Must-Follow Content Writers in 2025 & Their Game-Changing Tools

One of the reasons why I fell in love with the content writing industry is because it waits for no one. With how fierce the competition is, you constantly need to adapt and look for ways to improve your outputs. But wait! Don’t fall into the rabbit hole of the numerous content writer courses yet, because the answer might be simpler than you think.

To be the best, you have to learn and emulate what the best do. Sometimes, you don’t have to do extensive research on the next best writing style or try to make up new trends. You just need to follow the right network of people and observe the habits that made them rise to the top!

Being a content writer is not for the weak, so if you want to learn about how to survive in the industry — you came to the right place.

1. Chris Brogan

From New York Times bestselling author to CEO advisor for major brands like Google, Microsoft, and Disney — Chris Brogan excels at using words to put readers into a trance. This magician makes working with corporate giants seem like a walk in the park! 

Chris Brogan’s specialty is on perfect display when he creates storylines and digital content strategies for the brands that he works with. He looks at the brand contextually through their history and creates narratives revolving around it.

If you’re looking to refine your narratives and sharpen your brand storytelling, Chris Brogan is a content writer that you should definitely follow.

Tools Chris Brogan uses:

• Google Docs: Whether or not he uses Google Docs because he’s partnered with Google is a mystery. What’s certain though is how seamless collaboration becomes when you’re working on an article with multiple people!
• Obsidian: A powerful organization tool that allows writers to structure their content, manage research, and plan workflows. It’s an all-in-one workspace for notes, tasks, and project management.
• Ahrefs Keyword Generator: This tool is perfect for discovering high-performing keywords and trends in SEO. The detailed keyword insights and search volume make it essential for any content writer to have.

2. Ryan Holiday

For those who are interested in shifting their mindset rather than their style, Ryan Holiday is the perfect content writer to follow. Ryan is a bestselling author and media strategist who has also worked closely with Google!

His works have the power to move readers in a profound way — influencing not just regular people, but also entrepreneurs, athletes, and leaders all around the globe. Ryan provides a strong foundation for those who are still unsure about how to become a content writer, through his books on self-improvement and philosophy.

Tools Ryan Holiday uses:

• Scrivener: This tool is great if you’re in need of a way to restructure your ideas and break content into more manageable sections.
• Evernote: Ryan is a strong advocate for notecard systems, because you never know when an idea will suddenly pop up in your head! Evernote helps make note taking way easier, putting your thoughts and ideas on display for whenever you’ll need them.
• Google Docs/Microsoft Word: Both tools are amazing when it comes to creating books or articles behind the screen. Ryan Holiday prefers writing shorter chapters on Google Docs and chooses to use Microsoft Word when he merges these independent chapters into one.
• Medium: This tool allows you to reach a wider audience — giving you fresh analytics to reflect on when you’re looking for areas to improve.

3. Ann Handley

If your piece needs more flair and personality — following Ann Handley will introduce you to works that feel alive! She is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author who radiates energy and inspires everyone around her.

Her books on escaping the mediocrity of traditional business marketing by pivoting into more engaging forms of art have influenced content writers and businesses all around the globe. Rising to the top of the ladder as the Chief Content Officer of MarketingProfs is proof of how she innovated content writing and business marketing as a whole.

Tools Ann Handley uses:

• Trello: For content planning and workflow management — Ann uses Trello as an alternative to post-it notes and highlighters. Trello helps her keep track of things much easier and allows her to take more accountability for planned deadlines.
• Google: From searching to looking up trends — Google is a tool that Ann Handley can’t live without.
• Microsoft Word: Ann Handley loves using Microsoft Word to write her initial drafts. She uses it to outline key points for something that she wants to write, and slowly fleshes them out into fully formed paragraphs!
• Grammarly: This tool is perfect for content writers who need assistance when proofreading their work. It helps you check your grammar and punctuation for those long nights of cramming before the deadline.

4. Nicole Dieker

Nicole Dieker is an icon in the content writing industry. Hailed by Google as the third-best content writer in the world — she climbed her way to the top, working as a full-time freelance writer since 2012.

As someone who thrived in the industry — she now works with aspiring content writers, freelancers, and book authors who want to level up their game. Tired of the how-tos? Nicole will personally guide you to success by giving you pointers on how to improve your writing in her numerous content writing courses!

Tools Nicole Dieker uses:

• Sticky notes: Going the more traditional route, Nicole Dieker uses sticky notes to not just map out her ideas — but also mark pages in books that arouse the senses!
• Spreadsheets: Instead of relying on Google Docs or Microsoft Word to map out and organize important data, Nicole uses spreadsheets. Although she mostly uses it to map her finances — even something as mundane as this has served as material for her to create interesting content.

Must-have tools for aspiring content writers in 2025

Still want to take an even deeper dive into what type of tools content writers should have in their pocket in 2025? We’ve got you covered!

These tools make up the lifeblood of a content writer — as it not just makes your content easier to create, but also ensures that it pops up in your average reader’s radar. Here are some of our picks for the best ones:

• SEO and research: Ahrefs, SEMrush, YoastSEO
• Writing and editing: Grammarly, Hemingway Editor, ProWritingAid
• Content management: Trello, Notion, Google Docs
• Publishing platforms: WordPress, Medium, LinkedIn
• Marketing and outreach: Mailchimp, Substack, Buffer

Your first step to becoming the best!

Imitation may be the best form of flattery, but walking behind the shadows of the greats can also make you lose sight of the future. The point of this article isn’t just to force you down a linear path to success, but to give you more options — as well as give you an opportunity to grow your own unique identity as a content writer.

Experiment on your tools and continuously hone your skill as a writer, because it’s never too late for you to thrive during your journey!