Why Hire A Content Writer?
So, you've decided that it's time to up your content game.
Your business has a website (check), you've created social media accounts (check), and you've even started posting regularly.
But somehow, your content isn't quite hitting the mark.
Sure, you've got the basic information about your products and services, but it's not engaging or drawing in potential customers. You looked at what your competitors are doing (and what they're not doing), but you're still unsure how to take your content to that “next level. “
Here's the reality - quality content is more important than ever. From informative blogs to engaging socials, your content marketing creates the foundation of your online presence. It's the key to attracting and retaining customers and the driving force behind your marketing efforts.
But creating compelling, high-quality content consistently is no easy feat. And when you add it to the already massive to-do list of running a business, it can feel just a bit overwhelming.
Have you considered hiring a content writer to help you out?
Content writers are professionals who specialize in creating written content for various platforms, such as websites, blogs, social media, and marketing materials. They have the skills and expertise to craft content that captures your brand voice, resonates with your target audience, and drives your business goals.
Let's take a closer look at what content writers do, the benefits of hiring one for your business, and how they can help you build a successful marketing plan. We'll also discuss what to look for when hiring a content writer and how to work effectively with them to achieve your content marketing objectives.
So… What Is Content?
When we talk about content in marketing and business, we're referring to any form of information or material created and shared to engage, inform, or persuade an audience.
With the digital world becoming increasingly noisy, quality content has become a crucial component of any successful marketing strategy, as it helps businesses connect with their target audience, build brand awareness, and ultimately drive conversions.
Content can take many forms, including:
Blog posts and articles
Website copy
Social media posts
Email newsletters
Product descriptions
Case studies and whitepapers
Videos and podcasts
Infographics and visual content
eBooks and guides
Press releases and news articles
Each type of content serves a specific purpose and caters to different stages of the customer journey. For example, blog posts and articles are great for attracting potential customers to your website through search engine optimization (SEO) and providing valuable information that establishes your business as an authority in your industry.
On the other hand, case studies and whitepapers are better suited for the consideration and decision stages when prospects evaluate their options and need more detailed information to make a purchase decision.
The key to effective content is understanding your target audience's needs, preferences, and pain points and creating content that addresses those factors while aligning with your business goals. This is where a skilled content writer can make all the difference.
Content writers are experts at researching, planning, and creating content that resonates with your target audience and drives desired actions, whether it's clicking through to your website, signing up for a newsletter, or making a purchase.
They can help you develop a content strategy that covers all stages of the customer journey and ensures a consistent brand voice across all platforms.
Which Type Of Content Writing Is Right For Me?
When it comes to content marketing, there are three main umbrella types of content: informational, educational, and promotional. Each type serves a specific purpose and is crucial in engaging your target audience, building brand trust, and ultimately driving business growth. Let's dive into each type and explore what they are and why they matter.
Informational Content & Technical Writing
Informational content is designed to provide valuable, relevant, and timely information to your target audience. This type of content aims to keep your audience up-to-date with industry news, trends, and insights, positioning your business as a go-to resource and thought leader in your field.
Examples of informational content include:
Blog posts and articles
News and press releases
Industry reports and research
Opinion pieces and expert commentary
Why it matters:
Informational content helps establish your business as a credible and trustworthy source of information.
By consistently providing valuable insights, you can attract and retain a loyal audience, build brand awareness, and generate leads. Plus, informational content can improve your website's SEO, making it easier for potential customers to find you through search engines.
Educational Content
Educational content is designed to teach your target audience something new or help them solve a problem. It focuses on providing practical, actionable advice and insights that your audience can apply to their own lives or businesses.
Examples of educational content include:
How-to guides and tutorials
eBooks and whitepapers
Webinars and online courses
Case studies and success stories
Why it matters:
Educational content demonstrates your expertise and helps build trust with your target audience. By providing valuable, actionable advice, you show that you understand your audience's needs and are committed to helping them succeed. This can increase engagement, higher conversion rates, and longer customer lifetime value.
Promotional Content
Promotional content is designed to showcase your products, services, or brand and persuade your target audience to take a desired action, such as purchasing, signing up for a newsletter, or requesting a demo.
Examples of promotional content include:
Product descriptions and sales pages
Email marketing campaigns
Social media ads and sponsored posts
Landing pages and call-to-actions
Why it matters:
Promotional content is the driving force behind your sales and revenue. By effectively showcasing your offerings and their benefits, you can persuade potential customers to choose your business over competitors.
