You probably see it every day without even noticing. Examples of content writing are everywhere, from website landing pages to blogs.
And it’s a pretty important skill for any writer. It can also make you good money as a side hustle. That said, let’s get into what content writing is, how it works, some content writing examples, and tips for how to get started with this skill.
Table of contents
- What is content writing?
- What are examples of content writing?
- Expert tip : Explore various content niches
- 9 Most popular content writing niches
- 6 Tips for content writing online
- What are some examples of content writing?
- Is there a difference between copywriting and content writing?
- How do you create a plan for content writing?
- What should you include in content writing?
- What are some good content writing tools?
- Use these examples of content writing to help you succeed!
What is content writing?
Content writing is the creation of written content, and it also includes editing and publishing that content in physical form or on the web. Many times, it’s also a form of marketing and a way to connect with potential customers.
There are various examples of content writing for beginners, and we’ll discuss some popular ones in this article.
What are examples of content writing?
Since the different types of content writing can seem general, it’s a bit easier to explain by showing instances where you would use it. Here are some examples of content writing.
1. Articles
Articles contain well-researched information and can be found online on websites, magazines, or blogs. An article may be one of the first things you think about when considering content writing examples.
While sometimes similar, they are often longer and more formal than blog posts which are typically more casual and conversational (see more info on blog posts below).
That said, because blog posts often include research, the lines between these two types of writing may sometimes be difficult to distinguish.
2. Blog posts
Blog posts are a typical example of content writing that provide information to a reader in a casual and conversational manner. They can be short, but commonly blog posts are around 1,500 to 2,500 words a post.
Additionally, they discuss a specific topic, use headlines to help the reader skim the content, and are generally informative or entertaining.
Blog posts are all over the internet, and full-time blogging is the career choice of many.
3. Newsletters
Companies or websites generally send out newsletters to their subscribers that let people know what’s new.
Email newsletters are often used to share blog posts to share interesting information that the reader may find helpful and make the reader aware of what new content is available on the company’s website.
Newsletters are typically short and not as in-depth as an actual article or blog post. That said, a good content writer must be able to clearly convey information into this short format in order to build brand loyalty with readers.
4. Social media posts
Social media posts are typically short and grab the reader’s attention. The objective is to get the reader to know who the company or organization is and give information.
The goal of social media posts are to help the readers or prospective customers learn more about the business and create a loyal following. This can then build trust and in turn translate into sales.
5. Video scripts
A video script is the dialogue a speaker will use in a video. It’s based on a content outline and describes what the speak will say and what will happen in the video.
If you’re interested in video content, this can be a great way to work in the industry while content writing.
6. Research papers
Research papers are is a type of content writing that’s written around specific topics and goes in-depth into the study of the topic. As the name suggests, they require extensive research and critical thinking. It’s an intense type of content writing that may take quite a bit of time.
Doing this type of writing may be a good choice if you have a lot of knowledge about a particular subject or are eager to learn.
7. eBooks
Ebooks are essentially books that are published solely in an electronic format and can be sold on platforms like Amazon, and Kindle.
You can write your own eBooks as a first time author about any topic, or you may get hired to ghostwrite a book for someone else as a professional ghostwriter.
Ebooks are an excellent way to make passive income and are one of the best content writing examples.
8. White papers
White papers are a sort of in-depth report that highlights problems and presents solutions or methodologies and/or helps to inform decision making. As a result, writing a white paper requires a lot of research and study.
They may explain a topic or how to do something, and they are usually much longer than a blog post. They are generally at least several pages long.
9. Website landing pages
A website landing page is a webpage that is generally used for sales and marketing. The reader is taken to the landing page often to get them to become part of an email list.
Keeping this in mind, content writing for this page should be persuasive and engaging.
10. Infographics
Infographics are visual representations of data or information. While many infographics use charts and graphs to display their information, many require written content.
Content writing for infographics can look like writing a comparison list, bullet point information summaries, and visual data explanations.
11. Podcasts
While podcasts are done in audio form, there is written content that goes with it. Examples of content writing for podcasts can include writing scripts, show notes, and podcast descriptions.
The type of podcast will determine the writing you will do, for instance, writing interview questions or a monologue for one person. Some podcasts focus on storytelling, both non-fiction, and fiction, if you want to do more creative writing.
12. Video descriptions
Videos often rely on written descriptions to help boost their viewers and connect to their audience. Writing video descriptions requires clearly describing the view while focusing on one or two keywords.
Additionally, you’ll need to write text that captures the reader’s attention. Many people may read the description before deciding whether to watch the video.
Other content writing can include video headlines and text for a video thumbnail.
13. Downloadable PDFs
Creating downloadable PDFs can look like creating specific documents for different companies. Examples include pamphlets, ebooks, flyers, information sheets, white papers and more.
