The revolution in digital media has made everyone promote their brand online, whether it’s a start-up or an existing business trying to expand its market.
One of the most effective ways of promotion is by producing high-quality content and getting it ranked on the first page of Search engines.
Therefore, there is a strong need for people who could produce top-notch articles and help brands in marketing because the content has proved to be a powerful way of generating leads.
What is Content Writing?
Content writing is showing your creativity through words.
It is a process of planning, drafting, editing, and publishing an article on the digital platform. Content writers convey meaningful messages to the audience that could inspire them.
A few points are mentioned below that will help you to understand how content can help a business grow:
- Helps in generating traffic
- Converting traffic into sales
- Build a bridge between readers/buyers & company
- Helps in ranking your website on Google’s first page
The main goal of content writing is to convince customers by providing them with a solid solution to their problems and offering value to your service.
Many people are applying for content writing as a career, whether as a freelancer or full-time. But we can’t ignore the fact that content writing is a difficult journey, especially when there is no one to guide you.
The information available on the internet will overwhelm you after some time.
These questions will create dilemmas and frustration that may mislead you from achieving your goal.
But don’t worry, we have got you covered.
In this blog, we will discover the struggles and myths of content writing and how to deal with them effectively.
The Myths About Content Writing
There are some challenges in content writing due to some myths associated with it. You will be misguided by the so-called experts out there. It may distract you from your path and convince you to follow unethical practices.
Let’s debunk some of the common myths:
1. Content writing is an easy job
It is the most common myth that content writing is a piece of cake. Though anyone could write, not everyone can be a writer.
One should have a strong understanding of this domain and skills before pursuing this as a career option.
2. Anyone could write a high-quality content
Some aspiring content writers believe that copying a few other articles and adding synonyms would guarantee the production of high-quality content.
Mixed-up words and reproducing an article will never be considered worthy content. You should avoid it at any cost.
3. Always use difficult vocabulary and complex writing
People always get confused that using a fancy and complicated choice of words will show a strong impression.
Remember that you are not writing an article for some newspaper. Readers always want to read a simple article without feeling the need of using a dictionary.
MAKING THINGS SIMPLE IS THE HARDEST THING!
4. Excessive use of keywords will help in ranking
It is a myth that stuffing more keywords will help in ranking in search engines. On the contrary, it will make your article vague and horrendous and readers will skip it.
You should do proper keyword research and decide the correct frequency of using it.
More than 200 factors decide ranking, keyword is one of them. Use keywords in a natural and controlled manner
5. Earn high income
At first, you will earn almost no or relatively very less income.
Over time, after building your credibility, you will start earning a decent amount which also too depends on your niche and the number of projects you can complete on time.
6. Content writing is just like any blog or article writing
Beginners often assume that content writing is like writing a normal piece of text.
However, they don’t understand that it involves various aspects from keyword research, topic research, and competitor analysis, to deciding the images & graphics and the product/service you intend to promote.
One should follow SEO practices to produce a single content. You have to understand the need of your target audience and then create your content.
7. Length doesn’t matter
One of the myths is that writing short or long content doesn’t matter much. But length does matter in content writing. Readers now want to read every necessary detail about their problem.
These were the myths that need to be addressed and you should not pay attention to them. They are unproductive and will distract you from writing worthy content.
Struggles of an Aspiring Content Writer!
Content writing looks fascinating and easy from the outside. However, it is filled with struggles and anxiety. It involves creativity, hard work, deep research skills, deadlines, ranking expectations, and commitment.
It will be an advantage if you are already aware of some of the challenges to be prepared beforehand.
Let’s dig into it right away:
1. Readability issues
Sometimes content writers get carried away with their ideas which later leads to readability issues. Writers often use complex language styles or unfamiliar phrases which makes the content unreadable.
It should be written in a simple language that one could understand. You can also add a few “wow moments” in your article to make it more engaging.
Beginners could overcome this by experience. The more you write, the more experience and readable content you will be able to produce.
2. Writer’s block
It’s a situation where you are aware of your thoughts but unable to express them in words. It can be because of some personal problems, fatigue, or dissatisfaction that cause this phenomenon. It often put holds on your creativity and your thought process.
