10 Things To Look For In A Content Writer

We chatted a bit about where to pickup good contractors the other day and I wanted to touch back on it, because outsourcing really is one of the few things that sets the good marketers aside from the unsuccessful. No one has the time to do everything. Most people don’t have time to do much of anything. So, at some point you’d better (as I have) start finding experts in specific fields to get the work done.
1. Feedback – Whether it’s Odesk, Elance, Guru, or GetaCoder, check that feedback to make sure they’ll get your job done right. And actually read it too. Look for writers who have not only done a good job, but exceeded expectations. Most people hand out 5.0 ratings like candy. If they give less than a 5.0, why?
2. Niche Expertise – If you have a niche specific project, try to find someone with expertise in that niche that will match your project. Some writers can adapt to new topics quickly, but others are experts in only a few areas.
3. Training or Experience – A college degree isn’t necessary, but look for people who meet qualifications. I like to aim for native English speakers with proven grammar and comprehension skills. Most sites offer tests in all three and more.
4. Promptness – If you see that a writer has schedule issues in their feedback, consider if you have the time or patience to deal with it. Excuses abound with contractors – don’t let people take advantage of your kind nature, all the while ruining your project schedules.
5. Ability to Follow Directions – It’s amazing how many writers just can’t follow simple directions. I usually cull writers from my projects in the bidding process if they don’t attach a sample, use a template or forget to offer info I’ve asked for.
6. Original Content – Get Copyscape and use it liberally. If someone writes something that fails Copyscape, don’t accept it. This is a big one because you can get in trouble if you post plagiarized materials.
7. Good Prices – Prices should be good, but don’t get too cheap either. Low prices often come along with low quality. At the same time, don’t feel like you need to pay through the nose for content.
8. Availability – Look for someone that can be available when you need them. Some writers are very up and own in availability, working some weekends and not others or having other things pop up constantly. Look for writers who can meet your needs consistently.
9. Flexibility and Response – If you make a project change, the writer should just say “okay, no problem” not give you weird excuses, complain, or get upset. Flexibility is vital for a good writer lest you have to deal with the headaches that come along afterwards.
10. Quick Learner – Most writers haven’t written everything in their careers, but if you find a good one, they should be able to adapt quickly to your requirements.
There are a LOT of writers out there. Just take a look at the 25,000 on Elance alone or the 60,000 on Odesk. Take a stab at how many of them are actually high quality, well trained writers that can get the text you need just right. I guarantee you the number is even smaller than that. So, be picky, be discerning and don’t skimp when it comes to your contractors. You’ll thank yourself for it later.