CONTENT WRITERS RISE TO THE CHALLENGES OF WEB 1.0, 2.0 AND 3.0

The woods are lovely, dark and deep, 

but I have promises to keep, 

and miles to go before I sleep - Robert Frost

Content is the King, and definitely Content Writers are the rulers of large stretches of online geographies. Content writers enjoy precedence over other professionals in gaining immediate access to business leaders, and taking the business vision to this world and worlds far and near.

The prestige and precedence enjoyed by content writers isn't free of challenges and rising client's expectations. From time and again, each and every Content Writer has risen to the challenges of the Web and its phenomenal rise over the years.

Tough times don't last, tough people do 
- Robert H Schuller

The development of web has been categorized into three phases of time. Each phase presents the progress and development of the web.

Web 1.0: This is the first phase in the development of the web. This phase was increasingly marked by static websites, with content posted on individual servers and accessible only to its owners. The Netizen of Web 1.0 could only read the information found on websites. Web 1.0 is sometimes described as an effort to create an Encyclopedia online that allowed for neither interactivity nor any innovative web functionalities.

Web 2.0: The second phase in the development of web was initiated in 2003. The term Web 2.0 was coined by Dale Dougherty, Vice President at O'Reilly Media. This term gained popularity since 2004. This phase was marked by major changes in the way web is used. Innovative technologies furthered extraordinary functionalities, and information storage was revolutionized. This phase of the web is definitely a giant leap for all Netizens, who could find Web 2.0 in dynamic and responsive websites, Wiki and Social Media. From individual client's servers Netizens saw the movement to remote servers and even cloud storage.

Embrace the change & let it bring the best in you.

Web 3.0: Web 3.0 to some is yet to be realized and is in its infancy. While some others say that Web 3.0 phase has already started and visible greatly as Artificial Intelligence (AI). Whatever may be the opinions of technology experts of Web 3.0, its difference with 2.0 is clearly seen as transition to greatly portable and personalized web interface and experience. Significantly, for every website, product and service there is an app that can be accessed from any smart device. Netizens feel 3.0 when they increasingly access different mobile apps that are downloaded from Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

Even entire websites are facilitated as mobile apps. A fine example is the presence of Facebook and Twitter as downloadable mobile apps. So, 3.0 has ushered an era of strong individual focus, personalization and content consolidation. Search engines are leveraging on AI to initiate new alogrithms. The emergence of Semantic web in the place of Key-words specific search is one recent trend to note.

You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have - Bob Marley

Netizens benefit by an altogether different search experience, with each search for information returning results based on specific meaning of words, instead of the 2.0's legacy to further search based on characters and numerals. So, in layman's language, we are entering a phase of Web which processes information, thinks like a human and imparts only the greatly relevant information.

If life is a challenge, your skills, competencies and smart thinking surely help to make a mark and create an identity of your own. Web Content Writers have consistently and rapidly progressed with good understanding of the challenges that have come with each phase of the web 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0.

The darkest hour has only 60 minutes - Morris Mandel

Each content writer is engulfed by the changes as seen below. The best and smartest of the content writers have sustained and survived. A few others who could not be so have left to pursue new careers in other domains of knowledge.

·         Content in general and content writing in particular has evolved from long and lengthy chunks of content to crisp and highly readable content. The movement from key-word based search to semantic search is good news for content writers, as it means to demand content that is vocabulary specific, business specific and customer centric. There will be ultimate sync between what content writers offer and what search engines reel out for specific searches.

·         The movement towards developing highly personalized content starting with 2.0 will find its zenith in 3.0. Netizens will find only the content of their choice as web pages will turn so very intelligent that all the previous user experience on the web is touchstoned in a fraction of a second and content reeled out to match the exact requirements. Surely, Amazon and VIT are greatly leveraging on this intelligent search technologies. All this means two things for the content writer. One, an explosion of content never seen before, and second, high demand for semantic natured content.

·         Today, we increasingly see Netizens using their smart phones to access information. Mobile enabled search is approximately 70 percent and desktop enabled search is 30 percent. This scenario poses a great challenge for the content writer, as the content needs to be highly focused and rich in semantically relevant words.

