Content Writing is a wonderful, creative and fulfilling process. If you’re one of the few lucky ones, it comes to you as naturally as speaking; you get an idea, you put pen to paper – or is it fingers to keyboard? – and half an hour later you’re on your third page of content and counting. Or maybe you’re the more meticulous kind that labors for hours and days and weeks perfecting the most brilliant piece of copy.

It doesn’t really matter which boxes you tick because at the end of the day, whatever your process, you’re producing content and adding something new to the table.

It’s important to remember that writing copy is not a simple create-and-deliver type of project.

If anyone tells you they rely solely on their knowledge and skills to create content and write copy, then you can be sure they’re doing their jobs wrong. As human beings, the more we can appreciate that our minds are fallible and that we are fickle and flawed, the more likely we can perfect whatever craft we choose to do.

In writing, seeking help from different tools and programs will ensure we continue to create the best version of any content.

Here are 4 online tools to help you with your content.

1. Thesaurus

Why use it?

The Thesaurus is a great tool to expand your vocabulary and avoid repetition in your content. In the simple click of a button, you’re granted access to a world of synonyms, antonyms and new words to discover. It’s absolutely worth checking out.

What to avoid?

Remember that episode of Friends when Ross introduces Joey to the glory of the thesaurus and chaos ensues? Let’s just say, you don’t want to be Joey. So don’t go overboard.

Certainly, obtaining a motley and monumental phraseology is an asset, but it can expeditiously rebound if you exploit it.

Didn’t get a word of what I just said? That’s exactly my point. By overindulging in my use of a thesaurus, I went from a simple, understandable statement to a jumble of words that unnecessarily complicate my idea and don’t actually convey my intention.

Don’t turn your content piece into a mess of exotic words by relying too much on your thesaurus. The tool is here to help you, not hinder you.

Our pick? Thesaurus.

2. Word Counter

Why use it?

When you have a specific task for a specific target audience, then you’re very likely going to need to make sure you stay within your word count limit.

Sometimes, you have to go as extreme as meeting specific character counts. That’s often the case when you’re creating content for Twitter accounts, for example.

Using the right tool will keep you in check to make sure your content is appropriate in terms of length.

What to avoid?

Don’t let a word count slow down your creative process. If you’re aiming for a very specific word count from the get-go, then you’re setting yourself up to fail. Start with a wide margin – if your target is 250 words, then aim for a first draft between 200 and 300 words – and then work your way to your perfect count by modifying the content.

Our pick? Microsoft Word has a very accurate word/character counting feature.

3. Plagiarism Checker

Why use it?

Because sometimes, even when we don’t mean to, we get a little too inspired by other content.

In all likelihood, if you write a lot, then you probably also read a lot. You spend hours poring over books, or surfing the internet devouring content, or reading up on the newest linguistic trends. All that information has to go somewhere, and more times than not, it will reflect itself in your writing, sometimes a little too literally. It’s called Unconscious Plagiarism, it’s a real phenomenon, and it absolutely does not make you a bad person. But that’s where a good plagiarism tool comes into play. The program will help you weed out your original thoughts from the more “inspired” bits.

What to avoid?

Nothing. Just as you value your original thoughts and ideas, so do other writers. You don’t want to plagiarize someone else’s work. Period.

Our pick? Duplichecker.

4. Rhyming Tool

Why use it?

Granted, this tool is not for every project, and certainly not for everyone. But it’s honestly a fascinating tool once you get the hang of it.

Content writing can also mean lyric writing, or haiku creating, or poems, or even funky social media posts. So why not check out a rhyming tool? With features that vary from finding exact rhymes to finding lyrics, homophones and complicated phrases, it’s actually quite a fun online tool.

What to avoid?

Using the tool out of context. Basically, if you’re developing a piece on Lung Disease, researching rhymes for “exhale” and “inhale” is not the way you want to go.

Our pick? Rhymezone.

And you’re set.

Of course, it is important to remember that none of these tools can act as substitute to solid writing skills and creative prowess. They’re just here to lend a helping hand. So remember, if you’re stuck and in need of someone to do the writing for you, our door is always open.[:]