Writing is not just writing; it’s a skill every entrepreneur should master. But, unfortunately, it takes years to develop and even longer to perfect. It’s also editing, proofreading, revising, formatting, designing, and promoting. And while most writers will do any of these tasks well enough, only a few really excel at each job.
When choosing a writer, you should look for someone who has experience with every aspect of web content creation.
Many great writers out there would love to write for your site. However, not all writers are created equal. Some will do a terrible job creating SEO-optimized content, while others will deliver amazing copy that converts visitors into buyers. Therefore, you must first understand why you need a writer to find a suitable writer for your needs.
In this guide, You’ll come to know the complete step-by-step process on how to choose the right writer for your website. It includes the steps to be ready for hiring suitable candidate, what to look for in writer while choosing the best one. Then I’ll share some questions you should ask yourself before hiring a writer to help you decide. Finally, I’ll share tips to ensure you hire the suitable freelancer for your project.
Choosing the Perfect Content Writer for Website Content
If you’re looking to produce high-quality content for your website, then you need to find the perfect writer for the job.
But if you hire a writer who doesn’t know how to edit, format, design, and promote your site, then you’ll end up wasting time and money. But if you find a professional writer who does all four things, you’ll save precious time and money.
This means doing your homework first to ensure that you hire someone with a proven history of producing great work online. But how would you know this?
Let’s explore the steps and tips to be prepared for examining a writer that will assist you in selecting the best one for your website.
Understand What Makes Good Writing
Writing is a skill that takes practice and experience to master. But just because someone writes well doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re going to write well for your business.
Before hiring a freelance writer, one must understand what makes good writing. When you read a piece of paper, you look for certain things. These include clarity, conciseness, tone, and organization.
- Clarity refers to ensuring that your reader understands exactly what you’re trying to say.
- Conciseness means that you shouldn’t add unnecessary details or fluff.
- Tone refers to the overall mood and style of your writing.
- And organization means that you should arrange your ideas logically.
These are all excellent qualities to develop as a writer, and if you’re willing to put in the effort, you’ll soon discover that you’re much better off than you thought.
Decide First What You Want To Achieve With Your Website
The biggest challenge is finding someone who understand precisely what you want to say. Because until you know the target, it’s impossible to guide your writer about your requirements. So before choosing a writer, you first need to ask yourself questions about your goals that will help you filter out the best writing service.
For example, what kind of content would you like to write? Do you want to focus on specific topics or provide general information? How much text do you plan to put on each page? Once you’ve answered these questions, you can search for potential candidates online.
So decide exactly what you want your website to achieve. For example, do you want to sell products? Promote services? Do you provide information through blog articles? Create a community? Whatever you decide, ensure that your goals match the type of content you plan to create.
For example, if you want to provide information, then you probably shouldn’t hire someone who specializes in creating infographics. Likewise, consider hiring a copywriter instead of an article writer or blogger if you want to sell products.
Also, remember that writers aren’t just limited to bloggers. Many other types of writers are available, including ghostwriters, technical writers, copywriters, and journalists. Each offers different benefits depending on your needs.
Once you understand what you want to accomplish, you can narrow down your options based on your budget and other factors.
Posting Writing Opportunities
There are several sites that allow you to offer freelance writing opportunities, including Hirewriters, iwriter, Upwork, Freelancer, and PeoplePerHour. These platforms will enable you to post jobs, set your own price, and receive applications from freelance writers. You can start this by signing up as a client on these websites.
After you’ve found a few qualified candidates, ask them to send over previous work samples. Then, compare their styles and approaches to determine which fits your needs best.
Make A Content Writer Job Description
Content writers are responsible for creating unique, informative, and engaging content for your business. As a result, they play a key role in helping your brand stand out online.
To attract qualified candidates, you’ll need to create a job posting that clearly outlines the responsibilities of the position. Include details like the number of hours required, the type of experience needed, and whether the position requires travel.
Next, write a detailed job description for content writer that includes specific skills and qualifications. Make sure to mention anything that would disqualify someone from applying, including previous experience requirements, salary expectations, and other benefits offered.
After you’ve posted the job, it’s important to monitor responses closely. Respond promptly to applicants who seem interested in the position. Ask questions to learn more about their background and experiences, and then decide whether they meet your needs.
If you hire someone who seems promising, offer them the opportunity to apply for the position again after a few weeks. This gives them another chance to impress you and shows that you value their input.
A Writer Who Understands Your Target Audience
When you contact certain writers, you’ll observe that a lot of them claim to be experts, understand your industry, and write for businesses just like yours. But only some understand their audiences. So how do you find out whether or not they really do?
