The Ultimate Guide: 22 Types of Content Writing with Expert Tips and Resources

Luciano Kovacevic
23 min readMay 16, 2024

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A header image displaying a laptop and text saying “content writing types”

Hey there, budding writer! If you’re planning to become a content writer and make a living, you might feel a bit overwhelmed by the sheer variety of writing types out there.

Don’t worry. I’m here to break it down for you.

This extensive guide will walk you through 22 essential types of content writing. My goal is to give you a clearer picture of each and how different types of content writers excel in writing different types of shorter and longer content.

PS. I’ll toss some golden nuggets for each. Who knows, maybe the writing format you haven’t even considered is just the right content for your business.

Buckle up. We’re getting started!

Table of Contents

  1. What are the different types of content writing?
  2. Blog Posts
  3. Website Content
  4. Social Media Content
  5. SEO Content
  6. Copywriting
  7. Technical Writing
  8. White Papers
  9. E-books
  10. Case Studies
  11. Newsletters
  12. Press Releases
  13. Video Scripts
  14. Product Descriptions
  15. Emails
  16. Landing Pages
  17. Ghostwriting
  18. Academic Writing
  19. Grant Writing
  20. Journalistic Writing
  21. Creative Writing
  22. Speech Writing
  23. Review Writing

What are the different types of content writing?

A content writer needs to master one or more of many types of writing.

Blog posts and articles are staples, perfect for providing valuable information and driving traffic. Social media content, with its punchy, engaging style, is key for brand interaction. Website content is your brand’s voice online, while SEO content ensures your site ranks high in search results.

Then there’s new content like e-books and white papers, which establish authority and generate leads. Case studies highlight success stories, while email newsletters keep your audience informed and engaged.

While there are many types, most content writing experts aren’t aligned to settle on a definite number of these different formats of writing. So, to try and bring you the best advice possible, I gathered as many and included the best practices available today, including links to resources and visuals.

And remember, the essence of writing is to provide value and insights.

1. Blog Posts

Open laptop displaying a blog titled “understanding the importance of content writing in SEO

Blog posts are the bread and butter of content writing. They’re brand’s chance to shine as a storyteller, educator, and expert — wherever their primary need is. They are also probably one of the most sought after writing formats since blog is still powerful content creation form.

Writing a killer blog post involves a big picture of your content vision, catchy headline, an engaging intro (above the fold), and valuable, well-researched content.

In some instances they also serve as a means of conversion, so content may include call to action (CTA) at the end — whether it’s to comment, share, or read more. As a writer, mastering blog posts is crucial for your content strategy. Blog writing helps produce content that drives traffic and engagement.

  • Delivery tips: For content with 1000–2000 words, be clear and concise, use questions as subheadings, avoid fluff, and proofread. Structure with an introduction, body with sections, and a conclusion. Examples: Medium blog posts, The Atlantic articles, Khan Academy guides.
  • SEO Tips: Incorporate keywords naturally, use variations, include internal and external links, and optimize images with alt text. Start with a keyword-rich introduction, use subheadings with secondary keywords, and conclude with reinforced keywords and links. Examples: Articles on my personal blog, HubSpot articles, Neil Patel’s content.
  • Writing Tools: Writer needs Grammarly for grammar checks, Yoast SEO for optimization, readability tools, Trello, Notion, or Sheets for planning, and analytics tools. Examples: Grammarly, SurferSEO, Neuron Writer, Yoast SEO, SEMrush, Hemingway App.

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2. Website Content

Smartphone displaying a web content from Luciano Writes

Website content is your brand’s voice on the internet. It needs to be clear, informative, and compelling depending on a page of course. Web content is an umbrella term for web copywriting, blog content writing, and some other related content writing types that you’ll see displayed below.

  • Examples: There are so many I don’t even know where to start. However, I did make a big list of all freelance copywriter websites you could check.
  • Best Practices: Best practices include using clear, concise language, breaking text into short paragraphs, and incorporating keywords naturally. Main types of web content should provide valuable information, including internal and external links, use headings and subheadings for structure, and maintain a highly readable tone. It’s best when content is regularly updated to keep it current. Use analytics to track performance optimize accordingly, and incorporate calls to action to guide user behavior.
  • Design Tips: There’s no web content without design. So, it’s usually best if you use a clean, responsive design, ensure fast loading times, incorporate multimedia elements like images and videos, and make sure your content is mobile-friendly. Also, visuals shouldn’t distract, but amplify the power the text holds.

