How to outsource content writers

How do you outsource content writers?

To outsource content writers, pick the right type of writer, post a clear brief, test candidates with a paid sample, then set them up with your style guides and tools.

• Choose between a content agency or direct freelance hires.
• Match the writer to your niche, budget, and turnaround needs.
• Onboard well so your writers deliver on brand from day one.

Many people still outsource content writers with some doubt, yet the numbers tell a clear story. Up to 84% of B2B marketers outsource their content work, and for good reason.

Publishing steady, solid content is no small feat. In-house teams can do the job. However, it makes sense to outsource content writers once you need to scale.

Why outsource content writing?

There are several reasons to enlist external content writers. Here are the main ones.

Free up time

Crafting content takes time, and lots of it. When you write, you have to:

• Research
• Fact-check
• Curate enticing work
• Format
• Check on grammar
• Proofread
• Edit

If you are busy or on a tight deadline, these steps can pile up fast. However, when you outsource content writers from a firm like 123Employee, you ease that time pressure. As a result, you free up hours for editorial work and strategy.

Work with domain experts

Some industries need technical content. In that case, your best bet is a technical writer. You may know your field well, yet still lack the skill to write it clearly. A skilled writer fills that gap. As a result, you deliver informed, on-topic articles. The same holds true when you need content across many niches.

Generate diverse content

Different types of content call for different styles. For example, a white paper reads nothing like a product review or buyer guide. So if you hire a content writer, you can produce varied pieces faster.

Scaling it up

To grow your business, you need more content. In short, scaling up means handing content tasks to outside writers. This frees your core team to focus on bigger goals. Many brands pair this with outsourced marketing to grow faster.

Lower costs

A full-time in-house team sounds great. However, it is costly to keep. You must pay fixed salaries, benefits, pensions, and more. When you outsource content writers, you only pay for the content. So when demand drops, you can pause the work, then ramp up again when it peaks.

Content writing services to delegate to outsourced teams

Beyond drafting, you can hand over other content tasks to your outsourced team. For example, this includes the following:

• Keyword research. Writers can help your team find the best keywords and topics for your site.
• Editing. Writing is only half the job. So you can hire writers to edit and refresh old content to keep it ranking.
• Maintaining a writing style guide. In addition, a good team can build a style guide that reflects your brand voice.

You can also delegate related work, such as SEO outsourcing services, when your content needs a stronger search push.

How to outsource content writing

Outsourcing firms like Staff Domain can help you produce strong content fast. In short, these agencies manage the writing for you. On the other hand, a freelance team lets you keep more control. The trade-off is that you handle the search and vetting yourself.

Before you hire a writer, set up a small backroom team to manage content well. For instance, you may want to fill these roles:

• Account or content manager
• Editor
• Quality control team
• Publisher

Decide on the type of writer

The content you need drives the type of writer you pick. For example, copywriters differ from technical writers. Likewise, blog writers do not work like journalists.

Copy and technical content also command a higher fee. So you may need to spend more on those pros. Before you decide, check on:

• Your budget
• The domain expertise needed
• The type and content’s niche
• The writer’s experience
• The writer’s versatility
• Turnaround time

It also helps to know what to outsource before you start hiring.

Publish a clear and detailed job listing

Whether you pick an agency or hire direct, post a detailed brief. Some key things to include are:

• A title
• Type of article
• Summary of the content needs
• Links to support research
• Competitor’s link
• Keywords
• A call to action (if needed)
• Word count
• Rate per word
• A deadline

Agencies use your brief to assign a fit writer. However, if you skip the agency, you can list gigs on job boards like ProBlogger.

Onboarding and testing your outsourcers

Before you commit, check that a writer is up to the task. First, ask for written samples and review them. If the samples pass, then initiate a writing test.

The test shows you many sides of the writer. It may take time to grade, yet it is a vital step. So check the grammar, structure, layout, tone, and plagiarism. Then keep only the writers who pass or show real promise. Also decide if the test is paid or not. Keep in mind that top writers may skip an unpaid trial.

Arm the writer with resources to succeed

Once you hire a writer, set them up to win. This is the most crucial step when you outsource a content writer. So share your writing guides, SEO tips, brand tone, and grammar rules. For search-heavy work, a dedicated SEO expert can guide the writer too.

Outsourcing as a part of your content strategy

Outsourcing content writers takes patience. In truth, you will not find the perfect team on the first try. Beyond hiring writers, you can add a content manager to oversee output and plans. With time, you will build a team that keeps tackling your content needs. You can also fold in creative services outsourcing for design and video work.

If you want to streamline the hunt for writers, Outsource Accelerator is happy to provide you with three free quotes. You can also browse our BPO directory to see over 700 outsourcing suppliers.

Outsource content writers FAQs

Is it cheaper to outsource content writers than to hire in-house?

Often, yes. With outsourcing, you pay only for the content you need. In addition, you skip fixed salaries, benefits, and pensions. So costs stay flexible as demand rises and falls.

Should I use a content agency or freelance writers?

It depends on how much control you want. An agency handles the work for you, which saves time. Freelancers give you more say, yet they need more of your input. So weigh your budget and workload first.

How do I check the quality of an outsourced writer?

Start with writing samples and a short test. Then review grammar, structure, tone, and plagiarism. A paid test tends to attract stronger writers. So use one when you can.

What content tasks can I outsource besides writing?

You can outsource keyword research, editing, and style guide upkeep. In addition, teams often hand over content refreshes and SEO tasks. So the whole content workflow can run with outside help.

Key takeaways

• Most B2B marketers already outsource content, so the model is proven at scale.
• Match the writer type to your niche, budget, and turnaround needs.
• Post a clear brief, then test writers with a paid sample before you commit.
• Strong onboarding and shared guides help writers deliver on brand.
• Add a content manager to keep quality and strategy on track.