Content Writing Business in India

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Content writing business in India is a simple equation of demand creating supply. In today’s day and age, all and sundry are hooked on their smartphones. It’s hard to imagine life without the presence of social media and online stores particularly. It leads to a ripple effect within the way businesses conduct their operations and accompany their customers.

The advent of the digital market has changed the rules of selling and advertising. As per studies, content marketing costs 62% less than the age-old, stereotypical methods of advertising and what is even better is – it leads to higher customer engagement and a higher rate of conversion. The content writing business in India thrives on these ever evolving variables.

Innovative content writing strategies are the need of the hour to build a new-age digital bridge to penetrate the mind of the smartphone customer and connect on emotional levels to arouse connection and loyalty.

Why Content writing business in India is an upcoming trend?

Creating supply to meet the rising demand for a service is a fundamental tenet for those looking for viable and lucrative business opportunities. Businesses require content writers to bridge the communication gap between them and their customers. In other words, they are your marketing generals whose presence in an enterprise pushes the sales effectively.

The metastasis of the erstwhile and long-established physical space market into a digital one has added a new strategic dimension to media and advertising. The colossal scope of the content writing business in India is a by-product of these fluid variables.

We witnessed the influx of applications on our phones, especially since the onset of the pandemic. This change holds for most people across the nation and led to a crater-sized advertising gap in the digital world.

To corroborate, I haven’t stepped out to a physical retail store for grocery shopping in 8 years. Online shopping has been instrumental in effecting a change in the way I fulfil my shopping requirements. Which is the secret sauce guiding my shopping decisions? No points for guessing..it is  CONTENT. 

Relationship between online presence and content writing business?

An online business offers the opportunity to say who you are. Moreover, visuals of products and services solidify your position in the eternal cutthroat competitive market. Without an influential online presence backed by a team of accomplished and dedicated content writers, the odds of upping the brand recognition are high despite being an established, legit physical store for years”. 

This mind-boggling statement emphasises the unquestionable importance and necessity of content writing business opportunities in India.

High-quality content ascertains the needs of the end-user and is in tandem with the sales goals of the enterprises. The content writing business in India is one of the most fecund and upcoming fields, offering tremendous scope and a multitude of opportunities to content writers.

Content writing forms the core of advertising for most, if not all enterprises yet. It is a well-known fact that blogging is used by 90% of businesses as an effective advertising strategy. Content writing is the rock of Gibraltar in the advertising world and most businesses are willing to bet on its effectiveness.

Who should consider the content writing business in India?

Writing comes to many people intrinsically and it is almost therapeutic for some. Many call it cathartic and a joyous outlet for their expression.

If you are one of them, then the content writing business is undoubtedly your calling. Execute your content writing skills and monetise on it. There is no better combination in the world than that. 

If you are not a writer but an entrepreneur looking for a lucrative business option, then gather a team of passionate, talented and skilled freelancers and kickstart your content writing agency.

As more and more businesses launch their websites and e-commerce thrives, there is an ever-increasing demand for content writers in India and the need is not met adequately yet.

How to start a content writing business in India?

Content writing business can easily be a profitable venture considering the increasing demand for online content. There are a few simple steps enumerated below to commence a content writing business in India.

Business Plan

The prerequisite of any business is to formulate a business plan, first and foremost. It serves as the backbone of an enterprise.

 A business plan is a basic outline of your vision and the steps you will undertake to inch closer to building and realising that vision. In other words, it is the blueprint which helps to put down your business idea in a structured manner. 

While we all learn as we go along, there is usually chaos, mismanagement and poor utilisation of precious resources without a business plan. Some basic factors to consider at the onset will be :

• Investment amount
• Number of employees
• Office Infrastructure
• Tech requirements for smooth operations
• Research of the content writing industry 
• Data on Competitors
• Requirement of the clients
• Upskilling plans 
• Most importantly – a learner’s attitude 

The above-mentioned requirements give you a headstart and further developments guide the needs and direction of the agency.

