What is content writing?
Content writing refers to the practice of writing content for a website, blog, article, or any other form of digital media. Content writing services involves crafting engaging, relevant, informative and keyword-rich content with the help of various tools, such as search engine optimization (SEO), research and analytics.
How much does it cost to hire a content writer?
A professional freelance writer will usually charge between $0.05 and $1 per word, but the actual cost of content writing can vary wildly, depending on:
- The writer's experience
- Whether they are specialized in a niche
- Whether they provide additional services, like content strategy or SEO The size of the project.
- Their reputation and track record
- Their network in your industry
Some freelance content writers will also charge an hourly rate, work on retainers, or charge on a project basis. It all depends on how they've built their business model and the specific types of services they offer.
Why hire a content writer?
There are many reasons to hire a content writer. Some of the most important ones include the following:
Better messaging
Content writers can effectively communicate your brand message and create a positive perception of your business. By crafting well-written, engaging content, you can increase website traffic, boost search engine rankings, and attract customers to your products or services.
Compelling content
Content writers have the expertise to create compelling content that keeps readers engaged. This can result in more leads and conversions and more visibility for your brand.
Consistency and accuracy
Quality content requires considerable research and time to create – something not everyone can do consistently. Hiring a professional content writer ensures that all content is accurate, up-to-date, and optimized for SEO.
Expertise and knowledge
Content writers have extensive expertise in a variety of topics. This allows them to craft content relevant to your target audience and tailored to their needs. Additionally, professional content writers are trained in the best practices for SEO, so they can increase the visibility of your content organically.
Staying on schedule
Got a lot of content to publish? Or just want to make sure you stick to your plan? Hiring a content writer can help you stay on top of deadlines. Professional content writers are experienced in meeting tight deadlines and delivering quality work quickly and efficiently.
More time for you
Outsourcing content writing frees up more time to focus on other aspects of your business. Plus, a content writer can generate quality content faster than non-professional writers, so you don’t have to worry about deadlines or maintaining consistency.
Hiring a professional content writer is an invaluable investment for your business. A dedicated, experienced writer will ensure that your brand's message is conveyed accurately and effectively – resulting in more leads, higher conversion rates, and better visibility
What does a content writer do?
Content writers are not "just writers." Their services frequently include adjacent tasks such as researching topics, copy-editing and proofreading content, writing metadata for SEO purposes, interviewing sources, fact-checking information, creating outlines, and organizing drafts.
All in all, content writers can help you with the following:
Content strategy & ideation
Because content writing experts are close to the topic of content marketing (and because they are hands-on when it comes to the actual production of your content), they can help you come up with fresh and original ideas that will engage your audience.
They can even help you build a coherent, effective content strategy to position your business in the market. This will help you ensure the content you publish is cohesive, follows a clear messaging narrative, and follows your business goals.
Content creation & publishing
Naturally, a content writer can help you create online content. This includes writing blog posts, case studies, web pages, video scripts, product descriptions, social media posts, whitepapers, and other types of content. They can also help you edit and proofread existing content, as well as manage your content calendar and ensure everything is published on time.
Furthermore, they can also publish your content on your blog. To do this, they will have to work with designers to create graphics and featured images, run on-page optimization for your blog posts and landing pages, and ensure the meta descriptions and meta titles are in order.
Promotion & distribution
A content writing specialist can also help you promote and distribute your content to the right people. They can use a variety of channels such as email, social media, SEO optimization, third-party websites, and other tactics to increase your reach.
Performance monitoring & optimization
Lastly, a content writer can help you measure the performance of your content. They will track key metrics such as page views, time on page, bounce rates, comments, shares, etc. to ensure your content resonates with your audience. They can also track each channel's performance and adjust the strategy accordingly.
Top 15 Skills a content writer should have
Writing skills lie at the core of what a content writer does. Beyond that, however, a content writer should also be good at:
Ideating
Ideas are the main fuel behind a content writer's work. Content writers should be able to quickly and effectively come up with ideas for content topics, angles, and strategies, based on research, social listening, SEO, and industry trends. This will help your marketing team perform better and drive more effective campaigns,
Messaging
Content writers should be able to communicate a brand's message and value proposition in an engaging way. They should be able to craft a consistent, recognizable voice for each brand and act as your content strategist in drawing content plans that serve your brand's message and narrative. In time, a good content specialist can also help you build a style guide your entire content team can use when writing blog articles and other types of content for your business.
Being creative
A skilled writer needs to be able to come up with creative ways of presenting information. This includes different types of stories, angles, and formats that will help engage the audience and keep them on page.
Storytelling
While a content writing expert won't write fairytales on your business blog, using basic storytelling techniques will help you create high-quality content that draws people in, builds bridges, and positions your brand as a hero in your potential customers' story.
On-page SEO
On-page SEO is essential for a content writer. They need to be able to craft titles, headings, and meta descriptions that will help your content rank higher in search engine results.
Keyword research
Although content writing experts aren't search engine optimization pros, they can usually run in-depth keyword research using specialized tools, like Ahrefs, Semrush, or Google's Keyword Planner.
Content strategy
There is, of course, a delimitation between content writing and content strategy. But, a content writer should be able to come up with an effective content marketing strategy that will help position your business on the market.
