Many budding content writers wonder if they’re going to need qualifications to break into their chosen field. That’s why we’ve created this guide to help you understand what you need to become a content writer. So, what qualifications do I need to be a content writer?
To become a content writer you don’t necessarily need any qualifications. However, it can be beneficial to hold relevant qualifications in subjects such as Marketing, Creative Writing or English. This may make it easier to break into the industry or gain employment at a higher level. Such subjects will also give you a better understanding of how to write engaging content.
Read on to find out more about what qualifications you need to become a content writer, how to start a career in content writing, and what skills a content writer needs.
A content writer doesn’t need qualifications to break into the industry, however, it’s expected that you have strong writing skills, grammar, and knowledge of the English language (or whichever language you’ll be writing in). At a minimum, employers will expect to see GCSE or A-Level qualifications. Some employers may also require a portfolio of examples.
If you do go down the education pathway, then a degree in Creative Writing, English, Languages, Marketing, or SEO could give you the advantage that you’re looking for, as well as a portfolio of work to show at the interview. This is the route that I personally took, with a degree in Digital Media Marketing that opened doors and allowed me to land job offers.
It’s entirely possible to become a content writer without a degree, however as mentioned above, you may be competing against other applicants that do have one.
Some companies even use possession of a degree as a way of whittling down applicants.
Because the job market can be competitive, anything that can give you the edge will be a huge benefit in your search for your first job. This means that those who do have a relevant qualification will most likely have the jump on you if you don’t.
With this being said, a strong portfolio of high-quality work and a good knowledge of the industry will always be more beneficial than qualification for content writing. Build your own website using templates on a CMS like WordPress and start blogging! You can easily pick up the basics of SEO content writing through guides on YouTube, free online courses, and other online platforms. Make sure to follow SEO best practices and you’ll be well on your way to showing your potential to employers.
When looking at applicants with no experience, employers will be looking for either a strong portfolio of work or qualifications for content writing. Without either of these, you’ll have a very low chance of landing a job in content writing.
If you don’t have a qualification or relevant experience you can easily build a portfolio by creating your own blog as mentioned above. Creating a blog is easy and takes little investment. They also give you a platform to showcase your talent, and hone your writing skills, and if your blog performs well, you can show the data in your portfolio.
There are multiple ways to start a career in content writing. These include:
The best way to easily create a portfolio is to create your own blog. Set up a site on a website builder such as WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace using built-in templates, and start creating content! You should also look at guides for basic SEO settings and best practices to ensure that you’re following the right steps and do your own keyword research to target the most effective search terms.
For information on how often you should blog if you decide to create your own site, see our blog on how many blogs do you need to write for your website.
If you look for content writing jobs on platforms like Indeed, you’ll often see companies looking for freelance writers. While many of these may not be the best job in terms of pay or amount of work, they’ll give you a place to show your skills, gain experience, and create a varied portfolio that you can bring to your next interview.
One possible route that we haven’t discussed yet is gaining experience in a digital agency instead of content-specific experience. This is a way to get your foot in the door and open more opportunities in the future. Potential job roles that could help your future prospects are:
Learn more about how to get a job in a digital agency in our dedicated blog, How to Get a Job in SEO.
Apprenticeships are a great way to get started in any digital marketing niche, and content writing is no exception. While there may be limited content writing specific apprenticeships, any in a related field such as marketing or SEO would teach you the skills and knowledge needed to progress as a content writer. You’ll most likely also get chances to use your writing skills during the apprenticeship too!
The last option, and the option that takes the most time and money, is to get relevant qualifications for content writing such as a degree in English, Marketing or Creative Writing. This will increase your chances of getting a good job a lot, but it will also give you a strong knowledge base and a portfolio of work to go with it. While this option isn’t for everyone, it’s a great way to start your career in content writing.
Learn more about the qualifications needed to get started in a content writing or digital marketing role in our recent blog, What Qualifications Do You Need to Get a Job in SEO?
Every content writer should have a strong knowledge of SEO best practices. This includes how to find good keywords to target, how to use them in your content, how to optimise meta, effective header hierarchy, and general content structure. You should also learn about what search engines want to see in content, such as E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authority, Trust). To learn about E-E-A-T in content, read our guide, How do you write E-E-A-T content?