Your home page, about page, and service pages are crucial. They should tell your story, highlight your offerings, and guide visitors smoothly towards taking action, like contacting you or making a purchase. High-quality content on your website is essential for effective digital strategies.

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3. Social Media Content

Three smartphones displaying social media content type: a Medium article, a LinkedIn profile, and an Instagram photo grid.

Social media content writing is the process where you get to be conversational and engage directly with your audience. Each platform has its own vibe, so tailor your content accordingly.

  • Platform-Specific Tips: Instagram loves visuals, so use high-quality images, stories, and videos with engaging captions; Twitter favors brevity, so keep your messages short, use hashtags effectively, and participate in trending conversations; LinkedIn is professional, so share industry insights, professional updates, and long-form content that adds value. Make sure you understand content for various platforms.
  • Engagement Metrics: Likes, shares, comments, and reach are considered vanity metrics. They are great insights on a first glance. However, experienced professionals focus on achieving more crucial KPIs like conversion rates, customer lifetime score, revenue per customer, and customer acquisition cost.
  • Tools: Hootsuite for scheduling, Canva for creating visuals, Buffer for scheduling and analyzing posts, BuzzSumo for content research and finding trending topics, Sprout Social for managing social media interactions and analytics, and Grammarly for ensuring your posts are error-free and polished.

Keep your social media posts short and sweet, use visuals, and engage with your audience by asking questions and responding to comments. Consistency is key here — post regularly to stay top of mind. Social media writing is a vital part of any content marketing strategy. Writing for social media requires a knack for creating engaging content that resonates with your audience on various social media platforms.

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4. SEO Content

Smartphone displaying a blog about SEO content writing next to a tablet showing a dashboard with organic traffic, keyword distribution, and SERP features.

Optimized content is designed to rank well on search engines and attract organic traffic to your site. The reason why I chose to separate SEO from web content writing or blog is simple: not every blog/web is nailing the SEO game. Plus, content writing is super important for the SEO.

  • Keyword Research: For effective content SEO writing, use keyword research tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to find relevant keywords and understand search intent.
  • Semantics: Know what related terms should support your article in ranking higher. Use WDF-IDF (semantical) analysis to nail every blog post, and make sure you focus on building relevancy and discoverability.
  • Content Structure: Structure your content with clear headings, subheadings, and bullet points for readability and better user experience. Optimize meta titles and descriptions, use internal and external links to provide additional value, and ensure your content is mobile-friendly. Regularly update your content to keep it fresh and relevant.
  • Tools: Tools like Yoast SEO can help optimize your on-page SEO, while Google Keyword Planner can assist in finding additional keyword opportunities. Other helpful tools include Ubersuggest for keyword suggestions, SEMrush for tracking keyword performance, and Hemingway Editor for improving content readability and clarity.

Type of blog that focuses on SEO balances keyword use with readability. It’s not just about stuffing keywords in; it’s about providing value while making it easy for search engines to understand what your page is about. Creating SEO-friendly content is a must for any writer. SEO writing techniques help in crafting content that improves visibility and attracts more traffic.

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5. Copywriting

Laptop displaying a copywriting text on growing blog traffic next to a smartphone showing a landing page for increasing conversion rates and sales.

Copywriting is all about persuasion — well, at a first glance…

There’s whole science that goes into it obviously. Whether it’s an ad, a sales page, or a product description, your goal is to compel the reader to take action. There are many underlying instruments that help copywriters achieve this goal with a piece of content.

  • Psychological Triggers: Using scarcity by highlighting limited availability or exclusive offers, reducing friction by making the purchasing process as smooth and straightforward as possible, building urgency by creating a sense of immediate need, and incorporating social proof through testimonials, reviews, and endorsements.
  • Examples: In his famous “The Coat of Arms” letter, Halbert used scarcity by emphasizing the limited time to get a family crest. In his BluBlocker Sunglasses ads, Sugarman reduced friction by writing clear, compelling copy that addressed potential customer objections. In his iconic “The Man in the Hathaway Shirt” ad, Ogilvy built urgency with a powerful call to action and highlighted the exclusivity of the product. In his book “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion,” Cialdini provides numerous examples of social proof, such as testimonials and reviews, to build credibility.
  • Tools: Use Hemingway Editor for clarity to ensure your writing is easy to read and free of unnecessary complexity, CoSchedule Headline Analyzer to create compelling headlines that draw readers in, and ChatGPT for generating ideas, drafting copy, and refining your message to include effective psychological triggers.