To begin with, look for someone who understands your target market. Writers specializing in your niche tend to have a deeper knowledge of your customers and their problems. Look for writers who have experience working with similar companies and industries. Otherwise, they could end up writing something that sounds generic or boring.
Try asking potential writers about their backgrounds and interests to avoid this problem. For example, ask them about their favorite books, movies, TV shows, music, hobbies, and anything else that might help you learn more about them.
You can also look for evidence that they understand your industry. For example, does their bio mention companies similar to yours? Do they have any awards or certifications? These details indicate whether they know your field.
Then, look into their previous work to see whether they’ve written similar pieces for other companies. Finally, ask them about their writing style and preferences. These details will help you decide whether they’re a good fit for your project.
Check Out Their Writing Style and Expertise
Next, consider the type of writing style you prefer. Some types of writing require a certain level of creativity, while others are more straightforward to read. Finally, think about the tone of voice you’d like to project to your readers. Do you want to sound professional and polished or casual and conversational?
So look for evidence of expertise in areas like copywriting, blogging, news writing, or any other field in your requirements. For that, it’s helpful to read samples of their previous work that showcase their writing styles and expertise, and then contact them to learn more about their experience.
Finally, pay attention to the length of each article. While it’s true that shorter articles can sometimes be easier to digest, long pieces tend to provide more value to readers. Again, make sure that your writer produces content that meets your needs.
Ask Other Bloggers What They Like About Their Writers
One thing that bloggers love about each other is that they share similar interests and passions. I’m always learning new tips and tricks about blogging, so whenever I meet someone who writes about the same topics as me, I try to ask them questions about their experience. This gives me insight into what kinds of articles they enjoy writing and what topics interest them.
This conversation is easy to initiate since you both share common goals. Once you’ve established a rapport, ask them about their favorite writers and what they like about their writing. This will allow you to discover whether you’d enjoy working together or not.
Also, consider asking them about their writing process. For example, how long does it usually take them to complete a piece? Do they prefer to write alone or collaborate with others? These answers can provide valuable insights into how you might approach your writing projects.
Get Help From a Freelancer Communities
Freelancing is becoming increasingly popular among business owners looking to hire writers, editors, designers, developers, marketers, and other professionals. However, while freelancers offer flexibility and cost savings over hiring full-time employees, they also face challenges that traditional employees don’t.
One challenge is finding qualified candidates to fill open positions. Another is ensuring that freelancers deliver high-quality work. Fortunately, online communities provide support for both sides of the equation.
For example, freelance sites like Upwork, Guru, PeoplePerHour and Fiverr connect businesses with freelancers. These sites allow companies to post jobs and freelancers to bid on projects based on their skill set. Companies can then review the bids and select the freelancer they want to work with.
While these sites help connect businesses with freelancers, there are better options for finding qualified talent. For example, many freelancers prefer to work directly with customers rather than through third parties. And while some might be willing to accept less money for a project, others may demand higher rates.
To learn more about hiring freelancers, read our guide on how to hire freelancer on short notice.
To solve this problem, freelancer communities on social media like Twitter, Linkedin, Facebook Groups, and other forum sites exist to connect freelancers. These platforms enable them to share their portfolios, write reviews of past clients, and ask questions of fellow freelancers.
Each site provides a place for freelancers to connect and share ideas.
It’s always wise to network with others in your industry, whether you’re trying to land a job or build relationships with other professionals.
However, it’s possible to find freelance writers outside of these communities. But many freelancers prefer to work within a community where they can meet other freelancers and learn from their experiences.
Examine Their Portfolio
Looking at a writer’s portfolio before hiring is always helpful. This allows you to see samples of previous work and gives you insight into whether the person fits your needs.
For example, if you’re looking for someone who specializes in creating ebooks, consider checking out a writer’s ebook portfolio. If you’re looking for someone with experience working with bloggers, check out their blogging portfolio.
You’ll also come to know the following:
- What kind of projects have they written?
- How long have they been working in the industry?
- Do they specialize in certain types of topics?
These questions will help you narrow your writing options and hire the right person.
What To look for In Writer (Factors To Consider)
Choosing a suitable writer for your project can take time and effort. There are several factors to consider, including experience level, skill set, availability, etc.
1. Experience Level
Experience level refers to the time someone has spent working professionally in the field. While it’s tempting to hire writers with years of experience, it’s important to remember that expertise alone does not guarantee success. Instead, look for writers who have demonstrated success in similar projects.
So, it’s important to consider whether the person working on your website has the necessary skills and experience to deliver the type of content you expect. Moreover, he should creative enough to develope quality content ideas for your website.