However, it's essential to strike a balance between promotional and informational/educational content to avoid coming across as too salesy or pushy.
What Do Content Writers Bring To The Table?
So, if content is so important, naturally, you want to make sure your content is high-quality. That's when partnering with a skilled copywriter or content writer is key.
A content writer is a professional who specializes in creating written content for various platforms and purposes. They are skilled wordsmiths who can craft compelling, engaging, and informative content that resonates with your target audience and drives your business goals.
But what exactly does a content writer do, and what skills do they bring to the table? Let's break it down.
The Many Roles of a Content Writer
Strategist: Content writing pros can help you develop a comprehensive content strategy that aligns with your business objectives and target audience. They can research your industry, competitors, and audience to identify content opportunities and gaps, and create a plan to fill them.
Researcher: A professional content writer will be a researcher who can dive deep into a topic to gather information, statistics, and insights. They can ensure that your content is accurate, up-to-date, and backed by credible sources.
Storyteller: A great content writer knows how to weave a compelling narrative that engages and resonates with your audience. They can tell your brand story with compelling content in a way that builds an emotional connection and inspires action.
SEO Expert: Content writers specializing in SEO can optimize your content for search engines, helping your website rank higher in search results and attract more organic traffic. These individuals can help you write content that search engines love to promote - driving traffic to your website and other online destinations.
Brand Voice Champion: A content writer is also a creative writing expert. A professional writer can help you establish and maintain a consistent brand voice across all your content channels. They can ensure that your content aligns with your brand personality, values, and messaging.
Editor and Proofreader: In addition to writing, content writers can also edit and proofread your existing content to ensure it's error-free, on-brand, and optimized for readability and engagement.
The Skills of a Content Writer
Excellent writing and communication skills: It may seem obvious, but has to be said: A content writer must be able to write clearly, concisely, and persuasively, adapting their style to different audiences and platforms.
Research and analytical skills: Content writers must be able to research a topic thoroughly, extract relevant information, and present it in a structured and logical way. It's not just about the ability to create engaging content - a professional content writer will know how to infuse their writing content with facts, figures, and more.
SEO knowledge: Understanding SEO best practices, such as keyword research and optimization, is crucial for content writers who want to create content that ranks well in search engines. If a freelance content writer looks confused at the mention of "digital marketing," you may want to keep shopping.
Adaptability and versatility: A content writer must be able to write for various formats, such as blog posts, articles, social media posts, and email newsletters, and adjust their style and tone accordingly.
Time management and organization: Content writers often juggle multiple projects and deadlines, so they must be able to manage their time effectively and stay organized. Their writing process should be holistic - leading you through the entire process with expert business communications skills.
Collaboration and communication: Content writers often work closely with other team members, such as marketers, designers, and developers, so they must collaborate and communicate effectively. When you hire a content writer, make sure they have more than just experience writing - they should know how to operate a business.
Agency vs. Freelance - Which Is Better?
When it comes to hiring a content writer, you have two main options: working with a content writing agency or hiring a freelance writer.
Both have their advantages and disadvantages, and the best choice for your business will depend on your specific needs, budget, and preferences. Let's compare the two options to help you make an informed decision.
Content Writing Agencies
Content writing agencies are companies that employ a team of writers and offer content writing services to businesses. Here are some pros and cons of working with an agency:
Pros:
Reliability: Agencies have a team of qualified content writers, so if one writer is unavailable, they can assign another to ensure your project stays on track.
Scalability: Agencies can handle larger projects and higher volumes of creative content than individual freelancers.
Variety of expertise: Agencies often have writers with diverse backgrounds and specialties, so they can match you with a writer who has experience in your industry or niche.
Additional services: Many agencies offer additional services, such as web content strategy, SEO, video scripts, and social media management, which can provide a more comprehensive solution for your content needs.
Cons:
Higher costs: Agencies typically charge more than freelancers due to their overhead costs and the additional services they provide.
Less direct communication: You may have less direct communication with your writer, as the agency acts as an intermediary.
Less flexibility: Agencies may have more rigid processes and policies, which can limit your ability to customize your content or make last-minute changes.
