Introduction to Online Content Writing
Online content writing has become a very popular freelance career path in recent years. As more businesses move online and seek to engage digital audiences, there is high demand for compelling articles, blog posts, product descriptions, and other types of web content. For those interested in becoming an online content writer, it’s important to gain a solid understanding of the fundamentals. This tutorial will cover the basics of online content writing, including common writing styles and formats, best practices, tools, and how to get started as a freelance content writer.
Common Types of Online Content
There are a variety of content types writers may be asked to create:
Blog Posts: Generally between 500-1000 words, blog posts aim to provide value to readers on a specific topic. Posts should be optimally formatted with headers, images, and internal links.
Articles: Lengthier at 1000+ words, articles provide an in-depth exploration of a topic for readers. They are often evergreen and ever-updating to maintain relevance. Proper formatting, sourcing, and editorial style are important.
Product Descriptions: Ranging from 50-300 words, descriptions summarize the key attributes and value proposition of a product for customers on e-commerce sites. Bulleted lists and compelling keyword-rich copy help drive sales.
Web Copy: This includes headlines, calls-to-action, navigation text, footers, and any other short-form copy found across a website. The goal is clear concise communication that guides users.
Ebooks/Guides: Long-form digital publications, usually between 5,000-20,000 words. They provide thorough expert resources on a topic area. Careful research, sourcing, formatting, and potentially graphics/multimedia are involved.
Landing Pages: Created for digital marketing campaigns, landing pages feature compelling headlines and summaries to capture leads and conversions for a specific offer.
Best Practices for Online Content Writing
Some fundamental best practices will help anyone get up to speed with professional online content writing:
Research topic areas thoroughly using authoritative sources to gain expertise. Develop an outline or plan.
Write in an engaging conversational style, avoiding flowery language. Focus on the needs and perspective of the target reader.
Structure information logically and break up large blocks of text with relevant subheadings for scannability.
Use targeted keywords naturally and optimize titles/subheaders for searchability without being “stuffed.”
Reference authoritative sources for supporting facts and credit images properly with captions/attribution.
Ensure grammatical correctness, proper spelling, consistent tense & point of view through close editing & proofreading.
Formatting for websites is key – use correct heading styles, bullet lists, images, internal links appropriately.
Concisely summarize points and provide a clear call-to-action for reader next steps when applicable.
Be responsive and work to deadlines set out in client agreements or freelance projects.
Important Content Writing Tools
Several practical tools can help streamline the online content writing process:
Word processors like Google Docs for collaborating & tracking changes on drafts.
Research tools (Google/Bing/DuckDuckGo for searching, Chrome extensions for saving/annotating sources).
Outlining/mind-mapping software to plan content structures.
Reference managers (Mendeley, Zotero etc) to organize sources.
Keyword research & SEO optimization tools (AnswerThePublic, SemRush etc).
Screen capture/diagram tools to create illustrations when needed.
Proofreading platforms to catch small errors & get a fresh perspective.
Project management (Trello, Asana) and communication (Slack, email) apps for client workflow.
Getting Started as a Freelance Content Writer
To successfully transition into freelance content writing, the following tips can help new writers get initial clients & experience:
Create a professional website/portfolio to showcase experience & writing samples.
Build an author/business profile on job boards like Upwork, Fiverr, or freelance marketplaces.
Reach out to potential local clients like small businesses, blogs, non-profits with pitches tailored for their needs.
Network in relevant Facebook groups & LinkedIn to find potential work opportunities.
Start with smaller projects at lower rates to build up reviews and ratings that attract bigger clients.
Track time efficiently for invoices and manage payments through service integrations once clients are secured.
Continually improve technical/research skills and writing style through self-study and practice with new projects.
Consider certifications from the WCWP or other programs that demonstrate expertise to clients.
Join relevant writing/content marketing groups to stay on top of trends impacting the industry.
Maintain organization and records for tax reporting purposes as a self-employed contractor.
With dedication to constant learning, skill-building, and community/project engagement, online content writing can develop into a sustainable freelance career path for qualified individuals.