
Every landing page hugely depends on the copy on the web page. The better the copy, the higher your conversion rates.
White Paper Presentation:
As a content writer, you can write white paper scripts for white paper presentations.
YouTube SEO:
YouTube description is a form of copy/content.
If you're able to write content that properly describes a YouTube video, that is another form of content writing.
Product Description:
We have product pages for e-commerce websites that sell several products.
A content writer writes product descriptions that include product features, pricing, shipping details, CTAs, etc.
This is mostly popular for ecommerce brands or online stores.
Website Pages AKA Webpages:
Websites need copy for every page. These include your about us page, contact us, our story, our team, disclaimer, etc.
A content writer handles this.
Podcast Script:
Some podcasters do not necessarily write their podcast scripts. A content writer can write high-converting podcast scripts for podcasters.
Now there are different importance or aims of content writing. Some of these are;
to make money
to generate leads,
to attract the right traffic,
to convert traffic into leads,
to convert leads into customers,
to promote a brand,
to increase social media followers,
to engage
to become popular,
to build brand communities, etc.
Examples of Content Writing
What are some content writing examples to check?
Here are 3 LIVE content writing examples in 3 different niches. You can click to view each piece before you continue reading.
This page you are reading is an example of content writing.
This is a LinkedIn post I published. It is another example of content writing.
Click my blog here. Every post has an article - that is a content writing piece.
Get the idea?
Now how do you get started as a content writer?
Getting Started as a Content Writer
"How I personally got started as a content writer?"
STEP 1:
Let me tell you a short story (that leads to the first and important step to becoming a content writer).
I recently applied for a job at one of my dream Agencies, Grow and Convert, but I didn’t get the role.
But I learned something…
They saw my special strengths!
Even though the company wasn’t looking for a conversational writer, the hiring team acknowledged my unique writing specialty: a conversational tone that sparks engagement.
And that's alright because that same reason G & C declined my application is the same reason I get hired by all my past and current content writing clients.
Get the idea?
You should be able to find your calling. What is your unique voice and writing tone?
How do you speak in person?
One of the best content writing advice I ever got is “write exactly how you talk to people”
Write how you speak.
I have a conversational tone I love. That is what works for me. That is what connects with my audience.
What’s next?
At this stage, you know what content writing is, the types of content writing, some live content writing examples, and who a content writer is. Now let’s look at how to select a niche or category for your content writing journey.
How do you find a content writing niche?
Ask yourself;
"Do I want to write emails?
Do I want to write YouTube scripts?
Do I want to write social media content?
Or I prefer to write and publish your stories on your domain?"
What writing niche or category do you want to go after?
Are you most familiar with creating blog articles?
Are you great at creating educational content?
Or are you interested in social media copywriting?
These are categories of content writing a content writer can consider going into.
I am a content writer in the B2B blogging and SEO niche.
So be sure to find your niche before you proceed.
STEP 2:
What is the second step to becoming a content writer?
The second step is to build a content writing portfolio.
In other words, build a content writing website and display your works, story, experience, about, writing specialty, and contact details.
A portfolio is an online presence where you display your past works, about you, contact me, and basically, why your target client should contact you for business.
Design your portfolio.
Design a portfolio for your content writing service or career online. I use Wix.
You can use any good web hosting company out there.
Luckily, I have a detailed guide on designing a freelance portfolio website in less than 10 minutes. Use the link below to read.
STEP 3:
The third step is to reach out.
Out of 100 people you reach out to about your content writing specialty as a content writer, 1, 2, or 3 may hire you (if you have a good offer).
To reach out effectively, find the ideal target people who need your specific content writing skills or services.
(Need SEO for your website? You can view our SEO Content writing packages by using the button above the page)
Find companies, businesses, and entrepreneurs who may need writers in your niche.
Focus on building genuine relationships with them and not directly ask for the sale.
With time, you can pitch your new content writing services.
This has been one of the wins that has helped me achieve a $1,100 per month content writing client.
STEP 4: BLOG, PLEASE!
The next step is creating valuable blog content to showcase your experience in your space.
If you follow my blog, you know I'm a huge fan of SEO content. This involves writing content that ranks on search engines like Google.
The goal of SEO writing (what I do) is to attract the right traffic (organic traffic), convert quality traffic to leads, and generate sales.
Find your goal and create content around it.
What type of blog content are you looking to create?
Depending on your content writing niche, you should know the type of content you should create.
