A guide to finding, hiring and working with freelance writers
As companies rely on content more and more to boost their brands, there’s an increasing need for high-level writers—either to liven up landing page copy or to produce interesting blog posts.
However, hiring a full-time writer for a business doesn’t bode well as there isn’t enough demand for content or the cost of a new marketing hire is excessively high.
This is the point where freelancers are needed. They provide content needs as soon as requested. Companies rely on freelance writers for blog posts, case studies, white papers, and any other form of copy. They also influence them to provide grant work, ghostwriting articles or speeches, technical writing, email campaigns, and bulletins.
So where do you start from in regards to hiring a freelance writer? Also, maybe more critically, how do you find and sustain an eminent freelance writer who can deliver your content appropriately to the public? We’ve prepared well enough to respond to each of those questions for you—with knowledge from a couple of recognized freelancers, to boot.
Find Freelance Writers
The good news is; there very many freelance writers everywhere. But also, that’s awful news.
The vast talent pool works to further your potential benefit since it implies that writers have to compete with each other on charges and due dates. Nevertheless, you’ll also need to search through a lot of average quality to discover genuine ability. The latter is essential when you’re on the lookout for customer-facing content that will signify to your brand.
There are numerous online platforms where you can find freelance writers. However, you should figure out what you’re searching for in a writer before you start looking for one. Do you need a specialist in a specific field? Are you fine with working with a junior, unverified writer who appears to be a wordsmith? Do you need an individual with marketing experience or one who knows SEO strategies? Do they have to be staying in your vicinity? By knowing everything you need in a writer, your search will be simpler.
There are mainly six methods of discovering great freelancers:
1. Referrals
Just like you ask your friends for referrals when you’re looking for doctors, nannies and eateries, do that for writers too. When someone you know says something good about a writer he or she has worked with, you don’t need to fuss about whether this new individual will comply with a time limit or turn in something sloppy. Inquire from individuals in your network if they have worked with a freelance writer before, and they may recommend a wizard with words right away.
2. Agencies
In case you have a bigger spending plan, agencies will do all it takes to find a suitable writer for you. Bigger firms such as Creative Circle and Outsource have vast databases of writers ready to take hold of odd jobs. There are specialists as well, such as Seliger & Associates for grant writing or BlogMutt for business blogging. Some companies like Contently and Skyword offer a hybrid approach that gives you both writers and the resources to manage them.
But prior to working with an agency, ensure that you look at their reviews on the internet. There are some out there that have very bad reviews from past writers who were paid a trifling sum for an undertaking. Avoid such a tragedy and work with a highly regarded company.
In case you’re keen on going past content creation and hiring an agency to assist with lead generation, lead nurturing and SEO, take a look at an inbound advertising firm. Starting out with a local search is a good thing to do.
3. Content Mills
If you have a limited spending plan, check out “content mills”. These sites give enormous volumes of work to emerging freelance writers who will finish tasks for bargain-basement prices. Upwork exhibits writers’ profiles alongside hourly rates, and you can also search by the type of writing. Speedlancer gives content by word-length accompanied by consultation for a 30-day editorial schedule.
Fiverr‘s writing and translation category is another alternative: it’s an online commercial center where individuals—including writers—publicize tasks that they will complete for a paltry five dollars. And sure enough, there’s always Craigslist, if you are okay with a flooded inbox.
4. Blogs and Magazines
Whenever you read an article on a blog or magazine webpage, for example, Entrepreneur.com or FastCompany.com, look at the writer’s profile—frequently you’ll come across the words “contributing writer” or “freelancer” among these few lines. In case you’re amazed by the write-up, consider inquiring from the individual if they’re searching for new independent clients. In the event that the person’s email isn’t given, Google the individual’s name, and you’re certain to either discover a website or LinkedIn page.
However, this method may lead you to pay more than you expected as these writers are usually doing extremely well in their work, permitting them to charge a lot more. But just because the writer has been made known on a prominent site doesn’t certify that they’re an A+ consultant, either. These posts have constant turnover, so inquire about the writer’s other work before you make a final decision.
5. Social Media
With a little know-how to go about social media sites, LinkedIn search and Twitter search can be significant sources for discovering agencies and writers. Furthermore, they allow you to look through the freelancers’ portfolios and blogs before you get in touch with them.
With LinkedIn, the most recent results from your search will be individuals who are in your network to some extent, which implies that you can inquire from your colleagues about recommendations and introductions. And once you come across a captivating writer on Twitter, it is obvious that the person will be following other writers too. Or else you can refer to your Twitter followers for prospects by taking advantage of Followerwonk, an application (free for one social profile) that lets you search for keywords in the profiles of your followers.
6. Google Search
On the other hand, there’s Google; a tool that you use to search for everything else.
