Do You Need to Hire a Writer?

Many people wonder why they should hire a freelance writer or ghostwriter. When you look at the industry as a whole, there is no reason to hire a writer. But, if you separate the people who are paying bills from professional writers then you shoud take a moment to see why paying someone to write is a good idea.

SEO and Web Writing

Writers need to be certified in SEO to be able to claim they understand the basics. They should be able to list at least 4 associations, groups, they have been a part of. Search Engine optimization involves balancing keyword phrases, sub titles, word count between sub titles, and even the competitor’s keyword choices.

Pre-Selling

There are so many aspects of marketing and pre-selling that it may be better to hire a writer trained in communication styles, copywriting, personality types, and emotional triggers. A great writer can create a polished draft of an article, but while it may look great, it will have very little effect on the consumer’s ‘decision to buy.’

Branding and Image Building

There is more to an image than bragging about yourself, product, or service. Good Public Relations is a delicate balance. Everything needs to give the same image. The wrong word choice, talking ‘over’ or ‘under’ the client, and ignoring the consumer’s stereotypes can be devastating.

Contract

The contract should cover both the client and the writer. Most contracts state that the client has no rights to the Work until it is paid in full. Retainers are never returned. Good writers ask for a retainer. They don’t have time to waste on people who are not serious.

Fees vary greatly. Articles run $5 - $20.00 for an article. Ebooks or ‘non bookstore’ books coast $1000 - $3000. Full Release/Published books cost $5000 - $20 000 depending on the time needed to write.

A book that makes a business owner look like an industry guru can run $10 000 plus. However, most of these books can be sold for $10 profit and open up public speaking venues. That means the business owner only needs to sell 1000 books to make their money back – the rest is pure profit.

Don’t try to get great writers to lower their price. You just look like an amateur. Good writers cannot get the job done this week. In fact, being over demanding and getting the cheapest writer almost guarantees that the freelance writers who bid on your project are all unemployed people trying to pay the bills.

Union Writers

Most people do not need a union writer. Professionals rarely write for less than .10 a word. But, finding a professional can be hard. They usually write for ‘good’ agents who do the bidding for them. Or, they write for associations/companies that protect them from non-payment and abusive clients.