6 answers
Bui
Student
Vũng Tàu, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Vietnam
3
Questions
Asked
621 views
How to have portfolio in a path to become content marketing writer? ?
I wonder guest blogging is relate to content marketing topic? Or it is a good way to practice that skill? I want to become content marketer writer and I see guest blogging is quite interesting. But if it not related or linked to content marketing, may be it can waste of my time:((. If you have experienced in that, please tell me. Or if you have advice for me, thank you in advance. I really stucked about it
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6 answers
Julia Aas
Copywriter
4
Answers
Northampton, Massachusetts
Updated
Julia’s Answer
Hey Bui,
One of the best ways to build a portfolio is to simply start your own blog. I'd suggest creating a Medium account and write content about the verticals you're interested in. You could write about trends in content marketing, your personal journey learning content, etc.
One of the best ways to build a portfolio is to simply start your own blog. I'd suggest creating a Medium account and write content about the verticals you're interested in. You could write about trends in content marketing, your personal journey learning content, etc.
So. can you suggest me some other advice?
Bui
Abby Sanders
UX Writing
2
Answers
New Orleans, Louisiana
Updated
Abby’s Answer
Hi Bui! That's so cool that you're interested in blogging and content marketing. I've worked for several organizations as a content writer, specifically focused on helping companies drive business through SEO. This type of writing is a really interesting career path, since your writing can sometimes be directly tied to business revenue.
Here's my advice to get started:
> Choose a niche: Is there a specific topic you're interested in, or know a lot about? That could be a great place to start, since you'll naturally want to research and write about your topic. And it can help you narrow down the types of companies you want to write for. If you love surfing, for example, you can probably write all kinds of blogs about surfing basics, your preferred gear, how to choose the right surf board, and so on.
> Build your online presence: Create a LinkedIn. Build a portfolio site with some of your writing, even if you don't have any published pieces yet (there are a few ways you can do this for free). Prepare a list of services you could offer, and how much you'd charge per word or per article - you can offer packages and reduce the price per word or article if they commit to several articles.
> Build your client base: Start reaching out to organizations that may benefit from your content writing. These could be anything, ranging from big national websites to local shops. To continue on with the above example - you could reach out to local surf shops or instructors and offer your content writing services. When I started out, I would offer to write one article for free targeting specific keywords. This was a great way to demonstrate my abilities.
Good luck, and hope this helped!
Here's my advice to get started:
> Choose a niche: Is there a specific topic you're interested in, or know a lot about? That could be a great place to start, since you'll naturally want to research and write about your topic. And it can help you narrow down the types of companies you want to write for. If you love surfing, for example, you can probably write all kinds of blogs about surfing basics, your preferred gear, how to choose the right surf board, and so on.
> Build your online presence: Create a LinkedIn. Build a portfolio site with some of your writing, even if you don't have any published pieces yet (there are a few ways you can do this for free). Prepare a list of services you could offer, and how much you'd charge per word or per article - you can offer packages and reduce the price per word or article if they commit to several articles.
> Build your client base: Start reaching out to organizations that may benefit from your content writing. These could be anything, ranging from big national websites to local shops. To continue on with the above example - you could reach out to local surf shops or instructors and offer your content writing services. When I started out, I would offer to write one article for free targeting specific keywords. This was a great way to demonstrate my abilities.
Good luck, and hope this helped!
Nick Bridwell
Copywriter
3
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Nick’s Answer
Hi, Bui. It's nice to meet you.
At the early stage of your writing career, I'd say any chance to write for any outlet is a great opportunity. Working with different editors will help you learn the best practice and also get you some bylines for your profile. You'll need these for when you apply to an internship or a job.
I would also suggest using tools like The Hemingway Editor (a free browser-based app) to streamline your writing and improve readability. When I was in college, my first writing job was covering rock concerts at local venues. The pay was almost non-existent, the hours were long, the deadlines were super tight. It was exhausting. And, it was my favorite college experience.
"Content Marketing" means, at its base level, that you are writing for commercial value. I think this will be one of the first careers that AI will start to influence. So make sure you have your bases covered by learning more than one way to write.
If you'd like to guest blog, also lay out the expectations up front. Get your deadlines, your word count, and your payment aligned before you start the project. Then to maintain healthy professional relationships, never miss a deadline, always act professional, and don't be afraid of feedback. Also, read everything you can! Being a good writer is all about being a good reader.
Good luck!
At the early stage of your writing career, I'd say any chance to write for any outlet is a great opportunity. Working with different editors will help you learn the best practice and also get you some bylines for your profile. You'll need these for when you apply to an internship or a job.
