Writing
Hiring a great writer doesn’t have to be hard. The most important thing you can do when hiring a writer is be very clear about your specific needs—including the kind of content you want to create (and why).
This is because there are many different kinds of writers. Some specialize in technical writing, others focus on blogging, UX writing, creative writing, or even script writing. By knowing whether you need a content marketing writer, a creative writer, a report writer, or some other specialty, you can find just the right fit for your projects.
Below, we’ve covered all of the essentials you need to know before hiring a writer, from crafting a job post to figuring out the cost.
Craft a writer job post
A good writer job post will contain the following elements, regardless of industry:
- Professional title. State what kind of writer you’re interested in working with
- Type of hire. Indicate whether this is a contract engagement, a part-time employment role, or a full-time job
- Project summary. Put a high-level summary in your job post so the writer can quickly assess if they’ll be a good fit for the type of content you need
- Project details. After the summary, go into detail about your content needs—if the writer thinks they’re a good fit, they can keep reading to find out more
- Experience requirements. Note if there are any specific levels of experience you want the writer to have, or if they need to be familiar with specific frameworks and programs
- Deliverables. Outline what kind of work you want the writer to produce; be as specific as possible
- Deadlines. List when you want the finished deliverables to be done
- Budget. Clarify your budget for the project, so the writer knows if they’re in your range
While you can structure your job post however you see fit, try to use bullet points wherever possible. This makes it easy for potential candidates to scan the job description and make sure they’re a good fit before reading more closely.
Essential information for hiring a writer
When you consider hiring a writer, take time to understand:
- What services a writer might offer
- What role the writer will play in your project or company
- When the writer might be available, and current demand for their services
- How much to budget for your writer
- What questions to ask the writer when evaluating their work
The answers will help you narrow down your pool of candidates to the absolute best writer for your project.
The role of a writer
Writers can play many roles within a company, whether they work as a full-time employee or are an independent professional. A writer’s professional and educational background will vary based on the kind of work they do. For example, a copywriter may have a degree in advertising—or a professional history as a journalist who eventually pivoted into email marketing and later advertising.
Similarly, a technical writer may have a background in STEM ... or they might have started as a social media content writer for an engineering firm, later transitioning into technical writing. Regardless of their career path, a professional writer is someone who has experience using facts, experiences, and even emotion to craft a compelling narrative and communicate ideas.
Services offered by writers
Some of the most in-demand content writing services right now are:
- Blogging
- Guide and article writing
- SEO content creation
- Marketing copywriting
- E-book writing
- Report writing
If you think you need a different type of writing, do still post your job online. There are many writers who create high-quality content specific to different industries and niches—they’ll be happy to help you with your project.
Cost of hiring a writer
The cost to hire a writer can depend on several variables, including years of experience, project scope, total deliverables, and turnaround time.
Each writer will set their own rates. However, you can often create a general budget based on the level of writing experience you’re seeking:
- Entry-level writers may charge $30 or less per hour
- Intermediate writers may charge between $30-$50 per hour
- Expert writers may charge $50 and up per hour
Be aware, though—not all writers bill on an hourly basis. Some writers charge their clients by word, while others choose to use a retainer or flat-rate billing structure.
Choosing the right writer
When hiring writers, you’ll need to review several factors including their previous writing projects, familiarity with your industry, and ability to follow different brands’ or authors’ tones of voice.
Luckily, you can glean many of these insights by talking to an experienced writer—and examining their portfolio. Here’s what to look for:
- Industry. Has the writer worked for any other companies, or with other clients, in your industry? Do they demonstrate a grasp on industry terminology when you talk to them?
- Writing style. Do you like the style the writer uses in their portfolio pieces? Is it similar to, if not exactly the same as, the kind of style you want to replicate for your brand?
- Style guides. Does the writer have experience with any major style guides you use at your company, such as the AP Stylebook?
- Versatility. Are there any variances in tone and style when comparing content the writer has written for different companies? How comfortable do they seem with adapting their style to a brand’s guidelines?
- Accuracy. Does the writer produce quality work? Do you see spelling, grammatical, or factual errors? Can the writer talk to you about their typical research and editing process?
If you’re looking for freelance writing help, you should remember to read feedback and testimonials from their current or former clients. This can give you a feel of what it might be like to work with the writer.
You can also always opt to start with a paid test project. This may be equivalent to one blog post, a week of social media captions, or a single customer email—something small, but relevant to the project.
What kind of information will I need to provide to a writer?
Provide your writer with a content brief outlining the purpose of the content, the format, target audience, and any specific links or terms they should use. If your company has a brand or style guide, share that with the writer as well—it’ll help them match your existing tone of voice.