2. Qualifications
Qualifications matter too. Writers with degrees in journalism, English, or creative writing are usually more experienced and knowledgeable than others. They’ll also likely have more experience working with different types of businesses.
3. Skill Set
Skill set refers to the type of skills the writer brings to the table. Writers with specific skill sets can offer unique perspectives and insights into topics that others might miss. For example, copywriters can provide valuable insight into the psychology behind online behavior, while technical writers can bring a more profound knowledge of coding languages to the table.
When you select someone to write for your website, you invest in their skills and experience.
4. Communication Skills
Communication skills are vital for writers who want to succeed online. Whether working with a freelance writer or hiring someone full-time, strong communication skills will allow you to manage projects effectively and deliver high-quality content.
It’s important to understand that every project has different needs, and you shouldn’t expect a freelancer to write just anything. Instead, you should focus on finding someone who understands your business and can provide the type of content that you need.
For example, if you run a restaurant, you probably wouldn’t hire a copywriter specializing in home improvement. Likewise, if you own a pet store, you might want to choose something other than a blogger who focuses on fashion.
So if a potential writer understands your needs, he can deliver as per your expectations. And this is only possible if the employer and candidate communicate and understand each other effectively.
5. Reputation and Reviews
It’s no secret that having a strong reputation online can lead to success. When someone searches for something online, you expect to find the answer from a reputable source. So, when choosing a writer for your website, it’s crucial to consider their reputation.
There are several factors to look for when evaluating writers’ reputations, including reviews, awards, and recommendations. Reviews are beneficial because they allow potential customers to read about other people’s experiences with a particular writer. Awards and recommendations are also helpful because they indicate that others have found the writer’s services valuable.
So if you see positive reviews, it’s worth considering working with them.
Try checking online platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, or Freelance.com to find qualified writers. These sites allow you to browse profiles and read reviews from previous customers. Also, ensure you interview potential candidates to learn more about their backgrounds and experience.
6. Pricing Structure
To figure out how much it costs to write content, you first need to understand what services you need. For example, do you need a few paragraphs written for your business? Or would you prefer a whole book? What about a series of ebooks? How long do you expect the project to take? Once you answer these questions, you can narrow down best options based on price.
There are three pricing structures for freelance writers: hourly rates, per-word rates (based on the length of content), and project-based fees. All these options offer benefits and drawbacks, so it’s essential to understand them before choosing one over the other.
Rate Per Word
Many writers charge their clients on a per-word basis. It entirely depends upon the length of the content ordered. For example, if a writer charges $0.03 per word, a 1,000-word article will cost $30.
Hourly Rates
This option allows you to pay for the number of hours the writer worked. It also allows you to hire freelancers at a flat fee each month for a set number of hours. The hourly rate varies depending on the level of expertise and the type of content. It usually ranges between $5 and $100 per hour.Some freelance writers charge extra for revisions, while others charge less.
Project Based
With projects, you agree to complete a specific task within a certain timeframe. Projects usually require a fixed price upfront, plus additional costs based on the length of the project.
Each option has pros and cons, so you must consider your needs and budget before deciding which is right for you.
7. Turnaround Time and Deadlines
It’s no secret that deadlines are stressful. But when you’re working with writers who aren’t delivering on time, it can add stress to your project.
To avoid this problem:
- Set clear expectations upfront.
- Tell your writers exactly what you expect from them.
- Make sure the writer understands the project’s scope and the turnaround time you’re looking for.
- Communicate regularly to make sure that both parties understand each other’s needs.
Also, try to establish a deadline early on. Then, when you know what you want, you can plan accordingly. And if you’re having trouble meeting a tight deadline, consider hiring freelancers instead of full-time employees. Freelance workers tend to be less expensive and more flexible, making them easier to manage.
8. Availability
Availability refers to whether or not the writer is available to complete the job on time. Some writers prefer to work independently, while others thrive in teams. Make sure your selected writer is flexible enough to adapt to your needs.
If you need someone to write a few articles over the next couple of months, you should hire someone part-time. For long-term projects, you’ll need to hire someone full-time. Make sure you understand the terms of employment and agree on compensation beforehand.
9. Check References and Work Samples
Before hiring someone to write for your website, remember to look into their background. Check references and sample work online to see whether they’re qualified to handle the job.
It’s also wise to ask potential writers for samples of their previous work. These samples should include articles, press releases, and other types of written material. But, again, ensure that the samples represent the type of work you expect from them.
After reviewing their samples, you can decide whether they can handle the project. If they aren’t, you’ll have no choice but to hire another.
It’s easy to fall victim to scams when trying to find freelance writers online. Don’t let yourself become another victim. Instead, follow these tips to avoid being scammed.
