How to Become a Content Writer With No Experience: My $5k Per Month Plan

When I wanted to become a content writer, I had no formal experience and received no coaching. Yet, I consistently earn $5,000 per month doing what I enjoy. The trip was not simple, but it was extremely gratifying. In this article, I’ll provide my full method for starting your content writing profession from scratch and achieving comparable success.

What is Content Writing?

Content writing entails providing interesting, informative, and useful content for websites, blogs, social media, and other digital platforms. It is an essential component of digital marketing, aiming at attracting and retaining an audience.

Who is a Content Writer?

A content writer is a professional who generates and maintains written content for businesses and organizations. They use their writing skills to convey ideas, facts, and tales educationally and interestingly. Content writers can work on a range of tasks, such as blog entries, articles, website text, social media postings, and marketing collateral. They may also be in charge of editing, proofreading, and designing content strategy.

To be a good content writer, you must have excellent writing abilities, as well as the ability to research themes, understand target audiences, and write clearly and succinctly. You should be able to work independently and fulfill deadlines.

If you want to pursue a career in content writing, there are a few steps you may take to begin.
Content writing is a tough but rewarding profession. If you enjoy writing and have the necessary skills, a career as a content writer could be ideal for you.

What Do Content Writers Do?

In no particular order, some of the important roles of the content writer include:

Diligently research information
Create content that is concise and to the point.
Ensure that the organization’s goals are realized using your words.
Edit the content to make it concise.
Use their writing abilities to create a variety of content, such as blogs, marketing content, scriptwriting, and more.

As a content writer, you will create a variety of content formats, such as blog entries, articles, product descriptions, and social media postings.

Why is Content Writing a Lucrative Career?

Content writing provides flexibility, the potential for high compensation, and the option to work with a variety of clients. According to the Content Marketing Institute, 73% of firms use content writers to improve their marketing tactics. The demand for experienced content writers is increasing, making this a feasible career path for many people.

Types of Content Writers

There are ten common types of content writers:

#1. Blog Writer

A blog writer understands how to transform complex topics into friendly conversations. Blog writers use their investigation skills to identify and source data that enhances blog content. They will spend hours on a single article’s draft and consider numerous blog titles. The blog writer will eventually select a title with the highest click-through potential. Because a published blog post is essentially another page on your website, blog writers are often SEO experts.

A blog writer is accountable for:

Articles
Interviews
Blog Posts
Research

#2. Brand Journalist

A brand journalist is a storyteller. They won’t stop till they find their story. They will positively represent your brand, whether they write press releases or customer anecdotes. So, they understand the importance of a brand’s reputation, so they have a natural tendency to double-check facts and quotes before they are distributed. They also have a knack for writing headlines that entice readers to click and share.

A brand journalist is ideal for:

Brand Tales
Customer Stories.
Interviews
Press Releases
Company Bios
Internal Communication

#3. Copywriter

A copywriter is quick to shift their creative focus between a variety of topics and projects. They understand both your brand and your customers’ language. Copywriters incorporate experiences into every word, from product descriptions to website pages.

A copywriter creates:

Website Text
Print Media
Infographics
Sales Collateral
Product Descriptions

#4. Ghostwriter

A ghostwriter is a chameleon, capable of transforming into the devoted voice of both brands and individuals. Ghostwriters cover the content resource gap when your business lacks bandwidth, talent, drive, or all of the above. When hiring a ghostwriter, organizations want someone who oozes confidence and trust. They will entrust them with the wonderful voice of their brand and the people behind it.

A ghostwriter is perfect for:

Articles
White Papers
Ebooks
Thought leadership
Website Copy
Off-Page Material

#5. Technical Writer

A technical writer is adept in making complex technical information understandable to others. They go into great detail about technology, including how to utilize and create it, as well as the procedures, components, inner workings, and mechanics. Whether they’re developing guides, FAQs, or manuals, they’ll show your product to non-technical users so they understand its capabilities.

A technical writer creates the following:

How-Tos
FAQs
Guides
Instructions
UX (User Experience) Messaging.
Manuals

A social media writer is likely a brand’s most prominent voice. To ensure content success, social media writers must stay current with social networks’ ever-changing capabilities and algorithms.
They effectively communicate in each platform’s language, engaging followers with relevant messaging and interactive aspects such as polls and queries. When selecting a social media writer, trust is vital because this person will become your brand’s representative.

