How to Hire a Freelance Blog Writer for the Success of Your Small Business

Collaborating with freelance writers can significantly benefit your blog in the long run. It's the key to maintaining a consistent flow of content for your readers. 

With this approach, you have the option to publish daily without compromising the quality of any article. Additionally, it's one of the simplest strategies to put into action, and it will ultimately save you time. 

According to a study by DemandSage, 70% of small and medium businesses in the US have at least occasionally used freelancers for their blogging needs. This suggests that a significant number of blogs are using freelancers to create content.

Your small business's success directly correlates with the number of people aware of its existence.

The digital era we are living in creates new business rules. Writing regularly about the benefits and features of your products and services is one of them. If you are not willing to write articles for your website's blog, you will need the help of someone with relevant skills and knowledge.

Finding a talented writer who can present information about your company and its products or services can turn into a headache if you don't know how to do it properly. 

Two of the most popular options for hiring a freelance writer are via a trustworthy paper writer service or using one of the platforms like Upwork. These types of intermediaries make the process less stressful as they guarantee comfortable and fair collaboration between the two parties. Choosing one of these options will probably result in a higher price for the writing services.

However, they are worth consideration, as you will not have to worry about the work ethics of the writer you hire. No matter which option you choose, the following points are essential for making the right decision.

Analyze them carefully to hire the perfect expert to create inspiring and appealing content for your business blog.

Why use a freelance writer instead of guest contributor?

When is the right time to bring a freelancer writer on board?

You should hire a freelance writer if:

• You don't have the time or resources to write your own content. This is especially true if you have a high volume of content needs, such as a blog, website, or social media accounts.
• You need help with a specific type of writing, such as technical writing, medical writing, or legal writing. Freelance writers often have expertise in specific areas, so you can find someone who can help you create high-quality content that meets your specific needs.
• You want to save money on your content marketing budget. Freelance writers typically charge less than in-house writers, so you can save money on your content marketing budget without sacrificing quality.

Here are some specific examples of when you might want to hire a freelance writer:

• You're starting a new blog and need help writing high-quality articles that will attract readers.
• You're running a small business and don't have time to write your own website copy or social media posts.
• You're developing a new product or service and need help writing technical documentation or marketing materials.
• You're a lawyer or doctor and need help writing persuasive legal briefs or patient-friendly educational materials.

If you're not sure whether or not you need to hire a freelance writer, consider your content needs, budget, team size, and in-house expertise. If you have a lot of content needs, a small in-house team, and/or a limited budget, then hiring a freelance writer can be a good way to get the help you need without breaking the bank.

Here are some additional benefits of hiring a freelance writer:

• Flexibility: Freelance writers can work on your projects on a flexible schedule, which can be helpful if you have fluctuating needs.
• Expertise: Freelance writers often have expertise in specific areas, such as SEO, social media, or email marketing. This can help you create content that is more effective at achieving your goals.
• Fresh perspective: A freelance writer can bring a fresh perspective to your content, which can help you stand out from your competitors.

If you're considering hiring a freelance writer, be sure to do your research and interview multiple candidates before making a decision. You should also create a clear job description so that the writer knows exactly what you're looking for. 

What advantages come with hiring a freelance writer?

• Flexibility: Freelance writers can work on your projects on a flexible schedule, which can be helpful if you have fluctuating needs.
• Expertise: Freelance writers often have expertise in specific areas, such as SEO, social media, or email marketing. This can help you create content that is more effective at achieving your goals.
• Fresh perspective: A freelance writer can bring a fresh perspective to your content, which can help you stand out from your competitors.

If you're considering hiring a freelance writer, be sure to do your research and interview multiple candidates before making a decision. You should also create a clear job description so that the writer knows exactly what you're looking for. 

How to source a freelance writers for your blog? 

Here are some ways to source freelance writers for your blog:

• Freelance marketplaces. There are many freelance marketplaces where you can find writers, such as Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.com. These marketplaces allow you to post job openings and browse through profiles of potential writers.
• Social media. You can also find freelance writers on social media platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. There are many groups and communities for freelance writers, so you can post job openings or ask for recommendations.
• Job boards. There are also many job boards that list freelance writing jobs. Some popular job boards include Indeed, Monster, and CareerBuilder.
• Referrals. Ask your friends, family, and colleagues for referrals to freelance writers. They may know someone who is a good fit for your needs.
• Your own network. If you have a blog or website, you can reach out to your own network of readers and followers to see if anyone is interested in freelance writing for you.

Once you have found a few potential writers, be sure to review their portfolios and interview them before making a decision. You should also ask them about their rates and availability.