Other areas you should learn about include:
If you’re looking to grow your career as a content writer, visit our careers page to see if we have any openings available. Alternatively, if you’re a business owner looking to hire a content writer, why not use a trusted, experienced agency to cover all of your SEO and content writing needs? At Wildcat Digital, our SEO experts create all of your content for you, meaning that it will perfectly match all SEO best practices and rank better as a result! Check out our SEO page for more information about our services, or get in touch today for a free consultation.
SEO Account Manager
Founder
Our founder, Will Hitchmough, worked at a number of high profile Sheffield Digital Agencies before founding Wildcat Digital in 2018. He brings an extensive knowledge of all things related to SEO, PPC and Paid Social, as well as an expert knowledge of digital strategy.
Digital Marketing can be a minefield for many businesses, with many agencies ready to take your money without knowing how to deliver results. I founded Wildcat Digital to deliver digital success to businesses with smaller budgets in a transparent way.
Content Strategist Team Lead
With a degree in Marketing and a background in more traditional, offline marketing, Chloe joined Wildcat in 2021 after deciding to move into the digital marketing industry. She joined us as a Content Specialist and quickly moved up the ranks, becoming a Content Strategist and later an SEO Team Leader.
Outside of work, Chloe is an avid creative. If she’s not knitting, you’ll likely find her behind a sewing machine or in the kitchen trying (and often failing!) to make sourdough.
SEO Account Director
Paul has a strong background in SEO, having previously founded and ran a successful eCommerce business, as well as running a personal blog that achieves an average of 17K users per month. Paul’s knowledge of SEO is extensive, with a strong emphasis on client handling and technical SEO.
Outside of work, Paul enjoys spending time with his family and staying active with weight lifting and combat sports.
Head of Operations
Nadea joined Wildcat in 2021 and has since overhauled the way we work. She has a background in various administrative, operations and HR roles, which gave her the experience and skills needed to lead and organise a growing business.
Outside of work, Nadea loves anything that keeps her active, but she especially enjoys hiking, camping and mountain biking.
Senior SEO Account Manager
With a background in sales, Molly is a natural Account Manager, brilliantly handling any issues that come her way. Having joined us as a Digital Marketing Executive, and working part-time through her final year of University, Molly is a shining example of how hard work pays off. She is now an SEO Account Manager with a particular interest in Content and Client Management.
In her spare time, Molly loves to get out in nature, hiking and exploring the Peak District. She also loves cooking and likes to unwind with a bit of yoga.
PPC Team Leader
Libby joined Wildcat in 2021 as our first PPC hire. With a degree in Digital Media Production, a Master’s in Digital Media Management and previous experience in Social Media Management, Libby hit the ground running and has since climbed the ranks to Senior PPC Account Manager and has a particular interest in the eCommerce sector.
Outside of work, Libby likes gaming, and cooking and likes to keep active by lifting weights.
SEO Account Manager
Jasmine joined Wildcat in 2022 with a strong background in SEO and Account Management. At the time, she was finishing up a Level 4 Apprenticeship in Digital Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing, and has since worked her way up to SEO Account Manager. Jasmine excels at content writing and promotion, and particularly enjoys finding creative ways to join the dots on multi-channel campaigns.
In her spare time, Jasmine volunteers at a charity, helping combat loneliness & social isolation experienced by older neighbours. Outside of Wildcat, she owns a catering company, Savery Grazing, creating delicious grazing tables & platters for a range of events. She also loves skiing and exploring the Peak District.
Senior PPC Executive
Prior to joining Wildcat, Braden founded and ran his own Social Media Management agency where he gained valuable skills in growing brands’ online presence, which has since proven invaluable in his role at Wildcat.
Outside of work, Braden is a big football fan, regularly travelling to Pride Park to support Derby County. He also enjoys watching and playing snooker, hiking in the Peak District, and attending air and car shows.
Senior SEO Executive
After spending ten years managing businesses, restaurants, cafes and event spaces across Sheffield, Jon decided to change careers and joined Wildcat as an SEO Executive in 2022. He especially enjoys the client management side of the job, helping them to understand digital marketing and ways in which they can build their business’s presence online.