Selecting the niche

One of the primary requirements to set up a content writing business in India is to understand and zero in on the niche. 

Content writing is an extensive, wide and diverse subject. A copious amount of research aids in understanding the scope and possibilities of the industry and guides in making an informed decision. There are several types of content writing, namely :

• SEO content writing
• Copywriting
• Ghostwriting
• Academic writing
• Technical writing
• Press release writing
• Report writing
• Whitepaper writing
• Marketing writing
• Blogging
• Ebooks
• Social media posts

The list is long but not exhaustive. The list helps to understand the far-reaching scope of content writing and the plethora of differentiated opportunities it offers to budding and experienced content writers alike.

The above-mentioned types of content writing are amongst the most popular and in-demand categories. Understanding your strength is the key to the selection of a niche. 

Importance of niche in content writing business

Your content writing business agency can specialise in a particular niche and offer its services exclusively in the field selected. It helps to stand out as a master in that segment.

Alternatively, you can hire a team of content writers from heterogeneous backgrounds expanding your niche and the field of services offered. This option helps increase the customer base and meets variegated content writing needs.

Arguably, the choice would be largely driven by the number of resources available at hand, to begin with. After all, the more content writers you hire, the bigger the salary bill will be. Management and infrastructure requirements will also leapfrog directly in proportion to the number of content writers hired.

The niche will establish your brand and define who you are as a content writing business.

Gather a team

It is often said and believed that monumental success is never the work of one man alone. It applies to legends too. The importance of teamwork can never be emphasised enough.  

Before you commence your content writing business journey, you must hire aptly qualified and skilled content writers. They are the strongest assets in your motley crew. 

While there is no dearth of content writers in India or the world, you need to have an eye to shun the riff-raff. Filter out the nondescript and uninspiring content samples and increase your chances of locating the right fit.

How to choose the dream team?

Select those content writers who are skilled, driven, dedicated and share your vision. As a ground rule, they should add value, deliver on time and be willing to go the extra mile.

After all, they are the future representatives of your brand through their content.

The task at hand may appear daunting but the internet comes to the rescue.

LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram etc. are fertile platforms to start digging and connecting to the potential participants in your dream of setting up a successful content writing business in India.

Job portals like naukri.com, monster.com etc. are also worth browsing to find the right candidates.

As cliched as it sounds, a team that works in synergy together is more likely and capable of realising dreams.

Develop a website

There is no better way to establish an online presence than launching your website. It is a visual diary of your company. Furthermore, it is a potential and in all probability, the primary point of contact between you and your client. 

Essentials of a website

1. Company logo
2. Brand name
3. Services offered
4. Samples of work – Portfolio
5. Mission and goals of the company
6. Milestones achieved
7. Display of clients with reviews

Developing a website on your own has become relatively easier with all the free information floating on the internet. In case DIY is not your cup of tea, then a host of website developers offer their services for a price and you can get the job done irrespective. 

The website must appear professional and should be easy to navigate. It must display your brand and portfolio with crystal clarity.

More importantly, do not compromise on the quality of these factors for they will have a direct impact on the viability and credibility of your business.

Advertise

Let me ask you a simple question.

What is the point of all that late-night oil burning and hours of planning to build a content writing business if no one knows that you exist?

Building a business plan, a dream team and launching a website does not guarantee success. They are static factors. I state the obvious when I say that advertising is the dynamic ingredient here.

Content writing is the building block of advertising. Your own company is no exception to this paradigm. You need to go out there all guns blazing where advertising is concerned. 

Advertising tips:

1. SEO advertising  (search engine optimisation)
2. Local listing
3. Networking 
4. Incentivising clients
5. Email marketing
6. Press releases
7. Paid ads
8. Blogging
9. Symbiotic business relations

Correct, strategic marketing will drive the optimal amount of traffic to your website which is immensely crucial in the early stage of business.

When clients know you, they will flow to you. 