Here are some tips for finding a good freelance writer for your blog:

• Be clear about your needs. When you're looking for a freelance writer, it's important to be clear about your needs. What kind of content do you need them to write? What is your budget? What is your deadline? The more specific you are, the better.
• Look for writers with experience in your industry. It's important to find a writer who has experience writing about your industry or niche. This will help them to write content that is relevant and engaging to your target audience.
• Read their portfolio. Before you hire a freelance writer, be sure to read their portfolio. This will give you a sense of their writing style and quality.
• Interview them. Once you've found a few potential writers, be sure to interview them before making a decision. This will give you a chance to get to know them and to learn more about their experience and skills.
• Ask for references. Once you've interviewed a few potential writers, be sure to ask for references. This will give you a chance to talk to other people who have worked with the writer and to get their feedback.

Finding freelance writers for your blog may take some time, but with patience and due diligence, you can assemble a team of writers who will contribute to the success of your blog. 

How to hire freelance writers

1.Define Your Goals and Needs

Before searching for a freelance blog writer, clearly define your content marketing goals and the specific topics you want to cover. For instance, you might need to educate the audience about your products or services. 

Then, you will need someone who can present information in an engaging and comprehensive way. 

After defining the goals, it becomes clear which type of content you want. Understanding your needs will help you find a writer with the right expertise.  

2.Set a Realistic Budget​

Determine your budget for freelance writing services. Remember that experienced writers may charge higher rates, but the quality of their work can significantly impact your business. 

It is also crucial for you to understand the regularity of posting new articles on your blog. Without a doubt, you will need to post at least once a week at the beginning to attract new users and keep them interested. 

After some time, you can switch to a less regular posting format, positively impacting your budget. Consider these points when calculating the cost of hiring a blog writer.

3.Create a Detailed Job Posting​ 

Write a comprehensive job description outlining your expectations, preferred writing style, and target audience. Be specific about any industry expertise required. Naturally, you can provide a blog writer with all the necessary information about your business. 

Nevertheless, it is beneficial to hire someone who already knows some context and will not ask many questions on the topic. A writer with relevant experience is more likely to understand your audience, competitors, and industry-specific terminology. 

If your business operates in a specialized niche, consider hiring a freelance blog writer who is an expert in that field. They can provide in-depth knowledge and expertise.

4.Review Portfolios and Samples​ 

Request writing samples or portfolios from potential candidates. Pay attention to the quality, style, and readability of their work. Use all the possible ways to assess their writing skills before you make the decision.

Also, check for the candidates' SEO knowledge. A good freelance blog writer should have a basic understanding of SEO principles. Often, it can be challenging to incorporate keywords naturally. 

Ensure the writer you hire has the required skills.

5.Test with a Small Project​ 

Instead of committing to a long-term contract right away, start with a smaller project or a trial article. 

This approach allows you to evaluate the writer's performance and compatibility with your business goals. On top of that, you can use plagiarism-checking tools to ensure that the writer delivers 100% original content. 

You can even include this requirement in your contract. Another point to remember is that many writers actively use AI tools for content creation.

Therefore, you can use AI detectors to ensure the blog post for your business is not artificially created. It is a crucial point because more and more platforms use various detectors to define if the content is human-written or not. 

They do so to offer their audience high-quality content that is easy to grasp. AI tools do not always meet these requirements. Even though you will need to pay the writer for this work, doing so can help you avoid making the huge mistake of hiring the wrong person.

6.Evaluate Communication Skills​ 

All you need is effective communication to collaborate with a freelance writer. Ensure the writer is responsive, open to feedback, and carefully considers your comments. 

Otherwise, it will be difficult to collaborate with someone who is hard to reach and understand. Clear and timely communication guarantees meeting the deadlines of the blog posting schedule.

7.Ask for References​ 

Request references from previous clients to validate the writer's reliability. 

Contact these references to get insights into the writer's work ethic. After all, everything might look good on paper, but only previous employers know if all the points on the writer's CV are true.

8.Sign a Clear Contract​ 

Once you've found the right person to collaborate with, draft a clear and comprehensive contract that includes payment terms, deadlines, project scope, and other relevant details. 

Having a formal agreement in place protects both parties from getting disappointed. You can consult with a lawyer to write a short yet effective list of points.

Wrappping up 

According to a recent study, there are 600 million blogs worldwide. Even though just a fraction of them focus on a similar topic to your business, the competition is still pretty wild. 

Every day, it becomes more and more challenging to attract the attention of online users. Therefore, take enough time to choose the right person to take care of the content for your blog. 

It is better to launch your blog later than sooner to ensure you have a great team willing to assist you.