Everything you wanted to know about Content Writing - But Were Afraid to Ask

Article by: Jackuul

What is Content Writing?
Content writing is writing to generate content. First you need to know what content is before you can do content writing - and then you need to know what good content is. Let's begin with content itself, shall we? Content is what is in the webpage, what it is viewers see, what images, what writing, what flash videos - what ever there is within the page is content. Now, content is not always good content - so good content is something more allusive. The creation of good content is a key to getting people to read your site, and buy products, also it is good to have good content that reflects a good keyword - this way your site will be shown on searches first should a particular search item need filling. What do I mean by that? Simple. If people search Google for 'is Purified Water real?' and no articles have that exact key phrase - you can have an article that uses that exact phrase and thus be found quickly - because it is relevant. Some pages may just slap on search terms all over in an attempt to bring people in - but algorithms are more advanced now - these may become blacklisted and not shown.

How do I do Content Writing?
The process of writing content is relatively easy if you know how to write in the proper form of your language. Bad grammar and bad spelling is always a negative aspect of a good article so it is always advisable that you use a spell checking tool and a grammar checking tool. Researching is also very important - if you have ever written a term paper you will know how to find the resources you need to create a good article that is factually correct and gives content writing a good name. People who just blatantly lie and use keywords throughout their content writing are merely writing to create search results. When people see how poorly written or factually incorrect an article is, they will no longer trust or read the site. Another issue is bias, you must maintain a neutral tone - even if it is an endorsement. I don't mean be Ben Stein neutral, I mean say that "In my evaluation I have found that between product A and product B I have found X Y and Z to be better" rather than "Product A is awesome! !!!! Use product A!!!!!" Another note - almost everyone I know hates the over use of question marks and exclamation marks - it is a dead giveaway of bias and of blatant covering over of other issues. If you are to be trusted - you should write the truth.

What do I need to know?
Well, you need to know how to spell, you need to know how to use a keyboard, you need to know grammar, and you need to know how to communicate with other people.  Think about what would happen if you were not a people person – you would be overly sarcastic and berate the people you wrote articles to – a very bad thing that alienates your readers.  Occasionally if you write a sarcastic and dry article it can work – but not with content writing for other people.  You are hired to write positive articles, articles that help the site you write for, and articles that promote a product or site (or many other things).  Now – if you are asked to write a sarcastic or sardonic article that is something totally different indeed. You need to know how to make a point – and make it without using bullets.  Bullets (the little dot) are in no way, shape, or form, a good way of making a point.  However they are good for reminding you of what the point is, and covering all the important matters, just be sure you made your point somewhere in the article before you bullet it up (bullets can be used for making points in some rare cases – like slide show presentations – but this usually has a speaker who will be talking along with the show, hence negating them being the only source of information).  You need to know what you are writing about, who you are writing it for, how you will be paid, and what the deadline is.  Never, ever, ever, forget the deadline.  

Now I will simply put forth a kind of checklist/reminder of what the things are to keep in mind, and keep in your consciousness. Maybe you should even keep them in your subconscious.

• Remember to keep track of your deadlines
• Keep a log of what you do each day
• Check your spelling
• Check your grammar
• Check your bias
• Check your tone
• Have a buddy read it over too
• Keep it simple. No fluff
• Keep it straight, get to the point
• Know your client’s email – and make sure you trust them
• Don’t get distracted – yes, turn Tetris off
• Smile when you write
• Never get discouraged
• Never give up
• Never quit – just keep at it

I hope this will help you in your understanding of Content Writing - and I look forward to seeing your articles soon!

I have personally been writing content now for a while, and at times I have broken one or more of the above things - except the last ones. Those I came close too - but I have stayed active in content writing and stayed at it - and so should you! Remember, this isn't just some humdrum toilsome job that you have to do, it is your choice to do it, and you should do it because you enjoy it! Content writing can be fun, you take time out to learn and exercise your mind, plus you can listen to music you normally don't listen to because you're too busy otherwise. Try to vary up the subjects you write about too - it's always good to have a variety. Plus, it is great to learn, the more you learn, the better you are later on. Every article I have written (except this one) has caused me to learn something new in one way or another.

About The Author: I am attempting to take over the world, restore order, and create a better place for humanity to live.