20 Content Writing Challenges And How to Best Beat Them in 2024?

Content writing wasn’t like how it was back in 2010.

When I first started blogging on Blogger, I remember how easy it was to get on Google page one with over 1,000 views for my blog post. Fast forward 10 years later, there are now more content writing challenges to face as a writer and the game has changed dramatically.

SEO (Search engine optimization) is now the game in content writing. SEO requires writers to write what readers are demanding from Google. This means that if you have the content Google is looking for, you could potentially reach out to millions of viewers.

While it can be entirely different from legacy writing, it’s definitely an easier option out of the two to make a career out of it.

Is Content Writing Still a Good Career in 2024?

AI is here to stay.

When ChatGPT first launched in November 2022, everyone thought this was it for online writers. Our job was at the risk of being automated. However, over the coming months, we notice a crack that AI isn’t able to solve in online writing. Which is the human experience transcribed in our writing.

I launched HustleVenture; a finance and side hustle newsletter business at the start of when ChatGPT first launched.

Although many “experts” warned me of the danger of AI taking over our business, I managed to pull myself up and found a space for me and others in my field to share our experience on the platform.

In just under a year, my content writing business is able to garner over 859k impressions and it’s expected to hit 1 million by the end of 2023. This is why I have the confidence to share that it’s possible for a writer to make $1,000 up to $10,000 per month from SEO writing.

So, back to the question: “Is content writing still a good career?”

Yes, if you are willing to keep up with the latest online content writing trends.

If you would get a Complete Guide to SEO Writing and how to make money online, you can check out our e-book link below:

What challenges do content writers face and how to beat them?

Undoubtedly, 2023 was a difficult year for content writers. Many freelancers who were providing $5 ~ $20 freelance writing services found themselves completely decimated when ChatGPT was initially published.

Businesses couldn’t see a reason to hire freelance writers anymore.

However, after a year since ChatGPT first launched, businesses have started reverting back to writers to support their content, but with a twist. Here are some challenges you will need to understand if you plan to be a writer and ways to overcome certain challenges.

1) Adapting to Changing Trends

The first issue we should tackle is understanding how to keep up with the trends.

While we can all point fingers at the issue of AI writing, it doesn’t solve a critical issue businesses are looking out for. Which is:

Businesses are looking out for faster and more efficient way of producing valuable content.

ChatGPT solves one huge part of content writing, which is churning out Evergreen Content.

Evergreen content possesses (virtually) no expiration date and is able to maintain its relevance over the long haul.

In contrast, content addressing specific events, like this year’s presidential election, lacks evergreen qualities as it becomes obsolete within six months. Keywords tied to such time-sensitive topics may eventually find themselves consigned to the Google graveyard, fading into obscurity and no longer actively searched.

2) Ensuring Relevance and Engagement

Quality reigns Supreme.

Beyond mere SEO considerations, creating content that resonates with the audience is crucial.

Just think about it, over 70 million blog posts are published each month, how can you compete against other content online?

While AI has disrupted many writers’ ability to provide their service, however, expert opinions are still highly sought after.

Don’t let your years working or life experience go down to waste. One of the best articles that resonate with readers is “life experience”.

So look around and ask yourself what you would like to write and have experience in, who knows what insights you may have to offer to your readers?

3) Navigating Algorithm Updates

Search engine algorithms are in constant flux. Google algorithm update is a nightmare for SEO specialists (there are over 200 SEO requirements) since they are required to understand the new changes and learn new techniques to garner more views.

When Google updates its algorithm, many websites may face a large reduction in their keywords being ranked. I myself once lost over 300 keywords in a day because of it.

4) The Art of Writing for Both Humans and Machines

One of the hardest challenges in content writing is striking a balance between creativity and SEO optimization.

To optimize an article for SEO, chances are, you would have to forego quality writing for keywords. To put it into simple terms, the purpose of optimizing content is so that Google is able to crawl and pick up keywords from your content to rank.

Unless you have a huge social media following with good engagement, only then you may forgo some SEO techniques to focus on engaging the audience.

