The pairing of small business owners and freelance content writers seems like a natural fit, but how do you navigate content writing rates when you’re working to maintain a strict marketing budget?
Freelance vs. Third Party Platform
Before hiring a content writer, you’ll need to decide whether you want to find an independent freelance writer or connect with a third party company. If you go with the latter, you’ll find that companies who specialize in connecting small business with freelance writers typically offer a sliding scale. Higher quality writers earn top rates, while beginning writers offer content on the cheap. The ease of finding a variety of writers in one spot is appealing for many business owners, as is the ability to essentially choose your own rate. But once you’ve determined the maximum content writing rate for your business, how do you go about getting the most bang for your buck?
Bulk Orders
Most independent freelance writers and many third party writing sites offer discounts for bulk orders. Writers are typically happy to have a steady stream of work, which means less time spent drumming up new clients. In addition, working with a single writer on a large pool of articles can give your content a consistent tone and voice. When discussing bulk rates, consider the amount of research the writer will have to conduct. If your bulk order is for several pieces on the same topic, the research should be relatively streamlined and will mean less billable work for the writer.
Evergreen Content
Another way to save money is to hire writers to create evergreen content. Stocking up on blog posts and articles that aren’t time sensitive can be a great way to get the most for your marketing dollars. You can post and repost evergreen content throughout the year and share it on multiple platforms. Examples of successful evergreen content include FAQ pages, how-to articles, and position pieces on a specific area of your industry.
Pricing Tips: What To Splurge On, Where to Save
When negotiating content writing rates, it’s important to keep the big picture in mind. The landscape of professional journalism has changed drastically in the last decade, which means more and more high-quality, trained writers are looking for paid work. If you encounter a writer whose rates are higher than your budget, try negotiating for a lower bulk rate, or perhaps ask to see some samples of their work. Content produced by experienced writers tends to pay off in the long run. The more you spend, the more well-crafted, engaging, and shareable your content will be. Getting work done cheaply can pay off for time sensitive posts without a long shelf life, but consider allotting a bit more cash for lengthy, research based posts you hope to share across several social media platforms.
Caitlin C is a freelance writer available on WriterAccess, a marketplace where clients and expert writers connect for assignments.