Ultimately, choosing a reliable writer takes time and effort. However, after considering all the above factors, you should feel confident that you’ve found the perfect writer for your website.
Why Freelance Writers
Many bloggers recommend hiring a freelance writer rather than doing it yourself. Freelancers tend to be more flexible and willing to meet deadlines, and they can add value beyond writing. For example, they can edit your content and design your blog layout.
Different types of writers are available online, including content writers, ghostwriters, and copywriters. Each class offers unique services and benefits, so you must understand what each service entails before choosing the best option.
- Content writers offer various services, including article creation, web content, writing press releases, and other forms of written content. These freelancers typically charge hourly rates based on the number of hours spent working on a project. Some companies also offer packages that bundle multiple projects into one monthly fee.
- Ghostwriters are individuals who consume knowledge, extract information, and write articles or other content based on resources that have already been published online on various platforms. They usually charge a flat rate for their services, although some companies offer discounts for bulk orders.
- Copywriters focus solely on creating content for websites and blogs. Their job involves researching topics, developing ideas, and crafting text that appeals to potential customers. They generally charge a set price for every piece of content they create.
It’s essential to consider the pros and cons of each type of writer before making a decision. For example, while some freelancers provide excellent value for money, others may lack experience or expertise in certain areas. Also, remember that while some freelancers may offer a discount for large orders, others may require payment upfront.
There are plenty of reasons why hiring a freelance writer might be a brilliant idea. First off, you want someone who can write clearly and concisely. Second, you want someone who understands your business and knows exactly what you want to say. Third, you want someone reliable and trustworthy. Finally, you want someone who will deliver on time and within budget.
From creating unique content to improving your SEO, having someone write for you can save you a ton of time and money. But just because you can afford to pay someone else to create content doesn’t necessarily mean you should.
Is the Writer Worth Hiring?
To determine whether a particular writer is worth hiring, ask questions to figure out whether they’re the right fit for your business.
- Is the writer creative enough to create unique content that engages your audience?
- Does the writer have strong English grammar and spelling?
- Do you prefer working with someone who knows your brand?
- Is his portfolio impressive?
- How long has he been writing professionally?
- How much text does the writer plan to add to each article? Will the articles be short or long?
- Do the writers understand the technical aspects of web design and development?
- Are the writers able to communicate effectively with customers via emails, chats, and other forms of communication?
- What kind of reputation does the writer have online? Have they written for reputable sites?
- Is the writer responsive and easy to communicate with?
- Who are the references that the writer has provided?
- Has the writer created similar projects in the past?
- Have they written other types of articles for different audiences?
- Does the writer offer editing services?
- How much does the writer charge?
- Will the writer deliver quality work?
- Are they flexible enough to adapt to your schedule?
- Will the writer meet deadlines?
- Will they provide ongoing support after the initial project is complete?
These questions will help you narrow down your options and select the perfect writer for your project.
How to Negotiate Freelance Writing Rates?
Once you decide who you’d like to hire, it’s time to discuss pricing. Several factors influence the amount you pay for a given project, including the length of the content, the subject matter, and the level of complexity involved.
For example, if you’re planning to hire a copywriter to develop a short ebook, you might expect to pay less than $100. However, if you plan to hire a professional blogger to write a long-form article, you could spend anywhere from $300 to $1,000, depending on the topic and the scope of the project.
In addition to determining the overall budget, establish a timeline for the project. For instance, if you’re planning on hiring a copywriter to develop an ebook, you’ll probably want to give him enough time to complete the task within a reasonable timeframe.
Also, make sure that you communicate clearly about expectations and deadlines. It’s easy to lose track of time when you’re busy working on a project, so it’s best to avoid surprises by setting clear guidelines early on.
After you’ve discussed pricing and timelines, it’s finally time to sign a contract. Ensure you include everything you agreed upon during negotiations in the final document. Include details like the deadline for delivery, the total cost, and the compensation terms.
Don’t forget to add a clause stating that either party has the right to cancel the agreement without penalty after 30 days. This gives both parties ample time to evaluate the relationship and decide whether it’s still worthwhile moving forward.
Conclusion
Choosing the right writer for your website can be tricky. Many writers out there claim to be able to write anything, but that doesn’t mean they actually can. So how do you know which ones are legit?
Before hiring a writer, ensure they understand your project’s scope. I’ve mentioned above in this guide a few questions you can ask yourself to help narrow down your search.
Make sure you hire someone within your budget who understands your business and can deliver quality work within your deadline.
After you’ve hired a writer, make sure to communicate frequently. Let them know what type of content you’d like to see, and let them know if anything needs to change along the way. Also, review their work regularly to ensure that it meets your expectations.
