What are the key elements of a strong CMS writing sample?

1 Choose a CMS that matches your goals

The first step to creating a strong CMS writing sample is to choose a CMS that matches your goals and the type of content you want to produce. Different CMS platforms have different features, functionalities, and interfaces that can affect your writing process and output. For example, WordPress is a popular and versatile CMS that allows you to write and publish content in various formats and styles, while Shopify is a specialized CMS that focuses on e-commerce and product-related content. You should choose a CMS that suits your niche, your audience, and your writing style, and that you are comfortable and familiar with.

2 Write high-quality content that follows best practices

The second step to creating a strong CMS writing sample is to write high-quality content that follows the best practices of web writing and SEO. Your content should be clear, concise, engaging, and informative, and it should provide value to your readers. You should also optimize your content for search engines by using relevant keywords, headings, subheadings, meta tags, and images. Your content should also be formatted properly, with paragraphs, bullet points, lists, and whitespace to make it easy to read and scan. You should also proofread and edit your content for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and tone.

4 Publish and share your CMS writing sample

The fourth step to creating a strong CMS writing sample is to publish and share your content on the CMS platform. You should make sure that your content is live and accessible on the web, and that it looks good on different devices and browsers. You should also check that your content has a clear and catchy title, a URL that reflects your keywords and topic, and a meta description that summarizes your content and entices your readers. You should also share your content on social media or other platforms to increase your visibility and reach.

5 Update and maintain your CMS writing sample

The fifth step to creating a strong CMS writing sample is to update and maintain your content regularly. You should keep your content fresh and relevant by adding new information, updating facts and figures, or making changes based on feedback or performance. You should also monitor your content for any technical issues, such as broken links, images, or plugins, and fix them as soon as possible. You should also backup your content and keep a copy of it in case of any problems with the CMS platform. Updating and maintaining your content shows that you care about your work and that you are proactive and responsible.

6 Include your CMS writing sample in your portfolio

The sixth and final step to creating a strong CMS writing sample is to include it in your portfolio and showcase it to potential clients and employers. You should have a dedicated section in your portfolio for your CMS writing samples, and you should provide some context and details about each sample, such as the CMS platform, the purpose, the audience, the keywords, and the results. You should also provide a link to the live content and a screenshot or a PDF of it in case the link is broken or changed. Including your CMS writing sample in your portfolio shows that you have the skills and experience to use a CMS effectively and that you can produce high-quality web content for different needs and goals.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?