Google is ideal in case you’re searching for writers who have practical experience in something, for example, someone who can blog about biotech. If you Google something non-specific like “hire freelance writer,” you’ll waste a lot of time looking through content about freelance writing (like, um, this one) but not get a variety of authentic writers. Rather, look for something like “freelance writer luxury brands” to perfectly present your particular request.
Regardless of what direction you take, you should never miss running a Google search on a writer’s online presence; look at the person’s past work, website, and blog to get an outline of the individual’s voice and way with words.
All in all, when you’re selecting a freelance writer, the principle is similar to that of a hotel stay: more often than not, you get what you pay for.
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Hire Freelance Writers
When it comes to the hiring process, each writer is different. Some want formal contracts while others prefer an email bearing out the job requirements and rates.
On your side, there’s no standard method with regards to hiring a writer. Certain organizations like to “audition” a writer before hiring them- and except if the writer offers free trial work, you ought to pay them for their time, regardless of whether it’s at a reduced rate. Other agencies simply consider the writer’s oeuvre.
Since freelance writers work remotely, it’s best to set up directives right away on how you will be communicating using various methods. It’s important that you include them in things like editorial schedule coordination and processes. You may also need to do regular follow-ups on long term projects.
Organizations that are hoping to hire the same freelance writer continuously may find it better to include the writer in the company system; it wards off confusion as to whether the individual is an employee or a contractor at the time of an audit (not forgetting the tax differences given if you’re writing off the expense of hiring a freelancer, which you should do!)
Finally, don’t forget to request our writers for a W-9 so that you’re not struggling to get the paperwork at the end of the quarter.
Pay Freelance Writers
You’ll find that some writers acknowledge payment through PayPal or Dwolla, while others prefer a check mailed to their home address. Some writers request payment to be finalized within a month’s time but for others, even two months is just fine.
Rates will vary from writer to writer, mainly if a project is complicated, requires a lot of research or it’s on short notice. In addition, most writers charge per word while others prefer to be paid per hour or even per project.
One thing is certain: Resolving the issue of payment is the most variable part of working with freelancers.
A freelance writer like Kristi Hines mainly creates content for blog posts and eBooks for businesses, she charges her clients by word count.
“In regards to blog posts, I work on pieces in the ranges of 500, 750, 1000, 1500, and 2000 words. Those are the most common lengths,” she says.
Furthermore, she gives clients the option of issuing a 30-day net invoice or a monthly blog post package which comes with an advance payment price cut.
Sophie Lizard, a UK-based freelancer who is an expert in science, technology, and psychology writing, charges in three ways i.e. monthly for a fixed set of deliverables, by half-day and by word count.
Through blogging and email newsletters, Samar Owais helps businesses market themselves. She requests for half of her fee prior to the start of the project, preferably through bank transfer. Payment is on a per-project basis.
Peter Bowerman, a writer known for creating content for brochures and video scripts for various companies, prefers being paid by the project. He says that’s what clients like as well since it helps them in budgeting.
Peter says that an hourly rate is only relevant when the scope of the project is unclear or ever-changing. Usually, he earns 50% before he does the work. This is usually in the form of a check but credit cards and PayPal are also accepted.
He also adds that, for clients with whom he has a great working relationship, he normally doesn’t ask for the upfront fee. He simply waits for the full amount at the end of the project. “However, customers who are new to hiring writers need to make a payment of one-third or more before work starts,” Peter further explains.
Tom Ewer, a blogger who also creates web copy and whitepapers, sets his rates by both words count and project.
“I send an invoice to my clients on the first day of a new month showing work done in the previous month and I’m usually paid within the next two days,” he says
Simply figure out what works for you, realize what works for them too, and once you’ve chosen a rate and method of payment, you’re all set!
Keep Freelance Writers
Even after you have discovered and hired a top-notch freelance writer who understands what you want, you’ve set a payment method and they have started presenting excellent content, you still face another challenge: sustaining them.
1. Be Fair with Deadlines
Some bit of consideration is required in order to attract incredible freelance talent. Put their time into consideration, the information they need for the project and the payment they hope to receive.
“Do not expect writers to deliver in a ridiculously short time just because you took long to give them the work,” Peter Bowerman says. “Make timely payments and don’t make them hustle to get their money; make all the necessary resources available to them so that they can do the job.”
2. Be Responsive in Your Inbox
“There should be stable communication between the two groups to keep a good relationship,” Kristi Hines says. Even if you do not want to demand your worker for updates each day, it is not right for you to also go off for a long time without communicating.”
As freelancers are remote workers, it’s always good to get them involved as often as possible; it facilitates developing a great working relationship and furthermore transforms them into your brand cheerleader.
