10 Skills Every Great Content Writer Needs
Posted by Content Scribblers on November 14th, 2019
This might seem obvious, but I see a lot of content that falls flat because the tone and style don’t fit the purpose of the piece or the culture of the brand. For example, a landing page should probably contain copy that is short and designed to persuade the reader to take action. In contrast, a white paper will likely work best with more details to explain a more complex issue.
Regarding tone, blog posts for a scientific equipment company targeting medical researchers will likely be much different from posts for an organic food shop targeting a wider range of health-conscious consumers. The more styles you can learn and the more quickly you can adapt, the more valuable you’ll be as a content writer.
2. Strong Research Skills
Good research is key for good content writing – it adds credibility and, most importantly, value. Therefore, it’s vital to find trustworthy and interesting information from reliable sources online. Experts are especially great resources if you can effectively get the right information with good interviewing skills.
3. A Solid Understanding of SEO
Great content writers stay on top of SEO trends – after all, even the best content won’t be effective if readers can’t find it. It’s important to know how to craft SEO-friendly titles and descriptions, use keywords effectively and keep up with Google’s latest algorithm changes.
Related Reading: 13 Top Traits of Quality Writing
4. Organizational Skills
Organizing isn’t just about having a clean workspace; it’s about keeping on top of the writing jobs you’ve taken on.
Keep a calendar and know your deadlines. Most smartphones even have programs that will help you organize your time. Turning an assignment in late sends a bad message to your customers and often won’t give the editors as much time to proof your article. Prioritize your jobs, so you get them all done promptly.
5. The Ability to Get Focused
Writing requires focus which can sometimes be hard to find. When it’s time to work, get rid of distractions and focus on one task at a time. Sometimes to get the ball rolling, you can start with a few smaller, easy-to-complete tasks before launching into your larger projects.
6. The Ability to Meet Deadlines
Your clients have deadlines they have to meet. Delivering high-quality content promptly will show that you are not only professional but also reliable. This means good time management is essential to help you realistically determine how many jobs you can accept and reject and deliver it on time. If you find yourself struggling with time management, check out these 14 writing and productivity hacks.
7. Communicate
If you have a question about an assignment, let the customer know. Writing is an area of communication, so there are no excuses for not getting in touch with your client if there is a problem. When you write to your client, treat it as an official communication: proofread your message. Your customer will remember your courtesy.