Outside of work, Jon likes to keep fit with running, badminton and football, and also loves music.
Senior SEO Executive
Rachel joined us as a graduate, having recently graduated from Sheffield University with a degree in English Literature. Since joining, Rachel has proven herself to be a Content Queen, and particularly enjoys getting stuck into projects that allow her to explore her creative side.
Outside of work, Rachel enjoys a wide range of hobbies, including rugby, singing, reading, and spending time with her family and three labradors.
Team Lead & Technical SEO Account Manager
With a degree in Computer Science and SEO experience dating back to 2017, Dariusz has a wide range of SEO skills and knowledge. His specialist knowledge of Technical SEO has firmly landed him the title of Wildcat’s Technical Wizard, and he has recently taken on the responsibility of Team Leader for the Panthers Team.
In his spare time, Dariusz loves hiking, experimenting and trying new coffees and loves learning new things. He is currently learning more about CRO and AI and how this could benefit our clients.
Senior SEO Account Manager
With a degree in Film and TV production, and a varied career history, Jamie made the move to marketing with a Masters degree in Digital Media Management. He has since worked in SEO at Agencies across Sheffield, before joining Wildcat and working his way up to SEO Account Manager. Jamie has a particular interest in backlinks and Digital PR and has recently gained a client a valuable backlink from Forbes!
In his spare time, Jamie is an avid foodie and loves trying new restaurants and cuisines. He also loves to travel and spent a year travelling to Australia after university.
SEO Executive
Andy joined Wildcat in 2023 after starting his digital marketing career in-house for a local Sheffield company. Since joining, he has developed a strong interest in Technical SEO and has strong skills in Account Management.
Outside of work, Andy loves music and plays in a couple of bands. He also enjoys rock climbing, cycling, photography and good food.
Client Success Coordinator
Siena joined us in 2023 with a background in sales and digital marketing. She leads on client relationships across the company, ensuring that our customers are happy throughout their journey with us, from their initial consultation through to onboarding and beyond.
Outside of work, Siena enjoys travelling and getting stuck into the local culture. She likes to make the most of her experiences and particularly enjoys watching sunrises and sunsets from beautiful locations around the world.
Senior SEO Executive
Thea has a wealth of experience in SEO, having previously worked for other Digital Marketing Agencies in Sheffield. She has a particular interest and skills in Technical SEO, but is more than willing to get stuck in and give anything a go.
Outside of work, Thea spends most of her time with her children, but also loves reading, photography and gardening.
PPC Executive
Before joining Wildcat, Tom worked across different industries, building skills in sales and customer service. He later developed a passion for digital marketing whilst working on personal marketing projects and freelance ventures, and gained numerous certifications in PPC and Social Media.
Outside of work, Tom enjoys staying active by going to the gym and hiking. He also loves travelling and motorbiking.
Head of Growth
Rich joined us in May 2024 to head up our growth team. With years of experience helping other agencies to grow, Rich joins us at an exciting time as Wildcat is working on a five-year plan to become one of the biggest agencies in the UK.
Outside of work, Rich is a father to three children, which keeps him very busy! He’s also recently started running again to keep fit and loves a bit of DIY.
SEO Executive
Kezia joined us in July 2024 after completing a CIM Certificate in Digital Marketing and gaining experience in Content SEO at another Sheffield agency.
In her spare time, Kezia loves to get outdoors, bouldering, hiking and travelling.
SEO Executive
Amy joined Wildcat in 2024 with a background in journalism, having worked as a News Editor and Editor-in-Chief at The Sheffield Tab. She is naturally interested in Content SEO and research, so will no doubt prove to be a content power-house.
In her spare time, Amy loves watching crime shows, listening to music and hanging out with her dog, Eddie!
November 22, 2024
Looking to change your website? Worried about the positive or negative effects that this may have on your SEO? Here…
Jon Herdman
November 22, 2024
Breadcrumbs are a small but powerful element of technical SEO that can help users and search engine crawlers to navigate,…
Thea Chapman
November 21, 2024
As part of this months’ digital roundup we focus on the recent Core Algorithm Update and what you can do…
Molly Sturgeon