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Did you know that 70% of marketers consider blog posts the most effective content type for demand generation? For this reason, a skilled blog writer not only creates valuable content but also strengthens your brand’s authority and boosts conversions. In this guide, we'll cover what to look for in a blog writer, how to avoid common hiring mistakes, and how to build strong, long-term relationships with top talent to help your business grow.
What does a blog writer do?
A blog writer's job goes beyond just writing. It includes thorough research, SEO optimization, and adapting the tone to fit the brand’s voice. By producing well-crafted, accurate content, blog writers help businesses attract target audiences, improve search engine rankings, and build lasting connections with readers.
Key responsibilities of a blog writer
A blog writer's main role is to produce engaging and informative content for a company’s blog or website. This involves researching, writing, optimizing for search engines, and ensuring accuracy while following company guidelines. A blog writer might also need to update and optimize published content depending on the business's requirements and the scope of the job.
Here are some of the specific tasks a blog writer handles:
Writing SEO-optimized content
Blog writers use on-page SEO tactics, like identifying the right keywords, crafting effective titles and meta descriptions, and naturally incorporating keywords throughout the article. They also need to stay updated with Google algorithm updates if SEO is a major part of their job description.
Creating engaging stories
Stories are remembered up to 22 times more than facts alone, indicating that compiling facts is only one aspect of a blog writer's role. Skilled writers must also know how to craft stories that capture attention and keep readers engaged.
Researching and ensuring accuracy
Blog writers must be adept at sourcing reliable information and turning it into clear, accurate content. Evaluating the credibility of sources, synthesizing complex information, and presenting it understandably builds trust with the audience.
Editing and proofreading
Before publishing, blog writers review their work to ensure it’s free of grammar mistakes, typos, and other errors. They also check for clarity, flow, and consistency to ensure the content reads smoothly and aligns with the brand’s voice. Editing and proofreading are crucial to maintaining the content's quality and professionalism, improving the business's credibility.
Adapting tone and style
Consistent branding can increase revenue by 10-20%. A unified tone and style help establish rapport, credibility, and loyalty with customers. Therefore, writers need to match the brand’s voice and adjust their style to connect with the target audience.
Why blog writers are important for your business
Hiring experienced blog writers brings several advantages, such as:
Building authority in your field
Quality blog posts help position your business as a trusted leader in your industry. This is because consistently providing valuable, well-researched content enhances your brand’s credibility and fosters long-term relationships with your audience.
Improving SEO and organic traffic
Optimized blog posts with targeted keywords can significantly improve your website’s search rankings and increase visitor traffic. This advantage is particularly important given that Google holds over 90% of the global search market share. Therefore, investing in SEO blog writing is essential for businesses to expand their visibility.
Strengthening customer engagement and loyalty
Consistently engaging content encourages your audience to return, building stronger relationships and brand loyalty. It keeps your business at the top of audiences' minds, increasing the likelihood that readers will choose your products or services when making purchasing decisions.
Increasing conversions and sales
70% of consumers prefer to learn about a company through articles rather than advertisements. Therefore, well-written, educational blog posts can guide potential customers through the buying process, leading to higher sales.
By hiring professional blog writers, businesses can regularly produce high-quality content that supports marketing goals and drives sales.
Step-by-step guide to hire blog writers
Step 1: Define your content needs
Start by identifying what type of content you need. Determine the frequency of blog posts, the length of each post, and whether you require niche expertise or specialized skills like SEO. Consider if you need a generalist for various topics or a writer with experience in your industry.
Step 2: Set a budget
Establish a budget based on the level of experience and expertise you're seeking. Be realistic about what you can afford, but remember that investing in quality content pays off in the long run. Prices vary based on project scope, industry knowledge, and additional services like SEO optimization.
Step 3: Write a detailed job description
Craft a clear and specific job post that outlines your expectations. Include the project scope, desired writing style, tone, target audience, and any niche knowledge required. A well-written description will attract the right candidates and help filter out those who don’t fit your needs.
