Key Takeaways:
When your to-do list is spilling off the page, and your plate is so full you’re about to drop it, outsourcing is the only way to make it better.
If you’re here, writing content is probably not the best way to spend your time. In the hours it takes to churn out a respectable blog post, you could be putting your brain to work on creative high-level stuff instead.
So why aren’t you?
It’s one thing to know you need to outsource content writing, but it’s another to make that happen. Writing isn’t your favorite hat to wear, but neither is hiring.
Here’s a tip: outsourcing can be easy if you know where to look for content writing services.
Sure, you can probably find a writer or two lurking on Craigslist…but that’s not where the best talent hangs out.
To find great writing, you need to go where the best writers are.
Don’t rely too heavily on broad classifieds platforms like Craigslist. Sure, you’ll find a couple writers lurking there, but you can’t expect to find the cream of the crop that way.
These are the best ways to outsource content writing.
Perhaps the most common way to outsource writing is by hiring a freelancer.
Working with freelancers can be a great experience because it’s a flexible arrangement. If the amount of content you need varies, a freelancer can often accommodate your project.
Besides, there are some seriously talented freelance writers out there.
Freelance platforms include:
One downside to working on freelance platforms is that the pool is often saturated. That means you have to weed through many inexperienced or questionable profiles to find the right fit for your project.
Also, remember that hiring a writer doesn’t mean you also have a strategist and editor, so you might have your work cut out for you. You’ll have to do the legwork to figure out what content you need and what might work, and you have to do quality assurance on the finished product.
If you have the time to vet potential writers (and make sure you’re getting the content you strategically need), then this method might be right for you.
Another option is to entice some big voices in your industry to pop onto your blog and speak their truth.
This is awesome if you can make it work because using known voices helps build your reputation. You can often get exposure from your guests’ audiences since they usually link to your website from their blog.
Keep in mind using guest bloggers takes a lot of time because you have to cold email the bloggers you’re interested in utilizing (and hope they get back to you).
Plus, it can be hard to keep a regular publication schedule when you’re working with guest bloggers since you’re dealing with their schedules and yours.
Content creation platforms are exactly what they sound like. They usually work like this:
There’s a clear benefit to this method of content outsourcing – you can get a lot of content quickly.
These platforms typically use hundreds of freelance writers and can get big assignments done fast.
The only downside to these platforms is that content en masse can have quality issues. Content platforms handle hundreds or thousands of pieces a week, and that can mean simple mistakes making it through when they shouldn’t.
Plus, the content being created by a pool of writers instead of a dedicated writer can mean inconsistencies in voice and continuity.
Some examples of content creation platforms include:
Job platforms are the best places to hire a writer as a W-9 employee if that’s the route you’re looking to go.
Some of the most popular ones include:
You can find freelancers on those platforms too, but they’re traditionally a place for employers to connect with employees.
This could be the right way to go if you already have a dedicated marketing department and you’re looking to add a writer to your team.
If you have a swamped content strategist writing their own content, think about using a job platform to lighten the load. Or maybe you have a staff writer already but need to expand your capacity – or hire a specialist (like a conversion copywriter).
Either way, these websites are a great place to start.
Hiring a content agency is the best way to get full-service, ready-to-go content. In fact, that’s what sets this method apart from other ways to outsource.
The very best content doesn’t just have a writer behind it. It has an entire team of editors and strategists to back up that writer – maybe even researchers and designers too.
That’s because quality content requires a strategy. You can get great content from a single writer, but it won’t be part of the big picture. There’s only so far standalone content can go.
Plus, working with an agency ensures you’re getting experienced talent that knows how to slip into an authentic brand voice and sell your story in a true and honest way.
It might be tempting to save a buck and hire just a writer or two, but going that route means you’ll have to provide a lot of support.
Most writers are just that: writers. Unless you’re willing and able to provide the research, strategy, and editing yourself, you need a real team to back and execute your content goals.
Let’s cut to the chase – ContentBacon can be that team for you.
Our pro writers, editors, and strategists come together to craft out-of-this-world content that reps your brand and tells your story in your very own voice.
The best part is, it couldn’t be any easier or faster with our Content Easy Button. Give us just an hour of your time, and we’ll turn it into 30 days of tasty content. Hit that button and let’s make it happen!