A social media writer is accountable for:

Social media postings
Interactive Material
Quizzes
Public Relations Outreach
Platform-Specific Content

#7. Email Writer

The goal of an email writer’s copy is to encourage action. They understand lead-generating tactics and how content may aid with these efforts. Psychology plays an important role in their creative process. They compose and place every word in headlines and call-to-action phrases, keeping buyer stages and sales initiatives in mind. A professional email writer is dedicated to A/B testing text and will regularly review and alter their writing to achieve the highest conversion results.

An email writer creates:

Newsletters
Transactional emails
Drip campaigns
Customer Nurturing
Sales nurturing

#8. Scriptwriter

A scriptwriter is an integral part of multimedia projects. They add storytelling expertise while remaining true to the messaging strategy. Scriptwriters foresee how words on a page will someday evolve into more rich formats, such as videos and podcasts.
You’ll know you’ve found the right scriptwriter when they can see your content vision from the start.
A scriptwriter is a creative source for:

Video Scripts
Podcast Scripts
Explainer Video Scripts
Radio/Audio advertisements
Chatbots
Motion Graphics Scripts

#9. Long-form Content Writer

Long-form content writers are a blend of novelists and marathon runners. The long-form content writers frequently become subject matter experts by default because of their passion for analytics and information.

They prefer longer formats because they can weave insights into a cohesive and robust structure, whereas many writers find 2,000 words or more intimidating.
Long-form content writers create:

Ebooks
White Papers
Data studies
Case Studies
Pillar Blog Entries

#10. Ad & Promotion Writer

An ad and promotion writer understands how to make the best use of prime real estate in all of their work. Within character count limits, compelling messages are easily constructed.
They must create messages that resonate with prospects and motivate them to perform a certain action that results in a captured lead for sales.

An advertisement and promotion writer would be best suited for:

Advertising Text
Landing Pages
Direct Mail Copy
Promotional Blurbs Onsite
Sales Material
Product Descriptions

It is neither, nor should it be, one-size-fits-all. Because content is tough, there are numerous writing pros available to help organizations flourish.

How To Become a Content Writer From Zero to $5,000 Per Month

When I originally started, I didn’t know where to start. But I quickly learnt that determination, continuous learning, and strategic planning are essential for success in content creation. Here’s the step-by-step approach that helped me earn a consistent $5,000 every month.

Step #1. Educate Yourself

Before you begin writing, it’s critical to learn the foundations of content development and search engine optimization (SEO). This is how I started:

FREE Online Courses:

HubSpot Academy: HubSpot provides a thorough content marketing certification course that covers the fundamentals of content development, strategy, and promotion. This training taught me the significance of providing content that offers value to the viewers.
Coursera: I registered for courses like “The Strategy of Content Marketing” at the University of California, Davis. This course taught students how to create a content marketing plan and measure its efficacy.
Google Digital Garage: Their “Fundamentals of Digital Marketing” course includes lessons on content marketing and SEO, which are required for every aspiring content writer.

Reading and research:

Blogs and Websites: I followed industry-leading blogs such as Moz, Neil Patel, and the Content Marketing Institute. These platforms frequently provide articles and guides on the most recent trends, suggestions, and methods in content writing and SEO.
Books: I’ve read Ann Handley’s “Everybody Writes” and Joe Pulizzi’s “Content Inc.” These books provide actionable guidance and real-world examples to help you enhance your writing and content marketing abilities.

SEO Basics:

Knowing SEO is essential for content writers. I learned about keyword research, on-page SEO, and link building from sites such as Moz’s Beginner’s Guide to SEO and Ahrefs’ blog. These tools helped me understand how to optimize content so that it ranks higher in search engines.

Step #2. Build Your Portfolio

A solid portfolio demonstrates your writing ability and diversity. Here’s how I created mine without any prior experience:

Write sample articles: I researched and produced numerous sample pieces on issues about which I was passionate. This not only helped me practice, but also supplied content for potential clients to view. I concentrated on several niches to demonstrate adaptability

Provide Free Services: I approached non-profits and small businesses, offering to write for free or at a reduced fee. This method allowed me to gain experience and grow my portfolio. For example, I created blog pieces for a local animal sanctuary, which they then shared on their website and social media.

Guest Blog: I proposed guest post ideas to big blogs in my niche. Many blogs allow guest posts, and having my work published on prominent websites increased the legitimacy of my portfolio. For example, I contributed an essay about productivity to a well-known personal development blog, which allowed me to reach a larger audience.

