Writing is a must-have skill for anyone who uses the internet in this age.
~ Quincy Ememandu
Many crypto enthusiasts think cryptocurrency evolves only around airdrop hunting and trading cryptocurrencies. I used to be among the people with this mindset.
Web3 goes beyond being a crypto enthusiast or developer. As a newbie or an existing crypto enthusiast, here is a step-by-step guide on how to make a career in content writing in crypto
What is crypto content writing?
Crypto content writing is a type of writing that is created to promote a Web3 product, brand, or service.
Effective crypto content writing involves creating engaging and informative content that connects with your audience. Content writing is a part of inbound marketing that informs, educates, or entertains the audience.
Many people do not understand cryptocurrency, not to mention altcoins. So if you are launching a project, content writing is a must-have activity in your plan.
There are different types of writing you can engage in crypto.
- Blog Writer
- SEO Writer
- SEO Copywriter
- Brand Journalist
- Copywriter
- Ghostwriter
- Technical Writer
- Social Media Writer
- Email Writer
- Scriptwriter
- Long-form content Writer
Blog Writer: A blog writer writes a blog post for a Web3 project, often published on their official website or medium handle. Often, these blog posts are not optimized to rank on search engines.
SEO Writer: An SEO writer is a writer who specializes in writing content that is optimized for search engines. They incorporate targeted keywords and phrases in their content in a natural and readable way without sacrificing quality or relevance.
SEO Copywriter: They do the same work as an SEO writer, with an added responsibility to optimize their content to encourage users to take action that would bring in new users and developers to the Web3 product.
Brand Journalists: They use storytelling and journalism to create content that informs, entertains, and engages the audience. Brand journalism is often employed at Web3 news projects such as Milk Road’s newsletter and Unchained podcast.
Copywriter: Copywriting is the art of using words to sell. Copywriters understand the human psychology of persuasion and create compelling marketing content that resonates with the target audience. Most Web3 companies need the services of a copywriter to write persuasive content to sell their products and services. Companies such as Binance, Coinbase, and Huobi, including individual service providers in the blockchain industry, need the services of a copywriter to drive sales.
Ghostwriter: Ghostwriters capture the tone and vision of the client to create quality content. They do not take ownership of their content. Most individuals who do not have time, skill, and expertise in a field hire ghostwriters to create quality content. The employer takes full credit for the published work. I see many CEOs post valuable content on Twitter and Linkedin. Do you think all CEOs have time to publish daily on Linkedin? The answer is no. They hire talented ghostwriters.
Technical Writer: Web3 is filled with technological jargon difficult for the average non-Web3 native to understand. If Web3 has to go mainstream, this jargon has to be simplified so that the mainstream person can understand it at a glance. Technical writers explain Web3 products in such a way that technical or complex concepts are simplified. They can be simplified using visuals or words.
Social Media Writer: They are responsible for creating posts, tweets, captions, and other content pieces for social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, etc.
Email Writer: They write promotional emails, newsletters, event invitations, and welcome emails for Web3 projects. One thing I see most Web3 projects not doing is writing emails to keep their members updated. They keep the engagement on Twitter, Telegram, and Discord.
Scriptwriter: Most Youtubers use the services of a scriptwriter for their content. A scriptwriter writes the dialogues, actions, and scenes for YouTubers.
Long-form content Writer: They write long-form content for Web3 products and individuals. Long-form content is content that is longer than the typical length of the content found on websites or social media. It generally refers to content that is over 1,500 words. They are designed to give a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of a topic, issue, or idea. These are Whitepapers, e-books, case studies, and research reports. Long-form content often includes visual elements such as infographics, images, and videos to enhance storytelling and presentation.
Amongst all these skills, their common denominator is writing. However, they have different requirements. If you want to make money, specialize in one of them, not two, not three.
How to become a crypto content writer?
- Learn Crypto Basics.
- Get Hands-On Experience.
- Start blogging and build a portfolio.
Learn Crypto Basics.
To write engaging content for your audience, you must understand what you want to write about.
Content writing is all about knowing just 1% more than your audience. If you keep sharing generic information or information they already know, they will get bored and tired of reading your content.
However, you must understand cryptocurrency’s fundamental topics to learn about this.
Read the bitcoin and Ethereum Whitepaper.
Ethereum Whitepaper can be filled with complex topics that seem confusing to you based on your level of understanding. Nevertheless, you should skip the technical aspects and focus on understanding the simplified words.
Generally speaking, good content is the end product of intensive research conducted.
