How to Outsource Blog Writing
Written by Casey Botticello
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If you’re reading this, you’re probably feeling overwhelmed by a massive workload. Don’t worry, you’re not the only blogger out there thinking about how to outsource blog writing. Blogging is hard work. It’s a labor-intensive art that requires skill, time, and attention to get right. But there’s more to blogging than just writing. Websites, marketing, client management, and monetization are just some of the things that bloggers in 2022 need to take care of, not leaving very much time for writing. Many bloggers feel pressured to keep up with the demands of blogging, from meeting deadlines to finding a balance between scaling their business and writing. So, what options do they have to take the heat off?
‘If you want something done right, do it yourself.’ Not anymore. Thanks to the advancement of technology and the rise of the Gig and Passion Economies, people can turn to the internet to take care of their blogging needs, from websites to marketing, monetization, and, yes, writing.
In this blog, we unpack the reasons behind why bloggers are outsourcing blog writing, how it is benefiting them and what their blog outsourcing options are. So, if you’re feeling like you need to bring someone into your blogging process, read on.
Blogger Needs Are Changing
Back when bloggers barely earned enough to pay the rent, the thought of paying someone else to take care of your blog writing needs seemed unthinkable. Web designers were (and still are) crazy expensive, marketing only happened by getting lucky on organic searches, and the thought of sharing the writing burden with anyone else was a scary notion.
But today, blogging has evolved – and with it, blogger needs. Blogs are being run more and more like businesses, supported and streamlined by lucrative monetization opportunities, and online tools and resources are developing at record speed. Blogging platforms have given bloggers everything they need to operate on an enterprise level, while ad networks and affiliate programs are unlocking incredible passive income opportunities.
But what about the writing itself? Bloggers still spend the overwhelming majority of their time drafting their content. Tasks like researching, enriching blog content, editing, and publishing still require time and effort to get right, and sacrificing your writing isn’t an option.
This leaves many bloggers with two choices:
- Keep doing everything yourself, sacrificing the potential to scale your business and end up burning out.
- Or outsource your most demanding task – writing, and focus on building your blogging empire.
Reasons to Outsource Your Blog Writing
Site-building platforms like WordPress, Wix, and Weebly have revolutionized how bloggers can create and publish their websites in days as opposed to weeks or months. Marketing tools and integrations mean that ad networks and affiliate programs are generating impressive revenues for bloggers, and social media is the perfect community-building channel.
But writing is still a time-hungry exercise, and even a slight hiccup can derail the entire process. Here are some of the main reasons for you to consider outsourcing blog writing.
Solving the Time Challenge
Time is the number one challenge for any blogger. Whether trying to ensure your content is published regularly and consistently or faced with increasing workloads, running out of time can mean big problems. Outsourcing your writing needs means that someone else is focusing on doing the writing for you, leaving you to check, edit and revise only.
Opportunity Cost
Opportunity cost refers to the loss you may face by having to turn down a new opportunity because you’re still bogged down by your existing projects. Having a blog outsourcing resource available means you’ll still be able to take on new opportunities without being forced to sacrifice others.
Managing Capacity Constraints
There are only 24 hours in a day, and multiple blog projects running simultaneously can quickly catch up with you. Knowing how to outsource blog writing allows you to grow your capacity gradually, eventually creating a surplus and opening the door for new opportunities.
Focus Areas
Bloggers are business owners. Focusing exclusively on your writing can leave essential elements like your website, marketing, and monetization efforts to chance, hurting your ability to grow and keep up with your readers’ needs. By outsourcing your writing, you can invest more time focusing on those other things too.
Pros and Cons of Blog Outsourcing
While outsourcing your blog may be hard to do, there are some significant advantages for doing so – and a few risks.
Pros of Outsourcing Blog Writing
- Saving time – Some blogs can be written in a matter of hours, while others can take days. Blog outsourcing saves vast chunks of your time, freeing you up to focus on other tasks.
- Extra insight – Having additional writing capacity on board opens the door for new ideas and fresh insight into your content.
- Growth potential – Understanding how to outsource your blog writing allows you to expand your business by using your extra time to create new blog sites, work on your monetization strategy, and scale.
- Saving money – While outsourcing your writing may cost you money, it’s still much cheaper than hiring a full-time writer.
- Objectivity – By adding outsourcing capacity to your blogging efforts, you can formulate a better view of the process you follow and your content appeal.
Cons of Outsourcing Blog Writing
- Quality risk – Of course, having someone else write your content for you carries the risk that they don’t do as good a job as you do. This can hurt your reputation and cause problems if not managed correctly.
- Dealing with an extra business element – Outsourcing blog writing needs to someone else comes with a price tag, communication needs, and having to manage them. This can lead to complications and delays down the line.
- Ethics – Some bloggers see outsourcing as unethical, especially in ghostwriter outsourcing cases. Don’t let this bother you, though – it’s not.
Blog Writing Outsourcing Options
Now that you have a better idea about why you should consider looking at how to outsource blog writing, you’ll need to understand how to do it. Bloggers have many options for outsourcing their writing needs, ranging from hiring a professional writer to handle everything to roping in a junior copywriter to take care of the draft work. Here are the most effective, tried-and-tested options.
