Do you have a way with words? Do you like putting pen to paper, as it were, to generate content that might be informational, educational, entertaining, or all of the above? Well, perhaps a writing job is for you!
In this day and age, writers are in high demand as digital and conventional media seek to publish articles and other reading material for their clients and subscribers.
You may start your career as a freelancer, which will help you find your niche and master the field you wish to pursue in the future. Online content-writing courses can also help you understand how it all works, and a certificate will certainly strengthen your portfolio.
Here are six of the top content-writing jobs in Malaysia.
1. Blog writer
A blog writer is the need of the hour for most brands and companies with an online presence. Personal reviews and experiences, educational content, interviews with interesting people – all of these apply.
Your writing needs to attract visitors’ attention to the website, while fitting in with search-engine algorithms.
You may start by blogging for a personal website, but this approach means it will take a while for your site to garner attention. However, with patience, perseverance, and the right search-engine optimisation (SEO) techniques, your hard work could pay off.
You could also be employed as a blog writer for a company, which involves sharing opinions on products and services, producing edutainment content, or writing about travel experiences if relevant.
2. Technical writer
As the name suggests, a writer of this nature provides in-depth explanations of technical products or services. They explain the workings, usage, mechanics and components of a product or concept, and are usually tasked with simplifying things for the layperson.
Technical writers are in demand as there are many new technologies available but not everyone is proficient in them. Creating in-depth, explanational content helps users understand a product or service while generating sales for the company.
Technical writing is among the most-advertised content-writing jobs on employment portals. A technical writer can provide independent, outsourced services for a company, or be a brand representative.
Bear in mind that a technical writer is different from a tech writer – the latter talks about technology and applications, while a technical writer explains things in user-friendly terms, and also writes guides, FAQs, manuals and the like.
3. Copywriter
The top writing job in Malaysia this year, copywriters largely work in digital marketing and advertising agencies, and are responsible for the content that speaks for the company’s products and services as well as the users.
From writing an advertisement for an online platform to writing product descriptions, a copywriter creates engaging content that is user-friendly, appealing to read, and easy to comprehend. He or she speaks the language of the company or brand, and builds a bond directly with customers through their writing.
Copywriters may also maintain websites, and add infographics or other multimedia information to their write-ups. They should clearly have a flair for creative writing, while analytical and statistical skills are a big plus.
4. Ghost writer
A ghost writer creates content for someone else without taking credit for the work. From articles and white papers to e-books and website content, a ghostwriting gig may have you dabbling in various types of content.
Ghost writers are often hired by companies in the short term to complete outstanding assignments or assist if there is too much workload.
Companies will look for writers with an established track record who have the ability to adapt to the language of the organisation, so as to speak for the brand during his or her tenure with them.
A ghost writer may also be hired by popular figures to work on memoirs, autobiographies, features and other writings.
5. Social media writer
Everyone knows the impact that social media brings to a business. From boosting the profile of a startup to widening an established firm’s customer base, socmed writers help a company build its brand profile over digital platforms.
As every company has a social media account these days, it is necessary to hire skilled writers with a flair for creativity and the ability to engage.
A social media writer must know how to interact with the audience and find ways to gain followers. They need to understand the algorithms that affect platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and the like, so a content creator must have in-depth knowledge about when and where to post.
Strong web knowledge, interactive skills, content specialisation, and PR outreach are further attributes a socmed writer should possess.
6. Scriptwriter
A scriptwriter pens the words and lays out the content that feature in multimedia formats such as video, radio and podcasts. They should know how to tell a story, convey information, and present a brand message through their work.
A script may be recorded for audio broadcast, acted out in videos, or presented onstage by an individual or group. Pertinently, scriptwriters are essential to the generation of content for audio/visual commercials or other publicity-related demonstrations.
Scripts may be technical or creative, so a good scriptwriter should be able to manoeuvre between the two to create engaging and informative content as required. They frequently work with copywriters to ensure consistency and synergy in their output.
This article first appeared in jobstore.com, an online job site that specialises in providing jobseekers with the latest job opportunities by matching talented individuals with reputable companies in Malaysia. Find your dream job with over 40,000 job vacancies in Malaysia.