A freelance content writer is a person who writes copy for various types of documents and media. Unlike full-time or part-time employees, freelance writers work independently and provide services to many different clients. They may also be interested in scoring regular gigs with one client, such as the marketing department of a small business.
The Role of a Freelance Writer: What Do They Do?
Content writers are responsible for publishing articles, blogs, newsletters, press releases, social media posts and other types of content that engages online audiences. Although they are responsible for composing the bulk of the text on a webpage or in any type of online publication, writers rarely have full creative freedom. Freelance content writers almost always work with a set number of words each week, and usually have a supervisor or editor who reviews their work before it is published.
What Are Some Advantages to Hiring a Freelance Writer?
Writing online can be an arduous task — especially if you’re working for clients with limited budgets. When you outsource your writing needs to freelance writers instead of hiring local talent from within your office space or building, you save money in several ways. Freelance writers are usually available to work at cheaper rates than many in-house writers, and they can do everything you need them to do without the need for expensive equipment or office space of their own. They’re also completely dedicated to helping your brand reach its target audience because that’s the only place where they’ll be able to publish its work. And when you hire a content writer without hiring them for full-time employment, there are no benefits like medical insurance or paid time off; if you want your freelance writer to take a vacation, you simply don’t distribute any new assignments until they return.
What Are Some Disadvantages of Hiring a Freelance Writer?
If you’re not an experienced web content manager, you might find yourself in over your head when working with a freelance writer. You’ll need to understand what makes good copy and how to monitor the progress of a new article without micromanaging since you can’t keep tabs on a remote content creator 24/7. There is always some level of risk involved in hiring remote workers since you have no idea how they work or if they even have the skills you’re looking for.
Do Freelancers need a degree?
Most freelance writers don’t come from a writing background at all — they learn everything they know through online courses, practice and experience. However, it’s important that aspiring freelancers enrol in some type of course that will teach them the basics of SEO, search marketing and writing engaging copy. These courses can be taken online or in person depending on your preference.
Who Should I Look for to Hire?
Depending on what you need, it might make sense to hire a writer with expertise in one particular field or another. You don’t necessarily need to find someone with experience specifically related to the type of content that you’re looking for; writers who understand how web content is supposed to look will usually do just fine. Make sure they have samples of their best work available so that you can get an idea of their style before hiring them. Also be sure that there’s some way for you to contact them after the project has been completed, whether it’s through email or a messaging system.
How Do I Find Them?
One of the best ways to find the right freelance writer for your needs is to think about who you’d already hire if you had that person in-house at your office. Then, look for these same people online so you can outsource projects to them directly. Upwork is an excellent resource for hiring both full-time and remote copywriters, although it’s also easy enough to do this through Freelancer or FreeUp. You should have no trouble finding talented writers on both of these platforms without too much effort.
Can They Work Unsupervised?
The answer depends entirely on your business model and what type of feedback culture you’ve cultivated in your office. If you expect your employees to work with minimal supervision, then it might make sense to hire a remote copywriter who can do the same thing. You should establish upfront that this is how they’re expected to perform before hiring them. However, if you’re not comfortable with how self-sufficient your writers are already, then you might want to hire an editor or content manager who can monitor their progress on a daily basis.
When it comes to hiring a freelance writer, there are many things to consider. You need to make sure that you have the right skillsets in order to manage and monitor their work, and you also need to be comfortable with giving them some level of independence. It’s important to find a good course that will teach you about SEO, copywriting and web content before outsourcing any writing projects. And finally, be sure to establish clear expectations for your new hire upfront so there is no confusion about the role they will play in your business. And if this sounds like too much work or you just don’t have time to do all that yourself, call us! We’ll help get your business back on track with top-notch writing services from experienced writers who will produce engaging blog posts. Feel free to contact us today!