It is necessary to overcome this as soon as possible to meet the deadlines.
Now, you might be thinking, how?
Well, there are some simple steps that you can try:
- Take a break
- Go for a walk or take a nap
- Read your favorite author’s book or watch a movie
- Invest some time in your hobby
3. Struggling to find a new topic
As I already mentioned above, content writing can be ‘overwhelming’ for newbies. It is mainly because the internet is overloaded with information, and there are thousands of articles on a single topic.
So, it is a challenge to find a new topic to write on without getting distracted.
To overcome this problem, you have to do proper research and then draft an article with your opinion. Try not to read other articles while writing. Have faith in yourself and complete your content.
4. Creative limitations
It is one of the biggest problem a content writer face. Initially, a person starts writing to pursue their passion and desire.
However, when an employer gives you an article to write, they want you to follow their ideas. No matter what you have to fulfill your employer’s wish to target their customers.
Here you have to learn to balance your creativity and your employer’s needs. You can choose to write about the niches where you are more comfortable and could adjust.
5. Burnout
It’s inevitable that continuous research and writing back and forth could lead to total burnout. You will be out of ideas, and your body will not support you.
Some writers work too much that they don’t have time for themselves, or some will procrastinate and then try to finish their work on the last day.
Plan your day correctly and try to follow the 30-minute rule where you work with dedication for 30 minutes and then take a 10-minute break. You can also use some time management hacks to increase your productivity.
To know more, read: 10 Powerful Tips To Turn Your Every Second Productive
6. Price negotiation
It is quite difficult to put a price for your work in the content writing domain, especially for beginners. Usually, new writer underestimates their skills and settle for the low price.
As a writer, you should be aware of the prices that are going in the market and then negotiate with your clients.
If you deliver quality content, you will overcome this struggle.
7. Extreme competition
It’s not a new fact about the tough competition in content writing. The main goal is to get as many clients as possible and get their articles ranked.
To overcome this, you should know your weaknesses and continuously improve yourself.
Learn to do proper competition analysis, be different from others and build a strong community.
These are the struggles faced by a new content writer. But if you follow a healthy mindset, and work on these problems, you will achieve your goal.
Questions like which one is better for a career; a content writing agency or freelancer also confuse beginner content writers.
Mindset While Writing?
Some tried and tested techniques are mentioned below that will guide you to develop a positive mindset:
- Start appreciating even your smallest achievement
- Stop treating everyone as a competitor
- Don’t blindly follow perfection
- Prepare strategies before writing
- Don’t believe in overnight success
- Do not under-estimate yourself over a bad draft
- Be consistent with your learning
Having this kind of mindset will help you in becoming an expert in content writing. This will open doors to various other opportunities as well which you may consider in the future.
Read more: 9 most effective ways to learn new things
Major Career Options
A full-time career in content writing has become more competitive than ever but still, there are many career options that you can choose from the given list:
1. Full-time blogger
You could enhance your skills and develop your blogging website. Publish your content and earn through ads, affiliate links, etc. Successful full-time bloggers are now considered “micro-influencers” or ‘celebrity influencers’.
2. Copywriter
It is one of the highest-paying domains of content writing. It aims at marketing and advertising. It requires a high level of creativity and you have to write your content to generate leads.
3. Technical writer
This field is very much in demand these days. Business owners are launching products or services that require a technical writer to help them in the promotion.
Articles like e-books, product descriptions, documentation, reports, proposals, handbooks, and data sheets fall under this section.
4. Freelancer
Yes, you read it right!
You could also dedicate your career to freelancing and be your boss. Build your portfolio by writing to various companies and once your image is established, become a full-fledged freelancer.
Here’s a screenshot attached that will show the highest vote went to freelancing as the most desirable career option for content writers.
Takeway
With the help of this blog, learn to face the struggles mentioned above and overcome them.
You should dedicate yourself completely as it is a difficult path to follow but not impossible.
You may take the help of a mentor or experts who could guide you and will make this journey easy.
Everyone is a beginner till they gain expertise and skills in their chosen field.
