Finding the most suitable content writer for you and your business can seem like a wordy minefield. This article offers some helpful tips to focus your search.

Why should I use someone else to write my content?

Welcome to the busy life of a business owner! I’m sure you know it very well. Maybe you run a decent sized business with a workload humanly impossible to attempt alone, and still pretty hefty even with a team behind you. Or perhaps you’re a solopreneur wearing multiple hats and spinning way too many plates for comfort. You quite rightly prioritise essential tasks, e.g., fulfilling orders, responding to customers, providing a service to your clients (obviously your task list will be much longer than this one). You know that content such as blog articles and newsletters are fantastically effective  for communicating with your cherished clients and attracting new ones. Both of which are essential for a business to succeed and grow. But… WHERE DO YOU FIND THE TIME???

You don’t. It’s really as simple as that, isn’t it? Time cannot be increased, if only! There are some tasks that must be outsourced and content writing is one of them. You might really enjoy writing and feel frustrated you don’t have the time to do it yourself. Or you might absolutely detest it. Either way, you need to find a writer you can trust to do it for you.

Finding a content writer – where to start

So you’ve decided it’s time to improve your content game, you’ve realised you don’t have time to do it yourself, and you want the best content you can possibly get your busy little hands on. Now, where and how to find the writer of your dreams? There are a few places to locate writers. Commonly used options include: Google search; serious writers usually have a website, LinkedIn, ProCopywriters directory, networking events and good old word-of-mouth.

Some content writers specialise in certain areas. So finding someone who understands your line of business and and is familiar with your chosen subject can streamline the process on both sides. You might also like the idea of someone local so that you can meet in person to discuss your written requirements. If you’re happy with phone, video-call and email communication then the content-writing-world is your oyster.

If you know how you’d like your content to sound and who you’d like it to appeal to, this can be a really helpful starting point. Some writers favour a sleek, professional, to-the-point style and this might suit your needs and appeal to your readers. Or you may be after something a little more conversational and friendly, chatty with a hint of cheekiness (winky face). As you research writers, scroll through their websites and read their blog posts you will get an idea of their style and if it’s a good fit for you.

Be ready for open and honest communication

Like starting any new relationship, be prepared to give information and answer questions. Thankfully the information shared during a meeting with your new writer will be a little less personal than a first date, and a lot less romantic. However, a content writer that doesn’t ask about the important stuff is a massive red flag and I advise you to run for the hills. What important questions should they be asking? They’ll need to know about you and your business, what you’d like to achieve through content, who your current readers are, the kind of new reader you’d like to attract, your brand style, the voice and tone you’re after, plus other questions tailored to your project. You don’t need to have all the answers straight away; a good content writer will help you make decisions on anything you’re not yet sure about. Think of it as a collaboration.

Once you’ve worked together once or twice and established a happy relationship, they’ll be able to write for you with a lot less of your input. They’ll gain an understanding of you and your business and how to write in your voice. Which is why finding the right content writer for you is so crucial; if you get on well you’ll hopefully work together for a long time, eliminating your content-writing stress. So it’s especially pleasant if you actually like each other!

Like soulmates, there’s a content writer for everyone

Hopefully you don’t have to kiss any frogs to find your perfect content-writing match, that would just be weird. But it might take a few chats with different writers to finally find ‘the one’. And I really want that for you!

What if ‘the one’ quotes more than you were expecting to pay? What is a reasonable rate for a decent content writer?

Amy