1. AdaptabilityThis might seem obvious but I see a lot of content that falls flat because the tone and style doesn’t fit the purpose of the piece or the culture of the brand. For example, a landing page should probably contain copy that is short and designed to persuade the reader to take an action. In contrast, a white paper will likely work best with more details to explain a more complex issue.In terms of tone, blog posts for a scientific equipment company targeting medical researchers will likely be much different from posts for an organic food shop targeting a wider range of health-conscious consumers. The more styles you can learn and the more quickly you can adapt, the more valuable you’ll be as a content writer.2. Researching your way to good contentGood research is key for good content – it adds credibility and, most importantly, value. Therefore, it’s vital to find trustworthy and interesting information from reliable sources online. Experts are especially great resources if you can effectively get the right information with good interviewing skills.3. A good understanding of SEOGreat content writers stay on top of SEO trends – after all, even the best content won’t be effective if readers can’t find it. It’s important to know how to craft SEO-friendly titles and descriptions, use keywords effectively and keep up with Google’s latest algorithm changes.4. The ability to get focusedWriting requires focus which can sometimes be hard to find. When it’s time to work, get rid of distractions and focus on one task at a time. Sometimes to get the ball rolling, you can start with a few smaller, easy-to-complete tasks before launching into your larger projects.5. Time managementYour clients have deadlines they have to meet. Delivering high quality content in a timely manner will show that you are not only professional, but also reliable. This means good time management is essential to help you realistically determine how many jobs you are able to accept and reject and deliver it on time.6. Editing, editing and more editingA lot of writing is rewriting. First drafts are rarely perfect. Editing skills require patience, discipline and a good eye for detail. In addition to grammar, spelling and punctuation, look out for redundant points and overused words. And don’t be surprised if you spend more time editing than writing.7. Staying in demandYou may be an excellent writer, but if you don’t stay up-to-date with the latest trends, your job opportunities will be limited. Join writing and freelance communities, improve your online profiles, be comfortable with cold emailing, leverage different social platforms and market examples of your work.Maintaining an active presence on a few social platforms will not only make you more likely to get certain writing jobs, but you’ll also make valuable contacts. Clients are always looking to boost their reach so if you can offer to share content with your network, they will have an added incentive to hire you.