I’ve been a full-time content writer for the past few years, so I wanted to weigh in on this topic.
Is content writing worth it?
Content writing is worth it for short term and long term revenue potential. It is also worth it for the flexibility of your schedule and how easily you can scale the business. Content writing is worth it as a beginner, although it will take time and hard work to produce results.
In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know to decide if content writing is worth it.
Pros: Reasons That Content Writing Is Worth It (My Personal Experience)
There are at least five good reasons that content writing is worth it:
- There is a low barrier to entry
- You can make good side (or full-time) money
- You can scale content writing
- There is security in diversity
- There are tools to make it so much easier
Let’s go through each one so that you understand exactly what I mean.
There Is a Low Barrier to Entry
Content writing is a field with a low barrier to entry compared to other businesses.
In most cases, all you need is a good grasp of English and some basic writing skills. This makes it an ideal option for people who are just starting out in the freelance world.
It’s also relatively cheap to get started.
You can either write for other people or start your own blog. I do both.
Either way, you’ll be able to get started without spending a lot of money, time, or effort. I’m not going to go so far as to say that it is easy (it isn’t) but, comparatively, it’s a lot easier than most other jobs I’ve ever done.
You Can Make Good Side (or Full Time) Money
Content writing is a great way to make some extra money, or even to support yourself full-time.
I did it part-time for years before going full-time, and I never regretted it once.
Even during those early tricky months when I had to be scrappy for clients and build my blog portfolio, I was consistently making 4-5K per month (and sometimes up to 8K). Now that I’m established, I continue to enjoy the freedom and flexibility that comes with being a freelance writer.
If you’re thinking about giving content writing a try, I say go for it.
You might just surprise yourself with how much you enjoy it and how much money you can make.
You Can Scale Content Writing
You can grow your content writing business to suit your needs and goals.
As a solopreneur, you can start small, writing articles for a few hundred or thousand dollars per month. As your business grows, you can start to take on more clients and charge more per article.
Or, if you prefer, you can build an entire team to help with research, writing, editing, and publishing.
With a team in place, you can quickly scale your content writing business to tens of thousands of dollars per month.
Of course, there’s no need to rush into things. You can start by writing a few blog posts or articles to get a feel for the industry and see if it’s something you enjoy.
There Is Security in Diversity
You never want to put all your eggs in one basket, so to speak.
That’s why diversification is key, and it’s one of the things that content writing can offer you. When you’re a content writer, you can take on multiple clients.
You can also start two or more websites on different topics.
And if you want to earn extra residual income, you can write on platforms like Medium.com. This way, if one part of your business slows down, you can balance it with the other parts.
There Are Tools To Make It So Much Easier
Over the years, I’ve found many tools that can make content writing so much easier.
Here are my favorites and what they can do for you:
- Passive Income Geek Course. Passive Income Geek’s blogging course is a comprehensive guide to starting a profitable blog from scratch. It covers everything from choosing a niche and domain name to setting up your blog and growing your traffic.
- RankIQ. RankIQ is a keyword search tool that helps you find the best keywords to target for your content.
- Jasper AI Writer. An AI-powered tool that automatically writes content for you.
- Jasper Art. This is another feature of Jasper that you can use as a standalone service. It takes text prompts and turns them into original images you can use for your content.
- Canva. This is a visual design tool that helps you create and format images for your blog posts.
I use all of these tools everyday in my content writing business.
Cons: Why Content Writing Might Not Be Worth It
If you’re considering diving in, make sure you weigh these cons alongside the pros.
Inconsistent Income
Let’s face it, the income of a content writer can be as unpredictable as the weather.
Especially when you’re freelancing, the feast-or-famine cycle is real. One month you’re swamped with work, and the next, you’re practically twiddling your thumbs.
This unpredictability makes budgeting a nightmare.
Plus, when starting out, rates can be pretty low, making it tough to earn a decent living.
It takes time and a lot of hustle to find those well-paying clients and steady gigs.
Intense Competition
It’s a crowded field out there.
With so many people turning to content writing, standing out can feel like trying to be heard at a rock concert.
You’re up against both seasoned pros and a flood of newbies willing to work for peanuts.
This competition can drive down rates and make it hard to land gigs.
Plus, you’ve got to constantly sharpen your skills and niche knowledge just to keep up, let alone get ahead.
Constant Need for Self-Promotion
You’re not just a writer; you’re also your own marketing department.
Constantly having to promote yourself can be exhausting.
You need to be active on social media, network like crazy, maintain a portfolio, and maybe even run a blog.
It’s a lot, and sometimes it feels like you’re spending more time hustling for work than actually writing.
