A great writer can create content great. It is the reason why brands invest in experienced content writers.
In content marketing, content is responsible for leaving an impact. The whole SEO strategy depends upon the content quality and effectiveness.
Great content not only appeals to the audience but also ranks better in search results. Search engines also prefer user-friendly content.
Excellent content also works as link-worthy content. It attracts backlinks without even chasing them.
But the question is how to create content that serves every purpose. The amazing content requires a lot of things, but most important is an excellent writer.
You should be a great writer; if not, then hire an excellent content writer.
The next question is how to hire an expert writer.
Here are the tips that will guide your way to hire a great writer.
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| How to Find Great Writers? 12 Tips for Experts!: eAskme |
1. What Type of Writer You Need:
There are different types of writers. In the content marketing arena, content writers, ghostwriters, and copywriters are the most popular types.
Each type of writer has a different set of abilities.
The choice of writer depends upon your goal:
- SEO content writer: You need him when you want to write content to rank higher in search engines. He should know the best SEO content practices. Keyword research and content optimization.
- Copywriter: You need a copywriter to create an excellent landing page that drives conversions. A skilled copywriter understands the buyer’s psychology and writes content to influence him.
- Ghostwriters: Ghostwriters are the writers that can be either SEO writers or copywriters, but he/she publishes content on your platform under your brand’s name.
Content Writers:
5 Types of content writers:
- Blog writers: Hire them to write blog posts to increase brand awareness, drive engagement, traffic, and readability.
- Article Writers: Hire them to write in-depth guides about the topic.
- SEO content writers: SEO writers optimize content to rank higher in search results.
- Technical writers: Hire a technical writer when you need how-to guides, case studies, white papers, and software testing reports.
- Social media writers: Hire social media writers to make your content perform better on popular leading social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, TikTok, Pinterest, etc.
Copywriters:
Copywriters are responsible for writing actionable content for landing pages.
- Brand Copywriters: Copywriters who write to improve brand image. They follow the brand’s tone and voice while writing the content.
- Direct response writers: Hire them to write responsive letters, landing pages, email marketing campaigns, etc.
- Email copywriter: Email copywriters help in writing compelling emails to drive engagement and sales.
- Sales Copywriters: Hire a sales copywriter to write sales page content, product descriptions, and content for ads.
Always hire a content writer or copywriter who also writes SEO-friendly content such as articles and blog posts.
Focus on your end goal to hire a great writer.
2. Search the Great Writers:
Freelance marketplaces are filled with content writers and copywriters. But not every platform is best for you.
Here are the best practices to find a great writer:
Ask within the network:
Ask within your network to find out which platform serves the best content writers. It is best to get referrals from colleagues or business friends about the writers they have used.
College Job Boards:
College students are looking for part-time
jobs. Check out local colleges and universities job boards to find
fresh content writers.
Post your job requirements on these boards.
Content writing agencies:
Content
writing agencies are also a great way to save time searching for great
writers. Content marketing agencies hire writers and make them available
for your projects.
The rate of content writing agencies is
relatively higher than that of freelance platforms, but at the same
time, they have better work experience.
Facebook Groups:
Facebook groups are another platform to find
content writers. But in those groups not every writer is great. It is
best to join niche-specific FB groups and find content writers who have
published content examples.
Find within your network:
It is a great practice to hire writers that are already working within your network. It is easy to analyze their performance within your industry.
LinkedIn:
LinkedIn is a professional social network. It is easy to use LinkedIn search to find content writers and copywriters.
Writers publish their experience and work examples on LinkedIn. Go through the writer’s LinkedIn profile to find out his capabilities.
Writer Directories:
Writer directories are another place to find writers. Content writers add their details on these directories with rates and experience.
3. Review Content Examples:
Ask the content writer for his past work. Go through his portfolio. Review his already published content examples.
These days it is getting difficult to differentiate between AI content and human content.
AI Content Writers vs. Human Content Writers:
Freelancers are using AI content writers like ChatGPT and Contents.ai. AI content is cheaper but not reliable. There are a lot of issues with AI-generated content, and factual errors are common.
AI content also lacks unique tone, brand voice, and human experience. AI does not understand the buyer’s persona and lacks psychological value.
AI-generated content can hurt your brand name, image, and ranking.
It is always better to stick to human writers.
Human writers spend time understanding your brand’s needs, tone, and values. Their content strategy entirely depends on the brand’s tone and goals.
4. Interview Writers:
Interview the content writer before hiring him.
Choose a face-to-face or live call interview rather than chatting.
Live calls are great to find out if the candidate understands your brand or not.
Interview the writer to find out what his strategy is, what tools he is using, what his skills are, etc.
Ask the following question when hiring a content writer:
- What are your skills?
- What type of writing are you best at?
- How do you research new topics?
- How do you use SEO content practices?
- Have you ever used a content calendar?
- Have you worked with marketing teams?
- How do you help in planning marketing campaigns?
- How much time do you need to write a complete article or blog post?
These interview questions will help you find the best writer for your content needs.
5. Reviews and Case Studies:
Check client reviews and case studies. Most professional writers are using LinkedIn or online portfolios to showcase their work examples. Look for recommendations to find out who recommends these writers.
Also check the social proof on LinkedIn or Facebook profiles.
6. SEO Skills:
During the interview, try to analyze the SEO skills of the writer.
Make sure that the writer understands the SEO content writing. It is necessary to write content that ranks better in search engines.
The writer must understand the SEO structure of the content, such as titles, headings, subheadings, descriptions, and internal linking. He must know the on-page SEO practices.
Ask the content examples to analyze their SEO skills.
7. Content Performance:
Ask the content writer how he measures the performance.
What he calls success.
Does an SEO content writer measure content success by reduced bounce rate, organic traffic, and keyword rankings?
Does a copywriter measure success by conversions?
You need a result-oriented writer. These questions will help you find one.
8. Cost:
Ask for the cost of the writer or his writings.
How much does he charge?
Is it cost-per-word or for the entire page?
The cost per word can be anywhere between $0.03 and $3.00.
The cost per page can be anywhere between $100 to $500 or more.
Analyze the pricing structure, compare it with their experience, and your goals.
9. What’s Included:
Find out what is included in the writer’s services. Does he optimize content for search engines? Does he know how to work on-page SEO?
Does he perform keyword research and content planning?
Ask about the services included in their cost.
Make sure that the writer provides content editing and rewriting services.
Note: Writers must provide content editing for at least one or two rounds. Or refund if they failed to make the necessary changes.
10. Expectations:
You have expectations from the writer, and a writer has expectations from you.
Discuss each other’s expectations to avoid issues during the project. Outline everything.
Discuss the refund policy, as not every writer is comfortable with it.
11. Invest in Evergreen Content:
Invest in great evergreen content.
The evergreen content lasts longer than any other type of content. Even though you need to make some edits, it still stays relevant for years.
Writers who write SEO-friendly evergreen content are best to rank higher in search engines.
Better search engine ranking means more traffic, more leads, and more authority.
12. How Much to Invest:
How much should you invest in a great writer?
The cost of a content writer varies based on industry, skills, and experience.
But for the cheap price, you will not get the gold.
Experience and result-oriented writers cost more than the industry average.
While spending time on writers, focus on the worth of their writing. Pay for better ROI.
Conclusion:
Human writers are the best writers. But between human writers, you need a great writer for your content.
Go for the writer who can tell stories and influence users. You need a sales writer to influence the buyer’s decision or an SEO content writer to rank higher in search results.
Focus on your end goal and hire an excellent writer for your business.
Do your research, interview writers, and analyze their experience and skills before hiring the best.
Invest time and money because great content is what you need.
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