Your copy should be clear, concise, and packed with benefits for the reader. Think about what they need and how your product or service can help them. And always, always include a strong CTA. Good content in copywriting can significantly boost your conversion rates. An ad and promo writer focuses on creating persuasive content that drives sales and engagement.

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6. Technical Writing

Smartphone displaying a Garmin Forerunner 55 manual as a technical writing example next to a tablet showing a webpage with detailed workout instructions.

Technical writing translates complex information into easy-to-understand content. Think user manuals, how-to guides, product specification, and technical documentation.

  • Templates: Templates help standardize formatting, layout, and organization, making it easier for readers to follow and understand the information. Include sections for an introduction, objectives, step-by-step instructions, troubleshooting, and FAQs. Ensure that headings, subheadings, bullet points, and numbering are used consistently. Tools like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or specialized software like MadCap Flare can assist in creating and maintaining templates.
  • Clarity Tips: To ensure clarity, avoid using technical jargon that might confuse readers who are not experts. Instead, use simple and straightforward language that is easy to understand. Break down complex concepts into manageable steps or parts. Use active voice and direct sentences. Incorporate visuals like diagrams, screenshots, and flowcharts to illustrate points clearly. Always define any necessary technical terms in a glossary section. Conduct usability testing with a sample of your target audience to identify and address any areas of confusion.
  • Examples: Microsoft Product Manuals, GitHub Documentation, Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines, and Apache HTTP Server Documentation.

The key to technical writing is clarity. Break down complex ideas into simple steps, use visuals like diagrams when necessary, and always keep the end-user in mind.

A skilled technical writer is invaluable for creating comprehensive and understandable technical content. Technical writing involves breaking down intricate details into digestible information.

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7. White Papers

Laptop displaying a whitepaper on the importance of studying diverse literature next to two smartphones showing related statistics and a personal story.

White papers are in-depth reports on specific topics, often used in B2B marketing to showcase expertise and thought leadership. It’s the content to reach your BOFU (most interested) audience and retaining customers.

  • Structure Guide: The content creation process should begin with an introduction that outlines the topic and purpose. Defining the problem with data and examples in the problem statement. Presenting a detailed solution with benefits and evidence. Concluding by summarizing key points and including a call to action.
  • Design Tips: Using charts and graphics to break up text and make information digestible. Maintaining a clean, professional layout with consistent branding. Using headings, subheadings, and ample whitespace to enhance readability.
  • Examples: HubSpot white papers offer clear, actionable strategies with supporting data and case studies. Adobe white papers focus on creative and design solutions, using visuals to enhance understanding. The World Health Organization provides white papers on public health issues, using detailed research and accessible language.

A well-written white paper should be informative, well-researched, and backed by data. It’s more formal than a blog post but should still be engaging and accessible to your target audience. High-quality content in white papers can establish your authority in your industry. This writing format is essential for businesses looking to establish credibility.

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8. E-books

The Video Marketing Handbook as an ebook

E-books are great for lead generation and providing in-depth content on a particular subject. They are one of the common types and a content resource that focuses on delivering the biggest value to the warmest of prospects.

  • Publishing Tips: Self-publishing your ebook on platforms like Amazon Kindle, which provides a wide reach and easy access for readers. Making sure to format your ebook correctly to meet platform specifications, including proper layout, fonts, and images. Utilize tools like Kindle Create to streamline the formatting process. Consider other self-publishing platforms aside from your website such as Apple Books, Google Play Books, and Smashwords to increase visibility. Ensure your ebook has a compelling cover design, a well-written description, and appropriate keywords to improve discoverability.
  • Promotion Strategies: Offering your ebook as a free download in exchange for email subscriptions to build your mailing list. Promoting the ebook through your website, blog, and social media channels to reach a broader audience. Collaborating with influencers and industry leaders to endorse and share your ebook. Using email marketing campaigns to announce the release and provide updates. Considering running limited-time promotions or discounts to generate buzz and increase downloads. Utilizing platforms like Goodreads to connect with readers and gather reviews.
  • Examples: Marketing guides from HubSpot are excellent examples of well-structured and informative ebooks. They provide valuable insights and actionable tips, often supported by data and case studies. HubSpot’s ebooks are designed to be engaging and easy to read, with clear headings, subheadings, and visual elements that enhance the content. These ebooks serve as effective lead magnets, encouraging readers to engage further with HubSpot’s products and services.

