Content Writing: Let’s Separate The Facts From The Fiction
To many, it is “just writing”. To some, “a heck lot of writing”. Mostly, it is “Content writer? Dunno what they do. But they have something to do with computer and keyboard and type type type all day”. All of these are partly true and partly gibberish. It is a common trend among freshers and interns to be a freelance content writer as the first choice of career before they settle for another job according to their chosen academic path. Before actually living the life of a content or article writer, several misconceptions cloud their mind. Today let’s have a look at these myths that exist around content writing and let me tell you, those are going to get busted for sure! Buckle up.
So, what is content writing?
Well, the name suggests it all. Whenever you leaf through your favourite magazine, your daily newspaper or scroll down a website for finding an answer to your queries, what do you actually read? Articles, right? Who writes them? Article writer. Creating content for a website, modifying it and brushing it up in the way that would facilitate digital marketing- that’s content writing for you in a nutshell. It can be blog content, script, promotional article for the new restaurant around the block and whatnot.
The content writing myths: What they are and the truth behind
Here we bring to you five common myths people have in their mind about content writing. Yes, even in 2020.
1. You just have to write. What’s the big deal?
A rich vocabulary and proficiency in writing skill are not all that an article writer needs to possess. They are a part of the digital market. So, the “marketing” part needs to be there too. With those skills, the freelance writer needs to inform the reader about what is being marketed and thus needs knowledge in that too. Marketing is the twist here. It is only words that are there to make the client happy and satisfied. Just writing? Duh!
2. There is so much content here and there..just choose any!
Copycats are shown the door here just so you know. Ctrl+c and Ctrl+v are two shortcuts that freelance writers need to stay away from. Content writing may or may not involve article rewriting but producing an already published content is in no way entertaining. Extensive research followed by writing them in own words and proofreading the whole thing- then only you have your content ready. And, guess what? You may come across the same topic twice or thrice but even then you cannot keep it same and copy-paste your own work. This calls for article rewriting. It is like having the gift of the gab but with pen or keyboard, for that matter.
3. Did you say marketing? So, you need a marketing degree, right?
Wrong. It is the words that you play with and you shuffle them in a manner that educates the reader and matches the criteria as set by the client. The subject of content can be anything under the sky. Today it is about architecture, tomorrow it is about the new live online coding platform for kids that an edutech startup plans to launch. So, a freelance content writer can be from any educational background and curve her/his niche here. It is mainly the research that grabs the hours instead of the degree you possess; and a lot of common sense and a little bit of content writing training maybe!
4. You have to know ins and outs of SEO
No, you don’t. SEO is about proper placement and use of keywords that determine how well an article reaches to the netizens. But if the content quality is not up to the mark, no knowledge about SEO can do anything. You may or may not know about search engine optimization but it is the writing style and content that will ensure whether your work is placed higher in SERP i.e. search engine result pages. Having said that, it always helps to know the basics of SEO. The subject, in itself, is vast and you may or may not master it as well.
5. Prolix and erudite language skill and rich vocab- must-haves for content writing
Quite opposite actually. Rich vocab, yes, but florid language, no. the content is for the eyes of the clients and consumers looking for easy-to-understand solution or information. This is not where you have to showcase your Shashi Tharoor version. The world of content writing is esurient for easy, meaningful and yet attractive articles from the freelance content writers. Oh, are you wondering what esurient is? Hungry. Isn’t that easier? That’s what our point is! To know what all goes into writing a ready-to-publish content, click here.
Content writing is way above floccinaucinihilipilification…err, to be considered as worthless, in the crowd of high-end MNC jobs and other government and non-government salaried occupations. A good number of freelance writers are earning a respectable living from this. Nothing can beat content writing if you have a special reservation in your mind for daily blind dates with one or other topics and regular playdates with words. If the sound of keyboard keys being pressed is music to your ears as you exercise your creative skill, content writing is beckoning you.
