Do you ever feel like putting words on paper is as tricky as trying to catch a slippery fish? We feel you. Putting words into meaningful sentences and ultimately creating a piece that solves the reader’s problem isn’t that easy.
This is why we are here to help you by listing out some amazing content writing books that will teach you everything from how to write blogs, to grammar tips, storytelling, strategies, content formats, collaboration, and whatnot.
And hey — that’s NOT all. You’ll also learn about a few writing courses that’ll help you make a living out of your passion, “writing”.
So without further ado, let’s get started.
4 Types of Content Writing
Before we get into the list of best content writing books, let us look at different forms of content writing; some of them include:
1. Copywriting
Copywriting is not just about writing words, it’s about writing words that spark interest, grab attention, and persuade readers. It is a way of writing that tells a brand’s story concisely. A skilled copywriter creates content for websites, social media posts, and advertisements that compel readers to make a purchase, give something a try, or take action.
2. SEO Writing
SEO content writing is a practice that involves writing in a way that your content reaches the maximum number of audiences, which is popular in the digital marketing world. It includes adding keywords to your content that help it rank on the search engines. A few components of SEO writing include on-page, off-page, and technical SEO practices.
3. Ghostwriting
A Ghostwriter is like the secret superhero who does all the work but remains anonymous. It is writing a piece of content for someone else and letting them take the credit, it is not published under your name. Ghostwriting also includes writing for specific niches like public relations, marketing, social media posts, etc.
4. Technical Writing
Technical writing, just like any other form of content writing, refers to writing detailed and explained articles but in the technical field. It is like explaining all the technical stuff in an understandable language that a non-tch-savvy can also follow the instructions without any hassle.
Also Read: Traditional Marketing vs Content Marketing: What’s Better?
10 Content Writing Books to Read in 2024
Now, let’s start with the best content writing books that you should definitely read in 2024 to level up your content-writing game.
1. Everybody Writes – Ann Handley
Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content by Ann Handley offers fantastic suggestions for blog writing, social media marketing, article writing, and other areas, infused with a delightful sense of humor that will keep you amused as you read. She speaks and writes about how you can reconsider the way your brand or business markets itself.
Ann Handley beautifully teaches everything that you need to know about content creation, content marketing, the importance of creating a brand, communicating with your target audience, and much more. It also provides insight into the relationship between marketing, sales, and content writing.
Also, this book is a beginner-friendly guide, so you can start your journey with this and you are good to go.
Some key learnings that the book offers are:
- Writing for the digital age
- Audience-centric writing approach
- Clarity and simplicity
- Storytelling
- Grammar tips
- Blogging strategies
- Social media writing
- Content creation and marketing
You can buy Everybody Writes here:
2. The Elements of Style – William Strunk Jr. and E.B White
The famous writing manual “The Elements of Style” was written by William Strunk Jr. in 1918 and then edited by E.B. White in 1959. Struck wrote this guide for people who are willing to start their careers as a content writer.
This book gives practical advice on how to write effective content that resonates with the target audience and has an impact on the readers, bring more clarity into your content, and make your content simple, understandable, and concise.
Some key learnings that the book offers are:
- Concise and practical rules
- How to use grammar and punctuation
- Writing style and its principles
- Pitfalls to take care of
- Importance of revision
- Word choice
- Consistency, etc.
You can buy The Elements of Style here:
3. On Writing Well – William Zinsser
On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction by William Zinsser is an excellent guide to writing non-fiction content effectively. This book came out of a course that William Zinsser taught at Yale University. The book is loved because of its writing style and the clarity that it provides.
It teaches the fundamental principles of writing and can prove to be healful to you regardless of the niche you write in, whether you are writing about people, places, technology, sports, entertainment, business, science, art, or even yourself, this book will not let you down.
