Be Whole

Things to consider before choosing this career path.

I thought that it may be a good idea to share a post on what I do for a living. As a Content Producer, my job is to write, compile and aggregate web content, ranging from news articles, feature articles, blog posts, reviews, product descriptions and social media updates.

Other job titles with similar roles refer to copywriters, content managers, online journalists, and digital editors. But essentially we all share a common goal, which is to tell a story.

Everyone wants to feel that their job is important but as a content producer, you literally bear the responsibility of maintaining your company’s brand. Using a few words out of context could cost the company it’s reputation and followers.

While this may be a rewarding job for anyone who loves writing and working online, here are 5 things to consider before taking the plunge:

Are you prepared to accept a position below your qualification if you aren’t successful?

I don’t know anyone in the media or marketing industry who hadn’t started out as an intern. In some cases, your internship will be as good as voluntary because you won’t get paid. The more reputable the company, the lower your intern salary. Simply because the industry is highly competitive and employers know that their reputation will count in your favour – to establishing your career. Whether you feel that you deserve to be paid more, or that you’re selling yourself short, remember that every well established journalist has been down this road.

The key is to keep trying; never stop writing. This was something a former editor had told me upon my first rejection letter to her publication. I was looking for a summer internship during varsity and had applied to their 6 week program. After being rejected, I continued to apply to every program that they’d advertised and was eventually offered a 6 month internship, instead of the 6 week job shadow that  I was pining for.

Do you strive for financial freedom?

That’s just a euphemised way of asking if you want to be rich. Because if you do, your salary will not accommodate it. Bugattis and Atlantic Seaboard homes will have to wait until you’re the owner of the company that you write for. You must love your job so much that your passion for it is all that matters.

What is your niche?

A good writer is versatile. This means that you are able write to different target markets, in a way that appeals to them specifically. But as the saying goes, jack of all trades, master of nothing – every writer must establish a point of interest and develop it. For example, imagine writers as the guardians of language; as cultures evolve, there are always new things to learn and more stories to tell. Once you establish a niche, you develop direction and long term career goals.

How well do you handle criticism?

Journalists have it hard. A large portion of society have a warped idea of journalistic ethics, thinking that the media report stories they simply want you to know. But what a lot of people don’t realize is that journalists report on the status quo – current affairs, which directly affects society.

Published news stories are monitored via analytics and the most popular ones usually create a trend for relative stories follow. So the media simply appeal to your interests.

What is your source of inspiration?

Nurture, whatever spurts your creativity. An editor once told me that all her best ideas came to mind while she was near water. And that may seen strange, but if something similar gets you creative juices flowing, give it a shot.

Would you like me to share more posts about content producing and its processes? Leave a comment in the space below, or email me directly to robyn@bewhole.co.za.