When writing an e-book, think of it as a long-form blog post. It needs a clear structure, engaging content, and a strong narrative to keep readers interested. And don’t forget to promote it! E-books are a powerful tool in your content marketing arsenal. Long-form writers excel at creating detailed, valuable content that provides in-depth information.

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9. Case Studies

Monitor displaying a B2B SEO case study from Luciano Writes

Case studies tell the story of how your product or service helped a customer. They’re powerful tools for building trust and credibility.

  • Storytelling Tips: Creating relatable characters, building tension, using vivid descriptions, showing rather than telling, maintaining a clear narrative arc, evoking emotions, including dialogue, using metaphors and similes, keeping the theme consistent, starting with a strong hook, incorporating twists, using sensory details, focusing on pacing, creating a satisfying resolution, avoiding unnecessary details, creating a strong voice, showing character growth, using foreshadowing, making the setting vivid.
  • Formatting: Starting with a compelling title, providing a brief overview or executive summary, introducing the client or subject of the study, outlining the challenges or problems faced, describing the solutions implemented, highlighting the results or outcomes achieved, using data and metrics to support claims, incorporating quotes and testimonials from the client, including visuals such as charts, graphs, and images, organizing content with clear headings and subheadings, maintaining a logical flow from problem to solution to results, ensuring consistency in style and tone, using concise and clear language, including a call to action or next steps, providing contact information for further inquiries.
  • Examples:Vending Locator’s Rapid Ascent to Top Search Results” on Luciano Writes, “Organic Traffic Soars 8-Fold in 5 Months” on Luciano Writes, “How Randstad Increased Social Media Engagement by 175% Using Hootsuite” by Hootsuite, “How KONE Used Salesforce to Increase Efficiency and Customer Satisfaction” by Salesforce, “How I Grew My SEO Traffic by 50% in 30 Days” by Neil Patel.

A good case study highlights the customer’s problem, how your solution helped, and the results achieved. Use real data and quotes to make it authentic and relatable.

Case studies are a prime example of content creation that boosts credibility. Writing a case study involves a thorough research and a compelling narrative.

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10. Newsletters

Smartphone displaying an Uber advertisement next to a laptop showing a newsletter from The Hustle featuring articles on LinkedIn, food courts, and Star Wars.

Newsletters are a direct line to your audience’s inbox. They’re great for building relationships and keeping your audience informed.

  • Frequency Tips: Sending newsletters consistently, determining the optimal frequency for your audience, avoiding overwhelming subscribers, analyzing engagement metrics to adjust frequency, setting clear expectations from the start, creating an editorial calendar, balancing regularity with quality content, keeping track of holidays and special events, considering audience time zones, monitoring unsubscribe rates for feedback.
  • Engagement Strategies: Writing compelling subject lines, personalizing content, providing valuable and relevant information, including strong calls to action, using engaging visuals, segmenting your audience for targeted content, encouraging feedback and interaction, featuring user-generated content, offering exclusive deals or content, maintaining a consistent tone and style, keeping content concise and scannable, testing different formats and styles, utilizing storytelling techniques, incorporating interactive elements, linking to social media.
  • Tools: Using email marketing platforms like Mailchimp or Constant Contact, employing analytics tools to track performance, utilizing design tools like Canva for visuals, integrating CRM systems for personalization, automating campaigns with tools like HubSpot, using A/B testing features, employing list management tools, using spam checkers to improve deliverability, utilizing feedback tools for surveys, using scheduling tools for consistency.

Your newsletter should be informative, engaging, and valuable. Include a mix of content like blog excerpts, company news, and special offers.

Make sure it’s visually appealing and easy to read. Effective email marketing through newsletters can keep your audience engaged and informed.

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11. Press Release

A laptop and smartphone display press releases. The laptop screen shows ‘Oracle Releases Java 17’ news, while the phone shows ‘The Guardian Foundation’ article.

Press releases are your ticket to getting news about your product or service out to the media and the public. They need to be concise, informative, and newsworthy.