Social media
Again, content managers aren't social media managers. However, because they are very good at effective communication, they can help you craft social media posts that will engage your followers.
Content distribution
Content writers should know how to distribute content across various channels, including social media, email, third-party websites, and other platforms. They should also be able to develop strategies to help your content reach the right people at the right time.
Email marketing
A content writing pro can write a newsletter or an announcement email in a way that makes people open the email and read it to the end. While a content writing specialist won't usually build campaigns for you or deal with email marketing tools, they have solid knowledge of how to communicate via email and write enticing subject lines and email content that connects your brand to your target audience.
Graphic design
Content writers may not be professional designers, but they should have basic knowledge of design principles and how to create visuals that complement their writing. This will help them better collaborate with design pros, generate graphics that engage your blog and website visitors, and help you correctly and effectively drive your message.
Analytics & performance optimization
Your content writing specialist should also be able to pull data from your tools and analyze the effectiveness of the content your business creates. Doing this will help them adjust the strategy, content plan, Tone of Voice, and other elements to make sure your content marketing efforts are successful.
Collaboration
Finally, content writers need to be able to collaborate with others in the organization, such as designers and SEO experts, in order to create a cohesive digital strategy that delivers results. They should also be able to work with stakeholders and customers to gain insights on how their content can better serve the business' needs.
Running customer interviews
Running customer or Subject Matter Expert interviews is a key part of the content writing process. It is also essential that your content writer understands the basics of interviewing and be able to get the best out of their conversations with customers or experts.
This involves asking open-ended questions, actively listening for revelations that can become great content ideas, and building relationships with interviewees so they feel comfortable sharing valuable insights.
Research and fact-checking
Last, but definitely not least, a good content-writing specialist knows the importance of research and fact-checking -- and has ample experience in the area Thus, they will always double-check the validity of the facts and figures they include in their content. This will ensure you're providing accurate information to your readers, which is essential for building trust.
Editing
Editing skills are extremely important for a content writer. While excellent writing skills are a definite must, knowing how to edit content will help your writer deliver content that's clean, engaging, and drives your messaging home.
How to hire the right content writer
If you are keen on hiring a content writer, here are some of the steps you need to follow to ensure you're hiring the right one:
1. Identify their skill level
First, you will need to establish the skill level of your content writer. Are they junior-level or experienced? Do they have expertise in SEO, analytics, and other aspects related to content creation? Will they be able to produce multiple types of content for your business?
2. Look at their previous work
If you are working with an agency, ask for samples of content written by the writer or writers you are considering. Review their portfolios or any other relevant material they may have provided if you are sourcing freelancers. This will give you a good indication of the type of content they can produce and whether it meets your expectations.
3. Check referrals and past clients' feedback
Check referrals or past clients' feedback. It's always a good idea to ask for references or reviews so you can get an idea of how the content writer has worked with previous clients. This way, you will know what other customers think of your candidate's work, so you will get 360 view of who it is you're hiring.
4. Discuss deadlines and schedules
Discussing deadlines and schedules is key to making sure that the content production process runs smoothly. Ask your potential hire about their availability and let them know whether you will provide them with daily, weekly, or monthly deadlines and any other information they may need.
5. Make sure they are excited to work with you
Your potential hire should excited to work with you and your business, particularly since this excitement will translate into their research, loyalty, and how they deliver each piece of content. Ask them questions about what they think of the project, how they would approach it, and any other questions that will indicate how motivated they are.
6. Send them a short test assignment
Finally, you may want to consider sending them a short test assignment so you can evaluate their writing style and other skills. This will give you an idea of their experience and how well they can meet your quality standards.
7. Make sure they fit into your budget
Content writing prices can vary wildly. So, make sure you have a clear idea of what your budget is and discuss it with your potential hire. They may have different packages or rates that fit within your budget.
8. Build a good relationship
Building a good relationship with your content writer is essential for making sure that your collaboration runs as smoothly as possible. Make them feel valued and appreciated, send them your honest feedback every time, be open-minded, and be willing to listen to their ideas. This kind of attitude will go a long way in fostering a successful working relationship -- and yes, it will affect the final results too.
Where to find a content writer
There are many content writing specialists out there, and some of the most popular ways of finding them include:
Job boards
There's nothing wrong or "old-school" with posting your job on Indeed, LinkedIn, or another similar job board. However, if you do decide to take this route, remember that it can be time-consuming, and you may get a lot of applications that don't fit the criteria.
Online communities
Online communities for writers and content marketers are a great way to find experienced and reliable writers. Look for Slack communities, LinkedIn and Facebook groups, and Discord channels built around content marketing topics -- you will definitely find plenty of options there.
Freelance marketplaces
Freelance platforms
UpWork, Fiverr, and Guru are all very popular ways to hire freelance writers. However, just as in the case of job boards, they can be time-consuming, as you will have to sift through a lot of applications.
Mayple is a better, more time-sensitive, and quality-oriented option. We only work with vetted experts with a proven track record and our system will match you with the right candidate in a matter of days. Contact us to get the process going and hire the best content writer for your business.
What's the difference between a copywriter and a content writer?
The main difference between a copywriter and a content writer is that a copywriter focuses on persuading the reader to take action, while a content writer focuses on creating useful and engaging pieces of content.
