Whether you’re a current client, prospective client, or looking for your next step professionally, you might be wondering: How exactly does someone become a Web content writer? This can mean different things depending on your interest’s source. As a client, you likely want to know whether you’re hiring any old hack from the Web or someone with actual credentials, and as an interested writer, you’re likely scoping out job opportunities or trying to decode how to land that gig. Regardless of your motives, the path remains the same.
Web content writers tend to come into the writing world by one of three ways: They’re either aspiring writers, experienced writers making a full-time go at things, or professional writers working on a part-time basis.
Aspiring Web Content Writers
The aspiring writer tends to come in the form of a soon-to-be or recent college grad. Some of these writers have promise, but unfortunately, many don’t have proven abilities. Worse still are the “aspiring writers” doing it to fill the gap between graduation and landing a full-time job. Unfortunately, these are the writers who draw skepticism to the online hiring process.
Full-time Web Content Writers.
Full-time writers work either for themselves or for a corporation or agency. Odds are that if they’re working corporate, they aren’t writing Web content all the time – it’s likely something that they do in addition to other responsibilities. Same goes for the agency world – with a long client roster, website content writing may keep them busy, but they’re likely working more as a copywriter, which also requires them to develop other types of copy, such as advertising, marketing collateral, or other creative. Regardless, these writers get loads of experience as Web content writers and beyond and quickly build their skillset and portfolio. Those that work full-time on their own likely already built that portfolio and have networked sufficiently to build their own business.
Part-time Web Content Writers
Finally, there’s the part-time Web content writer. These writers can be either some of the best or some of the worst. Again, there’s that possibility that they are filling in time between jobs or just looking to make a bit of extra cash on the side. That isn’t to say that there aren’t some great part-time writers – it just means that you need to check their credentials if you fall on the client side. The best part-time writers are those who are looking to generate a respectable income based on their own merits and proven successes in the professional world. They have several years of experience and, for one reason or another, are not currently able to work in a full-time capacity
How Website Content Writers Learn Their Trade
Most legitimate Web content writers have professional experience in a related field. This might mean working on a creative team at an agency as a writer or copywriter – some agencies even have the account team pitch in for Web content writing. Corporations tend to lean heavily on their marketing departments if they do not have a separate in-house Web or creative team. Other Web content writers will come from a specific industry where they were responsible for generating some of their own content to support their business – many real estate agents, legal assistants, and small business owners fall into this category; they have specific industry experience that gives them an expertise on a particular subject, and that industry background is their bread and butter; being a good writer is a bonus.
The reviewer’s mood and reviewing environment
If you need Web content developed, finding the right writer can be a bit of a challenge. There are two routes available to you: 1) go it on your own and seek out an individual, or 2) hire an agency or professional writing service.
LinkedIn, sites like Elance, or word of mouth are all good ways to find individual writers. Know that rates will vary and that it’s well worth the time spent to thoroughly vet your writer to ensure that he or she is in fact talented and experienced – and, of course, someone who you personally click with.
Choosing a Website Content Writing Service
Alternately, if you hire a writing service, you will have access to numerous writers, and that service should be able to vet them for you to pair you with a qualified writer who matches your desired tone and style. You’ll likely have access to other resources as well, such as editors who can further improve the initial draft or designers should you need Web design in addition to copy.
In either case, vetting is incredibly important – it’s just a matter of who owns that process. Also keep in mind that writers with proper experience will do more than just write; they can guide the full process. That means developing strategy, tracking pages already developed, making suggestions about content or site gaps, and the like.
Know as you look that writers have all different backgrounds – and just because people call themselves “Web content writers” does not necessarily mean that they’re experienced ones. Keep your eyes open, do some digging, and ask questions along the way.