Content Writer Career Path: Is Content Writing a Good Career?

Is content writer career path the best decision for you? From daily responsibilities to discussing the future prospects, Limawapangla Aier, content writer with over 7 years of experience, discusses everything about the job. 

content-writing-industry-and-career-path

1. Career in Content Writing: Content Writer Career Path

A content writer career path offers a great opportunity. There are many full-time positions open at companies offering content solutions. A candidate having a degree in English literature or mass communications is preferred by most recruiters. But anyone with excellent writing skills can also apply for it. There is a huge demand for content writers in many industries.

Besides working in a full-time position, you can also work as a freelance writer or a full-time blogger. Some of the different types of content writing include technical writing, website content, SEO, PR, and many more.

 

Contents: Jump to Section

1.1 Types of Content Writers
1.2 Industry/Sector
1.3 Social Image
1.4 Reasons to Become a Content Writer
2.1 Personality Traits Required
2.2 Physical Demands
2.3 Psychological Demands
3.1 Extra-Curricular Activities Recommended
3.2 Related Hobbies to Take Up
3.3 Related Movies/ TV Shows
3.4 Related Fiction to Read/ Novels
4.1 Part-Time Options
4.2 Traveling Required
4.3 Average Workday/What to Expect
5.1 Retirement Prospects
5.2 Threats from Automation
5.3 Common Reasons for People to Quit

1.1 Types of Content Writers

Content writing covers several forms of content. Each type of content serves a set of goals and advertises any business in a different manner. The most common formats used are articles, press releases, website content, product descriptions, and Ebooks. There are different types of content writers to manage the different content formats. These include:

  • Technical writer
  • SEO writer
  • Marketing and Communication writer
  • Report writer
  • Feature writer
  • Press release writer
  • Ghostwriter

SEO writers write content that is optimized not only for search engines but is also engaging for people. They are smarter with their content because they know how to optimize the effectiveness of the work for the search engines for it to rank higher than other sites.

Feature writing is not a common writing form and has its own style. A feature writer is someone who is into journalistic and creative writing to form a perspective. They do not report facts alone, but rather add their opinion in a way that will be thought-provoking for the readers.

different-types-of-content-writers

1.2 Industry/Sector

PR, Media, IT, Digital Marketing, E-commerce

These industries recruit content writers, be it media, IT, E-commerce, and digital marketing. For example, I have experience working in the digital marketing industry.

1.3 Social Image

Generally respectable, but not understood by everyone. 

The post of a Content Writer is a dignified one. It becomes significant when content writers are being considered to participate in prestigious projections and their ideas get implemented. And I feel respect is important when it comes to your overall career growth.

But the job role of a content writer is unfamiliar territory for some. They often mistake it for a reporter or a journalist profession. If you are confused about the work responsibilities, read our article How to Become a Content Writer: Job Responsibilities. In it, we have explained the difference between a journalist and a content writer.

social-image-of-a-content-writer

1.4 Reasons to Become a Content Writer

Stay inspired, feel useful, gain respect, immense growth opportunities by learning technical and soft skills. 

Work fulfillment is a major reason for any profession, including content writer career path. Over the many years and growth in my own career, I’ve developed expectations for myself around certain statements. It’s really important for any writer, including myself, to feel inspired by the voice of the company. This means I should be proud of the people that I work with, by the employers, my colleagues, the projects, and the team that I am handling.

At some point, I’ve taken up work where I knew the job at hand. But I wasn’t sure how to fit in with a cross-cultural team or other functional teams. It starts on an exciting note- but after a reasonable time, it becomes challenging. But the fact that the recognition seldom diminishes keeps me striving hard and motivated.

daily-responsibilities-of-content-writers

2. What It Takes to Be a Content Writer

2.1 Personality Traits Required/ Preferred

Disciplined, attention to detail, strong vocabulary, clarity, open to criticism, a good listener, and a voracious reader. 

Every great writer has some characteristics in common. These qualities are what make them achieve great writing skills. Check if your personality traits match those of a wordsmith pro.

  • Disciplined
  • Attention to detail
  • Clarity
  • Loves reading
  • Open to criticism
  • Good listener
  • Strong communication skills

Other than these, content writers also need a lot of patience, as sometimes they need to work on edits repeatedly. They also need to be punctual and adhere to strict deadlines.

2.2 Physical Demands

Headache, eye strain, repetitive stiffness injuries, stress, and musculoskeletal disorders. 

The content writer career path requires one to work long hours on the computer screen. This may affect one mentally and physically. The health complications may be minor but may increase over time. Taking a series of micro-breaks like a stretch, a cup of tea or water will do one better. Also, make an exercise routine and do back exercises daily.

physical-demands-of-a-writing-job

2.3 Psychological Demands

Evaluating written material, meeting the brand’s voice, and checking for accuracy.

Writers sometimes go through an overwhelming feeling of being stuck with work, which is also termed writer’s block. They often face a creative blockage that prevents them from seeing a story development or finding fresh ideas.

Sometimes they may feel forced to work on a viewpoint or topic they don’t fully agree with. Or at times, feel an editor demands more edits than necessary. All these factors may take a toll during the writing process.

