The Arts and Science of Content Writing

Content, a commonly used term, referring to the information related to any product, service or experience that highlights the features, value, or experience. Content can not necessarily be text, it can be image, video or audio as well.

Its been seen that content is required for artifacts like website, Blogs, Biography, Brochures, Articles, Newsletter, Emails, Book, etc.. 

Well, the purpose, type and media of content can completely be different depending upon the need. This is as simple as, you are reading this "BLOG" upon content writing, you may find plenty of WEBSITES, ARTICLES, BOOKS, AUDIOS and VIDEOS for the same topic.

Thus 3 things are important for any content writing:

1. Purpose
2. Media
3. Artifact

Purpose: The purpose of the content could be Marketing, Informative or expression of Thoughts. The clear establishment of the purpose drives the quality of the content.

Media: The media of the content is most important aspect. This could be text, audio, video or sometimes combination of all three. Media of the content completely decides the effectiveness of the message delivered.

Artifact: Its very important to know that what artifact will be created out of the content. The preciseness, impact and depth of the topic will be driven by the type of the artifact like article, book, blog, brochure, website etc...

What it takes to create the content?

Well, content creation is not easy job. Definitely not, because if not handled properly, it may reverse the objective of the content. The purpose of sharing information may lead to misinterpretation and thus can harm the reader in terms of financial, social, emotional or sometimes life.

So the following traits are expected in any content writer:

1. Domain Knowledge : Any content, will belong to some subject. The writer or content creator must have good understanding of the subject under consideration.
2. Expression of thoughts: The writer or content creator has to be very good communicator in expressing the thoughts. This will clearly portray what the owner of the content wants the audience to perceive.
3. Language Command: Expression of thoughts can be done either through body language or verbal language and communication. The content writer or creator must have excellent command over the language used for content creation. This language command will help the writer create good quality content and grasp the attention and interest of the reader.
4. Creative Thinking: A message can be delivered in different ways. The creativity of the content writer will facilitate him to write the content which is interesting and can bind the reader to get his interest retained till the end of the topic.
5. Knowledge of Media and Broadcasting: The content writer will be successful in achieving the purpose, if he is well versed with the media and broadcasting means of the content. For example, if you are writing a content for a website, the knowledge of Search Engine Optimization will help you identify the right keyword and create the content focused around those keywords.
6. Vocabulary: Its observed that while creating the content for the vast audience, the writer should always choose the very simple vocabulary. Tough and dictionary words can establish your vocabulary knowledge but will fail to retain your reader. No one likes to read an article, where the reader has to refer the dictionary for each word.
7.  Localization: Its very important to keep in my the culture of the audience. Even when you are writing a content for global audience, make sure that it doesn't affect or target culture or feeling of any specific locale.
8. Sense of Humor: A good sense of humor used in content can deliver the message more effectively. 
9.  Arrangement of thought or information: Logically organized content will help user reader flow along the thought of content writer and thus can achieve the purpose of the content. Haphazard and scattered information will force the reader to move away from your content, with in no time.
10. Freshness of thoughts: Finally, if the freshness of thoughts and imagination are not there, reader may get bored and drift away from you r content. Reader may also defame your content by negative marketing of the same. Where as freshness in thoughts can attract reader towards referring ans sharing the content.

Content writing is an "Art of Expression" and "Science of message delivery".