For example, if you are going into video or YouTube script writing, you should be able to create blog content that attracts YouTubers and other video content creators like Reels, Shorts, etc.
On the other hand, if you're looking to go into social media content writing, create content around building social media accounts.
Find your niche, and create and publish content on your portfolio website.
Do you have a professional to help you research and write specific blog articles to your taste and target your ideal audience quickly? I may still have availability this month - click here to apply to work with me.
RELATED BLOG: Here’s a detailed guide on how I scored my first $1,000 content writing client.
FINAL STEP 5 TO BECOME A CONTENT WRITER
Always stay on top of industry trends in your content writing niche.
Content writing is very competitive, especially in the freelance market. You must be consistent and stay on top of your game.
Follow the top blogs and content-writing gurus in your space.
In the SEO Content writing space, I follow experts like Brian Dean of Backlinko.com and Neil Patel of Neilpatel.com.
AI Content Writing Tools
There’s no doubt about the influence AI has in content writing.
What are some vital content writing tools for beginners?
Here are 5 powerful AI content writing tools I recommend:
ChatGPT,
Grammarly,
Jasper AI,
CopyAI,
Contentshake AI by Semrush.
Now, how do you land content writing jobs?
How to Land a Content Writing Client
There are several ways to get content writing clients today but only a few stand out for me.
And luckily, I have a full guide on how I landed my first $1,000/month freelance writing client some years back. Here’s the post
But for this post, here are 5 content writer job boards that I have gotten at least a client from over my 12-year content writing career.
Content writing job platforms:
Peopleperhour
Upwork
Fiverr
LinkedIn
Freelancer
12 Content Marketing Tips for Beginners
Finally, what are some content writing tips from a 12-year experienced SEO content writer who has made over $7,000 writing blog content for my content writing clients?
Here are my secret expert content-writing tips for beginners:
Write actionable content (depending on your niche).
Allow plenty of space within your content for readability.
Depending on your niche, consider a conversational writing tone.
Learn SEO and SEO writing. I have a free email course you can go through.
Edit finished articles multiple times at different times or hire/work with an editor.
Insert a lot of multiple images, screenshots, videos, infographics, etc
Repurpose your content for different platforms to reach more people.
Leverage the 3 Es of writing content. You can learn that in this blog post.
Incorporate storytelling in your content.
Practice writing captivating headlines.
Capture your reader’s attention in the first few sentences with hooks.
Learn about WordPress and blogging. I have a detailed guide that will help you when you start a blog and make money.
Frequently Asked Questions about “Content Writing”.
Now what are the frequently asked questions around content writing?
How can I start content writing?
Just like I've explained, there are just a few steps to going into content writing. The first is to develop your niche. What is that content writing niche you want to go into?
Blogging?
Video or podcast scriptwriting? Or product descriptions.
After picking your niche, design and build your content writing portfolio. Begin creating content, build relationships, and network.
This will help you to build a long-term career as a content writer.
Finally, you should be able to apply for jobs on different job platforms.
What are the skills required for content writing?
There are skills required for content writing but here are the most important ones. We have;
excellent grammar and punctuation skills,
effective communication skills,
research skills,
blogging and SEO skills,
adaptability to different tools and styles,
storytelling.
Where can I learn content writing?
You can learn content writing from different online course platforms.
You can also learn content writing by watching YouTube videos.
Most importantly, I advise you to follow my blog as I am an SEO content writing expert with more than 10 years writing experience. So be sure to subscribe to this SEO blog to get updates once I publish new blogs.
Other platforms to learn content writing include Coursera, Udemy, and more.
How do content writers make money?
The way I make money as a content writer is by taking freelance content writing gigs where businesses hire me to write blog articles for them. I can get paid per word per article or every month. Potential content clients contact me through this website with their unique content writing needs and projects.
What is an example of content writing?
There are so many examples of content writing.
How much can a beginner content writer make?
Now let me tell you my story. I've been doing content writing for more than 10 years, and I have made quite some money from my content writing services. I've worked with blogs, startups, software companies, and busy entrepreneurs to build their blogs.
I've worked with personal brands, corporations, and organizations, to handle and create content for them. And on average, I make around $150 to $300 per content.
Thank you for taking the time to read this masterpiece. Please share this guide around and if you have any questions please use the comments section below.
I wish you a successful content-writing journey,
Join my blog here,
Simon Taki Zaku,
Owner: https://simonzaku.com.
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