1. Independent Freelancers
Let’s start with the most popular blog outsourcing choice at the moment – independent freelance writers. These creators operate as self-employed contractors, collaborating directly with clients. These writers usually have extensive experience in blogging and often have a blog of their own. They have built a brand around themselves and can be evaluated on testimonials and rating reviews.
Independent freelancers either specialize in a particular writing form or are capable of writing on a variety of different topics. Their rates are often a little higher than other options, however, you do have an opportunity to build a long-standing relationship with them.
Think about engaging with more than one independent freelance writer and ask to see examples of the work they’ve done previously.
2. Agencies
Another standard option for outsourcing blog writing is to approach a content agency that offers writing services. Agencies often position themselves as digital marketing companies or firms specializing in multiple content-related disciplines beyond writing services, including web design, public relations, and media.
Agencies are helpful for bloggers looking for an outsourcing option that provides a little more than just writing. From SEO optimization to graphic design and advertising, most agencies will offer you a menu of services to choose from.
Using an agency to outsource your blog writing can get expensive, though, and most require you to sign a contract agreement covering a specified period.
3. Writing Sites
Content writing sites are a great place to look for potential outsourcing candidates. They usually host a variety of different skill levels, specialties, and price ranges. Whether you’re looking for a writer to draft a rough version of your blog content or one who can write, edit and optimize everything for you, writing sites are a great place to start.
Writing sites are great for bloggers in urgent need of an outsourcing option or those once-off situations, but if you’re looking for a longer-term outsourcing solution, think about looking at another alternative.
4. Gig Platforms
Gig platforms are an increasingly popular option for blog outsourcing. Sites like Fiverr and Upwork offer enormous freelancing marketplaces where buyers can search for and connect directly with people offering their services on a job-by-job basis. You’ll be able to find almost every writer level you can think of, and options range from basic copywriters to experienced writing professionals.
When using a gig platform to source a writer for your blog, remember to explore their portfolios first and to engage with them. Many buyers face frustrating dead ends with inexperienced writers who promise more than they can deliver. Avoid basing your decision on price and provide as much detail about what you need from them as possible.
5. Direct Writer Offers
Medium and LinkedIn are known writing and professional networking platforms offering different things, but they have one thing in common – they’re hugely popular among writers looking for work. While using an independent freelancer means having to go out and look for one, direct writer offers allow the writer to come to you.
Similar to old-school classified ads, writers can post offers on their Medium and LinkedIn profiles explaining how much they charge per word or per hour, and buyers can reach out to them directly. Once you’ve found a writer happy to take on a job, you can engage and negotiate with them about your writing needs.
6. Guest Posts
Check your inbox. If you own a website, chances are you’ve received countless emails from bloggers offering to create content for you. Guest bloggers are either looking to charge for their content or for a space to write their own – with one condition: They get to put their name on the content.
Now, guest blogging isn’t considered outsourcing blog writing in the strictest sense, but it is an excellent option if you’re in need of some content and don’t mind having someone else’s posted on your site.
If you’re happy to allow people to do that, great, but do be weary of detracting from your perceived authenticity and topic authority. Guest blogs’ content is usually out of your hands, and your entire blog may be judged by the quality of just one guest post.
What to Look for in Your Outsourced Blog Writer / Freelancer
Now that you have a better understanding of the processes and options behind outsourcing your blog writing, here are some critical considerations for selecting the right outsourcing option for your blog writing needs.
Who They Are
This is possibly the most critical aspect of figuring out how to outsource blog writing. You must ensure that the writer you choose is, at the very least, mostly capable of creating blog content that is similar to yours. From the tone and language they use to their style, formatting, and design ideas, it is imperative that you choose based on how likely they are to be able to produce the content you need.
Rate & Payment Options
Freelance, ghost, and gig writers can charge you anywhere between $5 for an entire blog post and a couple of hundred dollars for a rough draft – it all depends on quality. When it comes to outsourced writing, more is always better. Be prepared to pay a little extra for high-quality work and take note of how they charge: Per word, per job, or by the hour.
Experience
Experience shows in writing, and a seasoned writer will make blog outsourcing efforts much easier. Ask to view previous content and request credentials and qualifications information. Experienced writers understand the nature of outsourcing, know how to meet deadlines, and, more often than not, produce work of a high standard.
Capacity & Services
Like bloggers, writers are busy people and often juggle more than one medium or job. Try to find a writer dedicated to writing blog content for others and enquire about their production capacity. Also, consider any additional services they may offer, like SEO, formatting, and researching extras that can free up even more of your time.
Potential for Long-Term Collaboration
Finally, think about landing a writer willing to commit to a long-term collaboration. The longer you’re able to maintain a productive relationship with them, the better they’ll get at producing high-quality content, which requires less editing from your side.
Conclusion
Figuring out how to outsource blog writing can be a scary process. You’re putting the very content you’ve worked tirelessly to build your brand around into the hands of someone else. But blog outsourcing can be an incredible opportunity to scale your business, re-invigorate your content and build relationships that benefit everyone involved.
Whether opting for freelance writers found on writing sites and gig platforms or partnering with bespoke agencies and professional writing experts, outsourcing blog writing is an important process that will give you the extra capacity you so desperately need.