But for most online writers, we might not have a huge following, and getting readership is probably the biggest hurdle. If you are starting out SEO writing, your best way to get into the game is by writing on Medium. I started my content writing journey on Medium and it has helped me gain followers through SEO.

If you don’t know this already, Medium has one of the highest SEO ratings ranking in the top 64 of the world’s websites.

With over 33.4 million traffic per month, it’s no wonder many writers are signing up and becoming a Partner, myself included!

5) AI and Its Impact on Writing

The most common content writing challenge in 2023 will be the rise of AI. Artificial Intelligence is transforming the content creation landscape.

While many writers argue the issues with AI, I found that we should be embracing this new technology and making it better. AI writing tools like WriteSonic and JasperAI have been instrumental in my content writing efficiency by producing evergreen content for me so I can work on other minor details to fill in the blanks.

Google doesn’t restrict the use of AI writing, however, they do penalize content that is either heavily plagiarised or AI-written with no thoughts.

6) Optimizing for Mobile Users

With mobile users dominating online traffic, crafting content for smaller screens is more important than ever. According to Forbes, businesses spend between $2,000 to $75,000 to create well-optimized user experience websites. And the stats show just why.

1. First Impressions Matter:
   • 94% of first impressions are design-related.
   • It takes about 50 milliseconds (0.05 seconds) for users to form an opinion about your website.
2. User Experience (UX) and Conversion Rates:
   • 88% of online consumers are less likely to return to a site after a bad experience.
   • A well-designed user interface could raise your website’s conversion rate by up to 200%.
3. Mobile Responsiveness:
   • 57% of users say they won’t recommend a business with a poorly designed mobile site.
   • Over 50% of web traffic comes from mobile devices.
4. Search Engine Optimization (SEO):
   • 93% of online experiences begin with a search engine.
   • Google is responsible for 94% of total organic traffic.
5. Loading Speed:
   • 53% of mobile site visits leave a page that takes longer than three seconds to load.
   • A 1-second delay in page load time can result in a 7% reduction in conversions.
6. Trust and Credibility:
   • 75% of users admit to making judgments about a company’s credibility based on their website’s design.
   • 48% of people cited a website’s design as the No. 1 factor in deciding the credibility of a business.
7. Content Quality:
   • Websites with blogs have 434% more indexed pages.
   • 70% of consumers learn about a company through articles rather than ads
8. Social Media Integration:
   • 74% of consumers rely on social media to guide purchase decisions
   • 70% of the U.S. population has at least one social media profile
9. Security and Trust:
   • 85% of people will not continue browsing if a website is not secure
   • 82% of users would leave a site if they saw a “Not Secure” warning
10. Competitive Edge:
    • 38% of people will stop engaging with a website if the content/layout is unattractive

These statistics emphasize the crucial role a good website plays in creating a positive user experience, establishing credibility, and ultimately driving business success in the digital era.

7) Crafting Compelling Visual Stories

Video content is booming, and as the younger generation prefers visual content, the demand for online written content has shifted.

While the younger generation may spend more time online, they are now looking for quick sources of information, and content writing needs to fit the younger audience.

Especially for our newsletter business, HustleVenture tackles the Gen Z audience, and the best way to keep them engaged is by making the first 120 words of the article really exciting.

While content writing lacks video content, we can get free images from sources such as Unsplash or Giphy. We can also add a bit of creativity by creating our own infographics.

8) Writing for Spoken Queries

As voice search gains prominence, writers must adapt to a conversational tone. Reels are now becoming a part of content writing and explain things in simple detail. I myself use Reels in HustleVenture’s content writing once in a while to spice up the content.

9) Strategies for Global Audiences

While you could be an expert in your local area, going big requires you to take on the big boys.

This means tackling evergreen content.

As mentioned earlier, evergreen content is typically avoided since writers may have a harder time challenging big businesses who have pumped thousands of dollars to climb their SEO game on Google.

To grow your audience abroad, the best strategy is to partner up with different businesses. SEO game requires referring domain, which means links from abroad connecting to your website. It builds the trust that Google is looking out for.

10) Staying Consistent and Relevant

It’s competitive.

Everyone is looking for the best way to make money online and if you are not hungry enough to remain relevant, someone else will.

