You want to become a content writer, right?
Well, congratulations, content writing is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world.
As you already know, content writing comes with some great perks, like working in the comfort of your home.
So, if you are on the quest to find out the skills required to become a great content writer, then you are in the right place.
In this article, we will talk about the 9 skills for content writing that you should master as a beginner in 2021.
So, without any ado, let’s dig in!
9 Content Writing Skills That You Should Master in 2021
#1: Research Skill
Research skills are one of the most important content writing skills required in 2021.
There are thousands of niches, and each niche can be divided into another 100 sub-niches.
As a content writer, the greatest asset you can possess with your writing skill is your research ability.
If you know how to perform proper research, you can write about any topic without any prior knowledge.
How to get hired to write one of them?
Improve your research skills.
You can find all the information about any topic on the internet for free.
Spend at least 20 minutes reading articles and watching videos before you start writing your article.
If you are interested in writing about a particular niche and have the time, read at least two books about that topic to cement yourself as an expert for beginners.
Remember that you are an expert to a beginner if you spend at least 30-60 minutes researching a topic.
Don’t believe me?
Have you ever installed software on a computer or a mobile application on your grandparents’ phone?
Have you solved a simple math query that left your brother in awe?
Have you ever fixed an issue of a smartphone that your grandparents own by merely rebooting it?
Even though you don’t consider yourself an expert in any of the above situations, you appear to be an expert because you did something that they don’t know.
Since research skill is one of the most crucial content writing skills, learn how to find valuable, trustworthy information quickly.
#2: Mastering SEO
Everyone wants to rank their content in search engines like Google.
Search Engine Optimization is a content writing skill that will make you stand apart from the rest of the competition.
Even though you only have to learn about On-Page Optimization as a content writer, it’s better to learn the basics of Off-Page Optimization as well.
You will never know what’s in store for you in the near future.
#3: Adaptability
Be flexible; otherwise, you are limiting yourself as well as your income.
As time goes on, some niches may become irrelevant, and some may skyrocket. If you aren’t flexible, you are waiting to go out of business.
How to become a flexible content writer?
It starts with your researching ability.
As you read through different articles, you will get an idea about your target audience and how to engage them.
“Read, read, read. Read everything – trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies for a master’s degree. Read! You’ll absorb it. Then write. If it’s good, you’ll find out. If it’s not, throw it out of the window.”
William Faulkner
Read More: How to Become a Content Writer: Everything You Need to Know
#4: Learn How to Use WordPress
WordPress is a Content Management System (CMS) that is used to build blogs and websites. In fact, WordPress powers 39.5 percent of websites on the internet.
Having good knowledge of how to use WordPress is a great skill to possess as a content writer.
So, in your free time, create a free WordPress website and browse through all the settings.
At least go through the steps on how to publish an article on WordPress.
#5: Learn How to Make a Good Outline
Creating an outline is one of the most critical steps you need to do as a content writer or a blogger.
Why?
Because having a good content outline is like having a google map while traveling.
You won’t waste your time and fuel by taking the wrong direction.
A proper content outline will help you create a great piece of article in a short period of time.
Read More: Content Writing Tips for Beginners: 20 Mistakes to Avoid When Starting Out
#6: The Ability to Meet Deadlines
If you don’t want to make your life any harder, learn this skill.
If you are given a particular job, then finish it on time.
According to a study, we recall bad memories more easily and in greater detail than good ones.
So, if you want to leave a good impression on your clients, then learn how to meet deadlines.
How to meet deadlines?
Organize your content and schedule.
Know how much time it will take to write a particular piece of content and plan accordingly.
If you are starting out, make sure that you complete a project before you undertake the next.
#7: Create Quality Content
Provide quality content, no matter what!
Yes, sometimes it might take a little longer to write quality articles. You could ask your client for some extra hours if you need.
But never write low-quality content. Remember that the work you do right now will help you get the next client in the future.
It takes time to write quality content in a short period of time.
All the content writers who are earning thousands of dollars were beginners when they started out.
Around 75 percent of the content writers worldwide aren’t born with the skill to write.
Most of them learn their way to write engaging content.
#8: Learn to Communicate
Communication is a vital content writing skill that you must master.
Before you commit to the project, make sure that you and your client are on the same page.
Otherwise, get ready to rewrite the entire article that you just wrote.
Always clear any doubt that comes to your mind, whether it’s about the article or the payment.
Ask him questions about your target audience and what they want to achieve from this article.
Tell him the services that you offer and that you don’t.
But don’t ask for the sake of asking. If it’s a genuine doubt, clear it; otherwise, your client will feel that they hired the wrong guy.
#9: Improve Your Proofreading Skills
Learn how to proofread your content.
As a content writer, you should know how to trim your content to provide more valuable information with fewer words.
After completing your article, take some time off.
Find your happy place.
Then after spending some quality time, come back and start your proofreading session.
Read your article in your mind, and find any misplaced paragraphs or sentences that stop the flow of your article.
There might be some sentences that you need to rewrite or some paragraphs you need to remove.
Learn how to do a proper proofreading session so that you provide a clean final draft with no grammatical and spelling mistakes.
Conclusion
This article discussed the nine content writing skills that you should learn to become a good content writer.
So how can you improve your content writing skills?
Practice.
Try to write at least 300 words every day.
Divide your long-term goal into a sequence of short ones. Start with writing 300 words a day, and then start to learn one skill at a time.
If you do have any doubts, ask me in the comment section below.