How My 'Thoughts on Work' Have Changed Since Becoming a Web Writer
Three years have passed since I became a Web writer, and I have finally entered my fourth year.
Meeting deadlines, reducing typos and omissions, writing with the specified expressions—.
Back then, I was just writing away, trying to follow the regulations while avoiding mistakes. Following regulations is important, but looking back, it might have been my top priority.
However, when I suddenly looked back on my journey so far, I realized that my perspective on work had changed significantly.
In this article, I will write about how my current state of mind has changed compared to when I was a novice writer.
I started to care about my writing
Around the time I had been a writer for two years, I started to feel a sense of discomfort with the articles I was writing. To put it in one word, it felt somewhat 'tacky'.
The information was correct, and the regulations were faithfully followed. But it was somehow bland, and I couldn't feel confident in my own writing...
I was holding onto that frustration, but a certain edit triggered me to gradually start thinking about 'what makes a cool piece of writing.'
Because with that edit, my tacky writing suddenly became cool.
'Cool writing' is not about 'superficial elements' like lining up difficult technical terms or foreign words.
It is about expressions that slide smoothly into the reader's mind, making them think, 'This is exactly the article I was looking for!' It is writing that moves the reader's heart.
The following edit is part of what triggered me to start pursuing 'cool writing'.
・Writing I did when I had less than 2 years of experience as a writer
'When you reach your 30s, more people will be in mid-level positions. (*omitted) In such a situation, if there is no prospect of promotion in your current job and no sign of a salary increase, you will likely feel anxious in many cases.'
・Edited text (by a professional with over 10 years of experience)'Your 30s is the decade when you step from being a 'junior' to a 'mid-level' professional, and it is also a time to rethink your career. (*omitted) In such a situation, some people decide to resign because they cannot realize a satisfying career and cannot shake off their dissatisfaction with the workplace.'
Thinking about it now, I wonder how I managed to write such cliché text. It makes me feel a little embarrassed...
That said, I have been a writer for a little over three years now. I am aware that my writing skills have improved since then. However, I am still keenly aware of the great room for growth in my writing ability.
However, it is thanks to this embarrassing experience that I started to care about my writing. Before I knew it, I had started to care about expressions in order to write better articles.
I learned the power that writing holds
Writing skills are useful not only in work but also in various situations.
In my own experience, it's like when I find someone I want to connect with on social media and convey that I 'want to be friends' with expressions that strike a chord with them. If I were serious, I could even write a passionate love letter that captures the other person's heart.
In fact, thanks to these 'writing skills,' I have been able to connect with many people.I am still grateful for this job that has brought me such wonderful companions.
My initial reason for becoming a Web writer was 'to secure a source of income.' If my values regarding work hadn't changed, I believe I would still be writing just 'to make a living.'
However, for me now, continuing as a writer solely 'to earn money' feels unsatisfying.
Once you acquire writing skills, you can better convey your thoughts and feelings to others. That fact holds great significance for me.
It is precisely because I realized that meaning that I have come to want to continue the work of writing, even if only a little.
*I have written about my reasons at the time in the following article. Please take a look at this as well.
Web writing has infinite possibilities
When I was a beginner, I honestly didn't see that much potential in the job of a Web writer, but now that I have been doing it for over three years, I can say this.
'Web writing is not just a job of writing articles.'Indeed.
In fact, it is possible to expand the scope of work as a Web writer in the following ways.
Sales copywriting
Interview writing
AI writing
YouTube script creation
SNS operation agency
Email newsletter writing
Marketing
Web direction
In fact, I am currently in the process of challenging myself with various careers by utilizing my writing skills, rather than just writing articles.
Writing that gets read has power. It can lighten someone's heart, provide encouragement, or introduce them to a wider world... Isn't Web writing a valuable profession where you can acquire such expressive writing skills?
Since I am doing work that holds infinite possibilities, I intend to keep moving forward, believing in the power of writing.