If you’re reading this, you’re probably faced with a question. You need to locate some new bloggers, but how do you find the best writers for hire online?
You already know that your online blog is important. You’ve done your homework. You’ve seen the statistics that tell you that you can triple your traffic, or quadruple your conversion rates. But there is still the unsolved question of how.
How do you tell which writers are worth the expense?
Look for Quality
The good news is that it doesn’t have to be complicated. There are multiple places you can look, depending on the specific needs of your business.
There are options for both freelancers and companies (more on that later).
But wherever you go, there are a few rules you should live by. These are the vital skills that you shouldn’t compromise or ignore. Don’t hire anyone that cuts corners on these essentials, because if you do, the blog (and your bottom line) will be the things that suffer.
So what should your writers bring to the table?
#1 – Solid Fundamental Writing Skills
Anyone who works for you should have a solid writing background.
This means the ability to write clearly, understandably, and in way that’s easy to read.
“Easily readable” material is especially important for web content. Roughly half of internet visitors scan article quickly. Clarity is essential.
This is perhaps not a surprise to anyone looking for a writer. But it needs to be mentioned first on the list, because having a subpar writer will be a liability, not an asset.
Your blogs are your bridge to new customers. Sloppy writing will look unprofessional, and will turn away more people than it hooks.
A Huge Variety
There are a lot of writers for hire online, and not all of them have the same skill sets.
Some are better at writing short, snappy content, while others will do better with long, research-driven posts.
As the owner of the blog, it’s important to have a clear idea of what you want. This will help you determine what kind of writer you should choose.
Would You Like a Sample?
Preferably, your blog writers will also have written something comparable to the sort of content you need for your blog. That could be material with a similar tone, or it could be posts in the same industry and market.
In addition, many content companies offer a “trial package” that lets you try the service at a discounted price. If you’re not sure about what you want, this can be a very smart option.
If you’re not convinced about a writer’s credentials, you can ask to see writing samples. A writer who can’t provide these examples may be overstating his or her professional experience.
#2 – Effective SEO Experience
Your blog writers should also bring a solid track record when it comes to search engine optimization (SEO).
If you’re looking to build your customer base and add to your web traffic, this is the part that is really going to be essential.
SEO Strategy
One of the things writers should be able to do is look at your page and see what keywords you need to use.
High-performing pages can benefit from focusing on the keywords that are doing well. This can push your page into the top level of Google’s ranking, especially if it’s not a keyword that is too vague or common.
Not all freelancers have the necessary tools to do this. This is one advantage of working with a content company: they typically have access to software and resources that helps them determine how your ranking can be improved.
A Balancing Act
The incorporation of keywords and phrases will help you rank higher on Google. In turn, this will drive your traffic to increase, potentially by as much as 434%.
But the best writers also know that “keyword stuffing” is a thing of the past (this was a popular strategy that involved adding lots and lots of keywords, even if it made the actual blog unreadable).
There are plenty of writers for hire online who are good writers, or good at SEO. The best of them are able to write both for search engines and for human readers.
#3 – The Ability to Write Industry-Specific Material
Are you in a niche market? Does your business cater to a narrow range of customers? Is it tied to a particular geographic region?
In these cases, it can be really helpful to find a writer who will be able to customize their material to your specific needs.
SEO and Copy
This “customization” is important for two reasons.
First, if there are common user searches that are particular to your market or service, it helps to know which ones are actually being used. By writing content that uses precisely targeted keywords, bloggers can bridge the gap between you and your “ideal customer.”
Second, your customers may be looking for very specialized information. The more useful the blog is to them, the more likely they are to return.
A good writer creates specialized content that will connect with both the search engine and your core market.
Where to Find Specialized Writers
Typically, writers for hire online will list whether or not they have any specialized writing knowledge. Experience with technology and medical topics are especially popular.
If you choose a freelancer, you may be able to find someone who has a good blend of skills.
The downside of freelancers is that if they take a vacation, get too busy, or just stop working with you, you have to start the search process all over again.
Content companies have one advantage here, in that they often have a roster of dozens or hundreds of writers. In these cases, there are often several writers available to produce quality content for you, even if one particular writer is unavailable.
#4 – Punctual Posting
When hiring a blogger, it’s also essential to make sure that they are posting regularly.
Whatever your schedule is (monthly, weekly, or multiple times a week), regular, fresh content will help keep your blog in the minds of your readers–– and at the top of Google’s rankings.
The Danger of Falling Behind
In short, the problem with publishing rarely is this: readers value new content. If you are a consumer, and need the answer to a question, are you going to visit a site with an answer from this year, or from six years ago?
Most people will pick the newer link, assuming that the old information may very well be out of date, and no longer applicable.
Google’s archiving software also notices when a site hasn’t updated in a while. Although certain sites may remain on the top of a ranking for many years, this is typically because they have created a significant name for themselves.
If a post isn’t updated, or supported with other content on the site, then it runs the risk of becoming forgotten.
The Advantages of Fresh Content
Conversely, fresh content can drive users to your site, especially first-time visitors.
This is great news for anyone looking to expand a customer base. In addition, by keeping your material current, you demonstrate that you are a good source of the latest information, which can result in more repeat visits, and better business.
When finding writers for hire online, be sure to choose a service that is able to keep the content flowing at a steady pace.
#5 – The Company Advantage
Finally, we come to the last big question: freelancer or an entire organization.
The Best Writers for Hire Online
Do you go to a company, or to a freelancer site like Upwork or Fiverr?
You can find great writers in both cases. But only with a company do you also get a host of other advantages, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing you aren’t reliant on just one person to deliver your product.
Freelancers are notorious for being difficult to work with, although there are many who are extremely professional. The challenge comes with figuring out which are which.
Often it takes a few tries to find a solo writer who will be able to do what you need.
The Company Resources
A company, on the other hand, has added advantages. By dividing the pieces of the process, the company can both be more efficient and more effective.
Consider, a company has the ability to assign the SEO research to one team that excels in that field. Then it can allowing the writers to focus on writing, and finish by getting the editors to make sure that each blog post adheres to high standards.
A content company can make sure that the right authors wind up with specialized material. By getting multiple pairs of eyes on each piece of content, the risk of mistakes plummets.
And this is how you wind up with quality content that fills each of the criteria.
- It’s well-written.
- It incorporates smart SEO.
- It’s specialized.
- It gets posted regularly.
The team approach produces results.
A Better Blog with SteadyContent
When you work with SteadyContent, you get all the benefits of working with a freelancer, with none of the hassle. Why is that?
With our group of over 500 writers, we can make sure that each post is written just how you want it to be. And if you like a particular writer’s work, we can also request that further posts are assigned directly to them.
So work with the best writers for hire online. We have a trial offer for new customers that will let you see the advantages for yourself, at a special low price.
Contact our team today, and let’s get started on making your blog better than ever!