Freelance Content Writers
Freelance writers are self-employed professionals who work independently and offer their services to businesses on a project basis. Here are some pros and cons of hiring a freelance content writer:
Pros:
Lower costs: Freelancers typically charge less than agencies, as they have lower overhead costs and can offer more competitive rates.
Direct communication: You can communicate directly with your writer, which can lead to a more personalized and collaborative working relationship.
Flexibility: Freelancers are often more flexible and can adapt to your specific needs and preferences more easily than agencies.
Specialization: Many freelancers specialize in specific industries, niches, or types of content, which can be beneficial if you need highly targeted or technical content.
Cons:
Limited availability: Freelancers may have limited availability due to other projects or personal commitments, which can impact your project timeline.
Inconsistency: The quality and style of content may vary if you work with multiple freelancers or if your regular freelancer is unavailable.
Limited scalability: Freelancers may struggle to handle large projects or high volumes of content, as they have limited resources and capacity.
Choosing between a content writing agency and a freelance content writer depends on your specific needs and priorities. If you value reliability, scalability, and a wide range of services, an agency may be the better choice. If you prioritize cost-effectiveness, direct communication, and flexibility, a freelancer may be the way to go.
The Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Content Writer
Before hiring content writers - whether through an agency or as freelancers - it's essential to ask the right questions to ensure you find the best fit for your business. Here are the top questions to consider:
What experience do you have in my industry or niche?
Look for a writer who has experience or knowledge in your industry or niche, as they'll be better equipped to understand your target audience and create content that resonates with them.
Ask for examples of their work in your industry or related fields to gauge their expertise.
What types of content do you specialize in?
Different writers specialize in different types of content, such as blog writing, articles, copy for web pages, technical writing, or social media posts.
Make sure the writer you choose has experience creating the types of content you need for your business.
How do you approach research and fact-checking?
Quality content is well-researched and accurate. Ask the writer about their research process and how they ensure the information they include is reliable and up-to-date.
Look for a writer who uses reputable sources and takes the time to fact-check their work.
How do you optimize content for search engines?
If SEO is a priority for your business, look for a writer who understands SEO best practices and can optimize your content for search engines.
Ask about their experience with keyword research, on-page optimization, and other SEO techniques.
What is your process for revisions and edits?
Even the best writers need feedback and revisions. Ask about the writer's revision process and how they handle feedback.
Look for a writer who is open to constructive criticism and willing to make changes to ensure your content meets your expectations.
How do you ensure consistency in brand voice and style?
Your content should align with your brand voice and style guidelines for consistency across all channels. Whether you're formal or funny, your content writer should be able to create compelling content to engage readers.
Ask the writer how they familiarize themselves with a client's brand voice and ensure consistency in their writing.
What is your availability and turnaround time?
Make sure the writer's availability and turnaround time align with your content needs and deadlines. This may vary based on the web content they provide - a single set of blog content may differ in timeline from full website content projects.
Ask about their current workload and how they prioritize projects to ensure timely delivery.
How do you measure the success of your content?
A great content writer should be invested in the success of your content and have a way to measure its performance.
Ask about the metrics they track, such as traffic, engagement, or conversions, and how they use these insights to optimize future content.
Can you provide references or testimonials from past clients?
Hearing from past clients can give you valuable insights into the writer's work ethic, communication skills, and the quality of their work.
Ask for references or testimonials from clients in your industry or with similar content needs. Experienced writers will come to the table with plenty of in depth knowledge and a portfolio showcasing their writing experience.
What are your rates, and how do you structure your pricing?
Make sure the writer's rates align with your budget and the scope of your project.
Ask about their pricing structure (e.g., per word, per hour, or per project) and if they offer any package deals or discounts for ongoing work.
Want To Boost Your Brand? Hire A Content Writer
When you hire a content writer, you get more than just a professional writer - you gain a partner for your business who can help you write content that turns visitors into raving fans. And when you hire the best, you can trust that they are writing professionally while delivering quality.
Just remember - a more experienced writer will likely charge more than newer freelance writers and blog writing may have a different price than SEO optimization and content development.
Knowing what your business needs for its growth is only half the battle when it comes to finding the right content writer. You also need to consider pricing, as it plays a crucial role in determining who you can partner with and what type of content you can expect.
Take the time to consult before you hire a content writer, and you'll increase the chances of finding the right partner for your business. In time, you'll see the benefits of investing in quality content that resonates with your target audience and drives them to take action.
