This is part 1 of a 3 part blog series to help you identify what a content writer is, what skillsets to look for and where to find one.
Have you been putting off hiring a writer for your business? Don’t know where to start? Worried you can’t justify the expense?
I am here to tell you there are many talented writers in the market and endless options to suit your budget. Hiring a content writer can feel a bit overwhelming if you are new to this industry.
To make it easier I will break it down into manageable pieces here.
Part 1: Defining what a content writer is and how they work
Part 2: Skills and characteristics to look for in a writer
Part 3: How to find a writer who can support your business needs
What is a Content Writer?
As an independent freelance writer, who is a self-employed contractor providing writing services in the open market. These services can be a one-time project agreement or an ongoing commitment with multiple clients. A freelancer usually works remotely, providing services from anywhere in the world.
A copywriter can sometimes be called a content writer. Copywriters more specifically build direct sales copy. For example, this would be used in landing pages, event promotions, and product advertisements, as well as social media promotional material.
Many content writers do copywriting. Blogging for example has an element of education and promotion in its content. The purpose of blogging is to build the brand, add value through being thought-provoking, be educational and increase raise awareness about products and services.
A ghostwriter is a service some writers will perform. They will do the writing as if it was in the client’s penmanship, and not take credit with their name on the article. This service helps client business owners, especially solopreneurs with the ongoing content that must be maintained, but in the branded voice of the business. The brand often is the business owner and without the solopreneur, there would be no business.
Ghostwriting takes a talent of being able to identify the voice, brand, style and language of the business owner. The writer has to write “as if”, and this is not always easy when clients vary considerably in style, voice and message. The stronger the working relationship with the client, the easier it is for the writer. Technical documents are simpler to ghostwrite due to their more objective nature and is much less personal in voice than blogging.
Not all writers will do ghostwriting, and will only provide material with their name as the publishing author. Some do both, like myself, who work in ghostwriting and in self-authored works. It is a personal choice of each writer.
An editor reworks the content copy for structure, voice, style, purpose, flow and language. Many copywriters also provide this service to varying degrees.
A proofreader revises the grammar and final polish of a document. They are very detailed and often work as editors. Some writers will do proofreading or send their work to an editor-proofreader.
How do Content Writers Work?
As an independent freelance writer, who is a self-employed contractor providing writing services in the open market. These services can be a one-time project agreement or an ongoing commitment with multiple clients. A freelancer usually works remotely, providing services from anywhere in the world.
May work in a collaborative team of web designers, editors, graphic designers, SEO and analytics specialists, digital marketers, and other entrepreneurs.
On larger projects, they may work with other writers, who specialize in different industries (finance, health, science, business, etc) and types of content (website copy, landing pages, social media, email marketing, press releases, technical writing). This can be in-house such as in a marketing agency or independently contracted as a freelancer.
As a contractor or an employee. Agencies will retain staff writers for in-house work and serve on client projects. If the writer is an employee or subcontractor, the agency will manage the projects and supervise the work being done.
After reading this blog, you will have a better idea of what the content writing industry looks like. This will help you when looking to hire a writer in the future.
Coming up in Part 2 of this blog series
In the next blog, I will identify what skillsets make a great content writer. See you there!
Have questions? Reach out here and I will assist you.
