Content writing tools have evolved significantly in recent years to help professional content writers become more productive and efficient. With the explosion of content needed for websites, blogs, social media, and other digital properties, it is crucial for content writers to utilize the best tools available to streamline their workflow and produce high-quality content at scale. This article will explore some of the most popular and effective content writing tools in 2017 and how each can help take your content game to the next level.
A staple tool for any content writer is Microsoft Word. While it lacks some advanced functionality of more specialized content writing software, Word remains ubiquitous and has most of the basic features content writers need on a daily basis. These include formatting tools, spelling/grammar checking, track changes for collaborating with editors, and reference tools like citations and footnotes. Word’s widespread use also means it can open documents created by virtually any other application. While not ideal for large-scale content production, Word is still quite useful for individual articles, reports, and other content projects.
For content writers who produce blog posts, website content, and other digital materials on a regular basis, dedicated content writing software provides more advanced tools to streamline workflow. Popular options include Concured, ScribbleLive, Outright, and WordAi. These platforms allow you to store style guides, briefs, templates and any other reference materials in one centralized location. You can also potentially collaborate with other writers and clients in real-time. Powerful automated tools for keyword research, SEO optimization, and analytics reporting also eliminate tedious manual tasks. Integrations with CMS platforms let you publish directly from the writing interface as well. Pricing varies but subscriptions start around $30-50/month.
When researching subjects to write about, online tools can help uncover valuable keywords, trends and angles to explore. Some top options for keyword research include Answer the Public, Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, and Ahrefs. They allow you to enter proposed topics and see suggested related terms as well as search volume data. This informs what exact keywords/phrases to target within your content for maximum discovery and relevance. Competitor analysis features also reveal which topics your peers are discussing. These tools are essential for anyone producing content as a business or service. Monthly pricing averages $50-100 per tool.
For augmenting research, tools like Answer the Public, Buzzsumo and TrendKite uncover what types of content on a given topic are already performing well and getting shared online. This provides social proof for developing new content ideas as well as inspiration for crafting shareable headlines, visuals and story angles. By mining social networks and analyzing engagement data, these tools reveal themes and types of content your target audience truly interacts with. Monthly costs around $30-100 depending on the tool and features needed.
Another aid for content writers is text expander software that automates boilerplate content and repetitive tasks. Popular options are PhraseExpress, TextExpander, and AutoHotkey. You can program these apps to automatically insert disclaimers, copyright notices, bios, templated paragraphs and other standardized text with a few keystrokes. This avoids the tedium of copy/pasting or retyping unchanging elements in each new article. Placeholders like [date] or [author] can also be dynamically populated. Text expander tools start around $15-30 one-time purchase.
For synthesizing and structuring research, outlining and mind mapping tools give content writers a birds-eye view of their material. Popular choices are MindMeister, MindNode, and Gliffy. These allow you to lay out your information in a visual, hierarchical structure outside of linear writing. This facilitates identifying logical connections, gaps, and the overall narrative arc. Outlines and maps are also editable collaborative documents useful for alignment between writers and clients or other stakeholders. Basic versions are free, while full-featured pro plans range from $5-30/month.
When writing long-form web content, internal linking helps break up text for improved reading experiences online. Manually inserting hundreds of links within a document in Word is tedious. Link assistant plugins make this process vastly more efficient. In Word, popular options are XLink and WebRef. For Google Docs, add-ons like LinkAssist provide automated linking capabilities. You can drag keywords/phrases into their own “pools” to insert linked references throughout content with a click. Prices vary on plugin marketplaces but most cost less than $50.
Spell checking and grammar tools have long been standard, but artificial intelligence is now augmenting them. AI writing assistants like Grammarly, WhiteSmoke, and ProWritingAid use machine learning to provide deeper analysis and catch stylistic issues their predecessors missed. Features include tone analysis, readability scores, vocabulary improvement suggestions, advanced grammar errors, and style consistency checking across large volumes of work. Cloud-based AI engines also adapt based on a writer’s preferred voice. Prices start around $12-30/month for individual plans.
Version control software is essential for content production teams and agencies to manage drafts, provide a single source of truth, and streamline collaboration. Popular options for professional content teams include GitHub and Bitbucket. Along with version history and file rollback capabilities, these platforms facilitate simultaneous editing and code review workflows between remote teams. Integration with Slack and other tools further enhances communication. Plans begin around $7-10 per user per month.
Today’s content writers have access to an amazing array of tools enabling increased productivity, better research practices, advanced quality control, and streamlined collaboration. By employing the right options for individual workflows and content volumes, professional content creators can significantly improve efficiency and focus more energy on high-level narrative and strategic elements of the writing process. The technologies explored here represent some of the top options for powering successful content operations of all sizes in 2017 and beyond. Continuous innovation ensures these tools will become even smarter and more intuitive over time.
Andrew Stroud