Using a freelance blog writer is the easiest (and cheapest) way for small business owners to promote their brand through the power of words. But how can you find a writer who can accurately reflect your company and appeal to your target audience?
In this article, I will explain the power of business blogs and how hiring a freelance blog writer can save you valuable time and money. I’ll take you on a journey through the hiring process, from finding a writer to devising a content strategy like a pro. Whether you’re a novice entrepreneur a seasoned business owner, consider this your roadmap to blogging success.
What are the benefits of business blogs?
If you want to captivate audiences, expand your reach and establish connections with potential customers –your website needs a blog. According to HubSpot, websites with active blogs have 434% more indexed pages and 97% more inbound links than those without. Companies with blogs produce an average of 67% more leads per month and 55% more website visitors.
Regularly updating your site with fresh, relevant content is a vital search engine optimisation (SEO) technique that is proven to attract more organic traffic. Content marketing also allows businesses to showcase their expertise, knowledge and industry insights. By providing informative business blogs, you can position yourself as a thought leader in the industry earning the trust of your audience. By inviting comments and questions you can also create a sense of community around your brand.
You should try to focus your articles on addressing common customer questions and concerns, so you educate your readers and move them along the sales process.
Once new content is uploaded to your site, share links and teasers via social media and email newsletters to drive traffic to your site, resulting in increased brand visibility and more sales leads. In short, today’s digital world means that well-crafted blogs are a powerful tool for driving traffic, boosting engagement and showcasing your expertise to the world.
Hiring a freelance blog writer
But here’s the catch: who has time to create their own blog content? Business owners have countless other important tasks, meaning the process of writing and uploading articles often drops down the list of priorities. Website updates can easily become infrequent or even forgotten.
This is when small business owners need to hire a freelance blog writer. Producing content, like accounting and cleaning, is a responsibility you can outsource to a skilled professional, so you can concentrate on planning for the future growth of your organisation.
Put simply, hiring a freelance blog writer can be a game-changer for a small business. I recommend that the hiring process should start with a strategic exercise to define your marketing objectives and target audience. Ask yourself the following questions:
- What are the primary objectives of your blog? (e.g. brand awareness, lead generation, educating customers)
- Who is your target audience, and what are their interests, preferences, and pain points?
- What tone and writing style will resonate best with your audience and align with your brand’s voice?
With a clear idea of your goals and audience, you’ll be better equipped to find a freelance blog writer who can effectively convey your message and engage your target customers.
Where can you find a freelance blog writer?
There are numerous routes available for finding talented content writers, including:
- Freelance marketplaces: platforms like Upwork, Freelancer and Fiverr connect businesses with freelance writers from around the world. You can browse profiles, read reviews and hire writers based on their skills, experience and rates.
- Content agencies: there are marketing firms that specialise in providing content creation services, including blog writing. These agencies often have a pool of experienced writers and can match you with the perfect fit for your project.
- Referrals: ask fellow business owners, colleagues or industry contacts for recommendations. Personal referrals can be a valuable source of high-quality writers who have been used by someone you trust.
Before you approaching a business writer, be sure to compose a clear outline of the project, including information such as the number of blogs required, minimum word count, topics or keywords. You should also share the details of your target audience, brand voice and style preferences. Don’t be afraid to specify your budget and payment terms so you only attract writers who fit your expectations.
You could also ask writers to submit examples of their work, provide references, or complete a paid test assignment. Draw up a shortlist of writers with a track record of delivering high-quality work and conduct interviews to further explore their experience and approach to writing. This is also an ideal opportunity to gauge their enthusiasm for the subject matter and your business.
Hopefully, by following these steps to hiring a freelance blog writer you can find the perfect match for your small business.
Content planning and strategy
With a freelance blog writer on board, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and dive into content planning and strategy. Devising a well-thought-out approach to content creation will ensure that your blogs remain relevant, engaging and aligned with your business objectives.
Firstly, do some research to understand your audience’s interests, preferences and pain points. What questions are they asking? What topics are trending in your industry? Brainstorm a list of potential blog topics, adding keywords and phrases to improve visibility in search engine results.
Next, compile an editorial calendar to organise your content schedule and ensure consistency in your posting frequency. Determine the frequency of your blog posts (e.g. weekly, fortnightly, monthly) based on your resources, budget and business objectives. Add key dates and events relevant to your industry so you can tap into trending topics.
Ideally, brainstorming sessions need to involve more than just the business owner. Everyone from the receptionist to the finance officer can suggest blog topics, making them feel engaged in the marketing process. Going forward, they should be listening to the concerns of customers and adding these topics to the content calendar.
Keyword research will identify relevant keywords and phrases that your target audience is searching for. Use online SEO tools, such as Google Keyword Planner or SEMrush, to uncover valuable insights into search trends and competition. These keywords need to be added to headings, meta tags and URLs to improve your blog’s visibility in search engine results.
By effectively managing the writing process and maintaining open communication with your content writer, you can ensure that your blog posts are delivered on time and meet your quality standards. With a collaborative approach, you’ll be well-positioned to create compelling articles that engage your audience and drive results for your small business.
Need help hiring a freelance blog writer?
So that’s my quick guide for small business owners. By following the steps outlined above, you’ll be well on your way to creating valuable content that attracts and retains customers while growing your online presence. Remember, consistency and quality are key to achieving long-term success with your blog.
For the past 30 years I have been a journalist , newspaper editor and freelance blog writer. Based in Hertfordshire, near North London, I create quality content for marketing agencies, website designers and my own small business clients. Contact me today to arrange a chat.