Content Writing - How To Start

I’ve come across several people asking me the question, “how do I start content writing?” If that question lingers in your mind, let me come across to you with the shocker below.

As long as you can write something and put words together, you have just started creating content. And you’re on your way to becoming a content writer. But wait, don’t jump off yet.  There’s a lot more to content writing than you think. 

But, the good news is that you can get started. In this edition of my newsletter, I will walk you through 5 simple and practical steps to help you start writing or creating content. Follow me.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 5 𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐬 𝐓𝐨 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐫 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭

1. 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝

In getting started as a content writer, the foremost practical tip you should cultivate is the reading habit. If you are serious about becoming a skilled content writer, you need to learn to read great writings by great writers. 

2. 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞

Another very interesting step you need to take if you are determined to get started as a content writer is to start writing. I recalled asking my coach, Sodiq Yusuf , “how do teach someone to write?” He replied, “get them to write.” Well, it appeared I didn’t readily observe that all he did while training me was to get me to write. 

I understood that much later. You need to start putting words together and strapping your ideas in sentences and paragraphs, regularly.

3. 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧

I think many people pay less attention to this. Your listening skill is very important if you’d master the art of writing. When you learn to listen actively, it’ll trigger your writing energy. 

How do you think funny comedians come up with things they tell us as jokes? By the time they’re done, we brood over their jokes and we agree, “this is a really funny experience that can happen in real life.” 

But, you know what?  Most of them actually saw the experience, they turned or tweaked what they heard and saw into the jokes they share. When you open your listening ears, you’d have a lot to write about. 

4. 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞

Practice! Practice! Practice!

This cannot be overemphasized. You need to set yourself up to write daily and regularly. It must become a deliberate act that you discipline yourself to. One of the things I trained myself with is to send my messages and communicate as though I was working to create content. I learnt not to use abbreviations and short forms. I chat as though I’m delivering content. 

This is a form of practice. You may not need to do that. I just used that as an example. But, you must know what works for you and adopt it. 

5. 𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦

As a starting writer, you need to have a place where you collect your work together - a writing platform. Your writing platform could be Linkedin. 

When I started writing, I used a Facebook group as my writing platform. Having a platform helps you learn, demonstrate consistency, and refine your writing skill. With time, you can go on to use websites such as medium, WordPress and blogger, all of which are free blogging sites you can get started on. 

Finally, as you learn and grow, you can own your website and blog. 

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧

The writing industry is saturated. The value of content writers is diminishing. Even ChatGPT has taken away the glory of content creators. In all these, do you know what?

Almost all of the industries out there need our services. So, we’re not enough yet. If you’re passionately interested in honing your content writing skill. I encourage you to start, get consistent and become one of the best. That’s all you need. And you’ll be fine. 

𝐏.𝐒

Everything I shared in the letter is drawn from an ebook I gave out last year. I’ll drop a link in the comments area where you can reach out to me to request a copy of the book which elaborates all of the above tips that’ll help you develop content writing skills. 

Are you looking for a content writer to help you create clear, compelling and engaging content that connects to your audience? You’ve just found one. 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐞 𝐚 𝐃𝐌 𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐭𝐨 theoluwafemioyeleye@gmail.com.

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Till I come your way again next week, thank you for having me.