If content is king, then content marketers are the wizards that sprinkle their magic all over the kingdom to make everything look amazing.
Alright, that might not be the best analogy. But my point is that content marketers make great content. And to businesses great content = better search engine rankings = more money. We’ll get into that more in a bit. But because amazing content marketing wizards can increase revenue for businesses, they can also command big bucks. And, as it turns out, content marketing is a remote-friendly career path with lots of avenues to earn.
Let’s take a look at how to become a content marketer, even if you have absolutely zero professional marketing or writing experience.
What is a Content Marketer?
Before we learn how to become a content marketer, let’s look at what a content marketer is.
I know earlier I compared content marketers to wizards who create magical, money-making content.
Of course, this is an oversimplification of content marketing.
Content marketers wear a lot of different (wizard) hats. They require different skill sets, knowledge, and experience. Before we take a deep dive into the nitty gritty of content marketing, let’s loosely define what a content marketer is.
A content marketer is a person who creates content that attracts readers and turns them into customers.
What kind of content they create, how they create it, and where they share it depends on the product being sold.
However, the greatest need for content marketers is in the vast ever-expanding space we call the Internet. And, for the purpose of this career guide, I will focus on how to become a content marketer online.
Today, many content marketers are needed to plan, produce, and promote written content to reach online audiences and turn them into paying customers.
Skills & Competencies of Content Marketers
At its core, content marketing is broken down into two parts: content and marketing. To become a successful content marketer, you need to know how to do both equally well. Let’s look at content first.
Content Writing Skills
If you hate writing, content marketing is not your career path. Period. You have to love to write. At this very moment, you already know whether or not writing is a passion of yours. If you agonize over word choices and can’t even let an email go until it’s worded just right, you’re a language lover and a passionate writer.
Now you can turn your wordsmith ways into a content marketing career. But, remember, when you’re writing as a content marketer, your aim is to create compelling content that sells. That’s where the marketing part comes into play.
Marketing Skills
I’m going to let you in on a little secret. There’s not a whole lot of money to be made for most people in the fiction or journalism side of writing. A lucky few will get their novels published, but far more will never actually make it that far. Similarly, news sites have just a handful of paid staff writers. The rest are often guest posts (written for free) or one-off freelancers getting paid pennies per word. Literally.
To truly make a living as a writer, your best best it to learn how to become a content marketer. But you can’t just create bland content. You have to write crisp, clean content that piques readers’ interests and compels them to become consumers. When you do this, you become a sought after content marketer who can command big bucks for their writing.
Additional Content Marketing Skills
- Proofreading
- Editing
- Grammar
- Search Engine Optimization
- Link Building
- WordPress
- Blogging
Content Marketing Training
You don’t need a creative writing degree or a marketing degree to become a content marketer. Clients will care more about results than your credentials.
Remember, you just can’t call yourself a content marketer and expect to make money. You have to prove you can write content that sells.
The best way to do that is to complete training that prepares you to market yourself as content marketer. That way you can hone your skills AND command a fair wage for your work.
I highly recommend the Highly Paid Freelance Writer workshop at SmartBlogger. My friend, Jon Morrow, has perfected the art of earning $200+ for blog posts and helps new freelance writers do the same. His unique training to teaches you how to become a content marketer so you can earn 10x more than traditional writers.
Through December 16, 2020 you can register for his signature workshop for free!
Work Schedule
Content marketers get to work flexible schedules. That means you can work late nights, early mornings, or anytime in between. Essentially, content marketers can fit work into their lives, and not the other way around.
You just need to meet deadlines and have work turned in on time. Most content marketers work on a freelance basis. That means you are your own boss and can work how and when you want, as long as you complete assignments on time.
Freelancing as a Content Marketer
Typically, content marketers are freelancers. They get paid to write a blog post or email series, landing page, or other one-off piece of content. You agree on pay before you start working and, once you’re done with the work, you get paid.
Remember, freelancing is different than employee positions.
What It Means To Be a Freelancer
- Pay your own quarterly estimated taxes
- Are not eligible for benefits like health insurance or paid time off
- Must find your own clients by pitching your services
- Can work when and where you please
Freelance content marketers can find clients on marketplace sites, like Upwork. But, the better paying gigs come from networking and pitching your services to potential clients. LinkedIn is a great place to establish your content marketing career.
Before you get too excited, let’s take a step back and be honest. Freelancing is not for everyone. But freelancing does offer a chance to work remotely on a very flexible schedule with unlimited earning potential.
Find Work as a Content Marketer
Good content marketing training will prepare you to find work after you’ve completed it. That’s why I recommend Content Marketing Certification at SmartBlogger. Not only will you develop content marketing skills you can sell, you can also learn how to pitch those skills successfully.
Successful freelance writers often follow steps to start getting clients:
It’s not always an easy road. I started a freelance writing career from scratch and it was the hardest year of my life! But it was also rewarding, and I wouldn’t hesitate to do it all over again if given the chance.
You have to be driven, disciplined, and genuinely love writing to succeed in the world of freelance content marketing.
Career Coaching for Aspiring Content Marketers
Not sure if content marketing is right for you? Worried about freelancing? Have waaayy more questions than answers?
No problem. Work with me!
Check out my 30-Minute Remote Career Q & A coaching service. In just 30 minutes, we’ll figure out what remote work is right for you and you’ll even get a free custom PDF to guide you.
Ready to learn more? Check out all the details over at Remotely You.
Happily,
Ashlee Anderson, CPCC
P.S. This post contains affiliate links. Check out my disclosure statement to learn more.
