In a world dominated by internet content, it may seem daunting to manage your online assets like articles, blog posts, social media, and more. It’s enough work to run a business and complete all of the tasks that come with that – and that’s without worrying about digital advertisement.

If you don’t have an online presence, however, your business may seem dated compared with many other companies that are just starting up. But you’re probably asking yourself, “Who has time to write a blog and run a business?”

Copywriting is a growing industry, and research has shown businesses that blog receive twice as much site traffic as those that don’t. Blogging is important in building your brand because it helps improve your conversion rates – regardless of whether you’re selling goods or services. Maintaining a robust and informative blog helps create an identity for your brand and build long-standing relationships with returning clients who can view your blog as a familiar site. There is a whole host of benefits related to blogging for business.

If you’re simply out of time to run your blog on your own, you may be looking at hiring a blog writer. While finding the right writer may seem like an intimidating task, the questions below will make the process significantly easier.

5 Must-Ask Questions for Every Blog Writer

Wherever you find a new blog writer – whether you’re browsing marketplaces like Upwork, high-dollar sites like Scripted, or affordable full-service agencies like WriteHQ – you’ll want to make sure you ask a few important questions. These questions will help you understand the whole picture of what you’ll be getting before you sign anything.

#1: What are your rates?

Talking about money is never something anyone wants to do, but would you rent a house from a landlord who simply says, “We can work something out,” or describes the cost as “Fairly reasonable”? Your answer is likely a resounding no.

It’s best to get this question out of the way before even considering what other things to ask your potential writer. Pricing needs to be agreed upon in clear terms upfront to result in a long-lasting relationship with positive results.

One of the best practices when hiring a content writer for any number of services is to determine how you are going to pay them (by the hour, by the word, by the piece) and the schedule according to which they will be paid prior to sharing any confidential information regarding your company. It is also very important that these terms are agreed upon in writing so that they cannot be disputed later on.

#2: Can you provide work samples?

Depending on where you found your content writer (either from a website specifically for hiring content writers or through posting an advertisement) you may have some samples to view already. It’s important to take time to look through whatever samples these writers may have shared. Viewing writing samples will allow you to see how each individual tackles a variety of subjects. Pluss, you’ll be able to see if they have relevant experience in your industry.

Just because a writer has applied for your position, even through a website specifically for hiring writers, doesn’t mean they’re actually a qualified content writer. Anyone can look the part these days with free resume templates online, but not anyone can provide a sophisticated range of content work that fits your needs. Make sure to request a few existing samples, and if they don’t have any, be wary.

If you find someone who is new to the industry and seems like a good match, you can also request that they write a specific sample for you before offering them a long-term contract. Clarify upfront whether or not this sample will be paid.

#3: Are you familiar with SEO?

A professional web content writer won’t need to worry about googling this acronym or asking for clarification. It may not be something you are familiar with, but understanding its value of it in terms of driving customers in (or driving them out), is essential when hiring a blog writer.

SEO, or search engine optimization, is a necessity when your goal is for your brand or company to reach more individuals through Google’s temperamental, constantly changing, algorithm. When you find a blog writer who is well-versed in SEO best practices, you’ll be able to get much more bang for your buck by attracting lots of qualified, organic traffic to your site.

#4: How long will this project take?

Content writing is something that is constantly and rapidly evolving with the internet’s trends, and getting specific content out to be in line with what’s popular is essential. It’s important that you hire a content writer who will be thorough and produce high-quality work for you. But at the same time, your writer should be efficient to make sure posts are always current at the time they’re released.

Whether you are paying hourly or by the word, the time spent on every article matters greatly. To keep a potential writer on schedule, planning check-ins prior to the due date will be beneficial to the articles they result in producing (and prevent surprises when the article is ready for you).

#5: Why are you the best writer for this job?

People tend to be rather honest when it comes to this question. Some writers are desperate for work and will openly admit this – they may just be applying for whatever they see available regardless of the topic. Sure, you can hire one of these writers if they have wonderful examples that speak to you, but it’s best to avoid them.

Think of hiring a blog writer as hiring an advocate for either your product or the topic your site focuses on. You want someone who is passionate about your business and can show that through their writing. When you find someone who has a connection to your industry or a special interest in your work, it will result in a relationship that’s beneficial for both of you.

Outsource Your Blog Writing to WriteHQ

Putting your content writing in capable hands has never been easier with the hardworking, experienced team at WriteHQ. We offer full-service social media management and content writing from trained professionals with specializations across many different industries.

We ensure high-quality writing with SEO in mind so that you always get the most in terms of data-driven results. We want you to feel at home with us so that your clients, new and returning, can feel at home on your website.

If you’re interested in learning more, contact us for a quote today.