Many business owners want to save money and think they can create quality web content themselves. But there is value to hiring content professionals. In this article, we will show you how to hire freelance content writers for your business.
Where to find a freelance content writer
There are many online resources designed to help you locate and hire a suitable professional:
Freelance platforms
Fiverr
Fiverr is known for its wide range of freelance services, including writing. Clients can browse through profiles, review portfolios, and hire writers with specific skills.
Freelancer
Similar to Upwork, Freelancer allows clients to post writing projects and select freelancers based on bids, reviews, and expertise.
Upwork
Upwork is a popular platform connecting clients with freelancers across various fields, including writing and journalism. Clients can post jobs, review proposals, and hire freelancers based on their profiles and reviews.
Job boards
Indeed
Indeed is a widely used job board where you can post writing opportunities and find writers who are actively seeking work.
MediaBistro
MediaBistro caters specifically to media professionals, making it an excellent platform for finding experienced journalists and writers.
Content creation platforms
ClearVoice
ClearVoice is a content creation platform that connects clients with freelance writers. It provides tools for content creation, collaboration, and payment.
Contently
Contently connects businesses with professional journalists and writers. It allows clients to create content assignments and hire freelancers directly.
Social media platforms
LinkedIn is a professional networking platform where you can find many writers and journalists. Use advanced search filters to locate individuals with relevant skills.
X (formerly known as Twitter)
X is a great platform for connecting with writers and journalists. Follow relevant hashtags like #FreelanceWriter or #Journalist and reach out to professionals directly.
Writing communities
Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ)
SPJ has an online community where you can connect with journalists, ask for recommendations, or post job opportunities.
Writers’ forums
Online writing communities (e.g., Absolute Write, Writing Forums) often have job boards and sections for writers seeking work. These can be excellent places to find talent.
Specialized websites
JournalismJobs.com
As the name suggests, this website specializes in journalism jobs, making it a targeted platform for finding experienced journalists.
ProBlogger
ProBlogger is a job board specifically for blogging and content creation. It’s a great resource for finding freelance writers.
Local networking
Chamber of commerce events
Attend local business events organized by your chamber of commerce to meet writers and journalists in your community. Remember to thoroughly vet potential candidates, review their portfolios or samples, and consider their experience and expertise before making a decision. Building a good relationship from the start is key to successful collaboration.
Meetup
Check for local writing or journalism meetups on Meetup.com. Attendees may include writers looking for opportunities.
Interviewing potential freelance writers
Photo by LinkedIn Sales Solutions on Unsplash
When you are interviewing a writer, explain the project in full, detailing the role, requirements, and any particular knowledge or experience you require. Tailor these questions based on the specifics of your project and your preferences. Also, personalizing the message and questions demonstrates your genuine interest and increases the likelihood of getting relevant and informative responses.
Here are some questions to ask:
1. Availability
Are you currently available for new projects?
When would be a convenient time for an introductory call or meeting?
2. Communication preferences
What is your preferred mode of communication (phone, email, video call)?
3. Pricing
Could you provide details about your typical rates or how you structure your pricing for [specific type of content]?
4. Experience and approach
Can you share a bit more about your experience in [specific industry or type of writing]?
What is your approach to [topic or type of content]?
5. Portfolio/references
Could you share a few samples of your work or provide references from previous clients?
6. Additional information
Is there anything else you would like us to know about your skills, experience, or approach to content creation?
Should you hire a writer with SEO experience?
Hiring a writer with SEO experience offers the advantage of seamlessly integrating compelling and relevant content with effective search engine optimization strategies. A skilled SEO writer not only produces engaging and informative material, but also ensures that it aligns with search engine algorithms, enhancing online visibility.
This synergy can lead to improved organic traffic, higher search rankings, and increased brand visibility. However, caution is advised to prevent over-optimization or keyword stuffing, as this can compromise the quality and authenticity of the content.
You get what you pay for
Selecting a writer with a commitment to ethical and quality content creation is critical, helping combat issues such as misinformation and clickbait tactics that contribute to the erosion of content quality.
The ideal writer strikes a balance between SEO proficiency and maintaining high editorial standards, contributing to a meaningful and valuable online content landscape.
FAQs on hiring a content writer
How do I hire a freelance content writer?
A recommendation from a trusted source is a good way to find quality freelancers, LinkedIn is another method; it can be helpful to include the hashtag “contentwriter” in posts on the site. There are also numerous freelancer sites such as Upwork, Fiverr, and Contently.
How much do you pay a content writer?
If you are looking for specialist content, you will likely pay a day rate and in professional spheres such as finance you will need a sizable budget. Generally speaking, per content item one would expect to pay somewhere around $300-$1200 per article.
Why should I hire a content writer for my website?
Content is a vitally important component of your site. Beyond the words on the page, your site content allows you to demonstrate attention to structure and to provide the user with helpful, meaningful answers or information pertaining to their search queries. Content marketing is an essential part of SEO and social and is a form of digital marketing in its own right.
About the Author
Post by: Annie Veale
Annie Veale is a professional freelancer based in the UK, specializing in SEO and WordPress development. Annie has worked for more than 20 years, both client-side and within agencies, offering a mix of digital marketing services. Additionally, throughout this period she has successfully launched several new projects online and developed leading resources providing interactive guides and tools. Currently, she is launching a site called build-links.club, a networking and backlinks tool, and working on data visualization techniques for the purpose of growth marketing and measuring the effectiveness of digital campaigns.
Company: Annie Veale Freelance
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Source:Larry Alton , www.allbusiness.com, [publish_date
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