As I scrolled down the newsfeed in my Facebook account, a quote from Scott Hayden caught my attention. It said, “Teachers have three loves: the love of learning, love of learners, and the love of bringing the first two loves together.”
Reminiscing my 26 years of teaching brings me nostalgia and a sense of gratefulness for the opportunity of inspiring young minds, helping improve their communication skills, and instill the love for country and fellow men. But teaching isn’t my first love.
I’m a writer-wannabe since my grade school and high school days. Wins in essay writing contests helped boost my confidence. Being part of the school publication also honed my skills. My father even gifted me with an introductory book on journalism. As I read the book from cover to cover, I vowed to myself that nothing could ever take me away from my first love – writing, of course.
Choosing to be a teacher
A twist of fate made me set aside my dream. I chose to avail myself of a scholarship grant from a state university. Wasn’t I a “teacher” to my siblings and playmates when black-and-white TV was a luxury? Becoming a teacher became my newest aspiration. I set my sight on teaching either in a science high school or in my high school alma mater. Suddenly, there was no turning back.
When I became a teacher, I spent long hours preparing lessons and activities to keep my students engaged. I kept myself abreast with current events and topics that piqued their interest. I collaborated with my colleagues, and I learned from my mentors in the field. Teaching allowed me to touch lives in simple ways.
First love never dies
Time flies so fast! I retired fulfilled and happy. Retiring from teaching high school and college students revived my dream of becoming a good writer.
“We never really said goodbye / We never really said it’s over /First love never dies.” Like first love, my love for writing still burns within me.
How, then, did I rekindle my first love? Well, I didn’t have to reinvent the wheel; retooling myself was my best option.
Transitioning to a new season
I asked myself, “What are my key skills as a teacher which I can tap as a content writer?”
- Openness to new ideas
- Strong writing, grammar, and research skills
- Computer and internet usage skills
- Creativity and a keen eye for details
- Time management
- Self-confidence
Now, what skills do I have to learn and master?
- Understanding buyer persona or target audience
- Writing in different tones of voice, on a range of subjects, and within a variety of contexts/structures
- Basic knowledge of keyword research, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), and content marketing
- Proficiency in a specific writing field or niche
Good for me! The World Wide Web offers various search engines to anyone who knows how to surf the internet. (Thanks to my school that provided me many learning opportunities to be computer savvy.) It’s the key to discovering a wide array of content, tutorials, webinars, and communities that helped made my learning fun and less stressful. However, the resources available can be overwhelming; I became selective to choose what I need. I also attended meet-ups and made friends with some influencers-cum-guiding stars in my newfound career.
Lest I forget, I also succumbed to the Shiny Object Syndrome as I got tempted to focus on more promising targets instead of sticking to my original goal. I should have known that shiny objects are costly distractions in terms of energy, time, and money.
Most importantly, I discovered an ace up my sleeve – the Ben Button Content Writing Course. Through this one-of-a-kind course, I learned to bring more clarity to my writing, come up with writing guides, blogs, and more.
Conclusion
Summing up, content writers have three loves:
- The love for learning
- The love for engaging content
- The love for their target audience
If you hear a voice within you and urging you to become a content writer, listen, “The things you are passionate are not random. They are your calling,” says best-selling author Fabienne Fredrickson.
Becoming a content writer is not a walk in the park. You need to equip yourself with the relevant knowledge, skills, and mindset that are equally important.
Most of all, you need a mentor who will guide you in becoming a premium content writer. Without the Ben Button Content Writing Course, I wouldn’t be any closer to being happier. Click here for more information.