It’s a necessary evil, but it can be really draining, especially if self-promotion doesn’t come naturally to you.
Unending Learning Curve
The digital landscape changes faster than fashion trends.
What worked in content writing a year ago might not cut it today. SEO algorithms change, new platforms emerge, and audience preferences shift.
Keeping up can feel like you’re back in school, with a never-ending pile of homework.
You’re constantly learning new tools, strategies, and adapting to changes in the industry.
It’s exciting but also can be overwhelming, especially if you’re juggling writing with staying up-to-date.
Is Content Writing Worth Learning?
Content writing is a essential skill for anyone who wants to have a career in online marketing, and it is definitely worth learning.
If you can master the art of writing compelling, interesting content, you will be able to succeed in a number of online marketing arenas.
Here are just a few examples of how content writing can help you:
- Search Engine Optimization. In order to rank highly in search results, your website needs to have certain keywords and phrases that are associated with your business. If you can incorporate these keywords into your content in a way that sounds natural and flows well, you will be more likely to rank higher in search results. This, in turn, will result in more traffic to your website, and more potential customers for your business.
- Social Media Marketing. In order to be successful with social media marketing, you need to be able to produce content that is shareable and engaging. If you can write content that people want to read and share, you will be able to reach a larger audience and generate more leads for your business.
- Email Marketing. Good content is essential for making your emails successful. If you can write emails that are interesting and informative, you will be more likely to get people to open them and click through to your website or blog. Good content will also encourage people to sign up for your email list, which means more potential customers for your business down the road.
Those are just a few examples of how content writing can help you with your online marketing efforts.
As you can see, it is definitely worth taking the time to learn how to write good content. If you can master this skill, you will be well on your way to success in the online marketing world.
Is Content Writing Worth It for Beginners?
As a beginner content writer, you might be wondering if the effort is really worth it.
After all, it can take a lot of time and energy to produce quality writing, and it may be some time before you start seeing any real results.
However, I believe that content writing is definitely worth it for beginners.
Even though it may take some time to get better and develop a clientele, the rewards can be great.
Not only will you be able to earn a good income from writing, but you’ll also gain valuable skills and experience that will benefit you in the long run.
I suggest beginners start blogging on Medium and take on personal clients for faster revenue while they build a blog or two for long term sustainability.
Of course, it’s crucial to remember that being a successful content writer takes time.
To be successful in this industry, you must work hard, be dedicated, and persevere. However, if you’re willing to put in the effort, I believe you’ll find that content writing is definitely worth it for beginners.
Skills That You Will Need
To excel as a content writer, certain skills are indispensable.
These skills not only improve the quality of your writing but also enhance your ability to connect with your audience and meet the needs of your clients:
- Strong Writing Ability: Mastery of grammar, punctuation, and style is crucial. Your writing should be clear, engaging, and error-free.
- Research Skills: The ability to research and fact-check is vital to produce accurate and reliable content.
- SEO Knowledge: Understanding SEO principles helps in creating content that ranks well in search engines.
- Adaptability: Being able to write in different styles and tones for various audiences and platforms is important.
- Time Management: Efficiently managing your time to meet deadlines while maintaining quality is key.
- Communication Skills: Effective communication with clients and understanding their needs is essential for successful projects.
Education and Training That You Will Need
There’s no fixed educational path for content writers.
However, certain educational backgrounds and training can greatly enhance your capabilities:
- Degree in English, Journalism, or Communications: These provide a strong foundation in writing, research, and critical thinking.
- Writing Workshops and Courses: Participating in these can sharpen your skills and offer practical writing experience.
- Digital Marketing Courses: Understanding digital marketing, especially SEO, can be beneficial in creating content that drives traffic and engagement.
- Internships or Freelance Experience: Gaining practical experience through internships or freelance projects can provide real-world writing experience and portfolio development.
- Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest writing trends and digital marketing strategies through online resources and professional networks.
Is Content Writing Worth It for the Long Haul?
Content writing is a great long-term business.
You will need to remain flexible and adaptable to ineviditable changes in the industry, but we will always need good, helpful information, answers to questions, and solutions to problems.
I think the internet will always be a prime source for this type of content.
As long as you are able to produce quality work, you will always have a market for your content. Additionally, content writing is a great way to build up a portfolio of work that can be used to attract future clients.
If you can produce a strong body of work over time, you will be in a great position to land even more clients and continue building your business.
Are Content Writers In Demand?
Virtually every business on the planet needs content writers.
They are in high demand because businesses need content for their blogs and websites. Many blog owners don’t want to write all the content themselves forever.
Therefore, they hire content writers.