Step 4: Search for candidates
Explore different platforms to find blog writers. Freelance platforms like Arc, Upwork, and Fiverr offer a wide range of writers with varied experience levels. You can also look at specialized platforms like WriterAccess or job boards like ProBlogger to find writers with niche expertise.
Step 5: Review portfolios and samples
Always ask for writing samples or portfolios to assess the candidate’s skills, style, and experience. Look for samples that match the type of content you need and evaluate whether they have the expertise to produce high-quality, engaging content for your industry.
Step 6: Conduct interviews
Once you've narrowed down your list of candidates, conduct interviews to learn more about their process and work habits. Ask technical questions about SEO, research methods, and content management systems. Behavioral questions about time management and adaptability can also reveal how they’ll fit into your team.
Step 7: Start with a trial project
Before committing to a long-term agreement, start with a paid trial project to evaluate the writer’s performance. This allows you to assess their writing style, ability to meet deadlines, and how well they integrate feedback. A successful trial can lead to a more extensive collaboration.
Step 8: Provide feedback and build a relationship
Once the writer delivers their first piece, offer constructive feedback to ensure alignment with your brand's voice and goals. Building a strong relationship from the start by offering praise and guidance fosters trust and long-term collaboration.
How much does it cost to hire a blog writer?
Hiring a blog writer can vary in cost depending on several factors, including the writer's experience, industry expertise, and the project's complexity. Understanding what influences pricing is essential to get the best value for your budget. Below is a breakdown of factors affecting the cost of hiring blog writers and how to get the most value for your budget.
Factors affecting blog writer pricing
Experience
Writers with more experience or specialized skills typically charge higher rates than beginners or generalists. Their expertise often translates into higher-quality content and a deeper understanding of industry-specific topics.
Industry expertise
Writers who have specific industry knowledge or expertise may command higher fees. This is because they can provide insights and nuances that generalist writers may lack, making their content more valuable.
Project complexity
The complexity of the writing project also influences the cost. More intricate topics that require in-depth research or technical knowledge will generally be more expensive than simpler subjects.
Length and depth of content
The length of the article plays a significant role in determining the price. Longer articles or those that require extensive research will typically cost more than shorter, straightforward posts.
Additional services
If you require additional services such as SEO optimization, content strategy development, or the inclusion of multimedia elements (like images or videos), these can also increase the overall cost of hiring a blog writer.
By considering these factors, you can better understand the pricing structure for hiring blog writers and make choices that align with your content goals and budget.
Average rates for different services
While costs vary, here are typical price ranges for common blog writing services:
- Blog post (500-1,000 words): $50 - $150
- Long-form content (1,500-2,500 words): $150 - $500
- SEO content strategy: $500 - $1,500
- Product descriptions: $20 - $50 per product
These are general estimates, and actual rates may differ based on the writer’s experience and project complexity.
How to get the best value for your budget
To make the most of your budget, consider these tips:
- Hire experienced writers: Though they may charge more, experienced writers often produce higher-quality work faster, saving you money in the long term.
- Look for bulk discounts: Many writers offer lower rates for ongoing projects or larger volumes of work, which can reduce costs if you need frequent content.
- Use transparent pricing platforms: Sites like Arc, Upwork, and Fiverr display clear pricing, helping you find a writer that fits your budget.
- Negotiate rates: Don’t hesitate to negotiate, especially for long-term work. A fair rate can lead to a solid, ongoing relationship.
These tips can help you find professional blog writers who meet your budget while delivering the content your business needs.
Where to find blog writers for hire
Top freelance platforms
Arc: Arc connects businesses with pre-screened freelance blog writers who fit their budget and project needs. Only the top applicants are accepted to ensure access to high-quality blog writers.
Upwork: Upwork offers a broad range of freelance blog writers with varying skills and experience. While there are many options, you’ll need to review and interview candidates to find the right fit.
Fiverr: Fiverr is known for budget-friendly freelance services, including blog writing. However, quality can vary, so reviewing portfolios and ratings is important before hiring.
