Forum Moderators: mack
Can you tell me the best way to find web writing jobs for someone who has no experience of writing. I live in the UK?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards
Andrea
I would strongly suggest familiarising yourself with some basic web concepts - HTML, HTML editor (Dreamweaver, Frontpage), etc - and move forward from there.
Those who have a specific web writer / copywriter position, will usually look for web experience - a knowledge of HTML and HTML editors as a basic requirement.
Those who don't have a specific person to do their web writing, may leave this role down to other teams and departments - most commonly Marketing or web design.
In terms of experience:
> Familiarise yourself with web concepts (as mentioned above)
> Read up on web design issues - particularly relating to content, navigation, marketing (SEO).
Do this and then you are equipped to setup your first website. It might be a pile of crap, but it will be a learning experience! ;)
Perhaps find some free hosting for your first site - you could knock together an online CV. The process of making a website will put the information you read beforehand into context and you will also pick up some more skills.
From here, move onto a "proper" site. KISS principle - Keep It Small and Simple. It doesn't need to be great - it doesn't need to be popular. You just need to do it.
Pick a subject area you are familiar with. Something you can cover easily in around 20 articles or so. If the subject area is too broad then you can quickly get bogged down.
Design your site, write your content, buy a domain name, get some hosting, put your site online.
Step back and reflect on what you learned. What would you do different next time?
Writing for the web isn't just churning out single articles - you (later on) need to think in context of the broader picture. Have you covered all angles? Are there any gaps in the overall subject area?
From here you can either tinker with the site you just made, or move onto a bigger project and apply what you learned.
All during this time you should be:
> Reading more about writing content, web design, web standards, marketing, etc.
> Learning more about your subject areas.
By the time you are here, you will have developed some knowledge, skills and experience to build on - all by yourself, which is more than can be said for a lot of careers.
Consider approaching other sites in subject areas you know about and offering them articles for free.
Maybe setup more sites of your own.
Begin looking at jobs in the area.
Have a look at freelancing as an option.
Perhaps add advertising to your own sites to monetise them.
It will be tough - jobs are few and far between in this area, so they will be competitive. You will need serious evidence to prove your skills in the area (this is where your own sites, or content you write for other sites helps a lot).
Scott
