I am 55 and long years of experience as a stenographer. Is it possible to switch over my career to content writer ? Where will I get training. Kindly enlighten me. Mohan

Ans: Creatives / videos/ reel etc. are in demand these days and this would continue for the foreseeable future. You can do a course in this and earn a good monthly income.

Ans: Certainly! Content writing is a rewarding field, and it’s never too late to start. Here are some steps and tips to help you embark on your content writing journey:

Read, Read, Read:
Immerse yourself in various types of content. Read articles, blogs, and books across different genres and styles. Pay attention to writing techniques, tone, and structure. Reading helps you learn and stay inspired.
Know What You Want to Write:
Define your interests and niche. What topics resonate with you? Are you passionate about travel, health, technology, or lifestyle? Knowing your focus will guide your content creation.
Write, Write, Write:
Practice is key! Start writing regularly. It’s okay if your initial drafts aren’t perfect. The more you write, the better you’ll become. Experiment with different formats like blog posts, social media content, or product descriptions.
Keep Tone, Voice, and Perspective Consistent:
Develop a consistent writing style. Consider whether you want to sound formal, conversational, or authoritative. Your tone and voice should align with your target audience.
Care About Keywords:
If you’re writing for the web, understanding basic SEO (search engine optimization) is crucial. Research relevant keywords and incorporate them naturally into your content.
Don’t Care Too Much About Keywords:
While keywords matter, don’t sacrifice readability for SEO. Focus on creating valuable content that engages readers. Quality always trumps keyword stuffing.
When In Doubt, Add More Formatting:
Break up long paragraphs, use subheadings, bullet points, and images. Formatting makes your content visually appealing and easier to digest.
Strive to One-Up the Competition:
Research what others are writing about in your niche. Find gaps or areas where you can provide unique insights or a fresh perspective.
Don’t Be Afraid of Tools:
Use tools like grammar checkers, plagiarism detectors, and content management systems. They enhance your writing process and improve quality.
Finish With a Proofread:
Before publishing, proofread your content meticulously. Correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. A polished piece reflects professionalism.
Develop a Style:
Over time, you’ll develop your own writing style. Be authentic, and let your personality shine through your words.
Remember, experience is your best teacher. Start writing, explore different topics, and enjoy the creative process. Best of luck on your content writing journey

Ans: HI!!
The way you have stated your needs so clearly shows that you have good writing skills, so no doubts about your writing skills.

In the message you mentioned that you quit your job in 2021 and yet you say you are not enjoying work since the last couple of months. A little confusion there for me, I am assuming you are still working. You also mention that you did pretty well professionally, this shows a mind that can work well even when it not totally into the work heart and soul. Try to find positive reasons around your work.
You are 44 you said, at this age we all are at loggerheads with what we studied, what we are doing for a living and what we are passionate about! I have been there..

I need to say a little about myself in order to answer your question. I am an Engineer too, today I am Image Consultant and a Soft Skills Trainer. I used to work with one of the top telecom companies, my Mentor there used to say an Engineer can do anything and me and you are proving that. You are a BE, MBA and you have exceptional writing skills.

As a public speaking skills coach I used to write speeches for clients and help them deliver with panache. One of my long standing clients said no to the classes after I increased the fees. Where did she get her strength from to say no?....AI and Chatgpt, even though she always said it doesn't have the AD (Archana Deshpande) effect!! Why I am mentioning such a personal incident is to help you understand the scenario today.
You want to write good stuff and earn money too, rt? You don't want that typical content writer kind of jobs... so what I suggest is that since a BE MBA is a deadly combo and you are an intelligent man, pls continue to use these to earn money. I want you to google, "platforms for writers to make money" and check all your options, for sometime write and publish on various platforms, send it to various newspapers, see how people respond to you. I know your joy comes from writing so go for it on a day to day basis, schedule it everyday. When you continue to do tasks that bring you joy, your doing all the things that are compulsory becomes easy( like going to office). Test the waters before you quit your well paying job( and yourself mentioned you are doing pretty well). Plan to write a book on a subject that comes easily to you or a book of short stories around your experiences. Today Mrs Sudha Murthy is a celebrated writer, look at her journey as writer, it didn't happen overnight. There is no ASAP here. You want to become a writer professionally, take it slow, start writing, start publishing you work, gauge the readers reaction, keep writing, keep reinventing, it's a creative process, let it flow through you without the stress of earning money through it.... it's joy for you to write, let it remain so!! Create a beautiful space at home to allow the creative juices to flow, continue to write everyday. Apart form writing, check what else brings you joy, on a day to day basis consciously spend time doing things that bring you joy. Enthusiasm/energy for life comes from your joy list. I am listing so many things because you mentioned you are not enjoying your job. I want you to arrive at a place where you enjoy your job( it pays your bills and takes care of your family) and continue to work on stuff you are passionate about. It can be done by living a little consciously and joyously, a little shift in the mindset can do wonders!!
All the very best!!

Ans: Dear Sir/ Madam,

Most important thing is to be proactive in what you do. Few aspects to look at-

Focus more on continuous learning
Diversify your skills
Build a strong portfolio
Network and collaborate
Focus on your personal branding across all platforms
Seek for support, mentoring and guidance if needed
Look for freelancing/ consulting options as well

All the best.

Hope this helps and all the best

To Your Success
Thanks and Regards
Ashwini Dasgupta
Author of Confidence Decoded. Is it a Skill or Attitude?