Before hiring a freelance writer, it’s important to consider several factors to ensure that you choose the right person for the job.

What you should consider before hiring freelancers

Types of Content Needed

Before hiring a freelance writer, you need to determine the types of content you need. Different writers may have different areas of expertise, so it’s important to find someone who can handle the specific type of content you require, for example, blog posts, social media content, or product descriptions.

Business Content Priorities

Think about your business’s top content priorities according to the goals you want to achieve. Are you looking to increase website traffic, generate leads, or boost sales? Understanding your content goals can help you choose a writer who can produce content that aligns with your objectives.

Rough Content Strategy

Outlining the topics you want to cover, target audience, and preferred tone or voice is also something you should have beforehand to communicate to the writer and make sure that they understand your content strategy, can execute it, and successfully achieve your content goals.

Budget

Freelancers tend to be a cheaper option when outsourcing content compared to agencies. Nevertheless, it’s important to outline your budget and be upfront about it with potential writers to ensure that you find someone who can work within your financial constraints. We also recommend that, depending on your goals, you strive to hire a high-quality writer, even if they may require a larger investment. This can ultimately save you time and money by producing effective content that generates results.

The 4 qualities of the outstanding content marketing freelance writer

In today’s digital age, content marketing has become a vital aspect of any business strategy and that’s why there is a big competition on any freelance platform. However, if you are looking for skilled and experienced freelance writers to produce high-quality content that can engage their target audience and drive conversions, you should consider a few skills and qualities when searching.

Excellent Writing Skills

The first quality of an outstanding content marketing freelance writer is the ability to write compelling, engaging, and error-free content. This requires not only a strong command of grammar, syntax, and punctuation but also the ability to tailor their writing style to suit your target audience and your brand’s voice. Look for a freelancer whose previous writing is clear, concise, and informative, while also incorporating storytelling techniques that can help build a connection with the reader.

Industry Knowledge

Depending on the field of your company and the content you need, search for a freelancer who shows a deep understanding of the industry chosen. Apart from being good at research, they also need to have experience writing content that you require and have the ability to convey complex concepts in a way that is easy to understand for your target audience.

The Freelancer Mindset

What is a freelancer mindset? It is having management skills, self-discipline, and commitment to deadlines, as well as communicating professionally with the clients and incorporating feedback.

Marketing Savvy

Lastly, an outstanding content marketing freelance writer should have a solid understanding of marketing principles and strategies. They must be able to write content that aligns with your marketing goals, whether that’s increasing website traffic, generating leads, or building brand awareness. Ideally, also look for a freelancer who has experience with search engine optimization (SEO) techniques and possibly social media marketing if you are looking at how to increase the reach of your content.

2 Common mistakes to avoid while hiring a freelancer for content creation

Hiring a freelancer for content creation can be an excellent option if you need content without hiring an in-house content creator. However, there are a few common mistakes that people make when hiring freelancers that can lead to poor-quality content or even financial losses.

First of all, avoid hiring the “cheapest” freelancer. Many people make the mistake of hiring a freelancer solely based on their rates because they want to save money. While choosing the cheapest solution is tempting, it may decrease your chances to get higher ROI and lead to spending even more money to get high-quality content that matches your requirements. The cheapest freelancers may lack the necessary experience, skills, or equipment to produce quality content, which could end up costing you more in the long run. That’s why you should look beyond the rates and consider the freelancer’s portfolio, experience, and client reviews before hiring them.

Secondly, another common mistake people make when hiring freelancers for content creation is being uninvolved in the process after hiring. Outsourcing your content does not mean you should completely disengage from the process. Instead, be ready to provide freelancers with clear instructions, answer their questions, and regularly review the work. That way you can ensure that the writer is on the right track and in the end they will hand you content based on your expectations.

Where to look for freelancers

Freelancer platforms and networks

There are many places online where you can look for freelancers, including freelancer networks and platforms. Some of the most popular ones are Upwork, Freelancer.com, Fiverr, and Guru, where you can post your job description and receive bids from freelancers who are interested in working with you. The same idea works for ProBlogger, Contena, and Freelance Writing Jobs, where you can receive applications from qualified writers.

LinkedIn and Twitter

Social media is another channel for freelance search. You can try social media platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn to find freelancers, using hashtags like #freelancer, #writer, or #designer to find professionals in your industry.

Job boards

Job boards like FlexJobs, Indeed, and Remote.co allow you to search for freelancers based on specific skills or job categories, which can help you find a fit for your specific industry or project.

Referrals

Finally, ask your colleagues or friends who also work with content if they know any talented freelancers who may be a good fit for your project.

Tips for hiring freelancers

If you’re looking to delegate content creation to freelance writers, it’s essential to find the right match for your needs. In this guide, we’ll provide some practical tips to help you identify and work with freelancers effectively.

Match the freelancer to your content

We already mentioned that before hiring a freelancer, you should define the type of content you need, whether it’s technical writing, copywriting, or content writing. This will help you find a freelancer with the specific set of skills required for your project.

Analyze qualifications

Next, we recommend analyzing the qualifications of each candidate. Take a closer look at their portfolio and assess their writing skills, including their style and grammar command. It’s also essential to consider their experience in the industry to ensure they have the knowledge necessary to produce high-quality content.

Watch out for warning signs during the interview process

During the interview process, watch out for warning signs that may indicate a freelancer isn’t the right fit for your project. Signs such as a lack of interest or enthusiasm for your project, a lack of knowledge or experience in your industry, or an inability to communicate effectively are red flags to be aware of.

Give a test task

To evaluate a freelancer’s skills before starting a project, we recommend giving them a small test task. This can help you determine if they’re a good fit for your needs, assess their ability to meet deadlines and follow instructions and ensure they communicate effectively with you as a client.

What should the agreement with the freelancer include?

When hiring a freelancer, it is important to have a clear agreement in place that outlines the expectations and responsibilities of both parties. Here are some key points that should be included in such an agreement

Clearly stated goals of the project, including the desired outcomes and deliverables
Must-have steps in the content development process such as research, writing, editing, and revisions
Turnaround time and schedule: deadlines for each stage of the project and the expected turnaround time for revisions
Length of assignment or contract, including circumstances for renewal or extension
Ownership of content: the agreement should clarify who will own the rights to the content created including any intellectual property rights.
How either party can end the agreement: an out clause that specifies when and how either party can terminate the agreement as well as any notice periods required.
Fees for the project and payment terms, including any milestones or deliverables that trigger payment.
Non-disclosure and/or non-compete terms as necessary: Depending on the nature of the project, the agreement may need to include non-disclosure or non-compete clauses to protect the interests of both parties.
By outlining a clear and detailed agreement you can ensure a successful and mutually beneficial working relationship with a freelancer, making sure you are on the same page and that the project is completed to everyone’s satisfaction.