8 skills every awesome marketing content writer needs to succeed

Life as a marketing content writer is all about creating awesome content for your audience.

Content writing has become one of the most important elements of online marketing.

And it makes sense: with the proper skillset, a marketing content writer can do wonders for a company’s online reach.

But how do they do it?

Here are 8 skills every marketing content writer should possess to see awesome results!

1. Amazing writing skills

It might sound completely obvious, but for excellent content, you need to be an excellent writer.

But it’s not just about what your content says: it’s about what your content does.

Anyone can sound good online. A marketing content writer needs to do more than that.

You need to draw your audience in with your words. Whether you want the reader to buy a product or subscribe to an online service, you need to deliver results.

2. Excellent editing skills

When it comes to writing content, you’ll rarely, if ever, be happy with your first draft.

Marketing content writers need to do more than just write the content: you’ll need to edit the content too.

In fact, you’ll probably spend just as long editing your content as you do writing it.

Even if you have a way with words, you won’t get very far if your work isn’t polished. Audiences won’t respond to a sloppy read.

If you want to make it as a marketing content writer, your grammar needs to be on another level. You’ll need a keen eye for detail, and the patience to work on an article until it’s perfect.

3. Research skills

To succeed as a marketing content writer, you need top-notch writing and editing skills – but what else does it take?

Believe it or not, being a talented wordsmith isn’t the only skill you’ll need as a marketing content writer.

If your content isn’t factually accurate, then no one will care about the quality of your writing.

Of course, it’s impossible to be an expert in everything. That’s why research skills are key for succeeding as a marketing content writer.

Use trustworthy and reliable sources to enhance your content or reach out to industry experts for an interview. Not only will this strengthen your writing, but you can check out your competition during the search!

4. Understanding of SEO

To succeed as a marketing content writer, you need to understand SEO.

SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) refers to the way that websites are ranked on a search engine results page. The higher the ranking, the more traffic you’ll get on your website. After all, what’s the point in creating content if no one is going to see it?

Understanding SEO can take a lot of work, but you don’t need to become an SEO expert overnight. If you’re just starting out as a marketing content writer, just focus on the basics:

• Keywords
• Internal links
• External links.

Using keywords and linking to other blogs will rank you higher on search engines. But remember not to direct your readers to your competitors!

It’s important to remember that there are many other digital marketing techniques that your business can utilise. SEO is just one of the many possibilities.

5. Awareness of the marketing industry

Being a talented writer is great – but if you’re a marketing content writer, you need something more than that.

Whether you’re an experienced writer, or just starting out in the field, you need knowledge of SEO marketing strategies.

What’s the latest in SEO? How does your target audience search on Google? Which platforms do they hang out on?

The marketing industry is constantly changing, and you need to be prepared to change with it. It’s important to stay on top of current trends: learn what works – and what doesn’t.

The more you learn, the stronger your content – and, therefore, your reach – will be.

6. Imagination 

In the world of content marketing, thinking of new content ideas can feel impossible.

And with so much content out there already, is it even possible to create original content anymore?

The answer is yes – but not just anyone can do it. You need a strong imagination to create original, engaging content.

As a marketing content writer, you’ll be faced with topics that already generate hefty search results on Google or Bing. Audiences don’t want to read the same content over and over again. You’ll need to find new angles by thinking outside the box or put an original spin on an existing idea. And don’t be afraid to try something new!

Look for gaps in the market and check out what your competitors aren’t saying – maybe you could be the first! 

7. Adaptability

When it comes to content writing, adaptability is key.

You need to change your writing style, tone and voice to fit the platform and your target audience. You won’t just be dealing with one client. If you produce the same content for each client, chances are they’ll look elsewhere.

And you need to be prepared to write about anything. It’s tempting to find a writing niche and stick to it, but that’s just not realistic.

Limiting yourself topic-wise could cost you work, and that’s the last thing you want as a marketing content writer!

8. Knowledge of your competitors

Content marketing is a competitive industry.

If you want your writing to do its job, you need to see what else is out there. Even the strongest writers need to know what they’re up against.

Check out other blogs to see what your competitors are saying. Don’t be afraid to follow your competition on LinkedIn – they’ll be doing it too!

Get in touch with our team!

At Vocal, we’re a loud bunch of creatives that will help deliver results for your business. Our copywriting services will improve your client reach and take your company further.

Get in touch for a quick chat about your company’s marketing aims and see how we can help you reach your goals.