I would also suggest using tools like The Hemingway Editor (a free browser-based app) to streamline your writing and improve readability. When I was in college, my first writing job was covering rock concerts at local venues. The pay was almost non-existent, the hours were long, the deadlines were super tight. It was exhausting. And, it was my favorite college experience.
"Content Marketing" means, at its base level, that you are writing for commercial value. I think this will be one of the first careers that AI will start to influence. So make sure you have your bases covered by learning more than one way to write.
If you'd like to guest blog, also lay out the expectations up front. Get your deadlines, your word count, and your payment aligned before you start the project. Then to maintain healthy professional relationships, never miss a deadline, always act professional, and don't be afraid of feedback. Also, read everything you can! Being a good writer is all about being a good reader.
Good luck!
Kelly Egan
Copywriter/Creative Writer
2
Answers
Oakland, California
Updated
Kelly’s Answer
Hi Bui! I'm just going to add to the already highly useful answers a few bits of more generic advice around creating a professional writing portfolio.
1) For any writing job, naturally the #1 thing is to make sure the writing itself is solid. So, do whatever you can to continue honing your craft, whether its taking a class to soliciting and type of feedback you can get from editors or teachers. And, proofread your portfolio pieces carefully! If your portfolio pieces are super clean in terms of grammar and spelling you will come across as a reliable writer who doesn't overlook sloppy mistakes. Spelling mistakes or typos in portfolios are one of the quickest ways a potential employer will disregard your application.
2) Demonstrate intention but also versatility in the pieces you put in your portfolio. It's important to have pieces in your portfolio that directly relate to the types of work you're trying to get, but if you don't have that work yet then the next best thing (and something that's really always important) is to show versatility. When you have different types of writing (different lengths, different audiences, different tones) it shows potential employers that even though you haven't yet done the type of writing you're applying for, you're fully capable of learning and adapting to new formats. So, agree with whoever above said to take any types of jobs that come your way to build out that versatility!
3) Add some descriptions next to the writing pieces in your portfolio that describe the assignment, how you went about it, the role you played, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them. Just talking short bullet-points here! This helps gives potential employers context for how you think and work and what this piece of writing was for. Highly recommend asking around to other professional writers you can find to take a look at their portfolios and imitate their formats until you figure out the best for you.
Good luck!!
1) For any writing job, naturally the #1 thing is to make sure the writing itself is solid. So, do whatever you can to continue honing your craft, whether its taking a class to soliciting and type of feedback you can get from editors or teachers. And, proofread your portfolio pieces carefully! If your portfolio pieces are super clean in terms of grammar and spelling you will come across as a reliable writer who doesn't overlook sloppy mistakes. Spelling mistakes or typos in portfolios are one of the quickest ways a potential employer will disregard your application.
2) Demonstrate intention but also versatility in the pieces you put in your portfolio. It's important to have pieces in your portfolio that directly relate to the types of work you're trying to get, but if you don't have that work yet then the next best thing (and something that's really always important) is to show versatility. When you have different types of writing (different lengths, different audiences, different tones) it shows potential employers that even though you haven't yet done the type of writing you're applying for, you're fully capable of learning and adapting to new formats. So, agree with whoever above said to take any types of jobs that come your way to build out that versatility!
3) Add some descriptions next to the writing pieces in your portfolio that describe the assignment, how you went about it, the role you played, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them. Just talking short bullet-points here! This helps gives potential employers context for how you think and work and what this piece of writing was for. Highly recommend asking around to other professional writers you can find to take a look at their portfolios and imitate their formats until you figure out the best for you.
Good luck!!
Seth Stevenson
Writer
9
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Seth’s Answer
I have a job in content marketing. I was previously a journalist. I think many types of writing backgrounds could prepare you for a career in content marketing -- the skills you learn can overlap. You might try working for a local journalistic outlet to hone your writing skills.
Jacob Mina
31
Answers
Updated
Jacob’s Answer
I too am struggling with building up a writing portfolio and experience. I would say just accept any opportunities you can since it appears from looking at all of the writing jobs, they want years of experience before they even consider you for hire. I do think having your own blog is a good first step since it seems like all the writers I know have their own website, I would say try to get a gig that involves collaborating with an editor because there's a lot of that in the industry so that would look good as well.
Just do as much writing as you can and let that writing be seen by others. Maybe consider coming back to this site to give advice.
Hope that helps
Just do as much writing as you can and let that writing be seen by others. Maybe consider coming back to this site to give advice.
Hope that helps