How to Become a Content Writer in 2021: Everything You Need to Know
By: Rishabh Ravindran
Tags: Content Writing Tips, Content Writing, Writing Tips, Freelance Writer, Freelance Writing

If you are asking yourself how to become a content writer with no experience at all, then you are in the right place, at the right time.

You will understand why I said, the “right place” after completing this article, but do you know why I said, “at the right time”?

The content writing industry was growing at a steady pace, but the COVID 19 pandemic changed everything forever.

Online content started to get 3 to 4x more visitors than they got earlier.

Brands and businesses took notice of this massive change and started investing a lot of money in creating good quality content.

The search for video, audio, and written content was on the rise, and as a result, the search for quality creators has already begun.

It didn’t matter where you were from, if you could produce quality contents for them, you were hired.

The work from home routine was started in India on a large scale.

If you know how to create high-quality content, then you could earn a decent income from the comfort of your sofa.

So now you know why I just said” the right place at the right time”.

Without any ado, let’s dig straight in.

How to Become a Content Writer with No Experience

Step 1: Start Writing Something

This is one of the biggest mistakes that I see every day of my life.

It doesn’t matter whether you are a complete newbie or a professional, you will have to write every single day!

To become a good content writer, who produces awesome articles, you will have to write something every single day.

It doesn’t matter what you write about, write at least 500 words per day.

Every writer who earns 60–80 thousand per month did the same when they started out.

Don’t wait till the last second to start writing.

It takes time to write engaging articles.

Step 2: Create Your Secret Blog

As I mentioned earlier, around 70 percent of people skip the first step and start by making a blog for themselves.

The problem? Instead of focusing on your writing, they focus on how to make their blog more attractive by adding new themes, creating an attractive logo, and so on.

Instead of this, you will have to create a secret blog.

Let it be messy and boring, don’t go for those fancy themes and images.

Here you will create a secret blog that only you will know about.

You won’t share it anywhere, and no one will be able to see what you are doing.

It’s your place to learn and improve your writing skills.

After creating a free blog, start to write at least 1000 words per day.

This time instead of writing anything, try to focus on a particular topic.

So, before you start writing, take some time to research a particular topic.

Then create a simple outline, and start writing what you just understood about that topic.

Try changing your niche once in a while, if you took lifestyle this week, then try technology next week.

This will help you to become a flexible writer in the future.

Step 3: Build a Portfolio Website or a Personal Blog

It takes some time and effort to build a quality portfolio website or personal blog.

You will have to choose a domain name, good hosting, a professional-looking theme, then optimize it.

Make sure that you create a beautiful, professional-looking website because this is the website that you are going to use to get clients in the future.

So even if you don’t have any experience in content writing, this is how you will land your first client or job.

Your clients want to know whether you can produce quality contents that meet their expectations.

Step 4: Build a Proper LinkedIn Profile

LinkedIn is one of the most underrated platforms in India.

You will be surprised to know the number of clients that I got from my LinkedIn profile.

I have seen many Guru’s sayings that you have to create your account on platforms like Fiverr and Upwork.

Yes, there are people who are earning a ton of money from these platforms, but can a beginner earn from these sites?

The chances are low. The reason? Spam.

If you are in India, just see a job posting on these sites, there will be at least 20–40 proposals under each job posting.

If I’m the one who is posting a job posting there, I will look at the star reviews that you have earned.

To earn a starred review, you will have to get hired in the first place!

So instead create an account on LinkedIn.

Most organizations start their search by looking at candidates on LinkedIn.

Moreover, you could find a ton of job opportunities in the LinkedIn Job search.

Step 5: Pitch to Business

You might have seen one or two online magazines while surfing through Facebook, right?

These online portals are looking for new content every single day, so whenever possible pitch a topic to these websites.

So how to create a pitch that will get you hired?

Browse through the articles that they published and understand what are the topics that they are interested in.

If they have publishing guidelines, read through them.

Since now you have a clear idea, about the content they post, create an article that follows their guidelines.

Now go to their contact page, to see how you could contact them.

Now create an awesome pitch that is irresistible.

Step 6: Apply for a Job Opening

Where should you apply for a job as a content writer in India?

There are many content writing agencies in India as well as abroad. Simply search the below query in google:

“content writing” + “agency”

This will show a list of content writing agencies around the world.

Check whether they currently have an opening for a content writer, if yes then do an elevator pitch.

Moreover, you can register on various job portals, and apply for a job there.

Step 7: Be active in Social Media handles

No, I’m not saying that you should be active on Facebook.

There are many platforms like Quora and Reddit, where you can stretch your writing muscles.

Provide valuable information to others and group your community. Who knows, you may acquire your first client from these platforms.

Conclusion

Most content writers aren’t born with the gift of writing.

They learn things, and they adapt to their works.

So, if you are a complete beginner or someone who is in a dry spell, keep doing your work and the result will follow.

So, what are you waiting for? Write your first 300 words now!

“This article was originally published on https://www.inskade.com/blog/become-content-writer-in-india/”