Hiring a content writer for your marketing agency is a risky endeavor but one that can pay off for you and your clients. Where do begin to hire a writer? How do you know what questions to ask? Does the writer’s process fit your firm’s process? What are the benefits of hiring a content writer? All of these and more will be answered in this guide.
Where do you begin? Let’s look at the signs it’s time to hire a writer.
Each agency I’ve worked with over the years has its own way of doing business. There are agencies that are strictly web design and development while others have web designers, developers, graphic designers, branding experts, ad writers, website copywriters, and bloggers. Sounds like they have everyone they need but that’s not always the case. There are times when a marketing agency considers hiring a content writer:
- Staff writer is at full capacity.
- Problem with current freelance writer.
- Need writer with SEO and keyword research experience.
- Too many ideas and not enough strategy.
- Launching a new product or service and need to update the website copy.
- Agency does not provide website copywriting or blog writing services to clients.
- Capture SEO authority and rank for agency or client website.
- Launching a YouTube Channel or Podcast.
- Need an experienced writer in a certain industry like financial services or nonprofits.
- Cost-effective to hire a contractor than to hire in-house
- Maxed out content but still have keywords to target
- Position as a thought leader.
- Expanding the agency and no time to write.
As an agency, you’re handling multiple projects and clients at one time. That may mean missing deadlines or delivering a subpar project to a client. That’s not what you want and that’s not what I want for you. Having the right team in place means you’re able to deliver 5-star projects on time to clients. In turn, those clients may refer you and the business will grow. That’s a win for everyone.
Still not sure about hiring a content writer for your agency?
The benefits of hiring an SEO content writer include having a professional who understands Google along with the talent to create content that connects to the target audience. In addition to writing the website copy, hire a writer that understands the value of content development and how blogging boosts web presence, and can implement their knowledge for the benefit of your agency and clients.
How do you find a content writer for your marketing agency?
Now that you’re considering hiring a freelance writer for your marketing agency, where do you find them? LinkedIn and Twitter are good resources, Google, asking for referrals from other businesses and other agencies, or call me, the Blogging Badass, at 480-206-6452. If your project is out of my scope, I have a network of writers who I can recommend.
Before you begin the search, think about the type of person that you want to hire and the role they will play within the agency.
- Define the role and/or scope of the project.
- Seek specific experience like writing for a specific industry and/or SEO content writing.
- Ask questions about the writer’s experience and content creation process.
- Request samples of their writing and references.
Whether you’re hiring on a contract or full-time, treat this as if you were hiring an employee. Identify candidates, schedule a conversation, and ask questions.
Questions to Ask When Hiring a Freelance Writer
- How long have you been a freelance writer?
- What kind of experience do you have writing in my industry or related? (Roofing but not residential windows — both are service)
- Do you have SEO training and/or experience? I offer my SEO Content Strategy as a simple way to increase site visibility.
- How does a content writer get paid? Hourly vs. Project rate.
- What is your experience working with other digital marketing agencies?
- What is your process working with marketing agencies?
- In what ways can we repurpose the content you create and/or use what we’ve created on the podcast, video, etc. on our blog?
In this way, you can learn about each other and determine if you can work together. It can be a casual conversation, as most of my meetings with agencies are, or it can be more formal. Over the last 10+ years, I have found the more formal interviews are with larger agencies or companies while working with smaller teams or solopreneurs is more casual. Do what works for you and your team.
Hiring a content writer for your marketing agency is a project in and of itself but it can pay off in big ways. Your team is better able to focus on their projects. A writer provides additional knowledge, experience, and ideas to the team, and the agency has an opportunity to expand services offered by having a content writer with whom you work on a regular basis.
