What services do content writers offer?
Content writers do more than just write; discover their services that can transform your content strategy and attract more customers.
The role of content writers goes beyond writing simple articles or filling them with target keywords.
Content writers create content designed to meet your marketing needs, whether for drawing in new audiences or keeping existing customers interested. Knowing what services content writers offer helps you set clear expectations for the results before you decide to hire one, whether for your team or as a freelancer.
Here is a list of services experienced content writers provide:
Content creation
Under the content creation service, content writers produce blog posts and articles to share information with readers. They also create website content, from the first page people see to detailed descriptions of products. In addition to their primary tasks, many content writers excel at SEO writing. This involves using specific keywords to help a website rank higher in search results, attracting more visitors. Effective SEO writing makes businesses more visible online.
Some writers specialize in making apps more user-friendly, known as UX writers. Many content writers can also craft copy for apps to support marketing efforts. Copywriting, distinct from other forms of writing, focuses on creating content that prompts people to take action, such as making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or engaging with a brand. Copywriters are adept at writing in a way that motivates people to act, including on social media.
On social media, these writers produce posts and captions that stand out. They assemble marketing materials like brochures and emails to clearly convey a brand's message. Additionally, they write e-books and white papers for in-depth exploration of specific topics.
Here's a summary of what content writers create:
- Blog posts and articles
- Website content, including landing pages, infographics, and product descriptions
- Social media posts and captions
- Marketing materials like brochures and email copy
- E-books and white papers
- SEO-optimized content to improve visibility in search engines
- Copywriting to encourage people to take action and engage with a brand
Content Strategy and ideation
Many content writers can assist businesses in brainstorming content that fits into any targeted marketing funnel.
This process involves submitting story pitches, brainstorming content ideas, building a content calendar, and distributing content to other channels, including social media. These activities are crucial for aligning content with the target audience's interests and the company's goals, ensuring that the content is not only well-crafted but also relevant and engaging.
The most common workflow for content writers developing a content strategy and ideation includes:
- Researching and identifying the target audience: Understanding who the content is for and what they need or want.
- Analyzing competitors: Looking at what others in the industry are doing to find gaps and opportunities.
- Setting clear goals and objectives: Defining what the content should achieve, such as increasing brand awareness or generating leads.
- Generating ideas and topics: Brainstorming sessions to come up with creative and engaging ideas that align with the audience's interests and the brand's goals.
- Planning the content types and formats: Deciding on the mix of blogs, videos, infographics, podcasts, etc., that will best convey the message.
- Creating a content calendar: Scheduling when and where each piece of content will be published to ensure consistent and timely delivery.
- Executing content creation: Writing, designing, and producing the content according to the plan.
- Optimizing for SEO: Incorporating keywords and other SEO practices to improve visibility in search engine results.
- Publishing and distributing the content: Making the content available to the audience through the chosen channels and promoting it to increase reach.
- Measuring and analyzing performance: Using analytics to assess how well the content is performing against the set goals and making adjustments as necessary.
Editing and proofreading
Editing and proofreading are crucial steps in content creation. Editing involves refining content to improve clarity, structure, and flow.
A content editor might reorganize a draft to ensure that ideas progress logically, or simplify language to make the text more accessible. Proofreading is the final review, focusing on correcting grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors. For instance, before publishing a report, a proofreader checks for typos and formatting inconsistencies, ensuring the document presents professionally.
These steps enhance the content's readability and ensure it meets high-quality standards, crucial for engaging and retaining the audience's trust.
Content management
Content writers might also handle content management. This means they keep track of what content needs to be made, when it should be posted, and make sure everything goes out on time.
For this, writers use tools like WordPress to manage and post content. They might also use special tools made just for their company, like a custom system for a store that helps them keep their product info and articles updated together easily.
Good content management helps keep a brand’s online presence strong and consistent, making sure their message is clear across all platforms.
Technical writing
Technical writing involves creating content for complex subjects or industries. This type of writing is needed for making manuals, software instructions, and technical documentation.
While not all content writers tackle highly technical topics, many can handle documentation tasks similar to those done by technical writers. Still, the job of writing detailed technical content usually goes to someone in a specialized role called a technical writer. Technical writers aim to make complex information clear.
For example, in technology, a technical writer might write a guide for using new software, making sure the steps are straightforward. In engineering, they might document how machinery works.
These writers often work with experts to make sure what they write is accurate and may use pictures and diagrams to make hard-to-understand ideas easier to grasp.
While not all content writers offer the full spectrum of services discussed, those with experience typically possess a broad skill set. Businesses should first establish or refine their content strategy to pinpoint the exact services they require from a writer. This preparation helps in selecting a writer who can effectively enhance their online presence.
Falencia Naoenz
Identifying the right content writer involves aligning the business's needs with the writer's strengths. For assistance in this process, several platforms specialize in connecting companies with professional writers who bring varied skills and experiences to the table. A list of such platforms, which can aid in finding the ideal writer for your specific requirements, is available through this article.
Content Collision provides performance-based digital PR services and B2B content marketing services for tech startups in APAC and beyond. Book a discovery call to learn more.
