When it comes to content creation, you have two options: do it yourself or outsource.
While it’s certainly admirable to create content entirely on your own, it’s not feasible for everyone. That’s why many companies opt to have a mix of in-house or freelance writers, or they choose to outsource the task entirely.
If you’ve been considering making the move to outsource content writing, you probably have a few questions you need answered. For instance, how do you know when it’s time to hire a writer? Will this investment really be worthwhile? How do you outsource anyway?
This article shares everything you need to know if you want to get started with outsourcing.
Knowing When it’s Time to Outsource
Now that you understand how to outsource content writing efficiently, you may be wondering – is it time to hire someone or can I continue to manage my content on my own?
This can be a difficult decision. Giving up control or seeking outside help isn’t always the easiest thing. However, sometimes it’s exactly what you need to propel your brand forward. Here are a couple of signs it’s time to outsource:
1. You’re Missing Publication Deadlines
If you want to be successful with your content creation, you should consistently publish new. Doing this allows you to stay top-of-mind with your target audience. Plus, it helps you generate more organic traffic and will help position you as a thought leader over time. To be consistent, it’s helpful to have a set posting schedule. For instance, you could aim to publish a new article weekly.
However, that’s often easier said than done. When building a business, there are typically tons of tasks on your plate. And sometimes, content creation takes a backseat to those other to-dos when you have limited time in your day to get things done.
If you find you’ve been neglecting your content schedule by missing publication deadlines, it’s time to consider outsourcing. This will ensure you get back on track and have new content going out regularly. Then, you won’t have to risk being forgotten by your readers.
2. Writing Isn’t Your Strong Suit
The truth is writing isn’t for everyone. Which is okay because you don’t need to be an expert writer or spend hours stressing about putting together a high-quality article. Instead of beating yourself up over it, call in the reinforcements.
When you outsource content writing, you get to remove this task from your to-do list and focus on the things you enjoy doing for your business. Additionally, hiring someone who truly loves to write ensures you’re putting out better content than ever.
3. You Don’t Know SEO
If you want to generate organic traffic, optimizing your content is a must. Search engines like Google are always evolving and updating their algorithms to better deliver users the content they’re searching for. And if you’re creating online content, you need to stay updated with these changes because they could impact the SEO strategies you’ve been implementing.
But what if you don’t know a thing about SEO? Or what if you’re struggling to stay updated with what’s going on with Google? You don’t need to be an optimization expert. However, this is another good sign you may want to outsource content writing. A skilled writer will know how to effectively optimize your content so you can rank higher on Google. That will bring in more traffic and could increase engagement and conversions.
4. You Have the Budget
Money is often one of the biggest roadblocks for businesses that want to outsource content. Sometimes they simply don’t have the extra funds to allocate to this. If you do, it might be time to move forward with outsourcing.
Investing in content can help you make more money. In 2019, a HubSpot study revealed blogging alone can net you 13 times more in positive return on investment (ROI). But on top of that, you free up time to tackle other projects to grow your brand, so the investment only grows.
The Benefits of Outsourcing Your Content Writing
Even if you know you should outsource, there’s a good chance you’re probably a little hesitant too. Finding the perfect writer can be stressful. Plus, you need to create a new budget for this added expense. You might feel like that isn’t worthwhile, but you just need to understand the great things that can come along when you outsource content writing.
Here are a few benefits that just might seal the deal for you:
- It’ll Save You Time:Instead of pouring hours into content creation, you can have someone else completely take over this task. Then, it’ll free up time in your day to focus on other things to drive your business forward. For example, you’ll be able to put more effort into creating new products and services. And relying on a skilled writer will often take less time than if you were creating the content.
- High-Quality, Optimized Content:An expert writer will deliver top-notch content carefully optimized so you can attract more organic traffic to your website. You’ll never have to question the quality of the content you receive, nor will you need to worry about staying updated with the latest SEO tactics. Your writer can handle that for you.
- Improved Rankings in the SERPs:Since you’ll now be publishing optimized content on your blog, there’s a good chance your content may start climbing up the SERPs. Landing on the first page of Google is quite a feat, and it’s something a skilled writer can help you accomplish. Higher rankings generate more visibility and lead to a boost in traffic.