Legal contracts

No business plan is complete without drafting legal documents. This can be achieved by availing of the services of legal, financial and technical experts.

Signing contracts with employees and clients helps bring transparency and clarity to work. There are lesser surprises and conflicts, well almost. Drawing up contracts is an ongoing and ever-evolving process dependent on the operations of your business.

There are no shortcuts to success and hard work in any business.

The procedure listed above gives you a starting point and a framework. Building the business in the right direction is a matter of your skill, judgement, perspective and a fair amount of luck.

Tips to sustain a successful content writing business in India

The content writing industry is a battlefield of many warriors who are not evenly skilled. Each writer pens differently in terms of quality. 

While the demand for content is shooting up, what I must point out here is that it’s strictly quality content which is sought after and not the run-of-the-mill ramblings. It brings me to my first tip.

Deliver quality content 

Content writers are not expected to be the next Shakespeare but what is required out of them is intelligent and inspiring content which serves the needs of the business and customers alike. Enumerated below are some characteristics of quality content :

• Original 
• Imaginative
• Engaging
• Intelligent
• Inspiring
• Motivating
• Entertaining 
• Error-free
• Non plagiarized 
• In synchronisation with SEO

Quality content is a combination of all these factors and more. Experience and consistent writing as per briefs lead to honing the skills in the content writing business. Once this art is mastered, the writing speed improves significantly as well.

If the content falls short of these parameters, it is unlikely that your client will return. 

Powerful, speedy and result-oriented content should symbolise your agency and your brand must be synonymous with quality content so that you are always a forerunner in the race. 

Maintain Relationships

When we talk about the content writing business in India, a fact that stands out conspicuously is that we are talking about a country with a rich culture where relationships are supremely valued above everything else. It is an inherent part of our society. Why should we not extend this practice to business associations as well?

Value your client and maintain a respectful relationship where everyone is heard. It forges a bond of sincerity and commitment which in turn births loyalty.

The globalisation trend and the exponential growth of the internet have connected every person across the world. Business does not necessarily have to be a cold transaction. Maintaining relationships with your clients must transcend borders too.

The human touch gives an edge and takes businesses a long way.

Upskill

We live in a constantly changing and ever-evolving world. Skills become redundant at a fast pace in a technology-driven world.

Frequent training and workshops to upskill the content writers must be an integral routine of your business to stay relevant and in demand. 

Qualifications for a content writer 

There is no hard and fast rule to acquiring a specific degree in a particular field to become a content writer. A degree in journalism can be useful. However, a certified content writer will always be preferred.

Multiple private academies in India offer content writing courses online. The short-duration content writing course armours you sufficiently to embark on your professional journey as a content writer. 

Internships offered by the academies offer valuable practical experience in the content writing industry. It gives an opportunity to execute all the knowledge gathered during the course and understand your strengths and weaknesses.

The best amongst the options available in India is the content writing course offered by Henry Harvin Writing Academy.

It is not an arduous process to become a content writer. It is rather simple.

Recommended Reads

Reasons Why Content Writing Is The Best Career In 2022

Conclusion

The content writing business is an upcoming and flourishing trend in India. It has tremendous potential with half of its population (which is a whopping half billion) already using the internet which drives the demand for online business consistently.

India’s e-commerce market is expected to reach US$ 111 billion by 2024 and US$ 200 billion by 2026. This data makes the scope of the content writing business abundantly clear.

The IAMAI-Kantar ICUBE 2020 report estimated the number of internet users in India will increase to 900 million by 2025 from the present 622 million. Almost 47% of the Indian population uses the internet which offers golden opportunities to companies to increase the reach of their business digitally.

Some top content writing start-ups in India are :

• Write Right
• Thoughtful Minds
• Cofeegraphy
• My Writing Master
• Uprite

India is a country doling out unicorns and catching up in the race of technology advancement. A perennial requirement of Ecommerce will always be content and consequently, content writers. Rising demand is certainly a favourable aspect assuring regular clients and hence profits in business.

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