·         Content writers of 2.0 posted the content and forgot about it. Now it is not so as 3.0 demands continuous interaction and follow-up on content written, rewritten and updated. The businesses, web and mobile app developers, designers and digital marketeers find in the content writer a messiah who can deliver unparalleled success and help businesses from falling into an enigmatic position. So, the smart and greatly informed businesses, web developers and digital marketeers who can gauge the impending tsunamic wave of spiraling web changes will never dare to part with trained and experienced content writers.

I never dreamed of success, I worked for it 
- Estee Lauder

Web 1.0 made content writers mere spectators. Websites were launched and managed individually with don't care attitude towards content and content writers. Web 2.0 discovered the crucial role of content writers in developing original and key-word specific business, and user-specific social media enabled interactive content. Web 3.0 ushers a new era in content and content writing.

Content writers will be crowned and considered supreme leaders enabling online properties holistically with their semantic rich content writing. Mobile apps will grow million-fold, and the few content writers will find a greatly tough time meeting the content requirement of businesses, apps designers and developers and digital marketing professionals. With language finding precedence over characters and numerals, there is sure to be a greatly rigorous, challenging, yet a vibrant life ahead for all content writers.

Life is a circle of happiness, sadness, hard times 

and good times. If you are going through a hard time, 

know that good times are on the way
- Simple Reminders

SANJAY NANNAPARAJU
Thought Leader (Content Writing, 
Editing & Content Marketing)
RISECO.IN

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW OF CONTENT WRITING

Content Writing, A Wonderful Passion & A Rewarding Career

The role of a writer is not to say what we can all say, but what we are unable to say. Anais Nin

WHAT IS CONTENT WRITING?

It is said, many can speak well, but only a few can write well. Writing, especially business English writing demands focus, research and specialization. So, not all CEOs can write well. Even if they can, their busy business routine mayn't allow them to sit and write. Content writers write for CEOs and thereby take their ideas to the business world.

Content writers enable marketing communication of different businesses. So, content writing is a highly focused activity that aims to present business information in the right tone. The effectiveness of content writing is achieved only by great understanding of the business, competition and marketing strategy.

WHAT IS REQUIRED TO BECOME A CONTENT WRITER?

Ø  First you require good English writing skills. This means to have a good knowledge of English Grammar, Vocabulary, Usage and Composition.

Ø  Second, you should have good online research skills. This means to leverage on Key-words and researching the web for business-specific information.

Ø  Third, a standard proficiency in using MS Word.

WHAT IS THE QUALIFICATION TO BECOME A CONTENT WRITER?

All Graduates or Post Graduates are eligible to become Content Writers. To excel at content writing, you need to have these things,

·         Exceptional Written English proficiency and wide reading

·         Good understanding of different subjects

·         High level of domain knowledge (arts, science, engineering etc)

·         Proficiency in Word processing tools, and online research skills

Your English proficiency and domain knowledge are reinforced in your school and college. Your habit to read and watch news everyday might have reinforced passively your research skills.

For that matter, there is no qualification to become a content writer. However, businesses / employers prescribe graduation as the basic qualification for all content writers, due to the three reasons mentioned above.

WHAT IS THE CAREER PATH / JOBS / PAY PACKAGES IN CONTENT WRITING?

Junior Content Writer (0-1 yrs Exp) Pay 15,000 – 22,000	Content Writer (2 – 4) Pay 20,000 to 26,000	Asst Manager (3 to 5) Pay 22,000 – 30,000
Manager (4 – 6) 24,000 – 34,000	Sr Manager ( 5 – 7) 27,000 – 36,000	AGM (8-10) 38,000 – 52,000
DGM/GM (12 – 14) 50,000 – 70,000	AVP/VP ( 12 – 15) 65,000 – 90,000	Director (14 – 18) 1 Lac – 2 Lac

*You are on par with all other employees (IT, Admin, Accounts, Back-end etc) of the employer/company. You are eligible for all categories of bank loans (home loan, personal loan) and Credit Cards.

**Your pay package is based on different factors viz. size of the employer’s business, budget allocated for the post, your qualifications and experience, your achievements and recognitions, your clients/projects handled. Of all, your qualifications (esp. those with abroad degrees or IIM/IIT Executive programs) and your work experience (Wipro, TCS, Infosys, Cognizant, Genpact etc) help to catapult your careers progress, phenomenally.