Companies often uses downloadable PDFs as part of their marketing strategies. These PDFs can then be used as email list opt in incentives or as online or email attachments.
14. Video marketing
Content writing for video marketing includes writing text that appears in a video ads describing a product or service.
With platforms like YouTube and TikTok, short form and influencer video content has grown tremendously, and a different type of video marketing has emerged.
Many popular news channels will use this type of marketing for their social media videos.
14. Workbooks and worksheets
Many businesses, teachers, and coaches use workbooks and worksheets to help clients apply information they’ve learned or analyze existing information. So, as a content writer, you can help businesses create workbooks and worksheets.
For instance, you can write a self-care workbook or create a worksheet that helps clients create an assessment of their work.
The information must be clear and stay on topic when writing this content. Additionally, the writing must be concise to make the content usable. A graphic designer can then help to compile your workbook or worksheets into an attractive design.
15. Product descriptions/Service descriptions
Product or service descriptions describe the details of a product or service to potential customers and can convince them to buy. That said, in this particular niche, content writing requires that you have an understanding how a product works and its benefits.
When writing this type of content, it is also essential to have a strong understanding of the target audience, so understanding the reader persona is essential.
16. User guides
User guides or manuals instruct customers on how to use a particular product. They include instructions and information about the product to support the user.
It’s essential to have a clear understanding of the product when writing the guide and be able to anticipate a customer’s questions and needs.
Expert tip: Explore various content niches
As you explore a career in content writing, it’s best to explore several niches so you can find your ideal niche. You can start with a niche you already know about or have experience in.
For instance, if you have experience traveling, being a mom, or have worked in the health industry, you can create content based on what you know.
Additionally, you can focus on a niche that you are interested in or curious about. When you are able to find your ideal niche, you’ll find it easier and more enjoyable to create content!
9 Most popular content writing niches
Content writing is a general term that applies to a lot of things. The topics are varied, but here are some popular content writing niches:
1. Travel
Travel writing content comes in many forms. One of the most popular forms is travel blogs. Content on travel blogs and other areas of travel includes itineraries, destination guides, travel news, and personal experiences.
Additionally, with the rise of remote workers, much travel content focuses on helping people travel and work.
2. Digital marketing
Digital marketing is a writing niche that focus on marketing in the digital world. Writing in this area can include Search Engine Optimization and social media, and it helps businesses and individuals connect with potential customers or supporters of their business. It’s about marketing what your company offers and letting others know about it.
Digital marketing is something that many online business owners are highly interested in knowing more about and having this skill is very lucrative and helpful.
3. Personal finance
The personal finance niche is a popular niche that helps people understand money and guides them on how to make it work for them. The topics often include budgeting, saving, investing, real estate, and other financial topics.
You’ll often see websites and blogs that focus specifically on personal finance or niches with personal finance. A great example is our parent site, Clever Girl Finance.
4. Productivity
A lot of people want to know how to get more done. The productivity niche discusses time management, how to accomplish more, and how to work more efficiently. A niche like this can apply to work, home, or personal life.
Productivity is a skill, so many readers want to find content focused on this. It can help employees, business owners, managers, and many others.
5. Lifestyle
Lifestyle is an extremely broad example of content writing and is essentially all about everyday living. The lifestyle niche is focused on many things, from recipes to home decor to fashion.
The main thing that matters for this niche is that it is personal and relatable, allowing readers to get information to help make their daily lives better.
Lifestyle writers may generally write about a topic or focus on something specific. It depends, and many writers choose to write about their own lives.
6. Food and recipes
In the food and recipes niche, you can learn about how to make a perfect salad, host a dinner party and much more as it relates to making meals. Additionally, stories of baking, cooking, barbecuing, or anything to do with hosting are a part of this niche.
You’ll often find that many people write recipes online and discuss their experiences making or trying out certain foods.
7. Medical writing
Medical writing involves in depth research to write science based medical documents, that cover drugs, diseases, cures and more. The documents can be educational, news-related or in the form of white papers or journals.
Medical writing can be complex, but it pays well if you have the necessary experience. Freelance medical writers can make close to six figures.
8. Motherhood
An extremely popular content writing niche is motherhood. You can discuss life as a new mom, crafts, activities for kids, family recipes, and parenting.
Many websites and blogs specifically focus on this topic, so it can be a good starting point when you begin content writing.
9. Fashion and beauty
Fashion and beauty is another niche among the types of content writing. There are many different directions to go with this and ways you can specialize—luxury handbags, DIY skincare, putting together outfits for work, and more.
If you have an interest in makeup, skincare routines, jewelry, or wardrobe ideas, this is a fun niche that you can learn about as you go.
6 Tips for content writing online
After seeing these examples of content writing, you may want to become a content writer. But where do you start? Here are the essential tips to keep in mind.
