How to Become a Content Writer in 2023? Complete Career Guide

A content writer is an expert who writes content for digital platforms. They create well-researched content using their skills to deliver an organisation's goal. Content writers engagingly communicate information and ideas to the readers. Around 70% of B2C businesses hire content writers for their marketing team.

Candidates wanting to become a content writer must possess excellent writing, researching and assessment skills. To become a content writer, they must complete their 10+2 in any stream with English. Further candidates can pursue a BA English Hons. or BA Journalism at UG levels. Next, they may pursue their Masters, take up a certificate course, join an internship or apply for a job as a content writer.

Table of Contents

• How to Become a Content Writer?
• Who is a Content Writer?
• What Does a Content Writer Do?
• Skills Required to Become a Content Writer
• Career Progression of a Content Writer
• Types of Content Writers
• Salary of a Content Writer
• Top Recruiters of Content Writers
• Pros and Cons of Becoming a Content Writer

How to Become a Content Writer?

Interested candidates finding the answer to how to become a content writer can check the below steps. 

• Step 1: Get an Academic Qualification
• Step 2: Take an Advanced Content Writing Course
• Step 3: Start a Blog
• Step 4: Upskill by Learning Tools
• Step 5: Find a Niche
• Step 6: Create a Portfolio
• Step 7: Apply for an Internship
• Step 8: Get a Full-time Job or Freelance

Step 1: Get an Academic Qualification

Aspirants must complete classes 10 and 12 Boards with English and other additional languages they want to take up content writing in. 

School Level

Candidates must score 50% and above in English and aggregate in Class 12 from a recognised Board. However, to pursue a content writing career, candidates can take up any stream, Science, Arts or Commerce.

Degree

Candidates must apply for undergraduate and postgraduate courses relevant to content writing. However, they must score 55% or equivalent CGPA from a recognised University. Some specialisations candidates can take up are mentioned below.

Step 2: Take an Advanced Content Writing Course

Content writing aspirants can take up an advanced content writing course to understand the nuances of the content marketing industry. Since the industry operates digitally, candidates need to know about editing, SEO-friendly writing and understand content strategy and planning.

The certificate courses mentioned below will guide candidates to make a successful career in Content writing.

Step 3: Start a Blog

A blog will help candidates to create a groundwork for their content writing career. It will display the aspirant’s knowledge, expertise and aptitude. Writers can engage and experiment with their writing style through a blog. A blog will also reflect the performance of the content and candidates will know if their writing is engaging.

Step 4: Upskill by Learning Tools

At the same time, candidates must familiarise themselves with content marketing tools. Because content writers must understand that since their job is specific to the marketing industry, it is crucial that they seek help from tools to maximise their potential and presence in a digital platform. 

Some tools content writers can learn are mentioned below.

Step 5: Find a Niche

Having a niche will help content writers create their own client base. Moreover, specialisations and working in a particular beat will bring in an exclusivity factor which will make them recognisable in the field. Hiring managers will also find it easier to shortlist and understand if candidates can deliver the requisites if the niche is clear. Key reasons to find a niche are,

• Better strategy management
• Expertise in the field due to specialisation
• Understanding effectivity 

Tops Niches and Prototypes

Some of the most common niches content writers work in are mentioned in the table below. Candidates can also find what they will be working on if they select a particular niche.

Selecting a Vertical

Once candidates have selected a niche they must choose a vertical they want to specialise in. Some common content writing verticals are,

• Law
• Education
• Technology
• Healthcare
• Government
• Travel
• Lifestyle
• Entertainment
• Sports

Step 6: Create a Portfolio

Candidates must create a content writer portfolio to showcase their work. The portfolio must consist of writing on different topics to convince the employer/ client that the candidate can adapt to the company’s content marketing requirements. Some perks of creating a portfolio are,

• Candidates with an impressive portfolio are considered top candidates by the hiring company.
• A portfolio reflects the content writer’s strengths and capabilities, which increase their chances of being hired. 
• Candidates may also include certificates and achievements for content writing in their portfolio.
• The recruiter will likely offer an attractive package to candidates with a portfolio involving unique ideas.

