Why Should You Hire a Freelance Writer?
If you're a business owner, you need copy that convinces people to buy your products or services.
If you're a job hunter, you need a query letter that persuades someone to give you a job interview.
If you own a website, you need content that people will enjoy reading.
Maybe you can write your own ads, articles, newsletters, and web content. But do you have the time? Do you know how to write web content that hooks your readers? Do you know how to write an ad that will get people to buy from you instead of the competition?
You might be a talented web designer or a savvy business owner, but no one has time to be good at everything. A professional writer can make your life easier and make you look good.
Other Benefits of Hiring a Freelance Writer
Contracting with a freelance writer isn't like hiring an employee. That means you don't have to worry about providing paid vacation days, health insurance, and tax forms. It also means that if you're not satisfied with his work, you don't have to fire him. You simply refuse to use his services again.You don't pay a fixed salary to a freelance writer; you pay him for the project. Unlike an employee, you don't pay him for the time he spends playing solitaire or writing emails to his friends.
The freelance writer is also a small business owner, which means he understands the value of a satisfied customer. It's his business to be good at what he does. That's how he pays the bills and puts food on the table.
Types of Freelance Writers
Here's a list of the different kinds of writers out there:
- Copy Writer: A copywriter is someone who writes ads and promotional materials, otherwise known as copy in the world of advertising agencies.
- Ghost Writer: A ghostwriter is someone who writes under someone else's name. You hire them to write, and you get to take credit for their work. A lot of celebrity autobiographies are actually written by ghostwriters.
- Blogger: Someone who writes for a blog. Sometimes a blogger can be a "ghostblogger."
- Web Writer: Someone who writes content or ads for websites. They tend to know about SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and how people read content on the web. Sometimes known as "SEO Writer," "Web Content Writer," and "Web Copywriter," depending on the context.
Where to Find Freelance Writers
Freelance writers are easy to find, if you know where to look. Here are just a few ideas to get you started:- Go Local: You can look for writers the old-fashioned way in one of two ways: Consult a phone directory, or ask around. Local businesses may be able to recommend some good writers.
- Craigslist: This free online classifieds site is extremely popular. You'll probably get a flood of responses if you post an ad on Craigslist. Writers also advertise their services here.
- Squidoo: That's right, Squidoo. Just do a search for "freelance writer" on Squidoo, and you will find lenses made by writers offering up their services.
- Guru.com: This is where you post your project and freelance writers bid on it. You'll get competitive rates this way.
- Elance: Like Guru, this is a site where you post your project and the writers bid on it.
- Jobs.ProBlogger.com: If you're looking for someone to write for a blog, this is a good place to post a want ad. It costs $50, but since ProBlogger is a high profile blog that gets tons of traffic, you can expect lots of attention from bloggers looking for jobs.
- Helium: Helium is a website where writers of all levels of expertise post their articles, usually either for fun, extra money, or to build a portfolio. There is a section where you can submit article titles and invite writers to submit articles. You pick what you want.
What to Look For in a Freelance Writer
One of the most important questions to ask yourself is, "Do I like the way he or she writes?" There are other important factors to consider as well:- Style: Even an adaptable writer isn't going to be good at writing everything. Some writers are more technical, while other writers excel at humor. If you want a humorous or folksy approach to your project, a writer who specializes in technical manuals may not be for you.
- Portfolio: A writer with any kind of experience should have a solid portfolio. Examine writing samples thoroughly.
- References: Unless the writer is just starting out, he should be able to provide names of happy clients he's worked with in the past.
- Rates: Beware of the writer who charges too little for his work. Low rates are usually the mark of inexperienced writers.
How to Get What You Want from a Freelance Writer
The first step is to know what you want; the second step is to clearly communicate what you want to the freelance writer.If you don't have a clear idea of what you want, the freelance writer isn't going to know either. No matter how good the writer is, you won't be satisfied with anything he writes. You might as well blindfold him, hand him some darts, and tell him to hit the bull's-eye.
You want a freelance writer who is willing to ask questions. A good freelance writer will want to understand where you're coming from and what you hope to accomplish. If you want him to help you promote a product, he needs to know as much as possible about it.
Who is your audience? Who are you trying to sell to? What do you want people to do after they read this article or ad? Why should people buy your product? Why should people be interested in your company?
If you can answer these questions and communicate what you want to the writer, you're well on your way to getting results you'll be happy with.
Things to Watch Out For
- Demands full payment upfront: It's common for writers to ask for a payment deposit before starting a project. This is not unreasonable. However, unless he has a superb record, you should probably steer clear of a writer who demands 100% payment upfront.
- Bad writing: Is the writer's work full of misspellings and grammatical blunders? Is it offensive or just plain boring? Move on.
- Cheap rates: We all like a bargain, but dirt cheap rates should raise warning flags. You get what you pay for.
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estories wrote...
Timely tips! Now that you discovered the best tips, are you looking for a writer?
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Posted February 13, 2009
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Hello, thank you for visiting my lens. I'm a freelance writer.
There are tons of resources for people who want to be writers, and there are lots of web...
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