Creative writers are skilled storytellers. You could hire a creative writer for personal projects like ghostwriting a novel and writing a screenplay. You can also use their storytelling chops to craft marketing content that grabs the readers' attention and builds loyalty.
Top creative writers can write just about any content where you want to build up the reader’s emotions to encourage a desired action. This may be anything from a blog post about a company’s origin story to emails promoting a product.
Understanding fundamentals including what creative writers do, how much they’re in demand, and how to write a job description, can improve your chances of hiring the right person. Here’s what you should know.
The role of a creative writer
Creative writers do more than write, they often support teams with tasks like developing content strategy, managing assets, and researching topics. Before looking for someone, think through all of the tasks you want them to handle.
Also, keep in mind that many writers don’t start their careers writing full time. Many writers have specific industry, education, cultural, or subject matter knowledge that can make their writing more engaging for your specific audience.
Creative writer tasks
Although creative writers spend most of their time writing, their daily tasks often include some or all of the following:
- Developing story angles to present a message in the most compelling and memorable way
- Researching topics to create relevant and engaging content that meets marketing goals
- Editing content to validate proof points, remove errors, and improve readability
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure their content supports larger marketing campaigns
Common projects for creative writers
Use a creative writer for any internal or external content that can be made more impactful with a good story. Here are a few ways businesses work with creative writers:
- Craft a brand narrative. Attract like-minded customers by defining what a company stands for and why it exists.
- Expand social media presence. Increase followers and engagement by writing posts, videos, and campaigns.
- Write video scripts. Make explainer and brand awareness videos more impactful with the right words.
- Produce press releases. Convey messages clearly for anything from product launches to handling difficult situations.
- Write an ebook. Share thought leadership, research, or product information.
Job description for a creative writer
If you’re looking for a freelance creative writer, you don’t need as detailed a job description as you would when hiring an employee. Whether you need someone on a project basis or full time, be sure to provide enough information for the writer to know if they’re a good match for the job. This will reduce your time spent sifting through unqualified responses.
Here’s what a good writer job description should include:
- Eye-catching job post title. Describe the problem you’re seeking to solve and include keywords that you think the writer will search for. Example: Creative writer with a medical background to ghostwrite a murder mystery.
- Detailed scope of work. Tell them what they’ll need to do, with expected deliverables and timelines. Example: You’ll write five articles around 1,500 to 2,000 words each and deliver one article per month. All articles should be fact-checked and include references to quotes and statistics used.
- Competitive pay rate. For full-time employees, include a salary range. For independent contractors, state whether it’s a fixed-price or hourly contract and the rate.
- List of qualifications. Clearly separate your must-haves from the nice-to-haves. If you’re hiring a freelancer through Upwork, you have access to the world’s largest talent pool, so you’re likely to find the exact person you’re looking for.
Sample creative writer interview questions
Consider asking a combination of interview questions that will help you understand the creative writer’s work processes and writing style, and what it’s like to work with them. A few questions may be:
- How do you generate story ideas? See their creative process and ability to solve problems.
- How do you begin writing about a topic that you’re unfamiliar with? Understand their research approach and attention to detail.
- How do you maintain work quality with changing deadlines? Check out their organizational skills and ability to adapt.
- How do you incorporate feedback into your writing? Gauge their openness to collaboration and constructive criticism.
Cost to hire a creative writer
Costs vary depending on several factors including niche expertise, background, turnaround time for a project, writer’s location, and demand for the writer. For instance, a creative writer who had several books appear on the New York Times bestseller list may command a higher price than an equally skilled writer who doesn’t yet have a history of success.
That said, the average rates for a creative writer in the U.S. according to Indeed are:
Entry-level
Entry-level creative writers are typically recent graduates or individuals with minimal professional experience. They are eager to build their portfolios and often bring fresh perspectives and creativity. They are ideal for simpler projects or tasks that don't require extensive industry knowledge.
- Hourly. $20 – $25
- Full time. $40,000 – $50,000
Intermediate
Intermediate creative writers have several years of experience and a proven track record. They possess a deeper understanding of writing techniques and industry standards. They are well-suited for more complex projects and can confidently and skillfully handle a wider range of writing tasks.
- Hourly. $27 – $37
- Full time. $55,000 – $75,000
Expert
Expert creative writers are seasoned professionals with extensive experience and specialized knowledge. They excel at producing high-quality content and often have a strong portfolio of published work. They are capable of tackling the most demanding projects and delivering exceptional results.
- Hourly. $39 – $58
- Full time. $80,000 – $120,000
Hiring outlook for creative writers in 2024
The demand for creative writers is holding steady as companies need help standing out above the noise. Companies especially need help with digital content including blogs, emails, videos, and social media. Creative writers with a strong understanding of SEO and digital content strategies—and increasingly, generative AI—may be in higher demand than those without such knowledge.
A huge benefit of creative writers is that they can work 100% remotely, so you can work with anyone located anywhere. That makes it much easier for you to find the ideal talent for a project or to join your team full time. And since they don’t need to work on-site, you can expand your search to more diverse talent pools, such as those available through Upwork.
Industries hiring creative writers
Any industry that communicates with humans, be they customers or internal staff, can use a creative writer. Here are a few ways these writers benefit different industries:
- Marketing and advertising. Write persuasive and memorable ads, marketing campaigns, and digital content.
- Media and entertainment. Write entertaining and captivating scripts for TV shows, movies, video games, and podcasts.
- Publishing. Write fiction and non-fiction books, magazine articles, and online content.
- Retail and eCommerce. Increase sales with intriguing product descriptions, customer emails, and promotional content.
- Technology. Convey complex technical information simply and clearly on websites, brochures, and articles.
- Healthcare and hospitals. Produce content about services and events for patients and healthcare professionals.
- Education and eLearning. Make courses easier to understand and create promotional content for the school and courses.
Find your top creative writer on Upwork
Creative writers can benefit any industry that wants to increase the impact of its internal communications and marketing content. Whether you need a creative writer full time or on a project-by-project basis, you now have the knowledge to start looking for your ideal talent.
Start working with your creative writer sooner by searching for them through Upwork. Join now to access the world’s largest network of freelance professionals for free. It just takes a minute. And most clients say they find their ideal match within three days.