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To be successful in content marketing, you must produce great content on a regular basis. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to write compelling content consistently. This is why many businesses are choosing to outsource their writing to a freelance writer or agency.
How to Outsource Content Writing: Step-by-Step Guide
When outsourcing your content writing, there are several things you should keep in mind:
Determining Scope of Work
The first step is to determine the scope of your content writing project. How many articles do you need? What topics will be covered? When do you need it delivered? Setting clear expectations from the start will help ensure that your outsourced project runs smoothly and meets deadlines.
For optimal results, when you are creating a cannabis content writing schedule or are working on any other project, it is suggested to publish 1-2 articles per week. Choose topics that are relevant to your target audience and align with your business goals. Content marketing is all about long-term planning and execution, not a quick fix. Quality writing will not only attract more readers but will also help build trust and credibility.
In order to have the best chance at ranking on Google, it’s recommended to invest in 2,000-3,000 word articles that meet the search intent. Longer content also tends to perform better on social media, resulting in more engagements.
Finally, decide what kind of writing style you are looking for—casual, conversational, formal, or technical. Are you looking for something creative or informative? Establishing these details at the start will help ensure that your writers produce content that is not only relevant but also in line with your brand personality.
Once the scope has been determined, you should create a timeline and set deadlines for deliverables. This will allow your writers to plan their work in advance and deliver the content on time.
By taking the time to establish clear boundaries and expectations, you can ensure that your content writing project is successful. With the right process and guidance, you can achieve outstanding results.
Researching Potential Writers
Once you know what type of content you need and the deadlines for delivery, it’s time to start researching potential writers. There are several methods you can use to find good content writers:
- Search freelance marketplaces such as Fiverr or Upwork: These sites allow you to post a job and receive bids from different freelancers. Browsing these sites can help you quickly find potential writers who specialize in the type of content you need to be written.
- Network with other businesses: Talk to people in your network who have used content writers in the past. They may be able to recommend someone they’ve worked with or suggest someone they know who might be a good fit for your project.
- Search social media: Use Twitter, LinkedIn, and other platforms to search for content writers in your area or who specialize in the type of writing you need to be done. You’ll likely find many potential candidates who can help you out.
It is also essential to choose the right candidate who will deliver. No one wants to spend time and money on an insufficient result that will need to be redone.
- Review online portfolios: Most content writers will have an online portfolio or website showcasing their work. Look through various portfolios to find the right writer for your project.
- Look at writing samples: Ask potential candidates to provide writing samples so you can get a better sense of their style and see whether it’s right for your project.
- Interview candidates: Once you’ve narrowed down your list of potential writers, it’s important to interview them. Ask questions about their experience, qualifications, and writing style. This will help you make sure the writer is a good fit for the project before committing to hiring them.
- Check references: It’s also important to check references before hiring someone. Ask past clients about their experience working with the writer and whether they would recommend them.
Once you’ve done all of this research, you should have a shortlist of potential content writers who are right for your project. From there, you can make an informed decision about which writer to hire.
When hiring a writer, it is essential to establish a good working relationship with them. Make sure to clearly communicate deadlines and expectations, provide feedback on their work, and be open to constructive criticism. This will help ensure that the writer is motivated to produce high-quality results on time. By finding the right writer for your project, you can create compelling content that resonates with your audience and drives traffic to your website.
Creating a Feedback Loop
To help improve the content, provide specific feedback to writers for each article. This feedback should be timely and concise but comprehensive, and it should provide specific guidance for improvement.
Your writers might not immediately understand what you are looking for, so a feedback loop will help them become more familiar with your expectations and produce better results. Once the writer has received feedback, they can make adjustments to their work based on your advice. This process should be repeated until the final result is satisfactory.
It might be useful to create a style guide or document that sets out the standards you expect from your writers. This guide should include information about your strategy, content ideas, target audience, and desired tone of voice. It should also provide information about specific elements such as formatting rules, grammar rules, and keywords to include in the content. Having a style guide will ensure that all of your writing pieces adhere to a consistent standard.
Finally, set up a system for tracking results and performance. This will help you measure the effectiveness of the content and your writers’ progress. When you have this data, it will be easier to determine which writers are producing the best work and who needs more support.
By creating a feedback loop and tracking system, you can ensure that your content is high-quality and meets your expectations. You’ll also be able to reward your best writers, which will help motivate them to continue producing great work.
How to Onboard Successful Candidates?
Once you’ve identified the best writer for your project, it’s important to onboard them properly. This will help ensure that they have all the tools and resources they need to produce high-quality content.
Start by signing a contract outlining the scope of the project, payment terms, and deadlines. This will provide clarity and ensure that both parties are on the same page.
Don’t forget about the NDA (non-disclosure agreement) if needed. If you plan to have someone else write under your name, it is essential that they are a good fit for your brand. If not required, it is still something worth taking into thought.
Next, give them access to any tools or resources they need to do their job. These could include customer management systems, research databases, or content management systems.
Finally, make sure to provide onboarding training. This will help orient them to your company and the specifics of the project. It can also include information about topics such as how to use research databases, how to format content, or how to optimize it for search engines.
Providing onboarding training will help ensure that your new writer is productive and successful from day one. With clear expectations and ongoing support, you can create a working relationship with them that will last for years.
To Sum up
Finding the right writer is essential for creating compelling and engaging content that resonates with your audience. With a bit of research, you can find the best writer for your project and build a successful working relationship with them. By establishing a feedback loop and tracking system, you can ensure that your content meets your standards. Finally, make sure to provide onboarding training and access to all the resources they need in order to produce successful work. With these steps, you can find and retain the best writers for your business.
