3 Tools Every Writer Needs But Most Ignore

If you want to succeed as a writer, these tools are a must

When I started writing content, I thought all I needed was creativity, my laptop, and a cup of coffee.

I had no idea there were tools that could make my writing process easier and help me reach a bigger audience.

If you’re just getting started, you probably feel that way. Trust me, though, if you want to grow as a content writer, great ideas aren’t going to cut it.

Here are three tools that completely changed my writing journey and can do the same for you.

1. A Content Calendar

One of the biggest mistakes I made as a beginner was not having a plan. I’d write whenever I had time and publish whenever I felt like it. But this made me inconsistent, and my ideas often clashed or got forgotten.

Using a content calendar changed everything.

A content calendar helps you plan your topics and schedule your posts so you’re always on track. Think of it as your personal organizer for writing.

Example of how to use it:

If you want to write about productivity, your calendar might look like this:

Week 1: “5 Morning Routines for a Productive Day”
Week 2: “How to Stop Procrastinating”
Week 3: “Best Productivity Tools for Beginners”

This will help you avoid stress and inconsistency on the topics to be posted in advance. For an audience to build up, consistency is important.

Pro Tip: You can have a simple, easy-to-use content calendar by using Trello or Notion. If you’re into something simpler, a Google Sheet works, too.

Why it’s helpful for SEO:

Google prefers fresh and constant content. Your content calendar would ensure that you regularly publish articles. This might give you a good rank on the search engines.

2. SEO Tools

When I first started, I thought great writing would automatically get readers. It didn’t. Writing without using SEO tools is like opening a shop in a hidden alley and expecting customers to find it.

SEO tools help you discover what your audience is searching for so you can create content they need.

Example:

Once I wanted to write about journaling, and it came to naming it “Why I Love Journaling.” Little did I realize when I Ubersuggest for better titles.

It turns out that people were seeking “how to start journaling for mental health.” With a quick title and content tweak, my article performed significantly higher while appealing to its target audience more.

Best SEO tools for beginners:

AnswerThePublic: Reveals common questions on your subject asked by audiences.
Google Trends: Shows what’s trending in your niche.
SEMrush: Helps with keyword research and competitor analysis.

Why it’s important for SEO:

Using keywords that people are actively searching for makes your content easier to find. It’s like putting your shop on the main street where everyone can see it.

3. Analytics Tools

I initially just wrote, hit publish, and moved on.

I never checked who was reading my writings. It was like baking a cake without ever tasting it. You could not tell if it was good or not.

Analytics helps know whether or how content is being read. It tells you which posts are popular, how long readers stay on your page, and where your traffic comes from.

Example: In my case

I once wrote two blogs: one about work-life balance and one about time management tips.

When I checked my analytics, I saw that the work-life balance article was getting more views. I found out it had been shared on Twitter by someone with a big following.

This taught me the importance of promoting my content on social media.

Best tools to track performance:

Google Analytics: Tracks your website traffic and audience behavior.
Medium Stats: If you’re writing on Medium, this shows your views and engagement.
Social Media Analytics: Tracks how well your posts perform on platforms like Twitter and Facebook.

Why it helps with SEO:

Analytics help you improve. By focusing on what’s working, you can write better articles, keep readers engaged, and rank higher on search engines.