Step 7: Apply for an Internship

To get hands-on industry experience, candidates can apply for an internship at an agency or a content marketing company. Certain benefits for candidates of getting a content writing internship are,

• Aspirants will learn from industry experts.
• They will work alongside different support teams such as SEO, Marketing, Social Media etc.
• Candidates will get to experience the planning and strategic aspects of content writing.
• Candidates will be able to polish their writing and delivery skills.
• Candidates will understand the editing process.

Step 8: Get a Full-time Job or Freelance

Once candidates begin their career as Content writers they may decide to apply for a full-time job or freelance for clients. It is advised that aspirants first work in a full-time setting to get a 360-degree understanding of content writing and then choose the freelancing path.

Full-time Job

Aspirants can next apply for full-time content writer positions in agencies or companies through job searching websites, referrals or through previous employers/clients. A content writing job will guarantee a safe flow of income. Besides, candidates can work in a team setting, where they will learn from fellow content writers.

Freelance  

Once candidates gain enough experience and are skilled in a particular domain, they can start freelancing if they wish to, as a Content Writer. Therefore, certain key pointers candidates must remember are,

• Candidates must pick a niche as a freelance content writer, like lifestyle, education, art, technology, sports etc.
• Candidates must build a clientele based on their networking skills and showcasing their work.
• Candidates can apply for various assignments on writing platforms such as CopyPress, Scripted, ContentWriters and. 

Who is a Content Writer?

A Content Writer is a professional responsible for publishing written content on digital mediums such as websites, blogs, emails, social media and marketing materials. They deliver information in clear and simple language, backed by research, planning and strategising.

A unique skill a content writer must possess is how to assemble content. This makes the content effective for readers, who can easily find the answer to their questions. Effective content creates loyal readers and makes your content a reliable source.  

What Does a Content Writer Do?

Content Writers specialise in designing written content for blogs, ebooks, newsletters, websites, social media platforms etc. They operate in a content marketing team with editors, marketers, SEO specialists, and designers. 

Together, they build effective content which reaches the readers and increases footfall and conversions on a website or digital platform. Some of the key roles of a Content writer include,

• Research

Content writers conduct in-depth research before writing on a topic/subject. They must study information, and data and produce relevant content based on their research. Sometimes, content writers might even need to interview industry experts to build strong articles.

• Strategies

One of the most important jobs of a Content Writer is to plan and strategise content. Candidates need to understand what the readers are asking and if the content can deliver and catch the reader's pulse. Strategising also means assembling the content well for high rankings, conversions and engagements.

• Write

The majority of the time spent by the Content Writer is on drafting content. They must produce articles based on the client's requirements. Content writers write blog posts, long-form articles, short-form articles, social media updates, white papers and more.

• Edit

Content writers in senior positions must proofread and edit content and provide valuable suggestions to improve the writing. They must be able to highlight grammatical and factual errors and ensure the brand's style of writing is consistent.

• Collaborate

As discussed earlier, content writers must work collaboratively with different teams to avoid a gap in the message being conveyed. They are the backbone of the marketing process, where they work with design, sales, digital marketing and other teams to meet the organisation's end goal.

Skills Required to Become a Content Writer

Candidates who wish to become a content writer must possess some important skills to succeed in the field. 

Clear Writing

Candidates must be able to convey the information concisely and uncomplicatedly. This will help both clients and readers to understand the message. Moreover, when writing long-form content, it is important in a lucid manner to keep the readers engaged.

Content Planning

A good content writer must plan the content they will draft from research to publishing. They must know how to work with the available resources within a specific time. After researching the topic, they need to synthesise and produce relevant content.

Flexibility

Content writers need to be flexible with their style of writing. Various organisations require content writers to produce content on various domains. Hence, they can adapt easily and repurpose the content according to the requirements and audience.

Marketing Knowledge

All Content Writers must understand the basics of marketing. A company's goal is good ROI and conversions, which leads to sales. Candidates must therefore write to attract customers.