1. Practice writing and creating samples
Practice writing and make time for writing sessions, especially if you are new to it. You’ll improve over time with repetition.
You should also keep learning more about the specific niches you want to write about.
Create samples in different niches and styles so that people can see your work. It helps potential clients understand what sort of writing you do and what topics you can write about.
2. Reach out to potential clients
Once you’ve practiced and created some samples, you can learn how to find clients as a freelancer. You can fill out job applications online or reach out to businesses, blogs, and websites via email.
Show potential clients your work and explain how you can help them with their business, website, or blog. It’s helpful to write in the niche you prefer, but in the beginning, you can write about various topics as you gain experience.
So, keep reaching out and networking. Eventually, you’ll find your first couple of clients, learn about managing clients, and be on your way.
3. Be skilled in multiple niches
Many people say you should have a specific niche you write in, which is true and false. Having a couple of topics you know a lot about is helpful. That way, you can specialize and charge more over time for various types of content writing.
However, you don’t want to write only in one niche when you start. It may keep you away from potentially lucrative opportunities.
So yes, find your niche over time. But when you start, be willing to do extra research and write about many different topics.
The exceptions to this would be writing that requires the necessary qualifications, such as medical or scientific writing. But you can pick up other things, like lifestyle writing, as you go along.
4. Consider your audience
Content writing focuses on the reader. Consider what your audience knows and doesn’t know. Many readers seek explanations, stories, or answers to their questions.
Your writing should keep audiences interested and engaged. It creates brand awareness and loyalty and can lead to sales.
5. Learn editing skills
Even if you’re a great writer, you need editing skills, like knowing how to edit an article. You don’t want to write a great article and then turn it in with spelling errors or unprepared for SEO. These days, clients want content writers who can also turn in a polished article.
So use an editing tool, use keywords appropriately, apply SEO editing, and read through your work several times before submitting it to clients.
6. Focus on the action you want your reader to take
What do you want the reader to do after reading what you wrote?
For instance, purchase a product or service or gather more information? Your call to action is an essential part of content writing. Be sure to incorporate that into any content writing you to.
What are some examples of content writing?
Examples of content writing include articles from online publications and blog posts. Another example of content writing is a company newsletter sent to email subscribers. Additional uses for content writing include worksheets, workbooks, ebooks, and downloadable PDFs.
Content writing also expands to social media posts such as captions and video scripts. Beyond marketing means, user guides and product descriptions are also other means of content writing.
Content writing can be used whenever a piece of written description is used for a product or service.
Is there a difference between copywriting and content writing?
Content writing and copywriting have two distinct purposes. Content writing aims to educate, inspire, and entertain readers.
Copywriting persuades readers to take some action, typically to purchase a product or service.
On the other hand, content writing is often used to help businesses build credibility, offer solutions to readers, and build trust between readers and a company. Copywriting encourages readers to take action in some way that brings readers closer to making a purchase.
How do you create a plan for content writing?
To create a plan for content writing, you’ll need to first start with a clear content strategy or goal. Consider why you are creating this content and what you want the outcome to be.
Next, you’ll look for topics to write about. When searching for topics, consider what your target audience is searching for and what problems they might have. You’ll also want to do some keyword research around your topics.
Once you’ve found your topics, begin creating an outline of what you want to write about. With your outlines in place, you can start writing. Creating a content calendar or schedule can help you stay consistent when it comes time to post.
What should you include in content writing?
Content writing like blog posts and articles should include:
- Keywords to improve and increase Search Engine Optimization (SEO).
- A table of contents to organize the content and gives readers an overview of what to expect.
- Headers to break up large text and make the article easy to preview.
- Takeaway tips and answers to commonly asked questions about the topic.
- Links to other related articles so the reader can learn more.
What are some good content writing tools?
Content writing requires different tools depending on your stage of writing. For productive writing sessions, here are some tools to use regularly:
- Google Docs is an excellent tool as it allows your document to be easily shared, and others can collaborate on the same document.
- Grammarly and the Hemmingway App are two great tools for editing.
- Canva for creating graphics like social media posts and infographics.
- Trello or Asana to stay organized when managing different projects.
- Semrush or Ahrefs for to aid keyword research.
Related articles on content writing
Want to learn more about content writing? Check out these related articles.
Use these examples of content writing to help you succeed!
Breaking into content writing might seem challenging, but you will likely find entry level writing jobs relatively easily. The real issue is getting enough experience to charge more for your writing. But content writing can become a lucrative side hustle or full-time job over time.
You can learn this skill! Knowing more about content writing will help you with marketing, sales, business, and more.
So start practicing and get some experience using these examples of content writing! You can earn more money and gain valuable knowledge. And while you’re at it, see our step-by-step guide on how to become an author.