Big businesses have an even greater need for content writers because they have more products and services to promote.
In order to keep their customers informed, they need someone to write articles, blog posts, and even social media posts. Without content writers, businesses would quickly grind to a halt.
Fortunately for you, there is a shortage of talented content writers out there who can help businesses keep their websites and social media accounts up-to-date.
If you produce quality content on time and to specifications, you’ll never run out of clients.
Here is a good video that talks about if content writing is in demand or a dying industry:
Can Content Writers Compete With the Rise of AI?
As AI technology advances, content writers face new challenges and opportunities.
While AI can generate content efficiently, it lacks the unique creativity, empathy, and nuanced understanding that human writers bring.
Content writers can compete by emphasizing these human elements, crafting stories and content that resonate on a personal level with readers.
Additionally, writers can leverage AI for routine tasks.
Instead of competing with AI, you work with AI to enhance productivity and focus on more complex, creative aspects of writing.
The key lies in adaptation and collaboration with AI tools, not in direct competition.
This approach ensures that content writers remain relevant and irreplaceable in areas where human touch is paramount.
Are Content Writing Courses Worth It?
There are a lot of content writing courses out there. And it can be tough to decide if taking one is worth it or not.
If you’re on the fence, let me share my thoughts with you.
I’ve taken two different content writing courses – Passive Income Geek and Project 24. And I can say without a doubt that they were both absolutely worth it.
I learned so much from each course, and I was able to apply what I learned to my own business immediately.
As a result, I was able to get to success much faster than I would have if I had gone it alone.
Here’s the thing – a good content writing course will shorten your learning curve massively and help you get to success fast.
A bad course, on the other hand, will take your money and leave you more confused than ever.
So, it’s important that you choose wisely.
If you’re thinking about taking a content writing course, I highly recommend checking out Passive Income Geek.
It’s the course I’m still in and the course that helped me go full-time as a content creator.
Tips for Kicking Butt As a Full-Time Content Writer
I’ve been a full-time content creator and writer for years now.
Here are my best tips for kicking butt:
- Choose the Right Niche: Specializing in a niche aligns your skills with specific industries or topics, making you more valuable to a targeted audience. By focusing on a niche, whether it’s technology, health, finance, or lifestyle, you can hone your expertise, build credibility, and stand out in the content writing market. This approach leads to higher-quality work and potentially better-paying gigs, as clients seek writers with specialized knowledge.
- Develop Workflow Strategies: Establishing a solid workflow is crucial for efficiency and consistency. This includes setting a daily writing routine, using tools for distraction-free writing, and adopting project management software for task tracking. By streamlining your process, you can manage multiple projects effectively, meet deadlines, and maintain a high standard of work. It helps in reducing stress and increasing productivity, allowing you to take on more work or focus on improving your craft.
- Utilize a Content Calendar: A content calendar is essential for planning and organizing your writing tasks. It helps in tracking deadlines, managing content ideas, and ensuring a steady flow of work. By visualizing your schedule, you can avoid last-minute rushes and maintain a consistent output. It also aids in aligning your content with seasonal trends or marketing campaigns, making your work more relevant and timely.
- Build a Personal Brand: Establishing a personal brand sets you apart and helps attract the right clients. This involves creating a professional website, being active on social media platforms relevant to your niche, and regularly publishing your work or insights. Your brand reflects your expertise, writing style, and values, making it easier for potential clients to understand what you offer and why they should choose you.
- Diversify Income Streams: Don’t rely solely on client work. Explore other income avenues like affiliate marketing, creating and selling digital products (e.g., eBooks, courses), or monetizing a blog. Diversifying your income streams reduces financial risk and provides stability. It allows you to explore different aspects of content writing and digital marketing, keeping your career dynamic and financially rewarding.
- Continuously Improve Your Skills: The content writing field is ever-evolving, and staying updated with the latest trends, SEO practices, and writing tools is imperative. Invest in courses, attend workshops, and read extensively in your niche. Enhancing your skills not only improves the quality of your work but also makes you more competitive and adaptable in the marketplace.
- Network and Collaborate: Building a network of fellow writers, industry professionals, and potential clients is invaluable. Attend industry events, join online forums, and engage in social media groups. Networking opens up opportunities for collaborations, referrals, and insights into industry trends and best practices. It’s also a great way to stay motivated and connected in what can sometimes be a solitary profession.
Final Thoughts: Is Content Writing Worth It?
Content writing is worth it but it is not for the faint of heart.
There will be scary times, uncertainties, and enough Google algorithirum updates to keep you up at night. However, if you do it right, you’ll be able to make it work brilliantly.
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