Understands SEO

A content writer must have the skill to write and be able to produce SEO-friendly content. They must stay updated with digital marketing and SEO trends to gain leverage in their career and create ranking content.

Career Progression of a Content Writer

As a Content Writer in a Company, candidates can see a career progression in the following levels.

• Junior Content Writer

A junior content writer is responsible for writing, researching and creating content for an agency or company. They must follow the content guidelines and draft content based on them. Since they are just starting, they must learn key skills such as keyword research, tracking, optimising and assembling content.

• Senior Content Writer

As Senior Content Writers, candidates will handle a team of junior content writers. They must write content, edit and ensure all guidelines are being maintained per SEO and content protocols. They also make progress reports based on the performance of the content going live. 

• Content Manager

A Content Manager handles the content writers' daily workings and ensures all targets are met. Moreover, they manage internal teams' communication and coordinate reports to the higher management. They are also responsible for planning content in an organisation and analysing trends. 

• Content Head

The Content Head oversees the management of the content team. They are responsible for hiring, communicating with internal stakeholders and assessing the team's progress. They also work closely with the upper management.

Types of Content Writers

Content Writers work across industries, and various content writers specialise based on style, field and domain. The main types of Content Writers are mentioned below.

1. Technical Writer

A technical writer specialises in writing User guides, White papers, Patents and Documents. They usually write using a formal style. Their writing is heavily research-based based and on factual terms. 

2. Copywriter

A copywriter writes texts for banners, commercials, catalogues, etc. These kinds of content writers write for advertising, publicity and marketing. Here the writing style used is more persuasive and creative.

3. SEO Writer

An SEO writer creates content for digital media. They aim to create optimised content to improve the website's ranking. The writing style requires keyword installations to generate traffic based on trends. 

4. Blog Writer

A blog writer writes in a conversational, friendly and informal writing style. They write articles, interviews, blog posts, etc. A blogger also decides the title, as the click rate will depend on how alluring the title is.

5. Ghostwriter

A ghostwriter's job is to fill content resource gaps. They come in when a company does not have adequate skills and resources and wants to hire someone who can fill these gaps. A ghostwriter is hired to write articles, white papers, eBooks, website copy etc.

6. Social Media Writer

A social media writer creates content on behalf of a brand and speaks their language. They run quizzes, social media posts, and interactive and platform-specific content. They are brand representatives and are responsible for engaging followers.

7. Email Writer

An email writer creates transactional emails, newsletters, drip campaigns, and sales pitches and writes copy to create an impact or action. They analyse their customers well and create headlines to push buyers towards sales.

Salary of a Content Writer

The average content writer's salary in India is INR 2,97,283 PA. An entry-level content writer is INR 2,33,000 PA. Once candidates gain enough experience, they may earn up to INR 5,00,000 PA as content writers. 

Source: Payscale.com

The table below showcases a content writer's salary as per their designation.

Top Recruiters of Content Writers

Some of the top recruiters hiring content writers in India are mentioned below.

• Tata Consultancy Services
• IBM
• Deloitte
• College Dekho
• Myntra
• Fiverr
• Accenture
• Amazon

Pros and Cons of Becoming a Content Writer

A content writer's job comes with certain challenges and benefits. Before stepping into the career of a content writer, candidates must check the pros and cons listed below.

Pros of Becoming a Content Writer

Candidates can check the pros of becoming a content writer below.

• Candidates all tricks to becoming a successful writer.
• Content writers enjoy the flexibility of working remotely or in hybrid posts.
• Candidates grow very quickly in their careers based on experience.
• Content Writers are expert communicators, which helps them to network in the industry.
• Candidates earn well as their careers progress.

Cons of Becoming a Content Writer

Some cons of becoming a content writer are,

• Content Writers have limited time to create excellent quality content. 
• The deadline aspect of the job can be challenging.
• Candidates need to stay up to date with trends which can be difficult. 
• Finding reliable sources can be a task for content writers.
• Due to long working hours, content writers often struggle to maintain a work-life balance.