5 Things To Look For In A Freelance Writer

No one's great at everything. No one loves every aspect of their work. Many people would prefer to focus only on the tasks they enjoy and excel at. This is why we outsource certain tasks, including content writing.

Writing is an essential component of any profession. With very few exceptions, most people need some type of copy, for their websites, their newsletters, their blogs.

It's been said that the key to being a successful writer is to create great content. I would argue that great content is a given, and that the writer you hire should have a solid grip on how to deliver it. Beyond that, there are other important things to consider when hiring someone to write for you.

Like what? Passion? Sure.

I love to write. Give me a topic I'm particularly interested in, and it's on! But, even passion does not always translate to thoroughly articulated, solidly crafted pieces. Passion can only take you so far.

So we've nailed down two: great content and passion. But of course there's more. It's essential the writing helps to establish your credibility, enhance your reach, touch your audience (whether they be clients or fans), and build your brand.

On that note, here are five important qualities to consider when seeking out a freelance writer.

1- Expertise
Whether you're hiring a freelance writer to provide content on food, anxiety meds, or sports, the writer should have at least some familiarity with food, anxiety meds, or sports.

It's expected (and preferred) that any writer do some research to fact check, support, and beef up their content. However, the writer should have a basic working knowledge of the topic they are writing about, and not have to study extensively to catch up. This will save the writer time, and the client money. Additionally, the writer's expertise will come through in the writing, making the content more engaging, as opposed to it feeling forced and dry.

2- Flexible Tone
Every writer has their own voice, and more than likely, their voice is what attracted you to them. However, when hiring a freelance writer to provide content, it's important that their voice and tone reflect you/your brand.

I have been asked to both provide content in my voice, which tends to be more warm, personal, and engaging, as well as a company's voice, which aligns with their writing style. This may mean switching to a more straightforward and science-heavy tone.

Every client and organization will have their own criteria. Some prefer to address the reader directly, while others may wish to have content written in the first person. Some may want to provide information more matter-of-factly, while others like more humor-laced, anecdotal content.

A good freelance writer should have a consistent style and tone they bring to their content, yet be flexible enough to adapt to any company's style guide and preferences.

3- Clear and Upfront Pricing
Freelance writers vary in how they charge. Some charge by the word, the page, or the hour. Some charge on a project basis. Because there is no one standard for setting rates, it's important that the freelance writer communicates up front what their fee is and how it is calculated, as well as lays out a clear payment method.

When charging by the word, page, or hour, it's also important to establish whether everything will be tallied at the end, or whether a word/page/hour number will be set from the beginning.

Being clear about pricing also includes revisions. Some writers will have a few rounds of revisions built into their cost, whereas others will charge separately for them.

Be sure to ask your writer about all this up front.

4- Basic SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
Though content is the major focus for any writer, if your content will be posted online, it's important that the freelance writer understands basic SEO. The whole purpose of SEO, including how to choose the best keywords, placement of phrases, backlinking, etc., is to attract more readers to your content, and therefore, to you.

A writer who creates content for online publication (e.g., blogs) should be attuned to SEO, so that your content is not only great, but accessible, easily searchable, and far-reaching.

5- Skilled at Grammar and Punctuation/Copy Editing Familiarity
While content may come naturally to writers, copy editing is a separate skill that not all writers have. A writer is great with words, phrases, engagement, hooks, story structure, and so forth, however, many writers fall short when it comes to the nuances of grammar and copy editing.

Ideally, your writer should have a good understanding of punctuation and grammar, and include it as part of the finished product. This will ensure the cleanest and most professional version of your content.