The Tools of the Trade

content writing

Every career and industry has tools of the trade. For mechanics, those tools are screwdrivers, wrenches, and pliers. For the carpenter, it is hammers, saws, and levels and for the businessman, it is a phone, business card, and a pen.

Freelance or content writing has its tools of the trade as well. These tools include a keyboard, monitor. computer and software. But there are other tools of the trade than just those few items. The same goes for those other industries.

To learn about these extra tools for writing just continue to read our article. These tools are vital if you want to be a good and interesting blogger.

A content Writer’s Tools

#1. Grammar and Style Check

Avoid any software writing program that does not have a built-in grammar check. Readers can spot grammar mistakes very easily and these mistakes may be made without even noticing that you are doing them. A good grammar check is essential to avoid rejection of your material.

The grammar check should also check the style of your writing, so if you do not have this tool, add it to your writing software package.

#2. Keyword Tools.

Finding the right keywords to use to draw traffic to your website is essential. However, not all internet users know or remember how to spell a word correctly. Their mistakes can lead them away from finding your website and its content.

using a keyword tool to find all the possible renditions of search terms is vital to your website. Make sure to get a good keyword search tool. BUT, with that said, you have to use the keywords correctly and properly.

Stuffing an article with keywords can ruin your content so make sure to use them wisely and in a way that enhances your content. Also, when you get those keyword tools, make sure they can do analytic analysis to make sure you cover every topic about the topic you are writing on.

#3. A Quality Checker

This goes for spelling as well as readability. You want a tool that lets you know that you spelled every word correctly. But, you also want a tool that will tell you how readable the content is.

Good grammar checks will include a goods spell check or use the one on your writing software program. Then get a good readability test tool to double-check your content. The test tool will let you know when the content is too difficult for certain levels of society. Then when you get the results you will have to decide to change the content or not.

A final tool that qualifies in this category is a plagiarism checker. There are some good ones out there but some only identify over-used terms. You want the one that identifies where you copied someone else.

Plagiarism is a career killer and you need to cite all your sources and where those ideas came from to stay out of trouble.

#4. Journals

These come in handy when you do not know a lot about a topic in a specialized field. medical content writers need to read medical journals to keep up with the latest information. However, you also need to learn how to translate the technical terms into simpler language.

Then you can quote from those journals to give your content more credibility. Just remember to place the proper citation at the bottom of your page. Avoiding thin content means you have to study and do some good research.

Some freelance writing industries where you need to read journals are medicine or health care, agriculture, artificial intelligence, engineering, law, and so on.

#5. Free Images

There will be times where a client or yourself, will want to use photos. You cannot steal other people’s photos. Licensing fees can get expensive as well, thus the only solution is to find a website or two that has copyright-free or stock photos that are free to use.

As they say, a picture is worth 1000 words, using the right photos will enhance your content, allow you to write a little less, and make your web page more interesting. Do an internet search to find those websites that offer a large selection of free photos to use.

Or use your own if they are good enough.

#6. Personal Knowledge

Personal knowledge is a handy tool to use. When you have participated in an activity you are writing about or have used a product you need to review, then that knowledge comes in very handy.

It gives your content a personal touch and lets the reader know you have tried the product, etc., and have first-hand knowledge of how it performs. Plus, you can use some anecdotes to help spice up your content.

Those little things help the reader get involved with your content and keep them reading longer.

#7. The Right Attitude

Never disrespect your readers or think badly of them. If you do it comes through your writing and turns your readers off. So does misrepresent a topic or product or lie to your readers.

The best tool you have in your content writing arsenal is honesty. being honest is the key to keeping readers and influencing them. The term ‘honesty is the best policy is never outdated as your reputation depends on your attitude.

If your readers feel you are insulting or lying to them, your reputation will drive people away and keep them away. Being honest attracts readers and builds your reputation in constructive ways where you will gain readers.

Word of mouth is still the fastest advertising method to date. If it will make or break your blog or other writing careers.

Some Final Words

Everyone needs tools of the trade. If they didn’t have them, they can’t do their job very well. Get the right writing tools for your writing career. That way your writing time will go a lot easier and have top-quality content when you are done.

The key to getting the right tools is to buy the ones you can afford.