WriterAccess: WriterAccess connects businesses with vetted freelance blog writers. While the writers are high quality, the costs may be higher than on other freelance platforms.
Compose.ly: Compose.ly offers a managed content service, providing a team of writers and editors to meet your content needs. The process is simple, but you’ll have limited control over the writer assigned to your project.
ProBlogger: ProBlogger is a job board specifically for bloggers and content writers. Though you may need to review many applications, it's a good place to find blog writers with niche expertise.
Content marketing agencies vs. freelancers
Freelancers:
- Flexibility: Freelancers offer more flexibility in terms of project size, scheduling, and collaboration.
- Cost-efficiency: Freelancers tend to be more affordable, especially for short-term or one-off projects.
- Speed: Freelancers can often start faster than agencies, which may require a longer onboarding process.
Content marketing agencies:
- Managed services: Agencies handle everything from content strategy to writing and editing, offering a full-service experience.
- Consistency: Agencies ensure a consistent tone, style, and quality across multiple writers and projects.
- Access to multiple writers: Agencies have teams with diverse expertise, allowing them to assign the best writer for each task.
When deciding between a freelancer and a content marketing agency, consider your budget, project size, how much control you want, and whether you need consistency for long-term projects or multiple writers.
How to write an effective blog writer job description
An effective blog writer job description is critical to attracting the right talent for your content needs. A well-crafted job post clearly outlines your expectations, the skills required, and the scope of the work, ensuring you find blog writers who align with your goals. By specifying the job title, project details, tone, and any industry-specific knowledge needed, you can filter out unqualified applicants and focus on those best suited for the role. Below are guidelines to help you create a job description that will attract experienced, skilled blog writers.
Guidelines for writing a blog writer job description
- Job title: Use a clear, specific title like "SEO blog writer for health & wellness." Include relevant keywords to attract the right candidates.
- Project scope: Outline how many blog posts you need, the word count, research requirements, and other key project details.
- Desired tone and writing style: Specify the tone (formal, casual, humorous) and writing style (journalistic, storytelling, data-driven) you're looking for.
- Industry-specific knowledge or experience: Note if the job requires expertise in a particular field, such as technology, finance, or travel.
- Deadlines and project timeline: Provide clear deadlines for drafts, revisions, and final content.
Example blog writer job post
SEO blog writer for health & wellness industry
We are seeking an experienced blog writer to create high-quality, SEO-friendly articles for our health and wellness website. The ideal candidate has experience in the health/fitness industry and can write engaging, informative content that resonates with our audience.
Responsibilities:
- Write 2-3 SEO blog posts per week (800-1200 words) on topics like healthy living, nutrition, exercise, and mental health.
- Write a high-quality guest post every two months.
- Optimize content with target keywords and follow SEO best practices.
- Collaborate with the editorial team to develop fresh content ideas and maintain a consistent brand voice.
- Fact-check and provide sources for any data or claims used in the articles.
- Incorporate visuals (images, infographics, videos) to enhance the reader’s experience.
- Edit and revise drafts based on editor feedback.
Requirements:
- Minimum of 2 years of experience writing blog content, preferably in the health/wellness field.
- Excellent English skills, including grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
- Ability to write in a conversational yet authoritative tone that informs and engages readers.
- Familiarity with SEO, keyword research, and content optimization.
- Strong research skills and the ability to simplify complex information for readers.
- Reliable and able to meet deadlines consistently.
- Experience with content management systems (like WordPress) is a plus.
To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume/CV, and 2-3 writing samples that demonstrate your ability to write health/wellness content.
Key qualities to look for in a blog writer
Finding the right blog writer goes beyond evaluating writing skills. A great writer should also possess technical expertise, niche experience, and the ability to adapt to your brand's voice. Understanding the technical and soft skills required will help you choose a writer who can produce high-quality content and contribute to your long-term content planning. Below are key qualities to look for when hiring a blog writer.