WHAT IS THE DEMAND TO SUPPLY OF CONTENT WRITERS?

For every 10 content writer positions there are only 2 qualified and experienced content writers. With the phenomenal rise of online and mobile media the demand for content writers is great.

WHAT IS THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF RISECO.IN?

IDENTIFY TALENT – TRAINING – JOB INTERVIEWS

We want each student to turn into a successful career professional. To achieve this, your domain competency and your communication skills are the key. Each workplace is ridden with communication challenges.

RISECO.IN' primary objective is to identify your interest to make content writing as your career, offer you the right training for good understanding of Content Writing expectations, and make you ready for Job Interviews.

HOW DOES YOUR PROFESSIONAL CONTENT WRITER CERTIFICATION (PCWC) HELP IN BECOMING A SUCCESSFUL CAREER PROFESSIONAL?

All marketing communication is seen as websites, social media, emailers, brochures, newsletters etc. A lot of content (text, image, and video) goes into the preparation of each marketing tool. Content writers work with graphic designers, web designers, video editors and digital marketing professionals to create and edit content that goes into each marketing collateral.

All aspiring content writers with good English writing skills can register for our content writing course. Our content writing course offers an in-depth and first-hand understanding of the skills, expectations and challenges of content writing. By the end of the course, each content writing aspirant is fully prepared to take up the work/job as a full-time or part-time at our network of clients/businesses.

WHY IS THE SCREENING TEST MANDATORY FOR ALL ASPIRING CONTENT WRITERS?

Our Content Writing course is not a basic writing skills program. This course offers constructive and focused guidance to aspiring content writers who are very good in written English. We conduct the Screening Test to assess the written English proficiency of each aspiring content writer.

Only those of you with good writing skills are taken into this course. However, those who do not qualify the Screening Test can surely register for our Basic English proficiency classes that focus on enhancing all the four skills of communication - speaking, listening, reading and writing.

WHAT ARE THE COMPONENTS OF THE SCREENING TEST?

The Screening Test assesses two things, sequence in sentence and continuity of thought. Significantly, all writing is a creative task. There is much more to content writing than just writing well-structured sentences. Those interested in our Content Writing course can take the Screening Test.

DO YOU OFFER PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE LEADING TO JOB INTERVIEWS AND JOBS?

All the course participants aspiring to become content writers will be offered placement assistance. This is subject to completion of all the course modules and submission of the assignments within 8-weeks/two months of the course duration.

Over two decades RISECO.IN has built a network of 1850 clients, who require content writers on full-time, part-time and freelance basis. Interviews are conducted at our premises or clients' offices, and Offer Letters are released immediately.

SANJAY NANNAPARAJU

Thought Leader & Trainer

Content Writing, Editing & Content Marketing

RISECO.IN

ADDRESS: 1st Floor, Above Vasavi Kirana & General Stores. Plot No 264, Lakshminagar, (Behind NTR Statue). Boduppal, Uppal. Hyderabad - 39. INDIA. Contact Person: N SANJAY. Whatsapp: +91 9848434615 Mail: riseco8899@gmail.com. Website: www.riseco.in 

FREELANCE CONTENT WRITERS: 8 APPROACHES TO SOURCE CLIENTS / FREELANCE WORK

For Content Writers and especially those working as freelancers, independence is everything. Each freelancer loves to work at the time and convenience of their own. No office, no rigid timing, no attendance, and most important no bossism at all. Definitely, freelancers are very healthy and happy with their own selves, with their family members and friends. There is one challenge which all of us as freelance Content Writers often face. However good you may be at Content Writing, you may find it very challenging to evolve an approach to source clients, and project works. The question to be answered is, what are the ways and means to source clients, and excel at Content Writing work. I like to share my experience of how I source my clients, and achieve excellence by delivering high value driven content for my clients. 

Approach 1: Partner with professionals working in similar line of business i.e. those people who require quality content writing. I partner with web designers, graphic designers, developers, and social media experts. This approach is time-tested, and I found this highly successful. I ally with 8 designers to take forward all their content requirements.