Writer career is the second most searched job in the world with more than 800,000 global searches every year. If you aren’t going to take up a writing service from a business, it only takes a while before they find another suitable candidate.

It hurts, I will always remember that.

To remain consistent in our line of work, I will schedule my content 1 week in advance to make sure my readers/businesses working with me can look forward to my content.

To remain relevant, I recommend following experts and other writers in your field. And once in a while, follow some SEO experts to listen and take notes on the latest trends.

11) Overcoming Writer’s Block

I completely get it! 😅

Writer’s block is an inevitable hurdle.

We all will face it at some point in our writing career and it may take a while to overcome. For some, having a quick 5-minute break or going for a walk is enough to keep them going. For others, it’s a week of vacation to empty their thoughts. Well… we are built differently.

Here are quick 15 ways to get around it fast:

• Freewriting: Start with a stream-of-consciousness approach, writing without worrying about structure or perfection. This can help to unlock creativity.
• Change of Environment: Move to a different location or simply change your workspace to break the monotony and stimulate new ideas.
• Take Breaks: Step away from your writing for short breaks to refresh your mind. Physical activity can also be beneficial in overcoming mental blocks.
• Mind Mapping: Create a visual representation of your ideas using mind maps. This can provide a visual guide and help organize your thoughts.
• Set Realistic Goals: Break down your writing tasks into smaller, manageable goals. Achieving small milestones can boost confidence and motivation.
• Read and Research: Immerse yourself in related literature or conduct additional research to gain new perspectives and inspiration for your writing.
• Change Your Writing Tool: Switch from a computer to pen and paper, or try a different writing software. The change in medium can sometimes stimulate creativity.
• Talk It Out: Discuss your ideas with a friend or colleague. Explaining your thoughts aloud can help clarify them and generate new insights.
• Establish a Routine: Create a writing routine to signal to your brain that it’s time to focus. Consistency can help overcome resistance.
• Explore Different Formats: If you’re stuck on a particular section, try writing a different part of your project. You can always come back to the challenging section later.
• Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Practice mindfulness or relaxation exercises to reduce stress and anxiety, which can contribute to writer’s block.
• Use Writing Prompts: Engage with writing prompts to kickstart your creativity. These can provide a starting point and lead you in unexpected directions.
• Seek Feedback: Share your work with others and seek constructive feedback. External perspectives can offer valuable insights and motivation.
• Set a Time Limit: Challenge yourself to write for a specific, short period. Knowing there’s a time limit can alleviate the pressure and make the task more manageable.
• Reward Yourself: Celebrate small achievements with rewards. This positive reinforcement can create a more positive association with the writing process.

12) Collaborative Content Creation

Don’t try to write content you may not be familiar with. Sometimes, talking to an expert may be a better approach to get your creativity stimulated.

I found that going to networking events or messaging experts on Linkedin to be really helpful in finding out things that I might have missed out on.

Who knows, content collaboration can be one of the best ways to form long-term business partners.

13) Using Data Metrics and Analytics in Content Strategies

Data-driven decisions are fundamental.

The easiest to get your content up in keyword ranking is to understand what Google needs. To do that, you will need to learn how to interpret metrics and analytics to refine content strategies, ensuring continuous improvement based on real-time insights.

Here’s what you will need to look out for in your analytics and work on increasing it:

• What countries are reading your content
• Which social media platform is working better?
• What does your demographic look like and what are they looking out for
• engagement rate of each of your pages
• The retention rate of your readers
• How many join your email list

My recommendation is to work on SEO and get the bulk of your readers from there. When you’re first starting out, 10 ~ 20% of your readers are probably coming from direct or social media media. As you progress, you should aim for at least 80% coming from SEO alone.

Once you can do that, your business funnel is complete.

14) Building Authority Through Content

Building authority is central to successful content marketing. Create a niche for yourself!

While reaching out to various industries to grow your business can be exciting, your business should be tied down through your content and authority. Known as just a single word, for HustleVenture, it is:

Hustle

A simple and direct way to reach your audience. Whatever your business is, it should be easily relatable and have a strong authority.

15) Adapting to Platform Changes

Social media platforms are dynamic ecosystems. 10 years ago Instagram made the hit and now TikTok is the growing social media platform.

