Why Hire A Freelance Writer?
Freelance writers make time for you to run your business
This is perhaps the most common reason. Sometimes a business is doing everything right and they want to expand the reach of their website or social media campaign but simply do not have the hours in the day to run their business, write a weekly blog, submit press releases and articles for publication and post special promotions to Facebook. You can hire me to do those things for you and know that they will get done, and get done correctly.
Freelance writers are far more affordable than agencies
Another big reason. Freelance writers frequently write copy that is of agency standards or higher, but do so at a faction of the cost. This is for several reasons but primarily this is due to low overhead costs. Agencies have an awful lot of expenses – offices, utilities, staff, employee wages, insurance and incentives and so on that freelancers simply do not have. Large agencies and firms have no choice but to pass those costs on to you, the client.
The flip side of the coin here is that all the extra money you pay to firms and agencies enables them to utilize a wide array of products and services. Sometimes a client is better served by an agency or firm, it's true. It should be noted however, that many of these bundled services are available separately on the web and at a more cost-effective price (hosting and email marketing are notable examples). Additionally, some of these companies actually outsource their writing needs to trusted freelance writers like me.
Freelance writers offer a fresh perspective
Many times a client finds themselves a bit trapped by their familiarity and expertise with their product or service, eventually losing track of how to actually attract new customers. Overuse of industry jargon and acronyms, generic call to actions, failing to clearly outline features and values, delineating a competitive advantage - all are symptoms of a company that has become too close to what their selling. No one knows your business like you do but seeing the sale from the other side can be very enlightening.
Freelance writers can leverage additional skills for your company
Freelance writers routinely work with a staggering variety of businesses, many of whom require specialized or esoteric knowledge to work with their business efficiently. This can involve topics as imposing as a basic understanding of contract law in automotive dealerships to advice on choosing the best content management system to use for your website. Many of these skills picked up from previous projects can have an immediate benefit to your company, and can save you consultation costs.
Freelance writers are flexible
Unlike many large content-generating services and advertising, freelance writers can be flexible. They're usually flexible in negotiating terms, can accept multiple forms of payment, can meet tight deadlines and generally offer a much more friendly and gratifying client experience than a web service. That said, not all freelance writers are created equal.
Exercise good judgement when choosing a freelance writer
Unfortunately, it's a fact I have also had gun-shy clients who have had less than optimal experiences with their previous freelance writer. They have missed important business goals due to missed deadlines, incomplete or shoddy work and and client relationships that suffered from poor communication and distrust. Additionally, not every writer is suited to every project equally.
Evaluate their website, review their portfolio, contact them for a quote. Is their website professionally done? Do they have plenty of writing sample available? Does their writing style suit you needs? If they seem like a good fit and they seem responsible and prompt, they probably are. Many times you can see if they meet your expectations on a small project and move forward from there. Be wary of freelance writers that offer to work for free or sell their work for rock-bottom prices. Remember, you'll always get what you pay for.