Some key learnings that the book offers are:
- Clarity
- Simplicity
- Eliminating clutter
- Awareness
- Writing style, process, and forms
- Interviews and writing profiles
- Importance of humor in writing
- Ethics
- Inspiration, etc.
You can buy On Writing Well here:
Also Read: What is PPW in Content Writing: 6 Ways to Charge More
4. Content Rules – Ann Handley and C.C. Chapman
Content Rules: How to Create Killer Blogs, Podcasts, Videos, Ebooks, Webinars (And More) That Engage Customers and Ignite Your Business, by Ann Handley and C C Chapman is the only book that you need if you want to write for the web. This book helps you craft engaging blogs, ebooks, or any sort of website content.
From this book individuals and businesses will learn how to craft an effective content strategy that perfectly resonates with the target audience. It teaches how you can level up your online presence while leveraging content.
Some key learnings that the book offers are:
- Content strategy
- Diverse formats of content
- Connections
- Storytelling
- Tips and practical examples
- Online visibility
- Content curation
- Adaptability
You can buy Content Rules here:
5. Content Strategy For The Web – Kristina Halvorson
Content Strategy for the Web by Kristina Halvorson is a book that teaches you how to strategically manage and plan your digital content. It provides insights into web development, content creation, marketing, and curating types of content that benefit both the reader and the business. Some key learnings that the book offers are:
- Understanding content strategy
- User-centric approach
- Content audits
- Content planning and creation
- Workflow
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Content structure
- Scalability
- Real-world examples
You can buy Content Strategy for the Web here:
6. The Successful Author Mindset- Joanna Penn
The Successful Author Mindset: A Handbook for Surviving the Writer’s Journey by Joanna Penn is a book that helps budding writers create content that motivates and inspires readers. The book deals with all the challenges that a writer come across in their content creation journey. Unlike any other book, this book also covers the highs and lows of a content writer’s works.
The book speaks about the mental health aspect of a content writer and makes them understand that being in the right head space could help a writer write a piece that creates change.
Penn is an author, podcaster, and entrepreneur. And through this book, she shares her meaningful insights and expertise that help writers survive in this competitive world. Some key learnings that the book offers are:
- Mindset foundation
- Overcoming fear and self-doubt
- Productivity
- Goal setting
- Creativity
- Dealing with criticism
- Handling rejection
- Business mindset
- Leaning
- Work-life balance
You can buy The Successful Author Mindset here:
7. The Scribe Method – Tucker Max and Zach Obront
The Scribe Method: The Best Way to Write and Publish Your Non-Fiction Book by Tucker Max and Zach Obront gives a detailed step-by-step guide to writing non-fiction books. The Scribe Method will navigate all the fears that you will face on your ride to becoming a published author. It will help you overcome all the obstacles you will face that will keep you from writing a bestseller.
Tucker Max and Zach Obront streamline the writing and publishing process in the book.
Some key learnings that the book offers are:
- Outlining
- Planning
- Interview-based writing
- overcoming writer’s block
- Revising and editing
- Self-publishing and traditional publishing
- Collaborating
- Building yourself as an author
- Marketing and launch strategies
- Having the mindset of an author
You can buy The Scribe Method here.
Also Read: How to Use a B2B Content Marketing Funnel to Drive Leads and Sales
8. The Content Code – Mark W Schaefer
The Content Code: Six Essential Strategies for Igniting Your Content, Your Marketing, and Your Business: Six Essential Strategies to Ignite Your Content, Your Marketing, and Your Business by Mark W Schaefer is listed as the greatest SEO book in the world by Book Authority and among INC magazine’s top five business books of the year.
In a world of an overwhelming sea of information, knowledge, and competition this book talks about the challenges in content marketing. Schaefer gives strategies to individuals and businesses to stand out among the competition, sustain in the market, and create an effective online presence.