  • Distribution Tips: Identifying your target audience, using a reliable distribution service, building a media contact list, personalizing outreach to journalists, timing your release strategically, following up with key contacts, leveraging social media channels, including multimedia elements, monitoring coverage and engagement, using SEO best practices.
  • Templates: Using clear and concise headline, writing an engaging opening paragraph, including the who, what, when, where, and why, using quotes from key stakeholders, providing detailed and relevant information, adding a boilerplate about your company, including contact information, formatting for readability, keeping it to one page, using AP style guidelines.
  • Examples: “Apple’s Announcement of the iPhone”, “Netflix’s Expansion into Original Content”, “Tesla’s Launch of the Model S”, “Nike’s Collaboration with Colin Kaepernick”, “Amazon’s Acquisition of Whole Foods”, “Coca-Cola’s New Sustainability Initiatives”, “Google’s Annual Developer Conference”, “Airbnb’s IPO Announcement”, “Microsoft’s Acquisition of LinkedIn”, “Spotify’s Partnership with Joe Rogan”.

As a writer, mastering the art of the press release can help you gain media coverage and build your brand’s credibility. This writing format focuses on clear, direct language that gets to the point quickly, making it an essential skill for any writer. Effective content writing is crucial here to ensure your message is powerful and concise.

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12. Video Scripts

A monitor displaying the YouTube channel ‘Kurzgesagt — In a Nutshell’ next to a tablet showing a video script titled ‘What Is AI?

Video scripts are the backbone of video content. They ensure your videos are structured, engaging, and convey the right message.

When you’re writing a video script, keep it tight and engaging. Remember, this writing format is to provide a clear narrative and direction for the visual content.

Great content in video scripts can significantly boost your digital strategies. Video content is a highly engaging form of content that can captivate your audience.

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13. Product Descriptions

A tablet displays a product description for a health supplement, while a monitor shows an Amazon product page for a men’s analog watch.

Product descriptions are crucial for e-commerce. They not only inform but also persuade potential customers to buy.

  • SEO Tips: Using relevant keywords naturally, optimizing meta descriptions, writing clear and concise titles, incorporating high-quality images with alt text, using bullet points for key features, creating unique content for each product, using internal linking, optimizing URLs, including customer reviews.
  • Psychological Triggers: Creating a sense of urgency, using social proof, highlighting benefits over features, using storytelling, evoking emotions, incorporating scarcity tactics, using power words, addressing pain points, ensuring clarity and simplicity.
  • Examples: Amazon product descriptions, Apple product pages, Nike’s product details, Etsy product listings, REI product descriptions.

Writing effective product descriptions involves highlighting the benefits and features of a product. This type of content writing may seem straightforward, but it’s vital to make your content engaging and persuasive to drive sales. SEO writing techniques are essential here to ensure your product descriptions rank well.

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14. Emails

A monitor displays an email from selfpublishing.com encouraging Luciano to schedule a call for assistance with writing or finishing a book.

Emails are a direct line to your audience’s inbox. Whether it’s for marketing, updates, or transactional purposes, emails need to be clear and compelling.

  • Subject Line Tips: Using action words, keeping it short and sweet, personalizing with the recipient’s name, creating a sense of urgency, avoiding spammy words, testing different styles, being clear and specific, asking questions, using humor or curiosity.
  • Segmentation: Using demographic data, segmenting by past purchase behavior, targeting based on engagement levels, using geographic location, segmenting by interests, employing lead scoring, using behavioral triggers, targeting by customer lifecycle stage, using email engagement metrics.
  • Tools: Using email marketing platforms like Mailchimp or Constant Contact, employing analytics tools to track performance, utilizing design tools like Canva for visuals, integrating CRM systems for personalization, automating campaigns with tools like HubSpot, using A/B testing features, employing list management tools, using spam checkers to improve deliverability, utilizing feedback tools for surveys, using scheduling tools for consistency.

Email marketing is a critical part of any content marketing strategy. Effective email writing involves creating content that resonates with your audience and encourages them to take action, making it a must-have skill for any writer. An email writer is adamant about clear messaging and strong CTAs.

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15. Landing Pages

A laptop displays a form for downloading a free copy of a blog growth guide, while a smartphone shows a website offering conversion rate optimization services.

Landing pages are designed to convert visitors into leads or customers. They are a key component of any marketing campaign.

