If you’re looking to improve your content writing skills, then good for you! It can sometimes feel like an intimidating task, but it really doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re creating content for a blog, your social media, or even a business, solid content writing skills really can make a difference. Let’s walk through some practical ways you can become a better content writer.

Read more than you write

It sounds simple, but if you want to improve your content writing skills, then you need to read more. When you’re reading, not only are you soaking in new ideas, but you’re also picking up on how different writers structure their sentences and develop their ideas. It doesn’t have to be novel after novel either, you can improve your writing by reading blogs, magazine articles, or even social media posts. And, the more you read, the more you’ll begin to notice patterns in writing that you enjoy and want to use for yourself.

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2. Write regularly

Like with pretty much everything, practice makes perfect. Like your muscles, if you want to get stronger, you have to use them regularly. So, try to write a little bit every single day. Even if it’s just a journal entry, you’ll notice how much more comfortable you feel when you’re writing. And no, you’re not going to be perfect right away, but you’ll notice an improvement in the quality of your writing sooner than you might think!

3. Set up structure

Writing on a whim sometimes works but more often than not, it leads to ideas not properly being explored or vital information being missed out. That’s why structure is important. Try to organise your ideas before you start writing. You can do this by thinking about the main point and then exploring other ideas you want to mention in your writing. Be prepared to change your title throughout your writing as new ideas are added into your content.

4. Practice writing for your audience

One of the most important things to take into consideration when writing is thinking about who you’re writing for. Are they experts in your topic, or are they new and looking for an introductory piece of information. Or maybe they’re looking for some advice or entertainment? Once you understand what your audience wants, you can tailor the content to them. For example, if you’re writing for a younger crowd, your tone might be more casual, fun, and include modern-day slang language. Whereas if you’re writing for a professional audience, you might stick to a tone that’s more serious and straightforward sounding.

5. Use simple language

Many writers make the mistake of thinking they need to use fancy words or long sentences to be a good writer. And while sometimes both of those things are relevant, in most cases you’re better off keeping things simple and to the point. Stick to simple language and don’t over complicate your sentences. If you feel like you’re saying the same thing in different ways, consider trimming it back a little. The more simple your writing is, the clearer it’ll be for your audience.

6. Edit, edit, and edit once more

There may come a time where you feel that confident in your writing that you will only need to proofread what you’ve written. However for now, your first draft is exactly that - a draft. It doesn’t matter if it’s not perfect the first time you write it. What’s important initially is that you get those ideas down to begin with. Then you can go back in and clean it up. It gives you the chance to spot anything that sounds awkward or notice any grammatical errors. A great thing to do is walk away after your first draft and come back with fresh eyes.

7. Experiment with your writing styles

Sometimes, the best way to improve your writing is by experimenting with different styles of writing. You could try different tones, formats, or even different types of content. For example, if you usually write long-form content, consider trying a poem or writing a song. Even if you don’t use that content anywhere, it’s great practice and helps you improve your writing skills eleven further.

8. Use tools to help you

While it’s understandable that you want to improve your natural writing skills, there’s nothing wrong with using tools to help you improve it further. Tools like Grammarly, Hemingway, or even a chatgpt alternative can help you find mistakes or improve on your ideas even further. They can be a fantastic safety net if you’re pressed for time or want to double and triple check what you’ve already written.

9. Get feedback

One of the best ways of improving your content writing skills is by getting feedback from others. And we don’t mean asking your best mate to read through (unless they’re a writer, of course) - we mean asking experts in the field for some constructive feedback. There are loads of forums online that you could use like Reddit. Don’t be put down by the comments! This task is to help you open your eyes to any flaws you might have in your writing and improve upon them.

Related: Schedule a portfolio review with The Freelance Writer’s Guide.

10. Accept and learn from mistakes

Everyone makes mistakes, and it’s completely normal! What’s important is that you don’t dwell on them. Accept your mistakes and learn from them for future content writing. For example, if you’ve read a published article and only just noticed you’ve used the same phrase five times in the space of 1000 words, don’t fret! You now know for next time what to avoid and that you need to switch things up a bit.

Be consistent

Finally, improving your content writing skills isn’t going to happen overnight, so consistency is important here. It takes time and practice to master the art of writing! Be patient with yourself, whether you’re writing daily, weekly, or only when you get the chance. The more you write, the better you’ll get over time. As long as you keep showing up, you’ll start to noticeably improve.

11 Simple Tips to Improve Your Content Writing Skills

Read more than you write