Looking for a content writer near you? Well, let us give you some perspective before we answer that question. You may have been a full-time content writer for a while, but that doesn’t mean you understand every single thing about the industry. Most people who write content full-time don’t know everything as this field is quite diverse. From writing business plans and blog posts to white papers and case studies, every format requires a different kind of treatment. That’s why it’s so important to ask questions when hiring a freelance writer! Whether you’re looking for copywriters or ghostwriters, here are some questions you should ask before committing to a contract.
There are so many job boards and websites that you can get confused while hiring a content writer or a content writing agency. A great writer is one who knows how to craft a content strategy after thorough keyword research. A potential client should identify such a writer from all the applicants to the content writing jobs on the market. Web content requires the endorsement of search engines to rank high on visibility. Only an experienced writer with SEO knowledge can tame the search engine and ensure traffic to your website. Just hiring a person for written content will not work.
A blog writer should or a content writing agency should not only be good at content creation but also at content research, keyword research, SEO, and content distribution. Just hiring a content creator or a content writing service will not work if there is no SEO content, or the keyword targetting is all wrong. For example, it’s best to go after long tail keywords rather than primary keywords because they are easier to rank, particularly for small and medium firms. Many companies make this silly mistake by hiring writers who have no skills or tools to get them traction on Google. Quality content is worth only by the amount of traffic it can generate to the company’s blog or website. And that can only happen through a sticky content strategy, keyword research, SEO, and content distribution.
Freelance writing for blog posts and social media can be effective in the hands of a skilled content manager. Here’s where hiring a content marketing agency like Write Wing Media is best. Not only do we have the writers you need, but also the SEO experts and editors who can finetune your entire digital marketing strategy. Therefore, don’t just go after great content without knowing the actual meaning of ‘great content’.
How long have you been writing professionally?
This one is pretty straightforward. You want to know how long the person has been writing full-time. Have they been in the industry they’re applying to for a while? Or are you bringing someone on board who has never written professionally before, but is a total pro at whatever it is you do? This question gives you insight into their experience and skill level. If the answer isn’t satisfactory, it’s time to move on!
What is your expertise?
This question will determine if the writer has the expertise to write for your industry. A good content writer should have an extensive knowledge of their niche. So, it’s important that they can speak to their experience in that field. When looking at samples and past work, ask yourself:
- What industry are they writing about? Is their experience relevant to what you need?
- Do they have any experience working with large or small businesses in my industry? Can they speak to any big successes or failures from those experiences?
If you’re not sure if someone has enough expertise, reach out to them on LinkedIn or by email. Ask them questions about their interests, skills and achievements related to content writing. You need to feel confident in their abilities as a writer who understands your needs!
Have you written for my industry or a company like mine?
This seems obvious, but it’s not just about the industry you’re in—it’s also about the type of company you have. For example, an ad agency might be a good fit for someone who has experience writing press releases or pitches for clients. A small-business owner might want to hire someone familiar with content marketing and SEO. Of course, writers can be versatile and write across industries, so don’t rule out a candidate whose portfolio isn’t specific to your business’ industry or niche. But do look for candidates who are familiar with what makes your industry tick—and make sure they can show that familiarity in their portfolio!
What do you charge for different types of content?
When it’s content writing rates, there are four main types of material:
- Blog posts
- E-course modules (including video, audio or PDFs)
- Webinars/Tele-classes/Webcasts (including video, audio or PDFs)
- Video scripts
The type of content you need will determine the cost of your writer. If you’re looking for someone to write a blog post, expect to pay anywhere from $50-$200+, depending on length, research, and industry. For webinars or tele-classes, you can expect to pay between $150 and $300 per module. If you’re hiring a copywriter who specialises in video scripts and production, they could charge around $200-$350 per script.
How do you verify your facts and research?
This question is to make sure that the writer has done their research and is able to write about your topic. A good content writer will have a strong process for verifying their information. They may already have some samples of previous work that show how they do this. Or they may be willing to provide references who can vouch for them as well. At any rate, you should be able to see an example of good verification when looking at the samples.
Are you willing to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA)?
The writer should be happy to sign an NDA if you feel like it’s necessary. The writer should take great care of your sensitive data and keep it safe and secure. He should have prior knowledge on how to treat confidential information. If you’re working on sensitive materials like medical research papers or financial documents used by large corporations, NDAs are apt. Sharing of such information could potentially harm people’s lives if shared inappropriately, and might even land someone in prison, for copyright infringement or leaking company secrets.
Do you offer discounts for repeat business or bulk orders?
When looking for a content writer, it’s important to consider the possibility of repeat business. If you’re going to be working with someone on an ongoing basis, it makes sense to get them at a lower rate than if they’re just starting out with your company. The same goes for bulk orders; if you need more than one article every month or so, ask about discounts. This approach will ensure cost-effectiveness and quality.
Do you write the content yourself, hire it out, or both?
Content writing is a lot like cooking—you can’t just throw all the ingredients into the pot and hope for the best. You need an understanding of what you’re doing, how it all works together, and what people will want to eat (or read) when they’re finished. While some agencies do offer some services in which they write content for you, this may not always be the case. Sometimes, it’s more effective to hire out specific tasks instead.
How many revisions are part of the price?
This question is a good way to check that you and the content writer are on the same page.For revisions, there are two types of writers. Those who want to make sure you’re happy with what you get, and those who just want to get paid. If your writer does not offer revisions or charges extra, it’s time to look elsewhere.
Do I own the material after I pay for it? Who owns the rights to the content that’s created?
The question of who owns content is a complicated one, and there are many factors to consider. For example, if you’re paying an individual writer or team of writers to produce original content for your site, then chances are good that you own all rights to anything they write for you. This means that once you’ve purchased their work and paid them in full, then no one else has any claim on those particular words—you do!
Are there any industries/topics/companies that you will not work with? If so, why not?
This is a great question to ask because it will help you figure out if the writer you are considering is a good fit for your project. If the writer says that they won’t work with certain industries or topics, then it’s probably best to look elsewhere. It’s important to know what your content will be used for and who will be reading it. Is this content going up on a website that caters to only one audience (for example: a beauty product company)? Or is this going to go up on your blog or website where anyone can read it (for example: an information site about dogs)? Now that you have all the answers to your questions, you’re ready to do business with a content writer near you! Just make sure that you choose someone who is professional, experienced and has a good reputation for writing quality blog posts or articles in your industry. Remember: it’s not always about getting the best deal; sometimes it’s about finding an expert who can write just what you’re looking for at an affordable price point. Many clients hunt for a writer without a budget. So the first step would be to find out the price range, and pick writers who are neither too cheap and nor too expensive.
Discover a content writer near you
Enter the world of high-quality content and professional content writers at Write Wing Media. Instead of finding different writers to suit different need, you can hire us. We have writers for every need, and you don’t have to chase them all. We will be your one point contact to fulfil all your varied writing requirements. When you hire a copywriter from us, we provide premium content that helps you stand out from the competition. You don’t have to limit yourself to your city or country. You can find writers who are in the same industry as you. You can find writers on the same side of the world as you. You can find writers who speak the same language as you (or at least understand it). Many of the projects that we work on are done remotely, so you don’t necessarily have to find a content writer near you. There are lots of advantages to working with a writer who is across the country or even in another country.