  • Conversion Tips: Using a strong headline, creating a compelling call to action, using high-quality images, ensuring mobile responsiveness, creating a sense of urgency, using testimonials, keeping the form short, employing social proof, maintaining a clean and simple design, optimizing load time.
  • A/B Testing: Testing headlines, experimenting with call-to-action buttons, varying images, changing the layout, testing different copy lengths, trying different form fields, testing color schemes, experimenting with social proof elements, testing video vs. image, analyzing user behavior.
  • Examples: HubSpot landing pages, Unbounce examples, Instapage examples, LeadPages templates, Neil Patel’s landing pages.

When creating landing page content, focus on a clear and compelling call to action. This type of content writing is essential for achieving your digital marketing goals and ensuring content success. Creating high-quality content for landing pages can dramatically improve conversion rates.

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16. Ghostwriting

Two tablets display an ghost written article, showcasing the content and layout of the written piece.

Ghostwriting involves writing content that is credited to someone else. It’s common in books, articles, and speeches.

  • Ethical Considerations: Maintaining confidentiality, ensuring authenticity, avoiding plagiarism, giving proper credit when due, being transparent with the client, maintaining integrity, respecting the client’s voice, ensuring accurate representation, following industry standards, maintaining professionalism.
  • Process Tips: Conducting thorough research, creating a detailed outline, maintaining regular communication with the client, using the client’s voice, setting clear expectations, delivering drafts for feedback, revising based on feedback, managing time efficiently, maintaining flexibility, ensuring final approval from the client.
  • Examples: Political speeches by ghostwriters, Mark Manson’s “ghostwriting” for Will Smith, celebrity autobiographies, business books by executives, articles for industry leaders, blog posts for influencers.

Ghostwriting requires adapting your writing style to match the voice of the person you’re writing for. This type of content writing can be lucrative and rewarding, but it also demands high writing skills and flexibility. Different types of content writing often require ghostwriters.

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17. Academic Writing

A laptop screen shows the Google Scholar homepage, while a smartphone displays an academic research article with an abstract and study details.

Academic writing is about presenting research and ideas in a structured, formal manner. It’s often used in essays, research papers, and theses.

  • Citation Styles: Using APA for social sciences, employing MLA for humanities, using Chicago for history and some sciences, employing Harvard for various fields, using IEEE for engineering, ensuring consistency, understanding the requirements of each style, employing citation management tools, including all necessary details, following specific guidelines for each style.
  • Research Tips: Using academic databases, evaluating sources for credibility, taking detailed notes, organizing information systematically, avoiding plagiarism, staying current with recent studies, using primary and secondary sources, employing statistical tools, conducting surveys and interviews, reviewing literature thoroughly.
  • Examples: Research papers in academic journals, thesis and dissertations, literature reviews, Google Scholar articles, academic essays, and conference papers.

This writing type focuses on clarity, precision, and support for arguments with evidence. As a writer, mastering academic writing can help you create content that resonates with an academic audience. Writing is characterized by a formal tone and thorough research.

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18. Grant Writing

A tablet displays a project description for a grant proposal, while a laptop shows a sample grant proposal from Kurzweil Educational Systems.

Grant writing involves writing proposals to secure funding for projects or organizations. It requires a detailed and persuasive approach.

  • Funding Sources: Researching government grants, exploring private foundations, identifying corporate sponsorships, looking for community grants, checking university grants, using grant databases, subscribing to funding newsletters, attending grant writing workshops, networking with grant professionals, consulting with funding experts.
  • Proposal Tips: Writing a compelling executive summary, clearly defining the problem, outlining measurable objectives, describing the methodology, including a detailed budget, demonstrating organizational capacity, using strong evidence, ensuring clarity and conciseness, following the guidelines, reviewing and revising thoroughly.
  • Examples: Successful NIH grant proposals, Winning NSF grant applications, Community foundation grants, Corporate sponsorship proposals, Educational grants, Arts and culture grants.

Effective grant writing is essential for non-profits and research institutions. This writing type requires a clear presentation of needs, objectives, and potential impacts, making your content both persuasive and precise. Grant writing is an essential skill for securing funds.

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19. Journalistic Writing

A smartphone displays a news article about Canada wildfires, while a laptop shows a New York Times article about a major shake-up at OpenAI.

Journalistic writing covers news articles, feature stories, and investigative reports. It demands accuracy, objectivity, and timeliness.