The author mentions the six important content code strategies to make the content more impactful, they are
- Brand development
- Audience and influencers
- Distribution, ignition, and shareability
- Social proof
- Authority
- Conversational marketing
Some key learnings that the book offers are:
- Content shock and overwhelm
- Emotional connection
- The alpha audience
- The six content code strategies
- Content ignition
- Success measurement
- Adapting to changes
- Case studies
You can buy The Content Code here.
9. Six Figure Blogging Blueprint – Raza Imam
Six Figure Blogging Blueprint: How to Start an Amazingly Profitable Blog in the Next 60 Days (Even If You Have No Experience) by Raza Imam. Does this book sound like you? Do you want to start blogging professionally and make a living out of it? If it’s you then this book is the perfect fit for you.
This book covers everything from A to Z about blogging, you will learn all the important points like choosing a niche, the step-by-step process of building a passive income blogging business, topics to write about, the secret to a successful blog, content management system, and whatnot.
Some key learnings that the book offers are:
- How to start a profitable blog
- How to monetize your blogs
- How to create content
- How to attract traffic
- Setting up a sales funnel
- Setting up time frames and expectations
- Experiences and success stories
- Technical guidance
- Marketing and branding
You can buy Six Figure Blogging Blueprint here:
10. Get Content Get Customers – Joe Pulizzi
Get Content Get Customers: Turn Prospects into Buyers with Content Marketing by Joe Pulizzi talks about attracting leads to your website by implementing content strategies. This book provides insights on how to create compelling content and provide it to readers in a smooth manner without interfering with their daily lives.
Some key learnings that the book offers are:
- Content marketing strategy
- Understanding the customer journey
- Creating valuable content
- Content distribution and promotion
- Building authentic relationships through content
- Measuring ROI
- Case studies
- Consistency
You can buy “Get Content Get Customers” here:
Best Content Writing Course in India
We hear you saying that you do not have time to read a complete content writing books to be able to start your content writing journey and make a living out of it. So for your convenience, we have compiled a list of courses that are definitely going to help you get started.
1. Freelance Blogging Launchpad
Freelancer Blogging Launchpad is a content writing course created by a freelancer Aastha Kochar. The mantra of the course “Blogs That Bring Business” is perfect for the value she provides.
With 6+ years of experience, 100+ clients, and 3000+ published blogs she brings the perfect pack of knowledge that you require to get started.
What will this course teach you? It will help you learn everything from scratch. Topics you will get in-depth knowledge about in this course are how to write blogs, SEO, how to create a portfolio that your prospects can’t resist, 4 client acquisition processes, how to price your services effectively, how to handle discovery calls like a pro, and finally how to onboard your clients.
This course also comes with some bonus modules as well which are going to be super beneficial for someone looking to master this field.
Link to the course: https://aasthakochar.com/freelance-blogging-launchpad/
2. Henry Harvin
Henry Harvin Writing Academy offers a content writing course that will add value to your skills. Whether you are a working professional or a student this course has something for everyone. Your content-writing skills are only going to go upwards from here.
Link to the course: https://www.henryharvin.com/content-writing-course
3. Skills Upgrader – Best Content Writing Course in India
This course on content writing provides a comprehensive guide to writing. It deals with topics like types of content, search engine optimization, marketing of your content, web hosting, content creation, writing process, keyword research, etc.
Link to the course: https://www.skillsupgrader.com/content-writing-course/
Also Read: 6 Best Content Writing Courses In India To Make Money
Conclusion
So walking down the road of content writing requires knowledge, skills, and practical experience. The suggested content writing books for 2024 provide insightful advice to help you deal with the complexities of the field. No matter if you are an absolute beginner or seeking to enhance your skills, these books got you.
Remember, you need to choose the right book or course based on your specific needs and preferences, so do that wisely.
And lastly, if you’d rather take a more methodical and practical approach, think about signing up for a content writing course. These courses cover all the essential aspects that you need to get started.
Author
Falguni, an introverted poet turned freelance writer, crafts stories that speak to the heart with simplicity and grace.
