If you’re reading this, I assume you’re either a writer or someone who knows one; after all, we are essentially a catch-all for people looking to get into the field or simply looking to pump out some content for a blog or website. As a writer, you may have noticed the growing number of content creators flocking to the online world with blogs and websites; given its increasing popularity, it would appear the perfect place for writers, photographers, video editors, and other creative individuals to display their talents and tell their stories.
While it can be tempting to whip up some content and throw it on a blog or website to see what happens, this is not the best route for someone looking to establish themselves as an on-topic content creator. As you may have guessed, creating content for the sake of posting it on a blog is a no go; after all, who’s going to read it all? In today’s world, readers have myriad options when it comes to content, and unless you’re curating content from some of the biggest and most popular websites on the planet, your content is most likely going to be drowned out by the noise.
Even if you’re able to grab the attention of your audience for a moment with your content, that still doesn’t mean they’ll value your opinions or insights on the matter. Now is the perfect time to establish yourself as an expert in your industry; by creating well-researched, well-written and engaging content, you give yourself the best opportunity to rise above the noise, separate yourself from the crowd, and carve out a niche for yourself in the ever-evolving content world.
Find Your Niche
As we mentioned above, content creators are pouring into the online world in droves, and with this newfound interest in the area, it’s important to find your specialty and niche before you start trying to appeal to the masses. Simply put, if you’re best known for your food and wine coverage, then that’s what you should be writing about; although there are countless blogs and websites covering this topic, you have a better chance of being read by your target audience if you focus on this area.
When it comes to food and drink, people are genuinely passionate about their opinions and rarely shy away from expressing them (e.g., vegans, vegetarians, and animal rights activists can be especially vocal when it comes to discussing their areas of specialty). With that being said, if you have a specific niche, you can specialize in content relating to that area and gain a following.
Learn From The Best
One of the best ways to develop as a content creator is to study those who’ve gone before you; as mentioned above, people are flocking to establish blogs and websites in the content world, and one of the best ways of doing this is to read and learn from the best in the field. If you can find a few high-quality blogs relating to your specialty, you can use these as an example of how others have tackled similar topics and repurpose their content for your own use.
This is not only beneficial because it gives you a chance to learn from the experience of those who’ve been in the field before you, but it also helps you find your own voice and approach to writing. Of course, this is easier said than done, but by studying the work of others, you can find that perfect combination of quality and creativity that makes your content stand out above the rest.
Curate Content For International Readers
If you’re thinking about catering to an international audience and are looking for ways to better reach readers in other countries, consider creating content in a foreign language for the sake of reaching a wider audience. Not only does this give you the opportunity to connect with readers who may not be able to understand your language, but it also makes your content easier to understand by a more diverse group of people. There are dozens of online tools that can help you with content translation, making it easier than ever to reach a global audience.
If you’re thinking about establishing yourself as a freelance content creator, now is the perfect time to start building your portfolio; aside from showcasing your work, you can use freelancing as a way to gain more experience and establish yourself as an expert in your industry. According to Payscale, the average annual salary for a content writer is $64,000.
Be Persistent
No one is an overnight sensation in the content world; just like any other industry, you have to put in the work to establish yourself as an expert in your field. With that being said, the average time for a blog post to achieve its first year of organic reach is 6 months, and the average lifetime of a blog post is only 4 months. While it can be difficult to get started, once you do, you’ll find that the passion and reward for creating quality content is well worth the effort.