How can you write a cover letter that compels online content creation employers?

Your cover letter is more than a formality; it's your opportunity to create a connection that transcends your qualifications. So, my advice here is to tailor each cover letter and avoid the temptation to send a generic cover letter to multiple companies. Instead, invest the time to tailor each one to the specific organization you're applying to. Highlight aspects of their culture that resonate most with you. Aligning it with the company's culture is a testament to your genuine interest, research, and commitment. It's a statement that you're not just seeking a job, but a partnership that will mutually benefit both you and the organization. ?? #CompanyCulture #CoverLetterTips #OnlineContentCreation

Hiring managers prefer authenticity over boasting. Getting it right with your cover letter could mean you are not just telling the truth about yourself, but also showcasing your skills and experience in a personalized way that is relatable to the organization you have applied to. I use the acronym to design my cover letters for any job interview hiring and selection process. It's F.R.I.E.N.D.S. As you can tell, I am a big fan! This is what FRIENDS stands for: F: Focused (on skills based on the J.D. provided to you) R: Real, means relatable I: Inspirational 6 months-5 years plan E: Empathetic (are you a people's manager?) N: Numbers (state hard facts) D: Direct! S: Strategic (team-building leadership) Is'nt it easy to follow my idea?

Let’s face it. Cover letters can be tedious and time-consuming. But they can also be rewarding. How do you start? First, do your homework. Research. This is vital. Get familiar with the publication’s brand. Their style and tone of voice. Get to know their readers and find out what topics they’ve covered and what their recent focus is. Explore their website. Check out their Facebook and Instagram pages. Subscribe or set up Google Alert to get the latest news. Then, make sure you know who you’re writing to. Don’t write “Dear Sir/Madam”. It’s workshy and generic. All employers have names and email addresses.

In my belief, a cover letter that showcases tangible results and specific examples stands out in a sea of generic applications. Highlighting not just what you've done, but the impact it had, speaks volumes. Employers appreciate candidates who can quantify their success and bring those proven results to their organization. It's all about crafting a narrative that conveys both skill and passion for content creation.

Don't be shy. Showcase why you’re the best person for the job. This is where you get to flaunt a little, just make sure it's relevant to the topic. Include: - Your experience as a writer in the niche. - Your experience in the topic/niche. - Qualifications adding to your credibility. - Links to your best-published pieces/writing samples. You can even link to your posts on LinkedIn or Medium. Anything to demonstrate your ability to write that's relevant to their niche, that’s what counts.

The most important thing I learned in the MFA program in fiction writing was to "show, don't tell." The second thing was that less than five percent of published authors ever make more than $5,000 a year from their creative work. The first means that your cover letter must essentially consist of a story--using narrative techniques such as description, dialogue, character growth, voice/pov and theme--that shows the employer why you are the right person for the job. Only by demonstrating that you can craft story--whether it be your own or that of someone else's--will the employer trust that you can be an effective content writer. As for the second, well that's why you're applying for the job, isn't it?

Do you produce and market content to a niche audience? Or do you work for an agency employer that represents a diverse range of brands from different industries? Your cover letter should identify the needs and wants of your prospective employer. For example, you have worked with an AI course builder that specifically markets to IT, healthcare, sales, and media professionals. Your CL could mention the number of blogs, whitepapers, e-books, case studies, social media posts, and flyers and how they performed in terms of traffic, references, subscriptions, and sales conversions. Use simple sentences in a direct voice to make a lasting first impression. Above all, talk to a senior in the hiring industry to help you refine your tone in the CL.

This is your chance to showcase your personality and values in life. People love working with like-minded professionals with integrity, trustworthiness, and empathy. If you have been an individual contributor, list down your wins and learnings. If you have led a team, your future manager should know how your attitude (more than your skills TBH) influenced the workplace culture and development. The CL should identify with the positive outcome of your skills and experience at different phases of working through remote, hybrid, or fully WFO settings. My HR friends have mentioned how they use software tools to measure optimism, emotional intelligence, and time management skills to shortlist candidates based on the CL.

