3 Places to Find Content Writers

 

But how do you get that done, when you have an entire business to run? How do you crank out post after post and still keep your business cranking?

 

One option is to farm out the writing.

 

Here are three ways to find writers for your website:

 

 

Start by checking out the freelance sites like Elance.com or oDesk.com. Here you’ll find endless numbers of writers willing to knock out posts quickly and on the cheap.

 

One of the big benefits of going this route is that the process is automated, and fairly painless. Once you’ve set up an account and posted your request, you simply sit back and screen candidates.

 

Then, after the work is awarded, and completed to your satisfaction, you pay the writer through the system with a simple click of a button. No complicated exchanges of money, no invoicing and cutting checks. It’s all handled within the system.

 

Easy.

 

 

If you like doing business with people you know, rather than faceless names, try going local. One great way to find local writers is to post your needs on Craigslist.com. Just get ready for the onslaught.

 

If you write a solid description of what you’re looking for, and you’re offering decent money, you’ll be inundated with responses. And, though you’ll get your share of whackos, if you’re offering a decent wage you’ll also get solid candidates.

 

One way to limit the number of responses, and screen them more quickly, is to put a specific request in your posting. Asking the candidates to tell you something very specific in their response. You can ask for something related directly to what they’ll be writing about (one example of experience in the area). Or you can ask for something silly to screen out those who aren’t really professional (tell me the name of your high school gym teacher).

 

Either way, you’ll be able to quickly pare down the responses you receive and get to the real candidate.

 

 

If you really want quality writers, people who do this and only this for a living, you might want to go looking for them.

 

Try doing a search on LinkedIn, or even Twitter and Facebook using the term “freelance writer.” Read the profiles and samples of the writing you find. You’ll definitely pay more for professional writers at this level, but the difference will be reflected in the quality of the writing.

 

You can expect to pay anywhere from $50-$125/hour for a high quality writer, or anywhere from $50-$500 for a quality post or article.

 

Whichever way you go, keep in mind that you don’t have to marry the first writer you date. You can ask for a sample piece (as long as you’re paying for it!) to see if you’re a match made in heaven.