5 Tips for Hiring an Outsourced Content Writer

There’s really no getting around it: Good writing takes time. And if you’re in a leadership role juggling all the marketing hats, it’s likely you don’t have a lot of time to sit down to research and write a helpful blog article, bust out SEO-friendly content for your website, or focus on a long-form white paper. If you’re ready to hire a content writer to make your life easier and your business more successful, here are five tips as you look for an outsourced content writer.

1. Determine your content needs

   Before you can get help with content, you need to be clear on what you want. For example, are you looking to build your website? Hoping to publish a weekly blog? Or do you want to stay connected to your customers through a monthly newsletter? Be clear on the types of content and ideal cadence you want. Bonus points for writing out your plan in a content marketing strategy. 

   If you haven’t yet, you'll also need to determine the brand and voice of your company. Is your brand serious and professional at all times? Quirky or relaxed? Friendly and fun? Providing an outsourced partner with your company style guide helps them be clear on how you position your brand in the marketplace.

2. Do your research

   You have many options to find a writer or a content agency. Professional communities like LinkedIn, Fiverr, Upwork are a place to start. You can search for “freelance writers” or “content marketing agencies.” (And since you’re here, we highly recommend Comma Copywriters! We’ve worked with hundreds of happy clients and delivered thousands of on-time, on-brand pieces of content since 2016. See more about our clients here.) You may find some websites that provide you reviews or testimonials about the writing services the company offers. 

   Vet your options carefully so the writer or company works well with your needs and expectations. Investigate what the content writer or content agency promises their customers. Do they insist on working with professional standards such as: legal agreements, terms of payments, and contract guarantees? Here at Comma Copywriters, we have three brand promises:

   1.    Two sets of professional eyes review every piece of content before you see it.

   2.    The first draft is delivered on time or on the house.

   3.    One round of client revisions is included with everything we write. 

3. Read writing samples

   Ask for portfolio examples and take adequate time to review them. You’re looking for compelling, clear communication. It’s less important that the writer or agency has written for other clients in your exact industry. You’re looking to see if they can connect with your audience, understand brand voice, and write tight.

   Keep in mind that your customer relationships are built on trust, and the right content writer can help you build a connection to your audience. An excellent content writer will research your audience before writing to ensure they truly understand your business. Then they will be able to write in your brand voice in a way that builds your standing as a thought leader and brings readers back for more.

4. Take notes of previous clients

   Have previous clients been happy with this writer? It’s a good idea to ask for testimonials, a referral, or check Google reviews. If you can't find social proof, ask directly for it. You deserve to know what you’re getting into. If a writer or agency contact cannot provide client references or testimonials about what they've done for other clients in the past, that could be a red flag to consider.

5. Conduct an interview

   We highly recommend having a meeting or interview with a writer or agency before deciding to invest in a relationship with them. Shoot for interviewing as close to in person as you can. Depending on where you and the writer or agency are located, a video call will do the job. This interview will show you whether your prospective content writer or content agency shows up on time, cares about professional appearance, and comes prepared. 

   Ask everything you want to know, no matter how big or small. We’ve shared 11 creative interview questions to help you find the perfect content agency — feel free to borrow from our list.

   Whether it’s with us or not, we hope these five tips help you find the best fit for your content needs. (And forgive one last plug, since you’re here: At Comma Copywriters, you work with a team instead of a single writer. We provide professional services, quality content and a team of writers ready to deliver the content you need, so you can focus on other marketing initiatives!)

   Looking for a content marketing agency to get your content started and headed in the right direction? Let Comma save you valuable time. Let’s chat. Sign up here for a free 20-minute consultation.