Be selfless in your pursuit of excellence and a motivating career in content creation. Businesses are undergoing tremendous financial stress and their marketing budgets are suffering because of the volatile situations. This is a chance to go full strength and point to them how you could be the missing piece in their content puzzle. From driving their SEO research to creating compelling social media ad copies to visualizing an events marketing strategy, you could actually be doing (and getting paid for it) more than what the role actually was meant to be. I have seen and experienced the benefits of selflessly taking on the role of a strategic advisor or consultant during the interview process, and the CL should be the first medium to do so.

Do your homework, get to know the business, research past and present content, and find the gaps. Then, dazzle them with powerful words that speak directly to their problem and show them how you can solve that problem with your smooth writing skills.

In today's digital landscape, it's essential to adapt your cover letter for different online platforms. Each platform has its nuances, and tailoring your approach can make a significant impact. For example, if you're aiming for a role in social media, think about how your cover letter can be tailored for different platforms. LinkedIn is the go-to for professional connections, so your cover letter here should maintain a polished and business-oriented tone. Twitter, with its character limit, demands brevity and creativity. Adapt your cover letter for each platform to showcase your proficiency in these digital arenas.

Writing a strong call to action (CTA) is not easy, but it's a crucial element in leaving a lasting impression on a potential employer. It's your final opportunity to showcase your enthusiasm for the position and your proactive nature. A well-crafted CTA can set you apart from other candidates. Therefore, take your time to ensure it's concise and compelling, and make it easy for the employer to connect with you. So, remember that while it may take some extra thought and effort, a strong CTA can greatly enhance your job application and increase your chances of getting noticed by the hiring team.

Build bridges. Leave a trail of optimism, expressing your intention of working with content builders. You could insert a link to your LinkedIn or website, inviting the hiring groups to visit and review your published works, your relationship with the creator economies, and above all, your general outlook toward brand building. You could take a lot of inspiration from Gen Z ideas who themselves opt for Netflix or Prime-inspired conversation builders to design their Cover Letters. Tip: Review and grammar-proof your sentences. No Typos please in your contact details. Add 2-3 references from the industry who could speak for your work and ethics. If you have been quoted in the media, do not forget to add the links to these assets.

Make it easy for the employer to follow up. Add basic contact details, your email, telephone number (if you wish), and location and relevant links. Who knows, you might even live in the same area which is a great bonus for a face-to-face meeting.

Sure, error-free cover letters ooze quality and confidence. But remember that's only because society is still making room for disability inclusion. If you're a person with a disability and your passion is writing, like me, don't let a little typo get in the way. In fact, this is a great way to find out how disability-inclusive the employer is and if they're willing to work towards a more disability-inclusive business culture. If you're dyslexic, don't sweat typos. You can always have a heart-to-heart talk with the employer and make things work. Also. tools like Grammarly can help you get the dashing result you want.

Absolutely! A polished cover letter is often the first impression you give to potential employers. Errors can be distracting and may suggest a lack of attention to detail. Leveraging tools like Grammarly or Hemingway can be invaluable in catching mistakes and refining clarity. In a competitive job market, every word counts, so ensuring your cover letter is sharp and impactful is key to standing out.

Testing, compatibility, and legal considerations: 1. A/B Testing: I suggest to A/B test, different cover letter formats to see which one yields better responses. This data-driven approach can help refine the cover letter strategy over time. 2. Testing Compatibility: Before sending a creative cover letter, ensure that the format is compatible with the recipient's preferred methods of communication. Few companies prefer traditional documents, so gauge the organization's openness to creative applications. 3. Legal and Ethical Considerations: When using creative formats, respect copyright and intellectual property rights. Ensure that any content you use in your creative cover letter (video, images, or music) is original or properly licensed.

Certain tools that I recommend: when crafting your cover letter, consider using resources like Grammarly and the Hemingway Editor to ensure impeccable grammar and readability. Canva offers visually appealing templates to help your cover letter stand out. For tailoring your cover letter to specific job postings, Jobscan is a valuable asset, assisting you in aligning your skills with job requirements. And to avoid clichés and infuse your letter with original content, the Cliché Finder can be your creative partner. These tools can streamline your writing process and enhance the quality of your cover letter, increasing your chances of leaving a positive impression on potential employers.