For a content writer, journalistic writing skills can be incredibly valuable. This type of content writing focuses on delivering clear, factual, and engaging content that informs the public, which is fundamental in media and communications. Media writers stay on top of current events and trends.

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20. Creative Writing

A smartphone displays an article titled ‘The Power of Daily Mental Check-Ups,’ while a tablet shows an article about addressing burnout in the workplace.

Creative writing encompasses stories, poems, and creative non-fiction. It’s all about imagination and expression.

  • Writing Prompts: Writing about a memorable journey, creating a story based on a dream, imagining a world without technology, writing from the perspective of an inanimate object, creating a story around a historical event, writing a letter to your future self, imagining a conversation with a famous person, writing about a secret, creating a story that starts with a specific sentence, writing about a turning point in life.
  • Workshops: Joining local writing groups, participating in online writing communities, attending writing retreats, enrolling in university writing courses, participating in NaNoWriMo, joining genre-specific workshops, attending writers’ conferences, joining critique groups, taking part in writing challenges, attending webinars by published authors.
  • Examples: Creative writing courses by MasterClass, Online workshops by Coursera, Local writing groups on Meetup, Writing prompts from Writer’s Digest, Writing challenges on Reddit, University writing programs, Genre-specific conferences, Writing retreats, Critique groups like Scribophile, Published short story collections.

Creative writing is characterized by its focus on narrative and emotional impact. It’s a type of content writing that allows you to explore different writing techniques and styles, making your content unique and engaging. This form of content can be very fulfilling for a content writer.

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21. Speech Writing

A tablet displays a written speech, while a laptop shows an image of Steve Jobs delivering a speech on stage.

Speech writing involves crafting speeches for public figures and events. It requires a strong grasp of rhetoric and audience engagement.

  • Delivery Tips: Voicing out your written speech multiple times. Trying to use natural gestures. Double-check if different parts of text meet the tone requirements. Check if the speaker could stop for emphasis and to let key points sink in.
  • Structure Guide: Start with a strong opening that grabs attention (e.g., a quote, a question, or a story). Clearly state your main points. Organize your speech into a logical flow with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Use transitions between sections to keep the speech cohesive. End with a memorable closing statement that reinforces your key message.
  • Examples: Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream”, Steve Jobs’ 2005 Stanford Commencement Address, Winston Churchill’s “We Shall Fight on the Beaches”, and Malala Yousafzai’s Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech.

When you’re writing a speech, the goal of content is to connect with the audience and convey a clear message. This type of content writing is essential for public relations and communication professionals. Speech writing is an essential skill for those looking to influence and inspire.

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22. Review Writing

A monitor displays a Wirecutter article about portable air purifiers, while a tablet shows a detailed customer review of a product.

Review writing involves critiquing products, services, books, or movies. It should be balanced, fair, and informative.

  • Rating Systems: Determine the key aspects that you will evaluate in your reviews. For example, if you are reviewing a product, your criteria might include quality, value for money, usability, and design. If some criteria are more important than others, consider weighting them accordingly. For example, in a tech product review, performance might be more critical than aesthetic design. Assign higher weights to more important criteria.
  • Bias Tips: Research thoroughly, if you received a product for free make sure you let readers know, use objective language, compare the item with the relevant product, don’t exaggerate.
  • Examples: CNET Reviews, Yelp Reviews, Wirecutter Reviews, Goodreads Reviews

This type of content writing is essential for consumers looking for honest opinions. As a content writer, producing high-quality reviews can help build trust and authority in your niche. Writing focuses on providing a clear and honest evaluation.

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Last Words

And there you have it.

An exhaustive guide to 22 essential types of content writing you can bookmark for quick reference.

Each type has its own unique purpose and style, but they all share the goal of engaging and informing your audience. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your skills, understanding these various types of content writing will help you create more effective and impactful content.

Remember, understanding different formats is an essential skill for any content writer. Whether you’re producing long-form content, short-form content, or something in between, you should play by the rules of the game.

Happy writing!

Thank you for reading! Content creation brings me immense joy, and it’s not just a hobby — it’s my profession.

If you’re looking for more valuable tips on content marketing and writing — and how to do a better job for your clients and yourself — feel free to find all you need right here.

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Luciano Kovacevic
Luciano Kovacevic

Written by Luciano Kovacevic

I write entertain & educate. | Senior SEO Content Strategist | Content Enthusiast | Personal Website 👉 https://www.lucianowrites.com