Writing is more like a garbage in, garbage out (GIGO) phenomenon. The quality of your writing is a reflection of the quality of the content you consume. You can’t consume mediocre content and expect to write valuable content.
As a content writer, some people are better writers than you are. Your goal should be to read their content and understand how they were able to engage you with their writing. And even with your tight schedule, you had to be patient to finish reading a 25 minutes article they wrote.
In a world where attention spam keeps reducing rapidly, finishing a 25 minutes article calls for a celebration.
Another thing to note is that good writers are avid readers.
It may take you weeks or months to understand trends, history, technology, and potential future developments in the crypto industry.
However, in this article, I mentioned some tips you should be doing while learning about the industry.
It isn’t advisable to study without practicing.
Get Hands-On Experience.
People are often scared of making mistakes and failing. The hands-on experience involves making trial and error. The truth remains that you cannot be an expert in a skill without making many mistakes.
The difference between an expert and an amateur is that an expert knows different methods that don’t bring the desired results. This comes from the consistent practice of his skill. In comparison, an amateur doesn’t know what works and what doesn’t.
Don’t be like the people that are scared to make a mistake and, therefore they, stop trying. Instead, practice your writing skills and show how articulate your writing can be by writing every day.
Write every single day.
The more you write, the more you figure out the best way to create engaging content for your audience and clients.
I like how detailed and practical Julian Shapiro explained how to be a good writer.
He explained how Ed Sheeran consistently comes out with good music filled with emotions that people love.
You, too, can become excellent at such a level. The only thing you need to do is to focus and remain consistent.
Start blogging and build a portfolio.
As you practice your writing skills, you should publish good copies online. This would help you build a track record, and when clients ask you for your work to see how competent you are, you have to show them.
There are two ways you can achieve publishing your hood copies online.
Either you buy a domain or use free publishing platforms to publish your articles.
As a newbie, you don’t have the luxury of time to start building a website and don’t have the money to outsource it.
So your best bet is to use medium.com to publish your articles.
It is straightforward. Create an account on medium.
Marketing your services as a crypto content writer.
- Target the Right Content.
- Where do I market my service as a crypto content writer?
- Pitch to Cryptocurrency Publications Online.
- Apply to Crypto Content Writer Jobs.
Target the Right Content.
I don’t believe in carrying out activities for the sake of it. Every action has to be strategic. By now, you have chosen the niche you want to settle for. The next thing is to create a customer persona.
Name: Choose any name that comes to your mind.
Demographic info: Fill in all the demographic info of a typical person your customer is.
Bio: What does their Bio look like? What background do they have that propelled their need for your services? For instance, this blog targets people who want to get involved in crypto but don’t have the money to trade or do not have the capital to swap on DeFi projects.
Pain points: Identify the customer’s pain points or the problem they are trying to solve.
Gains and expectations from your services: How do you want every client that comes across you to feel after hiring you?
Quote: Insert a typical quote that your customer often say in their mind.
Communication channels: Which communication channels do they often use for communication? (This will help you go where you can find them). Most Web3 founders and CEOs are on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Factors influencing buying decisions: Is your customer a man? The wife could be an influence on their buying decision.
Is your customer a wife? The husband could be an influence on her buying decision.
Maybe you don’t have enough social proof to convince them you can do the job. Find things that could influence your customers’ buying decisions.
According to your customer persona, your writing should be able to address your customers’ problems, educate them or entertain them. Anything outside of this is not strategic for you and wastes time.
I have been in this position previously and wasted a lot of my time thinking I already knew the people I wanted to talk to.
Besides knowing your ideal customer, the customer persona helps you use the language(terminology) your customer understands.
Where do I market my service as a crypto content writer?
As a crypto content writer, you must put yourself out there consistently to create awareness and build a community. This is another reason you should have a customer persona, so you know the people you want to attract as followers with your content.
If you want attention, build a following.
If you want opportunities + money, build a community.
Building a following is for virtue signaling. This is why most influencers are broke. In comparison, building a community will change your life forever.
Publishing your articles on Medium isn’t enough. You must post your articles on social media platforms like Linkedin, Twitter, and Facebook.
For me, three social media platforms are okay, so you don’t spread yourself so thin.
One content posted on your blog could be cut into small chunks and posted on your social media platforms for several weeks or months.
Do it this way.
- Post content on your blog post.
- Cut them into small sentences.
- Post them on all your social media platforms.