Technical skills
- SEO knowledge: A good blog writer understands on-page SEO, including keyword research and optimizing content for search engines. They should know how to naturally incorporate keywords, structure content for featured snippets, and optimize titles, headings, and meta descriptions.
- Niche experience: If your industry requires specialized knowledge, look for a writer with relevant experience. For example, a health and wellness site benefits from a writer familiar with that field, as they’ll understand the terminology, trends, and audience preferences.
- Familiarity with AI: As AI tools become more common, hiring writers who can use them effectively is an advantage. Writers should know how to use AI to brainstorm, create outlines, and draft content while still applying human editing, fact-checking, and personal touches.
- Fit with brand voice: A strong writer can adapt to your brand’s tone and style. Review writing samples that reflect your preferred voice, whether casual or formal. The writer should also maintain quality across various formats, such as blog posts, product descriptions, or newsletters.
Soft skills
- Creativity and storytelling: Great writers can turn complex ideas into engaging stories that capture readers' attention. They should write compelling introductions, use vivid language, and incorporate personal stories or real-world examples to make content relatable.
- Adaptability: Content needs can shift quickly. A flexible writer should switch easily between content types, tones, and formats. They should also be open to feedback and willing to adjust their work to fit your vision.
- Time management: Meeting deadlines is crucial. A dependable writer manages time well, balancing multiple projects and delivering high-quality work on time, even with tight deadlines.
- Collaboration and communication skills: Good writers communicate clearly and collaborate effectively, even when working remotely. They should be open to feedback, handle constructive criticism, and work closely with your team to ensure the content aligns with your goals and brand guidelines.
The most important blog writer interview questions
When interviewing blog writers, it's essential to ask questions that assess both their writing skills and work habits. Here are key questions to help you identify the best candidates:
Technical questions
1. How do you conduct keyword research and optimize a blog post for SEO?
This question tests the candidate’s understanding of SEO, including keyword research, on-page optimization, and structuring content.
2. How do you ensure your blog posts are accurate and reliable?
A strong answer should reflect the writer's ability to research thoroughly, fact-check, and cite sources properly.
3. Can you share examples of blog posts that performed well in terms of traffic, engagement, or conversions?
This allows the candidate to showcase their work and prove they can produce high-performing content.
4. What content management systems (CMS) or writing tools have you used?
Experience with platforms like WordPress or tools like Grammarly and Hemingway can make writing and publishing more efficient.
5. How do you adjust your writing style for different audiences or industries?
A skilled writer can adapt tone and language to suit various audiences and topics.
Behavioral questions
1. Tell me about a time you had a tight deadline. How did you manage your time?
This reveals how well the candidate handles deadlines and organizes their workload.
2. How do you respond to feedback or criticism about your writing?
Look for candidates who are open to learning, improving, and using feedback constructively.
3. Can you describe a time when you wrote about a difficult or complex topic? How did you approach it?
This question helps assess their research, problem-solving abilities, and skill in simplifying complex subjects.
4. How do you stay motivated and creative during long or repetitive writing projects?
Successful writers maintain creativity and enthusiasm, even when working on similar topics.
5. Tell me about your experience working remotely or with virtual teams.
Good communication and collaboration skills are vital for remote writers, as well as the ability to work independently.
Asking both technical and behavioral questions will give you insight into a candidate's writing skills, work habits, and how well they’ll fit your content needs.
Retaining great blog writers for long-term success
Retaining skilled blog writers is key to maintaining a successful content marketing strategy over the long term. Building strong, positive relationships with your writers ensures consistency and quality while also helping you avoid turnover. Providing regular feedback, offering steady work, and creating opportunities for growth will keep your writers engaged and motivated. Below is a breakdown of strategies for building strong teams for long-term success.
Build strong working relationships
Great blog writers add significant value to your business, so it's crucial to build lasting relationships with them. Regular feedback and open communication are essential. Praise their good work, provide constructive feedback when needed, and show appreciation for their efforts. This boosts morale and fosters trust and loyalty.