As a content writer, our job is to follow where the money goes.

New social media = higher potential to grow = higher odds of becoming an influencer within the space

As writers, we may want to focus more of our effort on writing. This is why tools like Tailwind (social media) and JetPack (website content) have been powerful automated tools for me to spread HustleVenture’s work to various platforms.

HustleVenture promotes itself on LinkedIn, the platform is fantastic for sharing personal finance and side hustle-related content which is well received. Similar to it, Medium is an online writing platform with many writers looking to find other ways to make money online.

16) Managing and Moderating Contributions

While user-generated content can be a boon, it also poses risks.

To increase your website reach and growth in popularity, SEO writers tend to focus too much on guest posting. For just $20 or more, writers can potentially reach out to thousands of viewers and potentially gain business inquiries. If done correctly, you could receive 3 ~ 5 guest post requests per day!

However, it’s great only when used moderately.

While you could potentially make a lot of money through guest posting, not all clients you receive for guest posting are great article. This means you could potentially prevent your readers from enjoying your content.

Similar to reaching out for guest posting, featuring others on your guest post can also affect your business; especially its credibility if your referred partner isn’t trustworthy. Therefore, while you could potentially make a lot of money from guest posting, it would be better to moderate your content and focus on quality to retain readers.

17) Navigating Copyright and Plagiarism

Legal pitfalls can be a stumbling block for writers.

With more information online, it can be easy to fall prey to copyright and plagiarism infringement. In most cases all you will need to do is either edit or rephrase a portion of your work, some may even go so far as filing a lawsuit.

To deal with it is pretty simple!

To rephrase your content, you can use web tools like Quilbot.

To check for plagiarism, there are many online tools out there but the best and most user-friendly one that I’ve found is Grammarly. It’s the premium version which also allows you to automatically correct your wording and structure your content while you’re writing.

Copywriting is an important skill as a writer as it’s a tool to measure how well a writer is able to create content that converts to sales. If you would like to learn how to do copywriting, you can click on the link below.

18) Tailoring Content for Business Audiences

B2B content requires a deeper understanding of the business.

Every business is unique and they often look out for small pieces of cracks in their business which others can help them with. For example, a real estate client of mine requires me to write content for business owners, which is a small niche audience considering Singapore only has a population of 7 million.

The challenge as a writer is learning how to understand our clients and knowing how to target the audience they are looking for. To do that, you will need to spend the bulk of your time on market research to understand the pain point of your audience.

19) Ensuring Inclusivity in Communication

Accessibility is not just a checkbox; it’s a necessity. In our to get leads or any interest in your content, writers will need to create a strong CTA (call-to-action).

A common problem writers face is they love to write about themselves.

While it’s true that your experience and expertise play a pivotal role in explaining your decision-making. Your job is learning to understand issues your readers may be facing and how to properly avoid them.

20) Beyond Creation to Effective Distribution

Creating great content is just the beginning.

Once you have laid the foundation, you need to learn how to market it. Almost 99% of your readers will come from how you market your content. Here’s what you will need to effectively distribute your content and get readers:

• A good title that relates
• engaging thumbnail image
• a well-summarized meta description of the entire content
• engaging the first 120 words of the article
• bullet points to keep the audience engaged
• actions that they can take along the way in the content
• services or product to value add
• understanding client/reader needs

These are just a few important effective distribution strategies to keep your readers engaged.

Are these Content writing challenges easy to overcome?

No, but you will eventually get there with practice.

Good writers are the ones who simply love to write and share. Money comes in naturally once you have figured out your niche and strategize to convert readers to sales.

It took me roughly 500 articles before I felt ready to become an expert in the field of SEO writing. If you are interested in learning how to be a writer or just want to get it over with by hiring an expert, you can reach out to me link below.

Need a Professional Content Writer?

Content writing jobs in Singapore is a highly competitive field and not many of them are experts in SEO. It’s tough and that’s why SEO expert exist. If you would like a comprehensive SEO service from Hustleventure, you can reach out to us below and we can have a full 1-hour breakdown and provide you with the SEO services needed to get your website more readers.

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