How do I start content writing?

To start content writing, begin looking for writing jobs on platforms like Upwork and create a portfolio of professional written works. To show employers that you have the ability and versatility, you need to write engaging and error-free pieces. According to the website Content Writers, some beginning content writers usually start off with product reviews, how-tos, and lifestyle information.

Is content writing a good job?

Yes, content writing is a good job if you enjoy flexibility and variety in your tasks. Content writers often craft various kinds of writings for different purposes, usually producing high-quality writings within a short amount of time. Depending on the business, you could be writing social media posts or a long article. If you like being able to do different kinds of writings, then content writing could be a good job.

What do you need to be a content writer?

To be a content writer, you generally need to have versatility and good research skills. At a minimum, you should have a solid understanding of what makes writing readable such as having good grammar and punctuation. Many writers generally have a degree in English or journalism to boost their prospects.

What exactly is content writing?

Content writing is writing copy to be used for advertising, promoting, or informing the audience. Businesses typically ask content writers to create a variety of writings from blog posts, press releases to social media posts. Often, the content writer sets the tone of the website and business by having a knowledgeable and unique voice that is consistent across their social media and platforms.

What skills does a content writer need?

The skills that a content writer needs are writing, research, and versatility. At a minimum, you should have a solid understanding of what makes writing readable such as having good grammar and punctuation. Many writers generally have a degree in English or journalism to boost their prospects.

How To Become A Content Writer: What It Is and Career Path

What is a content writer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted experts

Evan Schulte,

Gayle Rogers

A content writer creates written content for various mediums such as websites, and social media. Their job is to communicate an organization's message to its audience through engaging and informative content. Content writers analyze information to ensure that they produce accurate content. They also work closely with other professionals, such as editors and marketers, to develop effective content strategies. The role requires excellent writing skills, creativity, attention to detail, and the ability to adapt to different formats.

What general advice would you give to a content writer?

Evan Schulte

Assistant Professor, English as a Second Language, Colorado Mountain College

Graduating with a degree in English and Literature gives the graduate an excellent opportunity to teach online. I would recommend getting TEFL or TESOL certified. It is a great chance to gain teaching experience, and there is always the option to teach abroad when the pandemic lets up.

ScoreContent WriterUS Average

Salary

4.6

Avg. Salary $58,918

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.2

Growth rate 4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.7

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.36%

Asian 4.99%

Black or African American 6.04%

Hispanic or Latino 7.76%

Unknown 5.62%

White 75.23%

Gender

female 60.24%

male 39.76%

Age - 41

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 41

Stress level

6.2

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.5

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

5.5

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a content writer?

Pros

Remote work is often an option
Exposure to different industries and topics
Opportunity for growth and advancement
Ability to work with various clients and businesses
Constantly learning and staying up-to-date with industry trends

Cons

Difficulty in finding consistent work
Monotonous work at times
Can be isolating and lack human interaction
Low pay rates for beginners or in certain niches
Difficulty in standing out from other content writers

Key steps to become a content writer

Explore content writer education requirements

Most common content writer degrees

Bachelor's

77.0 %

Master's

12.3 %

Associate

6.2 %

Start to develop specific content writer skills

Skills	Percentages
Digital Marketing	9.70%
WordPress	9.29%
Web Content	6.49%
Blog Posts	5.82%
Digital Content	3.33%

Complete relevant content writer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New content writers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a content writer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real content writer resumes.

Research content writer duties and responsibilities

Implement and manage Salesforce and Marketo for client to establish lead nurturing campaigns.
Maintain guest blogging strategy and policies to achieve a consistently diverse authorship and to grow readership.
Manage the editorial production of the pamphlets, brochures and graphic material to target worldwide audiences including china.
Manage proposal process from RFP (request for proposal) receipt to writing and editing various contributions to final RFP submission.

Prepare your content writer resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your content writer resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a content writer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable content writer resume templates

Build a professional content writer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your content writer resume.

Apply for content writer jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a content writer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first content writer job

Gayle Morris

Content Writer, The Chocolate Letter

I became a full-time freelance writer in 2009. It was something I wanted since I was 14 and now I get to do what I love and I love what I do. I started work as a nurse and then a nurse practitioner, so most of the content I write is in the health and wellness field.

I've found that freelance work ebbs and flows. When I'm busy, I might work 10 hours a day. But there are times when the work slows considerably. You have to be comfortable with the uncertainty of the work cycle and be willing to work through the lean years to gain the knowledge, experience, and expertise you need.

When I started as a freelance writer, I was married. I worked part-time as a freelance writer and part-time as a nurse. Within a couple of years, I was a full-time writer and a single mom with four children who depended on me. It is amazing what you can accomplish when your back is against the wall!

For me, the hardest part of freelance work is client acquisition. I tend to answer job postings instead of approaching potential clients in my field. Despite being a freelance writer for over 15 years, client acquisition is still something I need to learn to do well.

How do content writers rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Content writer reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020

Pros

I love hearing stories from other sources.

Cons

people not providing accurate information

A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2019

Pros

I learned to read and write at an early age and have avidly pursued it since. Beside school publications and assignments, I've sought out numerous outlets for my love of writing, from features and sports writer for my local weekly news paper, to AP stringer for election coverage, to a Pohlad family internship at one of southeastern Minnesota's most respected dailies.

Cons

Unexpected deadlines, I guess, although it sometimes seems I do my sharpest writing in those pressured situations.

A zippia user wrote a review on May 2019

Pros

I love content and marketing overall. As a former journalist turned marketer, I love connecting with audiences and catering to what their interests may be, whether they know it or not yet. As a content director, I get involved in various departments like business development, finance, presidental level and others. Normally, most expect to only be involved in marketing efforts, but that simply isn't true.

Cons

I do think that depending on where you are employed some companies are not accustomed as to how involved a content department should be. Oftentimes it's either completely dead or pure chaos with workload. I think content director should be given larger authorities, teams and say regarding strategy. Oftentimes, they are overlooked due to old-school employees assuming they're glorified proofreaders or the grammar people.

What is a content writer and how to become one

What general advice would you give to a content writer?

What are the pros and cons of being a content writer?

Content writer career paths

Key steps to become a content writer

Explore content writer education requirements

Most common content writer degrees

Start to develop specific content writer skills

Complete relevant content writer training and internships

Research content writer duties and responsibilities

Prepare your content writer resume

Choose from 10+ customizable content writer resume templates

Apply for content writer jobs

How did you land your first content writer job

Average content writer salary

How do content writers rate their job?

Content writer reviews

Content writer FAQs

How do I start content writing?

Is content writing a good job?

What do you need to be a content writer?

What exactly is content writing?

What skills does a content writer need?

Search for content writer jobs

Content writer jobs by state