I also have days where I cannot skyrocket my productivity. Perhaps I may be unsure of an idea or be indecisive over experimenting with a design. On such days, I rely on the power of storytelling rather than the idea itself. Or at best, treat myself to a small break.

overcoming-writer's-block-psychological-demands

3. How to Build Interest in a Career in Content Writing

3.1 Extracurricular Activities Recommended:

 Learn a foreign language, school clubs, blogging, photography, reading, and writing

The activities mentioned above tell a lot about someone as a writer. The habit of reading, for example, is closely linked with the writing profession. Stephen King rightly stated, “If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time to write. Simple as that.” Reading allows you to improve on any lack of consistency, getting out of your comfort zone, and bringing clarity to your work.

In the same way, photography will bring out the artist in you. Capturing photos allow you to have a unique understanding of seeing the world. This activity will help you find a way with messages that convey meaning to your creative vision. In addition, it will make way for your content writer career path and give you an edge.

reading-as-a-hobby-for-writers

3.2 Related Hobbies to Take Up

Reading, bullet journal, active outdoor activities, painting, and photography

Starting a blog, maintaining a bullet journal, and reading are good ways to build your vocabulary. They’ll also introduce you to handle the internet and social media in a positive way.

You may also try outdoor habits like walking, running, playing games, or indoor activities like painting. The content writer career path is all about nurturing your creative side. All these different activities will be a learning experience in its own course.

related-creative-hobbies-for-writers

3.3 Related Movies/ TV Shows

Movies:

  • Spotlight [R]
  • The Intern [PG-13]
  • The Help [PG-13]
  • Julie & Julia [PG-13]
  • Midnight in Paris[PG-13]
  • The Ghost Writer [PG-13]
  • The Devil Wears Prada [PG-13]
  • How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days [PG-13]

TV Shows:

  • Sex and the City [TV-14]
  • The Bold Type [TV-14]
  • Emily in Paris [TV-MA]
  • So Cosmo
  • Ugly Betty[TV-14]

3.4 Related Fiction to Read/ Novels

So I am recommending some favorite classic books as well as must-reads for you to find inspiration to start your writing journey. There’s something for everyone, from fiction to fantasy, to autobiographical.

  • Sin and Syntax by Constance Hale
  • Living with a Dead Language by Ann Patty
  • Woe Is I by Patricia T. O’Conner
  • Letters to a Young Artist by Anna Deavere Smith
  • Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie
  • The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy
  • Power your Happy by Lisa Sugar

best-books-to-inspire-writing-skills

4. Life as a Content writer

4.1 Part-Time Options

Yes, as a Content Writer, you have the option to work part-time as a freelancer. Freelance writers often get to work at their own pace or time and work from home.

Furthermore, content writers also have the option to pursue other part-time jobs like teaching or making videos.

career-path-of-a-content-writer

4.2 Traveling Required

It depends upon the nature of the company or job profile, but traveling is not frequent unless you’re working as a travel writer. At some companies, you will be required to meet the clients to understand their proposal. Writing about certain genres may also require traveling, like event news coverage, culture or wildlife writing, etc.

4.3 Average Workday/What to Expect

As a content writer, I am constantly wearing my audience’s shoes when publishing written material. To increase my customer engagement, I spend extra time researching about my client or given subject. Then I come up with a content strategy to show my clients that I care about their business. I also establish a quick timeframe when setting deadlines.

In a nutshell, content writers differentiate a client’s brand or an idea by bringing their subject matter expertise in the finest manner.

Content writers spend their days writing different forms of content for the purpose of brand promotion. For example, they might write a creative post for social media or come up with a new app name.

They often work in the background away from the spotlight. But the role is important as they help to make a great impact on the company or brand’s reputation. The job duties of content writers include tasks as mentioned below:

An average workday as a content writer would involve taking briefs from clients, interpret information with teammates, collaborating with marketing, graphic, and related teams, research, industry-related topics, produce error-free content, create social media content, submit work to editors for input and approval, and manage multiple projects.

what-it-takes-to-be-content-writer career path

5. Future of Your Career in Content Writing

5.1 Retirement Prospects

There is no retirement age if you really enjoy writing. You can enjoy writing at any age provided you have the drive and passion. There are freelance or work from home options where people have the liberty to do work at their own pace.

5.2 Threats from Automation

Creativity is not an automatable element and therefore is not under threat.

Jobs are already taken by robots for content that is related with facts or data. They do a great job in automating content for websites or newspapers.

Automating content is a great proposition, especially with the idea of limiting manual work. But it’s important to note that creative automation can be limited without human intervention. And this shouldn’t change in the long run. Hence, replacing the creative team with automation has its inaccuracies and is far from the truth.

pursue-your-career-in-content-writing

5.3 Common Reasons for People to Quit

This profession tests people for their passion and patience. How they treat the routine work is the challenging part. Underestimating the fun aspect of the content writer career path makes the work seem monotonous ultimately calling for quits.

6. How to Become a Content Writer

We’ve created a COMPLETE guide on how to become a content writer. From content writer qualifications for certification and courses, here’s all you need to know about the content writer career path. Read more about how to become a content writer in India, including degree required, salary range and top colleges.

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