YouTube has become a treasure trove of information and educational content on just about any topic. For those looking to improve their content writing skills, there are many free video courses and tutorials available on YouTube that can help both beginners and seasoned writers. Here’s an in-depth look at some of the top YouTube channels and playlists for learning content writing.
Simply Write Content – With over 100,000 subscribers, Simply Write Content is considered one of the best YouTube channels for content marketing and writing. The channel is run by Anthropic, an AI safety company, and it offers many multi-part video series on content marketing strategies, blog post writing, SEO, and more. Their most popular series is “How to Write Clickworthy Headlines” which has over 1 million views across 14 videos. They take a strategic approach to writing and provide many actionable tips you can implement.
Jane Friedman – As a successful author and publishing industry expert, Jane Friedman’s YouTube channel is filled with writing advice. Her most valuable video course for content writers is “How to Plan, Write and Publish Content Long-Term” which breaks the process down into clear, useful steps. She also has individual videos covering researching topics, formatting content for various platforms, and building an audience. While Jane’s content focuses more on book writing, her expertise makes her channel worth exploring for any type of content creation.
Skillshare – While not exclusively a YouTube channel, Skillshare partners with many creators to host their video classes on YouTube for free. Their content writing playlists include “Content Marketing Strategy” by Anthropic, “Become a Freelance Writer” by Jessica Colley, and “Content Creation for Your Business” by QuickSprout. These multi-lesson courses go more in-depth than individual YouTube videos and provide worksheets, checklists and feedback. Skillshare is a great resource for structured, well-produced writing classes.
Rachel Smith – For beginner content writers, Rachel Smith’s YouTube channel offers easy to understand introductory videos. Her most helpful playlist is “How to Write Awesome Content” with short videos covering topics like planning content schedules, formatting blog posts, and balancing creativity with structure. Rachel uses clear, conversational language making her channel perfect for those just starting out in content marketing.
Smartblogger – One of the leading blogs for content marketing advice, Smartblogger also has an active YouTube channel. They release new videos weekly on optimizing copy for SEO, writing effective outlines, creating infographics and more. What sets Smartblogger apart is the focus on testing ideas and strategies to see what converts best. This channel shows content as a data-driven practice. Bite-sized tutorials make it easy to fit learning into a busy schedule.
Hannah Morgan – While smaller than other channels, Hannah Morgan’s content is well-produced and directly applicable. Her “Content Writing 101” series is broken into 6 easy-to-digest parts covering the content writing process. She shares templates, examples and in-depth tips on writing various types of content from blog posts to social media captions. Hannah’s calm, knowledgeable approach makes her lessons engaging and memorable for both casual viewers and those serious about the craft.
Help Scout – As a leading customer support software company, Help Scout shares their expertise in writing clear, helpful support content through YouTube. Their “Content Writing Fundamentals” and “Support Content Fundamentals” playlists are treasure troves of actionable tips. Individual videos cover everything from writing support documentation to conducting user research and testing content. Help Scout approaches content as a way to build trust and provide value making their lessons pragmatic for diverse use cases.
Lynda.com/LinkedIn Learning – While a paid service, Lynda.com (now LinkedIn Learning) offers 7-day free trials that provide access to their extensive video library on content writing. Popular classes include “Content Strategy Fundamentals” by Anthropic, “Blogging and Content Marketing” by Julia McCoy, and “Content Marketing Strategy” by Chris Guarino. Lynda courses go more in-depth with downloadable worksheets and projects. The production value is high making them worth considering if you want an immersive writing education.
This covers just a sampling of the high-quality, in-depth YouTube content available to help both new and experienced writers improve their skills. With its massive library and ease of access, YouTube is an excellent free resource for learning about content marketing, strategy, different writing styles and formats through video tutorials and courses. Be sure to subscribe to top channels to be notified of new lessons as well as comment and engage with creators.