Offering consistent work or retainer agreements also strengthens the relationship. Blog writers value stability and steady income, making reliability a key advantage. Timely and fair payments are equally important — late or low rates can damage trust and lead to turnover.
Offer growth opportunities
Top blog writers are always looking to improve and take on new challenges. By providing opportunities for growth, you keep them engaged while benefiting from their enhanced skills. Encourage them to learn advanced SEO, content marketing strategies, or new writing techniques.
Involve your blog writers in larger projects, like content strategy, long-form guides, or detailed research. This allows them to broaden their skills and become more invested in your brand's success. Including them in brainstorming sessions or strategy meetings can also bring valuable insights.
Ultimately, retaining great blog writers is about building a strong, positive partnership. By offering steady work, growth opportunities, and a supportive environment, you create a team that will help drive your content strategy for the long term.
Recognize and reward great work
A key part of retaining the best blog writers is showing appreciation for their contributions. Recognizing their efforts through regular praise, bonuses, or even public acknowledgment within the company can go a long way in boosting morale. Consider offering incentives for exceptional performance, such as producing a high-traffic article or exceeding expectations on a challenging project.
Clear communication and expectations
To build a lasting partnership with blog writers and maintain clear and open lines of communication. From the start, set clear expectations on deadlines, content quality, tone, and style. Regular check-ins can help address any questions or challenges early on, preventing miscommunication. Providing a detailed brief with every project ensures both parties understand the scope and goals, which keeps the process efficient and minimizes revisions.
Common mistakes to avoid when hiring blog writers
Hiring a blog writer is an investment in your content strategy, but there are common mistakes that can undermine the process. Focusing solely on price, skipping important reviews, or failing to communicate expectations can lead to poor results and wasted time. To ensure success, it's important to find a balance between quality and budget, review portfolios carefully, and provide clear guidelines without micromanaging. Below are some key mistakes to avoid when hiring a blog writer.
Choosing based on price alone
While staying on budget is important, hiring the cheapest writer often leads to poor results. Inexperienced or low-quality writers may deliver content that requires multiple revisions, fails to engage your audience, or doesn’t meet SEO standards. Instead, focus on finding writers who offer the best value for their experience and quality of work.
Skipping the portfolio review
A writer’s portfolio is a key indicator of their skills, style, and experience. Skipping this step means you’re hiring without knowing if they can produce the content you need. Always review samples from various topics and formats to ensure they’re the right fit for your brand and goals.
Not communicating expectations clearly
Unclear expectations lead to misunderstandings. Before hiring, clearly define the project scope, deadlines, tone, target audience, and specific needs. Provide detailed briefs, brand guidelines, and examples of the type of content you expect to ensure everyone is on the same page.
Not providing instructions
Failing to provide specific details and instructions can hinder new employees and freelancers, who may not be familiar with your work initially. However, clear directions on tone, style, formatting, and other expectations can yield positive results quickly. A well-structured onboarding process helps save time and resources in the long run. This revision improves clarity and coherence while maintaining your original message.
Micromanaging or limiting creativity
Giving direction is important, but micromanaging can stifle a writer’s creativity. Trust the writers you hire and give them space to contribute fresh ideas. Too many restrictions or constant revisions can lead to frustration and strain the relationship.
Final thoughts on hiring blog writers
Hiring the right blog writer can have a big impact on your business. Quality content improves SEO, drives traffic, builds authority, and engages customers. To succeed, understand the role of a blog writer and set clear expectations. Plan budget based on required experience and search for candidates on freelance platforms or through agencies.
Create a detailed job description outlining your needs, style, and brand voice. Evaluate writers by reviewing their skills, writing samples, and flexibility. Thorough interviews will help you find the best fit for your content goals. Build strong relationships with writers by providing clear guidelines, timely feedback, and offering fair pay.
Retain top talent by offering growth opportunities and maintaining a positive, collaborative relationship. Avoid common mistakes like choosing based on price alone or limiting the writer’s creativity. With the right blog writer, you’ll strengthen your content strategy and grow your business. Start your search today and take your content to the next level.
