I started off this journey with copywriting. However, I realized halfway into it that advertising products to drive sales is not really what I have been aiming at. I like to write to educate and build authority instead.
Signing up for content marketing, I realized that this is what I wanted all along. Albeit, I don’t know where to go from here. Do I need to build my website and then start getting clients to write for?
Please I’ll appreciate some advice from writers who successfully crossed this stage of the journey. Thank you!
Hey @KUmeh, welcome, and thanks for reaching out! This is a great question. I haven’t been in a purely content-focused role, but I have worked with several writers at different inbound agencies.
If you’re hoping to freelance, then building a website and your portfolio are great focus areas. If you’re starting from scratch and don’t have much of a portfolio, consider offering content services at a low cost/free, supporting a non-profit, or helping out friends and family with their projects. Your goal here is building credibility and authority that you can present to potential clients and prove that you know your stuff.
If you’re looking to build experience and a portfolio quickly, consider landing a content-focused agency role. There is pretty much always a need for an additional writer, so be sure to check out the job board and the HubSpot Solutions Partner Directory for companies and agencies that may be hiring. That could be solid way to cut your teeth and gain exposure to a variety of brands and industries. You may even be able to freelance or work part-time for an agency as you’re building your own offering.
Either way, keep an eye out for any specialty areas that interest you, like:
Long-form content (eBooks, case studies, pillar pages, websites)
Short-form content (emails, ad copy, landing pages, social posts)
Search engine optimization (this one is huge! If you can write effective copy for readers and Google, you will go far!)
Keyword research
On-page optimizations
Headers, titles, and meta descriptions
Content strategy (lead intake, lead nurturing, sales enablement)
There’s a ton going on and a ton to learn, so double down on the areas that excite you the most to help differentiate yourself from other writers. If you can identify gaps in existing content strategies, tie content to marketing and sales goals (i.e., generating a certain number of leads, moving deals through the pipeline), and create solid content that follows SEO best practices, you’re going to be way ahead of the pack.
Best of luck to you in your journey, and hope this helps!!
My journey began with the art of copywriting. Midway through the process, I came to the realization that my goal was not to simply promote products for the sake of boosting sales. My writing style is focused on educating and establishing authority. Discovering content marketing, I had an epiphany - this was my true calling all along. While I’m unsure of the next steps to take. To establish a successful online presence, it’s crucial to have a website up and running before reaching out to potential clients.
@KUmeh along with what @jolle offered, here’s my experience and perspective.
As you’re learning content marketing, connect with others in the field. Organizations like Content Makreting Institute is a great place to learn from, and has an event where you can network like crazy.
Definitely build up your portfolio and showcase it one your own website. I’d offer my services to local nonprofits in need of marketing help. That’s a great way to help and build your portfolio.
You could also look to freelance on sites like Zerys or Fiverr. That will help you get experience and exposure.
And make sure to keep your LinkedIn profile up to date and active!