Approach 2: Launching your own website or blog, and promoting your content writing services. This is very effective only if you also focus on promoting your website/blog for specific key-words. You can attain visibility either organically or by paid campaigns. I have launched my own website and blogs for my content writing and English training. There are more than 4000 pages in Google Organic Search that direct to me, my Institute and my services. In the long run, this is the best way to source your clients. However, you need to be active online by posting something at your blog or social media channels, every 5 days. 

Approach 3: Work Full-time or Part-time as a Consultant for businesses. At all these three levels, you mayn't enjoy the independence as a freelancer, but surely you can get continuous work, and timely payments too. I have been quite successful in working as a consultant, working with my clients on Retainer-ship Basis. Every week, I may be mingling with the clients' in-house creative and digital marketing teams to offer my suggestions and guidance on all aspects of content writing, editing and content marketing.

Approach 4: Start with an Emailer campaign, which includes sending mails to all people in your network (family, friends, relatives, acquaintances, colleagues, employers and alumni) to announce your offer of content writing services. However, this calls for a preparation of professional and quality creatives with great design and resounding content. Sending Emailers may have instant rewards, with prospective clients knowing about your writing services, and few others replying to your Emailer immediately.

Approach 5: Partake as an expert content writer in the gig economy. There are now large number of gig websites that bridge freelancers with employers/businesses that require temporary professionals to complete project works. Start posting your details (qualification, specialization and portfolio) and start bidding for freelance content writing works. Sourcing content writing work from Gig websites is catching up soon with college students, homemakers and professionals too. 

Approach 6: Visiting clients offices personally to showcase your writing portfolio. This approach may be ridden with challenges of time, patience, travelling, energy and follow-up. However, the personal touch is always the best way to sustain your precedence in the offer of content writing services. It is human nature, that people want to meet people, share ideas and suggestions, and equally avail your expertise in content writing. If you are away from any family or personal commitments, with a gutsy persona, and greatly interested to travel and meet people, this approach suits you for sure. I used to visit my clients' office in the first few years of my content writing career, now I don't due to the limitations mentioned above. As a content writer, be human first, and address the emotions of each business leader for their ideas, businesses and beliefs. I believe that, for once in the first time a personal meeting with your client builds lasting relationship and achieves goodwill forever. Also understand that, each business is built on the cherished vision of its founder. You can deliver good, quality and value-driven content only when you can comprehend the business vision, and its direction. 

Approach 7: Allying only with domain/sector specific businesses such as medical writing, engineering writing, academic writing etc. I know few freelancers who do only medical, information technology or academic writing. They do not change the direction of their writing, and ally with all the businesses in the specific domain. Their objective is to turn into domain-specific content writers and thought leaders. They have their own argument, that doing content writing across different businesses mayn't give them the career continuity, domain community, specialization, satisfaction and authority. However, only a small percentage of freelance content writers will do so, as this demands qualification, specialization and network. 

Approach 8: Training people and turning them into your clients. Any one with business acumen and financial support can start a business. However, the challenge is with running the business with day to day challenges to face. A business leader mayn't be as proficient as you are in business English communication. Here, you have a great opportunity, one to enhance business leaders' English proficiency skills, and also support them with an offer of content writing services on a continuous basis. This is not something new or innovative, it is only that you are trying to fill-in the gaps of language competency and workplace English requirements. This approach has been a vibrant success with me, as I made English training as my passion and Content Writing as my career. So, to adopt this approach you should be competent in Business English communication and training. Your qualifications, portfolio and up-to-date skills are always primary. For example, now training is no more a classroom activity. From digital classroom (Smart TV enabled classrooms) we have moved to Web enabled and now the Mobile enabled training and mentoring. The key to success in this approach is that, you have to keep yourself updated on innovative teaching and training methods. 

Based on your background, likes, dislikes, choices and negations, you are free to choose any of these approaches to script success as freelance content writers. Anytime, I am ready to share my ideas and suggestions with my Associates and Aspiring Content Writers. We all begin small, but as we go in an organized manner, we will have to manage terribly large and challenging content writing projects. As an individual freelance writer, you and I cannot handle all the work. Understand that, your knowledge grows only when it shared, skills relayed, and experiences documented. The secret of success is to stop playing self-game, and start making way for teams of equally competent people, content writing or otherwise. 

Thanks & Regards,

SANJAY NANNAPARAJU

Thought Leader (Content Marketing)

RISECO.IN