- Increased Conversions and Engagement: A powerful article could be what leads someone to purchase with your business, especially if you include a well-written call to action at the end. You also may see engagement rates increase because of all this new content you’re publishing.
Of course, those are just a few of the benefits you can experience when you outsource. Beyond that, you can feel confident knowing you’ll receive 100% original content every time.
How to Outsource Content Writing
Sold on outsourcing and ready to dive in? Before you do, there are a few tips you need to know if you want this to be a successful partnership. Here’s some advice to keep in mind:
1. Set Your Budget
Great content doesn’t have to break the bank, but you need to know what you can afford to spend. After all, you don’t want to allocate more money to content creation than you have. However, you will need to pay your writers fairly if you expect to receive high-quality content in return. Take some time to review your current budget. How much money do you have left to spend on a writer? How much do you feel comfortable spending? These are essential questions when you begin searching for freelancers or agencies to work with.
2. Find Writers Who Are Skilled in Your Niche
Whether you’re hiring a freelancer or choosing to work with an agency, it’s smart to ensure the writer creating your content has some expertise in your field. This is especially important if you’re in a high-level niche such as the medical, financial, or technical worlds. Not only does this improve the overall quality of your content, but you’ll feel more confident in the outcome.
If you opt to work with an agency, you can ask them ahead of time if they have writers skilled in your niche. And you can request to work with that specific writer. At Express Writers, we vet and train writers with a variety of backgrounds, then match hand match writers to our clients in those industries. If a client finds someone whose work they love, they can request to keep working with that writer every time they order.
3. Clearly Communicate Your Needs
Whenever you’re working with someone else, clear communication is going to be essential. As you outsource content writing, it’s imperative that you’re up-front with the writer or agency about what you want. For instance, you’ll want to provide as much detail as necessary when you order your content. Include the topic you’d like them to write about, your focus keyword, any information you want included in the content piece, and details about who your target audience is.
If you want to take it a step further, you could also include an outline. It doesn’t have to be overly detailed, but it can break down all the different areas you’d like to ensure the content covers. Linking to a reference piece is great as well. Your writer can then better understand what you’re looking for from the content they’re creating for you. They’ll get a feel for the style of writing you like and the different points you want them to include.
Beyond that, providing more details is much more effective than saying, “Write a 1,000-word article on smart marketing tactics.” That’s rather vague and could lead your writer to take the article in the wrong direction than what you had intended.
4. Give the Writer Room for Creativity
It is possible to be too constricting when working with a writer. You want to give direction when it comes to tone, keywords, and your core message. However, you also want the writer to have room to be creative. A talented writer will know how to craft an amazing piece of content while adhering to your directions. So, offer guidance, but give them enough space to do what they do best without restricting their creativity.
5. Work With Your Writer Through the Editing Process
Once the writer has submitted a piece of content to you, remember that this is merely a draft. You don’t have to accept what they’ve created, especially if there are issues. If there are any changes needed, politely communicate that with your writer so they can make the appropriate edits.
You never want to quit on the first draft. Instead, work together and create a collaborative process. When you go back and forth to finalize the copy, it forges a stronger relationship between you and your writer. They will understand your likes and dislikes for any future content they create for you. Think of it as a learning opportunity. The better your writer gets to know what you’re looking for, the better job they’ll do next time.
6. Reward Your Writer for a Job Well Done
Those who work freelance sometimes see an assignment come in, complete the job, and never hear from that company again. This can be discouraging because it often leaves the writer wondering if something went wrong.
If you work with a freelancer, take the time to send your thanks after they complete an assignment. You can even call out a specific element you liked about the content. Not only is this encouraging, but it helps foster a trusting relationship for the future. This writer may even feel compelled to make your work a top priority moving forward since they’ll know just how much you appreciate all their hard work.
Outsource Content Writing to Our Expert Team
If you’re interested in outsourcing your content creation to a skilled and reputable agency, look no further. Founded in 2011, Express Writers has served over 5,000 clients with a team that has completed over 50,000 projects. You can trust that we have what it takes to create high-quality, valuable content your readers will love.
Head to our Content Shop to see what our writers can do for you.