After posting on social media, you should engage in people’s posts for publicity. You gain more publicity from this than posting only on your timeline.
Pitch to Cryptocurrency Publications Online.
Now you have your portfolio, some proof of work on social media, and some following. It is time to apply to cryptocurrency publications to write for them as guest writer.
The benefit of writing for cryptocurrency publications is that it adds to your credibility. You won’t be surprised to charge a client $1 per word; they would pay you that after writing for a reputable publication.
Here is a list of cryptocurrency publications you can pitch to write for.
Furthermore, to do this yourself, you can find several publications on Google by using the following formats when searching:
“Cryptocurrency guest posting opportunities.”
“Web write for us.”
“Cryptocurrency become a contributor.”
You can replace “cryptocurrency” with “Web3,” “Crypto,” or other variations you can come up with.
Keep in mind not every publication is a good fit. You wouldn’t want to write for a publication that wouldn’t boost your credibility.
Learn how to pitch to publications without your message going to the trash bin.
Apply to Crypto Content Writer Jobs.
Cryptocurrency is a hot topic in a variety of industries. Many businesses and publications are looking for freelance writers.
Though most prefer full-time, some are specific to freelance writers. As you pitch cryptocurrency publications, you should also apply for content writing jobs.
Here are websites where you can apply for cryptocurrency writing jobs.
FAQs
What is the best type of client for a crypto content writer?
There are two answers to this question.
- If you’re not sure where your next meal will come from, I don’t think a client’s character should be the right thing bothering you, as long as they are paying you on time on the agreed amount.
- If it would take you several months to run out of cash to pay your bills, you have a pool of potential clients and a good track record. The following are what you should look out for in good clients.
- Clear communication
- Realistic expectations
- Respectful and professional behaviour
- Timely payment
- Collaborative mindset
- Open to feedback
How do I build a long-term relationship with a client?
Building long-term relationships with your good clients are very important. One of the reasons is that, even if you don’t work for them for a long time, it is easy to refer you to their friends. To build a long-term relationship with your client, you should do this.
- Make sure you meet deadlines and deliverables on time.
- Understand your client’s business.
- Provide value beyond the project. I often go by this rule – underpromise, then over-deliver.
- Communicate Regularly
- Deliver high-quality work.
- Show Appreciation
How to Spot a Bad Client.
- Micromanagement
- Unrealistic expectation
- Late payment
- Rude or disrespectful behaviour
- Dishonesty
- Use sublime words like “it will take you just 5 minutes to add 100 words” to show disregard for your craft.
What are the most in-demand Writing areas within Crypto and Web3?
- Technical writing
- NFT writing
- DeFi writing
Do I need certification to become a crypto content writer?
No, you don’t need certification. The only thing you need is to build a good portfolio.
How much can I make as a Writer in Crypto?
The amount you make depends on your experience and portfolio. You can earn $50-$2,000 per article.
Is crypto difficult to write about?
Crypto is not difficult to write about.
Is content writing a high-paying job?
Yes.
What are the 4 pillars of content writing?
- Audience: Know your audience and what they care about.
- Tone: Establish a suitable tone to communicate your message. I often write in an active voice.
- Storytelling: Craft compelling stories that engage your audience.
- Value: Provide value to your readers.
Where can I find content writers for my cryptopreneur site?
- Upwork
- Fiverr
When you go to these platforms, type “Web3 content writer” or “crypto writer.” A lot of profiles will pop up. Using Linkedin as an example.
Can you get paid in Bitcoin for freelance work done on Upwork?
Getting paid in bitcoin is 100% dependent on your employer. Some Web3 employers prefer paying in crypto, while some don’t. The best thing to do here is to ask.
What are some tips for writing a book on cryptocurrency?
- Research and understand the crypto space thoroughly.
- Create a customer persona to understand your target audience.
- Focus on giving value to your target audience.
- Create an outline of topics and subtopics to organize your thoughts and ensure your book is logical and coherent.
- Use clear and concise language. Cryptocurrency is already a complex subject, don’t add to that.
- Use real-world examples when explaining your point.
- Focus on delivering content that would be evergreen. So that after 5 years of publishing your book, it will remain relevant.
- Use visuals and infographics where necessary for better explanation.
More Resources.
Many Web3 writers do not optimize their blog content for search engines to capture and rank for them.
With my Technical SEO strategy, I will do keyword research for you to include in your blog posts naturally.
And using my content strategy experience, I will drive more traffic and sales for your business. Send me a DM today, and let me take your business off the ground.