Step #3. Start a Personal Blog

Creating a blog was a game changer for me. This is how it helped:

Showcase Expertise: I utilized WordPress to create my blog and wrote about topics that reflected my writing style and knowledge. This gave me a platform to showcase my expertise to potential clients.
Regular Practice: Consistent blogging has helped me develop my writing skills and SEO understanding. I practiced creating captivating headlines, engaging introductions, and insightful body content.
SEO Experiments: My blog became a trial ground for SEO strategies. I tried keyword placement, meta descriptions, and internal links. Monitoring the success of my blog entries has taught me what works and what doesn’t in terms of SEO.

Step #4. Network and Promote Yourself

Networking is essential in the content writing industry. This is how I accomplished it.

Join writing groups: I joined several writing groups on LinkedIn and Facebook. These groups provided encouragement, career leads, and the opportunity to work with other writers. For example, I met a writer who linked me to my first paid assignment.
Attend Webinars and Workshops: I attended webinars and online workshops to learn from industry leaders and meet possible clients. These events also offered valuable insights on current content writing trends.
Freelance platforms: I built profiles on Upwork and Fiverr to market my skills. These platforms helped me get my first few clients. I concentrated on creating attractive profiles and offers to attract clients seeking content writing services.

Step #5. Use Content Templates

Using content templates helped me streamline my writing process and guaranteed consistency in my work. Here’s how I used them.

Efficiency: Templates for blog posts, articles, and product descriptions helped me arrange my ideas while maintaining a professional tone. A blog post template, for example, ensured that I included all of the necessary pieces, from the introduction to the call to action.
Consistency: Templates ensured consistency across multiple sorts of content. Whether I was writing a product description or a thorough piece, using a structured framework saved me time while keeping my writing clear and orderly.
Professional Appearance: Using templates gave my work a polished, professional appearance. Clients loved the structured and easy-to-read approach, which helped me establish a good reputation.

Here’s a simple blog post template that I frequently use:.

Blog Post Template:

Title: An engaging and SEO-friendly title.

Introduction:

Engage the reader with an interesting fact or question.
Provide a brief introduction to the issue and its relevance.

The Main Body:

Section 1: Explain the first essential idea using examples and facts.
Section 2: Explain the second major point with personal anecdotes.
Section 3: Highlight the third essential point with quotes from experts.

Conclusion:

Summarize the major points.
Include a call-to-action (e.g., ask readers to remark, share, or contact you for further information).

Call-to-Action:

A clear and appealing call to action that directs the reader to the next step.

Step #6. Focus on Continuous Improvement

The field of content writing is always changing. Here’s how I maintained continuous improvement:

Stay updated: I set aside time each week to study new skills, such as sophisticated SEO techniques and content marketing ideas. Following industry blogs, attending webinars, and taking advanced courses helped me stay current.
Seeking Feedback: I actively solicited feedback from clients and colleagues to discover areas for development. Constructive feedback helped me improve my writing and identify flaws.
Experiment: I tried many writing styles, forms, and topics to broaden my skill set. This adaptability increased my marketability and enabled me to work on a variety of literary projects.

Step #7. Setting and Achieving Income Goals

Setting financial objectives helped me stay motivated and focused. Here’s how I tackled it:

Start small: I set a small goal of $1,000 per month and gradually increased it as I obtained more clients and improved my skills. Setting realistic benchmarks helped me stay motivated and track my progress.
Tracking Progress: I tracked my money, clients, and projects using Excel and Google Sheets. This group guaranteed that I completed deadlines and found high-paying clients.
Adjust Strategy: As I tracked my success, I tweaked my techniques to maximize profits. To enhance my monthly income, I shifted my attention to high-paying niches and long-term projects.

Key Takeaways

Begin with free online resources and classes to lay a solid foundation in content writing and SEO.
Create sample pieces, provide free services to non-profits, and develop a personal blog to demonstrate your writing abilities.
Expand your professional network by connecting with other authors and possible clients through social media and freelance platforms.
Templates can help you keep your writing consistent and high-quality.
Set attainable revenue targets and track your progress to stay motivated and focused.

Conclusion

With the appropriate strategy, you may become a good content writer despite having no prior experience. You may attain your financial objectives and have a fulfilling profession by educating yourself, developing a solid portfolio, networking, and always improving your talents. Are you ready to start your content writing journey? Which strategies will you deploy first? Please share your opinions, and let us explore how we can help each other on this exciting subject.