Q & A: Outsourcing Content Writing

Fridays with Vicky 101

Do you feel overwhelmed with content writing? Maybe time is not on your side or maybe you want to take your online business to the next level and expand? Maybe English is your second language and you need a native speaking writer?

Content writing can take up a lot of time. There are probably as many reasons as there are explanations when it comes to outsourcing your content. Outsourcing all or some of your content writing can really free up a lot of time for you.

My reason for outsourcing is a combination of the above. I run a few different sites and time can be an issue. Outsourcing some of the content really does free up time for me to do other things. Another reason is that English is my second language and for my case study site, for example, I want perfect English from a health professional. Now, this site itsVicky.com I write almost all content myself. This is my outlet, where I share my online journey with spelling errors and all.

Through this site, social media and WA I get a lot of questions regarding outsourcing content writing.

I picked out a few and share the questions and answers below.

 

Q & A: Outsourcing Content Writing

The first message and questions are from Grace.

Hi Vicky, I wanted to ask you about your outsourced content… it’s so cheap it seems, will you let me know where you are finding someone dependable that writes quality content? 

Once you find a writer, what kind of instructions do you give them so I know they won’t be copying or spinning other articles, and ensure it’s original content? 

I had started a second site early Oct, but I can’t keep up with the content and want to hire as well. Any advice you can provide will be awesome, thanks!

Grace

Thank you, Grace, for your message and questions.

 

Let’s start with;

Q: WHERE to find dependable writers that write quality content?

I started to outsource pretty early since English is my second language, so I’ve tried quite a few places, iWriter, Fiverr, Upwork (former odesk) just to mention a few.

Today I hire all my writers from Upwork. They might be the ones that charge the most when it comes to fees, they charge both the freelancer and the person hiring, but you can find quality writers to work with long term.

I hire all my writers on an ongoing basis, writing 3 – 5 articles weekly for me. From the freelancer’s perspective, they like knowing that they have weekly work. Also the longer you work with somebody the fewer fees you pay with Upwork.

When I submit a job, I’m very specific about what I want from the writer. That way they know what to expect from the beginning. I also hire writers with experience in the niche they will be working with. Like my case study site, I hire only writers with some kind of medical background since it’s in the health niche.

When I submit a job I always include the following:

• What niche they will be working with.
• I ask for past experience and writing example in that niche.
• I always state that I need well written, engaging, original content after good research using perfect US English.
• How many posts I need on a weekly basis and how many words they need to be.
• I always let the writer know that the first week is a “test” week and IF we work well together there will be ongoing work.
• That the content should be written by the hired writer only, no outsourcing on their end. You will be surprised how often this actually is abused.
• Deadline, I usually set Mondays as the day to submit keywords, which means I need the done articles on Sunday.
• Also, let them know that you will send back the work for revision if you are not happy with it.

Providing as much information as possible already in the job description will help you narrow down the perfect writer for you and your job.

 

Grace had another question:

Q: Once you find a writer, what kind of instructions do you give them so I know they won’t be copying or spinning other articles, and ensure it’s original content?

Already in the job description, I make it clear that I want original engaging content. Now when it comes time to write the articles I give them the keywords and let them know where I want them, usually in the title, first and last paragraph. I also let them know what kind of article I want. Should the article be fun, informative, list type, review style, whatever it is you need, you have to communicate with your writer.

I also double check so the content is original before I submit the article to my site. I do that by using a free tool called, Plagiarism Checker.

 

Andrew sent me a quick question;

Q: How long did it take you to find the writer you wanted?

This is a great question. Don’t settle for an ok freelancer, find a GREAT writer to work with!

For my case study site, I was working with a woman for almost a year, she was a great writer and field expert in the health niche. When we stopped working together it was time to find a new writer.

It took me about 2 months and I think I went through about 4 or 5 ok writers before I found the current great writer I have now. She is wonderful and I hope she stays long term.

Don’t be afraid to post the same job over and over again until you find what you are looking for.

Thank you, Andrew.

 

Here’s a message and a question from Craig;

Hi Vicky,

Interesting read. Outsourcing articles aren’t something that I have considered, until now! I think writing articles and reviews is definitely the biggest challenge when trying to add quality content. However, I’m not sure if it’s something I could do in my niche? My niche is in technology and reviewing tech products takes some knowledge. Maybe you can give me your thoughts on this.

Sourcing a writer is something I may consider down the line, but it would have to be affordable. I am just starting out in this business, it’s only been a few months so I need to keep costs down. Is Fiverr a good starting point for outsourcing?

Thank you, Craig. Let’s start with the first question;

Q: The niche is technology and reviewing tech products takes some knowledge. Could Craig still outsource the content writing?

I would say absolutely there are field experts in any niche, technology included. In fact, I have a tech site where I today outsource ALL content. The key is to find a writer with some tech background and an interest in research. Be very specific in your job description, you might be surprised how many great tech writers are actually out there.

I wouldn’t say there are any niches that are off the limit for outsourcing. Now if you have a personal blog, that might not be suitable for outsourcing.

 

Craig also wondered;

Q: Is Fiverr a good starting point for outsourcing?

Personally, I’ve not had a good experience hiring writers over at Fiverr. It was actually so bad that it drove me to write a post about it – Why I will not use Fiverr as my writing service again.

Don’t get me wrong Fiverr can be great for some services, I’ve just not had a good experience with them when it comes to writing.

It was not worth my time and the quality was very poor. The problem is that many hide behind fake profiles trying to make a quick buck.

That’s not the case over at Upwork. The writers at Upwork, wants good feedback and continues work, they also take pride in their work, not at all what I got at Fiverr.

Do you have any questions when it comes to outsourcing content writing? Please leave them below and I will be happy to answer.

 

Have a productive day,

Vicky