Writing Was Just A Hobby—Until I Made It A Career

A few days ago, someone replied to one of my videos on TikTok with a simple but profound question: “How did you start out as a content writer?” That question hit me hard because, honestly, the journey has been anything but straightforward. So, in this article, I’m peeling back the layers to share my story, the lessons I’ve learned, and how you, too, can pursue a rewarding career in content writing.

The Journey: How It All Began

My journey into content writing wasn’t a carefully planned adventure—it was more like stumbling upon a treasure chest while wandering.

Since secondary school, I’ve always loved writing. I wrote novels, pouring my thoughts and imagination into countless notebooks. I kept secret diaries too. To my surprise, my novels became popular among my classmates, and their encouragement gave me the motivation to keep going.

Over the years, my love for writing only grew stronger. Before the lockdown, I decided to attend a blogging summit out of curiosity and because I occasionally helped a friend publish news on his blog. The summit was an eye-opener—it was amazing to see people earning a living from writing, something I genuinely loved.

When the lockdown happened, I started sharing more of my writing online and even created a blog to express my thoughts. Then, people began reaching out to me for collaborations because they admired my writing. The extra time during the lockdown allowed me to refine my skills further and dive deeper into the craft.

It’s been a journey filled with highs and lows, but I’ve never given up because writing isn’t just a skill—it’s a part of me. While I’ve expanded my horizons to include marketing and strategy, writing remains at the core of everything I do.

How It’s Going

It’s been over four years since I started writing professionally. Looking back, I can confidently say it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

During this time, I’ve sharpened my skills, landed incredible gigs (both local and international), and even had the privilege of speaking at events—both physical and virtual—all because I took that leap of faith to turn my passion into a profession.

What I Love Most About Content Writing

There are so many things I love about this career, but here are my top two:

• The Freedom to Work from Anywhere: I love that I can work from anywhere in the world – Kafanchan, my village, or even abroad, lol. That flexibility is priceless.

• Earning in Foreign Currencies: Working with international clients has not only been financially rewarding but also incredibly fulfilling. It feels amazing to contribute to global projects and get paid in USD. Truly, digital skills can open doors beyond borders.

Should You Pursue a Career in Content Writing?

If you love writing, storytelling, and helping people connect with ideas, products, or services that make their lives better, then content writing might be for you. 

At its core, content writing involves creating written material to engage, inform, or persuade an audience. Whether it’s blog posts, social media content, or email campaigns, content writing is about using words to make an impact.

Skills You Need as a Content Writer

To thrive as a content writer, you’ll need to develop certain key skills:

• Social Media Use: Platforms like LinkedIn can help you build a personal brand and attract clients. If you’re not putting yourself out there, you’re leaving money on the table.

• Research: Good writing starts with good research. Whether it’s understanding your audience or diving into complex topics, being able to gather accurate and relevant information is essential.

• Writing Skills: This one’s a no-brainer, right? But it goes beyond stringing words together. It’s about crafting engaging, clear, and compelling content tailored to your audience.

• Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Knowing how to make your content rank on search engines is a game-changer. Keywords, meta descriptions, and SEO strategies can make your writing more visible and valuable.

• Creative Thinking: This is the ability to approach problems or projects with fresh, innovative ideas. As a content writer, this means coming up with unique angles, compelling headlines, or engaging formats that captivate your audience.

• Strategy: While creative thinking is about generating ideas, strategy is about ensuring those ideas serve a purpose. A strong strategy helps you align your content with your goals—whether it’s driving traffic, generating leads, or educating your audience.

Ready to Kickstart Your Content Writing Career?

On a part-time basis, I offer personalized mentorship for aspiring writers in Nigeria (with 0-1 year of experience), helping them build successful freelance careers in SEO writing and achieve financial growth. Over the years, I’ve mentored close to 100 writers who have gone on to share remarkable success stories.

Here’s what you can expect if you join my program:

• Freelance Job Hunting: Learn how to find high-paying gigs, set your rates, and market your skills effectively on social media platforms.

• Skill Refinement: I’ll teach you how to research effectively, outline, write, and edit content that grabs attention and keeps readers engaged.

• SEO and Content Strategy: You’ll learn the fundamentals of SEO, from keyword research to crafting optimized content, helping you meet the needs of clients in the digital space.

• Portfolio Development: Together, we’ll create a polished portfolio tailored to your niche, making you more appealing to potential clients.

• LinkedIn Strategy: I’ll guide you on building a LinkedIn content strategy to attract high-paying clients and stand out in the competitive freelance market.

This one-on-one mentorship includes 10 virtual meetings per month via Google Meet, with assignments to reinforce learning. The best part? Accountability. One of my mentees once said that having access to information wasn’t her problem—it was staying consistent and doing the work. That’s where my mentorship stands out.

Even after the mentorship ends, you’ll join a closed community of my past mentees where you can ask questions, share wins, and get continued support. 

[Click here if you want to sign up]

[Click here to read some of the testimonials my students have shared]

Final Thoughts

Content writing isn’t just a skill—it’s a journey of self-expression, growth, and opportunity. Whether you’re looking to turn a hobby into a career or take your writing to the next level, the possibilities are endless.

And if you’re ready to take that bold step, I’m here to guide you, if you let me.