I am a beginner content writer looking to get into the field. What advice would you give to a newbie? Thanks!

Replies8

  • @Vikki Ross hey Vikki, ah awesome that's a great shout about those hashtags - cheers for that!! Will definitely post my first blog post to those soon! Do you know of any other social sites / dedicated to writers? Thanks!
  • Hi Callum, just start writing! Share your writing on social and with people you think would be interested in your work. There are a number of communities on Twitter you could connect with too - check out hashtags like #copywritersunite, #writingcommunity and #contentclubUK.

    Hope that helps,

    Vikki
  • @Lucy Thorpe Hi Lucy, thanks for the detailed response! I do have a few examples which I am currently pulling together on my website so that I can send my site out for people to get a flavour of what I write. Do you know of any good professional websites that allow you to share work?

    Working with a niche I definitely agree with, I really enjoy writing about self awareness and self help - so pursuing a niche in that sounds good to me!

    I am looking for both kinds of work to be honest, I am just looking to get some experience working for an actual agency / business as much of my current work has just been for myself.

    Thanks! :)
  • @Louisa // SOLA Hey, good advice on the finding writers I like and emailing them! I have never gone out to seek writers I enjoy reading, so will be a good endeavour! I do enjoy writing about self-help & self-awareness, so perhaps that would be a good place to start :) Thanks for the advice!
  • Hey Callum, are you looking to be freelance or employed?

    I'd start out with pulling together some writing samples or examples - it doesn't have to be published stuff but stuff that shows what you can actually write. I've found working in a niche/specialist area has worked for me in terms of finding the right jobs and clients, but this isn't the case for everyone.

    If you're looking for an employer, marketing agencies are usually a good place to start and you'll learn at a really fast pace.

    I wished I'd been more active on professional networks when I started out as they definitely work when it comes to clients and jobs finding you. I have a website, which isn't a necessity, but it is useful for clients who want to find out more about you (I'm freelance).

    If you're not already familiar, learn about the basics of SEO writing (keywords, how to structure content etc) as there'll be some crossover.

    Don't get conned into working for free or for really low rates if you're freelance.
  • @Callum Holden I would start with subject matters you feel confident you could write about and start searching online. Visit local libraries and event venus and galleries that may have small print publications... The resoursefulness you apply now will set you up to carry on being resourceful as you grow your content writing career - so practice being resourceful as you asnwer your own questions.

    Another route to add is to find writers you like and email them and let them know, and ask if there is any way that you could be helpful to them...
  • @Louisa // SOLA Hey! Thanks for the detailed response, really useful info there! :) Do you know where the best place may be to look for what different publications are out there? For example is there a website for looking for publications? Thanks!
  • Start writing sort texts on Medium, and submit them to Medium's own pulications. Make a shortlist of 100 relevant publications (print and online) and all their submission deadlines and editors names... Make a habit of writing every day without self critique. Read your own question and imagine you DO know the answer, and write down 10 answers you can extract from your own mind as to where to start... then follow them through for 3 months and review.

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