Write For The Web: Content Writing When You’re Not An Expert In a Topic
Want to write for the Web? Web writing can be very lucrative indeed.
You’ll be writing in many different areas, often on topics which are totally unfamiliar to you.
So — how you do write about something when you know nothing about it?
Big tip: realize that you don’t need to be an expert. You simply need to familiarize yourself with the topic.
In a recent article, I said:
Before you start writing, you need to become conversant with your topic — familiar with it, in other words. You certainly don’t need to be an expert.
It’s fine to cover a topic if you’re a beginner. Journalists know this. They aren’t experts in most of the areas they cover, and they don’t need to be. They do ensure however that they know enough so that they can ask intelligent questions of experts.
You can do the same: become conversant with a topic before you write about it. If you’re a total beginner in a topic that’s fine; most of your readers will know less than you do.
Curiosity is your most powerful weapon. Ask questions, and find the answers.
Let’s see how this works. You’ve taken on a content writing job: writing articles about anti-aging cream.
You know as much about anti-aging cream as you do about marine corals, but you’re game. You’ll familiarize yourself with the topic. Expect to spend at least a couple of hours, maybe more, on this. If you’re aiming to write quality content, you’ll research more.
Start by estimating how long this research will take you.
Tip: sometimes a writing job just doesn’t pay enough for you to spend time familiarizing yourself with it; the client doesn’t want to pay for your research time. Pass the job by. Not every writing job is for you.
How to become conversant with a topic
1. Start by asking questions. Write them down. Use Who, What, Why, When, Where and How.
2. Find the answers. Check the Web, forums, Amazon, company websites… I encourage you to place a time limit on your research. Remember, you simply want to become conversant with the topic.
3. Write down the answers you’ve found. Writing them down ensures that you’ll remember the answers.
Another tip: remember your aim isn’t to become an expert. Usually, you’ll be writing for general readers, who know little about your topic.
On the other hand, if you’re writing for experts, you’ll need to interview experts. Don’t try to become an expert. Becoming an expert in anything takes years. You don’t have the luxury of time.
In your Web writing career, you’ll write about hundreds of topics. You don’t need to be an expert. You can write for the Web, and write well, simply by familiarizing yourself with a topic, and writing for a specific audience.
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