| Copywriters that you find in the phone book generally | | | | - Limits of your content- what do you want to focus |
| charge high hourly rates and that may suit you if you | | | | on and how broadly. |
| have a very specific task that you want to be just | | | | - Length |
| perfect. There are however many hundreds of | | | | - Language type- do you want it to be formal, informal, |
| talented writers and recent graduates overseas who | | | | fun? |
| make their living writing content from contracts they | | | | - Target audience |
| have won online. These skilled outsourcing service | | | | - Writing up draft specifications for your project before |
| providers bid for writing projects based on what you | | | | you begin to advertise is important. Your specs do not |
| want to pay. | | | | have to be perfect, but they should be comprehensive |
| Also, unless you are a large corporation that requires a | | | | enough that you get responses from qualified |
| constant feed of copy or content for your various | | | | outsourcing service providers that know enough to ask |
| marketing and PR functions, engaging a writer on a | | | | you clarifying questions. |
| per project basis makes much more sense for two | | | | Payment |
| main reasons: | | | | It is also important, as part of the planning process, to |
| - Financial: Work is completed for a set fee, no extras | | | | consider what and how you will pay for the writing. |
| involved as with full-time staff | | | | - Flat fee: based on a minimum word count of the |
| - Expertise: No single writer is an expert in all things. | | | | finished project (rather than any drafts that are done |
| When content and copy writing is outsourced on a | | | | prior to your final acceptance.) This type of pay usually |
| project by project basis you have the opportunity to | | | | works well for both parties |
| find someone who is both a competent writer and has | | | | - Rate per word: professional freelance writers can |
| firsthand knowledge in the subject matter. Content | | | | prefer this. The majority of magazine and newspaper |
| pieces, particularly, will be more believable and have | | | | manuscripts are paid for with rate per word. In your |
| that extra edge that may be missing from a piece | | | | specifications you would include a word count range |
| written by someone who did a quick chunk of | | | | for the finished project, (a minimum and maximum |
| research but has no real affinity with the subject. In | | | | amount of words) and an agreed rate per word: $0.40 |
| fact, even large corporations may be better off using | | | | per word, for example. The rate depends on the type |
| outsourcing services, rather than hiring a writer, for this | | | | of content or copy you require and how long it will |
| reason. Finding a Freelance Writer | | | | take the writer to complete. Magazine articles, |
| As with Graphic Designers, freelance writers can be | | | | newsletters and print materials for example often |
| found online through many avenues. Many freelance | | | | demand a higher rate than SEO articles as they take |
| writers are now using freelance sites to find work and | | | | longer to write. Regardless of which payment type |
| advertise their outsourcing services. Projects listed | | | | you select keep in mind you generally get what you |
| include copy and content writing for: | | | | pay for. Offering a rate of $0.10 per word or more will |
| - Newsletters | | | | be more likely to attract writers who take their craft |
| - Advertising | | | | seriously. |
| - Brochures | | | | Paying a fair rate for your outsourcing services is one |
| - Catalogues | | | | factor that will influence the quality of your final piece, |
| - Blogs | | | | but time is also another important factor. Even the best |
| - Web sites | | | | writers (perhaps especially the best writers) need time |
| - Information packs | | | | to write. A rushed piece is never a good piece, so do |
| - Booklets | | | | not expect top quality if you need a job done at the |
| - Articles | | | | last minute. |
| - Other marketing and promotional materials Planning | | | | Plan your writing projects with plenty of time to spare- |
| Your Writing Project | | | | keeping in mind the process of selecting a writer and |
| When it comes to specifying your outsourcing service | | | | discussing specifications and allow your writer space |
| requirements, no writer is a mind reader so you need | | | | to do their thing. Even a short piece takes time to craft |
| to ensure you have a specific idea of what you are | | | | well. For many outsourcing services, advertising two |
| waiting for your project. Clarity is the key and includes | | | | weeks before a project of a thousand words is due is |
| outlining: | | | | a good guide for thinking about time-lines for writing |
| - Specific angles you want highlighted | | | | projects. This also allows time for rewrites if you need |
| - Style of writing you think will suit you and your client's | | | | anything adjusted. |
| best. | | | | |