Sonia M. Rompoti, MSc, Bsc

The rapid growth of e-commerce has opened up numerous opportunities for skilled writers to thrive in the digital landscape. Whether you’re a wordsmith looking for a new career path or an experienced writer seeking to diversify your portfolio, becoming an e-commerce writer can be a rewarding venture for remote work.

This article’ll delve into what e-commerce writing entails, explore how to embark on this journey, and discuss the potential benefits of pursuing this profession. Finally, I’ll answer what people ask me the most: as a freelancer, where do you find customers?

Understanding E-commerce Writing:

E-commerce writing involves creating persuasive and engaging content that promotes products or services on online platforms. It revolves around producing compelling product descriptions, blog posts, social media content, email newsletters, and other written materials that drive traffic, increase conversions, and enhance customer experiences. Effective e-commerce writing requires a blend of creativity, market research, and an understanding of consumer psychology to entice potential buyers and build brand loyalty.

Steps to Become an E-commerce Writer:

1. Enhance Your Writing Skills: To become a proficient ecommerce writer, focus on refining your writing abilities. Develop a strong command of grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. Cultivate a writing style that balances clarity and creativity while catering to the target audience. Regular practice, seeking feedback, and studying successful e-commerce writing examples can help you hone your craft. Above all, create your personal style; sure, you’ll need to adjust to the style of each customer’s needs, but remain true to yourself.
2. Familiarize Yourself with E-commerce Platforms: Gain familiarity with popular e-commerce platforms, such as Amazon, eBay, Shopify, and WooCommerce. Understand the structure of product listings, review sections, and buyer feedback mechanisms. Familiarity with these platforms will help you write product descriptions and content that aligns with their specific requirements and maximizes engagement.
3. Learn SEO Techniques: Search engine optimization (SEO) plays a crucial role in e-commerce writing. Educate yourself on SEO best practices to ensure your content ranks well in search engine results and attracts organic traffic. Understand keyword research, on-page optimization, meta tags, and other relevant SEO techniques to create content that is visible to potential customers.
4. Acquire Product Knowledge: Develop a broad understanding of various products and industries. Stay updated with the latest trends, innovations, and consumer demands within e-commerce. This knowledge will enable you to write informative and persuasive content that resonates with target audiences, while highlighting the unique selling points of products.
5. Build a Portfolio: Create a portfolio showcasing your e-commerce writing skills. Start by offering your services to local businesses, friends, or family members who run online stores. As you gain experience, request permission to include your work in your portfolio. A compelling portfolio will help demonstrate your capabilities and attract potential clients or employers.
6. Network and Collaborate: Join online communities, forums, and social media groups related to e-commerce, writing, or digital marketing. Engage with professionals, exchange ideas, and seek advice from experienced e-commerce writers. Networking can lead to valuable connections, collaborations, and even job opportunities in the field.

Is It Worth It?

Becoming an e-commerce writer can be a lucrative and fulfilling career choice for several reasons:

1. High Demand: The e-commerce industry is expanding rapidly, with businesses constantly seeking talented writers to improve their online presence and boost sales.
2. Flexibility: E-commerce writing offers flexibility in terms of working hours and location. Many opportunities allow you to work as a freelancer or remotely, providing autonomy and a desirable work-life balance.
3. Skill Development: E-commerce writing involves mastering a range of skills, such as persuasive writing, SEO, and content marketing. These skills can be transferable and valuable for other writing or marketing roles in the future.
4. Continuous Learning: E-commerce writing exposes you to various industries, products, and consumer behavior patterns. This constant exposure promotes continuous learning and personal growth.

So, where do I look for work?

It is true that if you are a good writer these days, you have so many clients that you need to start saying no to work. (In my case, I started saying no to clients, after my third hospitalization this year, due to burn out.. I was literally writing 20 hours per day, to keep everyone and myself happy). But until you reach this point where people know and trust you, how do you begin?

Most people will tell you go to Fiverr, but I won’t… the competition is fierce, and without a very strong following (which let’s face it, if you already have it, why look for more work?), you won’t get anywhere.

I think the best option is UpWork, because you can look for work yourself, rather than wait for someone to give you a chance. Start with small jobs, that you normally wouldn’t even consider, and slowly build up your presence.

If, however, you need a place to find articles that pay well right here and now, I usually go to PaidOnlineWritingJobs. They will always have articles for freelancers and they pay a fair amount. Maybe they will not always be e-commerce, sometimes it may be other types of writing, but they pay well and they are fast, which at the end of the day, pays the bills.

Becoming an e-commerce writer can be a rewarding journey for individuals passionate about writing and the world of digital commerce. By honing your writing skills, mastering SEO techniques, and building a strong portfolio, you can embark on a path that offers exciting opportunities and the potential for professional and financial success. The e-commerce industry is thriving, and skilled writers who can craft persuasive content will always be in demand. Embrace this dynamic field, and let your words leave a lasting impact in the realm of e-commerce.