I didn’t plan to become a content writer, but today I get paid to write. Here’s exactly how it happened. I’m Divya Priya Rajalingam, a content writer based in Chennai, and I help brands create engaging content. I have always written something from a very young age, diaries, letters, even tried writing biographies. Nothing major, and not particularly good at it, but I did it anyway. I was about to follow a very simple and common path: complete commerce because it felt easier compared to computer science or medicine, get a B.Com degree, and land an accounts job or something similar. So I did my Bachelor of Commerce, with no writing background whatsoever.

One thing I was sure of, I didn’t want to work on something I wasn’t passionate about. While thinking about this and going through what felt like a mid-life crisis, I finally thought, why not start a writing career? I knew nothing. It was a blank slate. I didn’t even know people could get paid or make a living from writing. Oh boy, was I wrong. I started freelancing because I wanted to test the waters before fully committing. After that, there was no turning back. Like a butterfly effect, everything slowly started falling into place.

History of My Journey

Freelancing was everything people say it is, low pay, occasional betrayal, and a lot of learning. I got paid very little, but I truly believe it taught me everything. I had this idea that to become a writer, you just need to write, but it is far from the truth.

You need to understand:

• Marketing
• Psychology
• Writing styles
• and other thing

You need to expose your brain to all kinds of information so it can connect ideas and make sense of things. Another thing I learned the hard way, people believe in credentials and proof. You might write well, but if you lack a good portfolio, things can go downhill quickly. Since I wasn’t from an English literature background, I chose to study journalism. I picked it simply because it involved writing. The subject “Writing for Media” literally had the word writing in it, so I thought it must be the right choice and I actually enjoyed it. I’m not someone who was a bright student in school or college, but here I did well. For the first time, I felt like I was good at something. It surprised me, I thought maybe I’m meant to do this.

College opened many opportunities for me, especially exposure to platforms like DT Next and Ananda Vikatan. Along the way, I learned how to write articles, and being an editor for department magazines helped me understand design and how content placement affects visibility.

What I Learned

These are the things I wish I knew earlier, it would have given me a head start. I have always struggled with starting something. Even now, my book is pending because I want it to begin in a certain way. I’m still learning (not mastered yet) the importance of a hook, something simple that makes people want to keep reading. For a long time, I couldn’t understand my writing style. Whether you admit it or not, everyone has a unique style, a pattern in how they express ideas. Mine is storytelling. I realized this when I tried writing news articles. They require neutrality and no bias, and I found it difficult. That’s when I understood that my natural style is narrative. To become a content writer in places like Chennai, you need exposure, publishing houses, digital marketing firms, blogs, these help you understand the field better. If I ask you what your writing style is, most of you might not know. But when you write in different formats, you begin to understand your strengths.

I have written:

• Blogs
• Articles
• Magazines
• Website copy
• Newsletters
• Social media posts
• Technical documentation

Trying different formats helps you understand the differences and also helps you understand yourself better as a writer.

What I Am Currently Doing

I am currently a technical writer in Chennai. I write policies, standards and procedures. This form of writing is descriptive and structured. You don’t need storytelling or creative expression here, you need clarity.

You must:

• Understand the subject well
• Convey it in simple English

That’s what matters. I also get to learn coding and manage CMS tools, which is new for me. But my previous writing skills still help at this stage. Adapting to different style guides and processes is the main challenge. Every document must be clear and error-free, you have to proofread every line. It’s not creatively stimulating all the time, but it is definitely mentally engaging.

Tips for Beginners

Create a portfolio. You can use a simple WordPress website or even store your work in a Google Drive if you don’t want to invest in a site. Clients don’t really care where it is, they care about your writing and whether you can match their brand voice. Create a LinkedIn profile and optimize your bio. Connect with professionals in your niche, especially content writers. You can connect with me as well if you’ve read this blog and want to discuss more. I’m happy to help. Most of my freelance work came from LinkedIn, and the first thing clients ask for is writing samples, so always keep them ready. Start by charging less. This helps you get your foot in the door. Many startups don’t have large budgets, so if you offer reasonable pricing, they are more likely to work with you. It’s a win-win, you earn and learn.

Understand pricing:

• Charge per word for blogs/articles
• Charge per post for social media

Always know your worth. I believe in charging based on my skills. Charging more without delivering results can affect your credibility. Build your brand slowly. It doesn’t have to be perfect, it just needs to be good enough to showcase your work. Do internships if possible. Even unpaid ones can give you valuable experience. There’s so much more to share, I should probably start writing a book. But I’ll continue this in my next blog.

– Divya Priya Rajalingam