A freelance writer works on a job-to-job or contract basis. Freelancers can choose the kind of jobs they want and charge varying fees based on content complexity, research required, or word count.
Employees fulfill their job descriptions and do what their employers dictate. In return, businesses accept responsibilities and risks when hiring employees.
Employing freelance writers offers many benefits to companies of every size while reducing the accountability for and hazards of formal employment.
Hiring a freelance writer is a win-win business relationship.
Why You Need a Freelance Writer
Because The Information Age that began in the 1970s has picked up speed, online content draws knowledge-seeking visitors to your website daily. Still, there’s no discounting the tradition of an in-hand book or brochure. You need a writer. Rather than hire a 9-to-5 staffer, your company can use a freelancer to deliver communications quickly and effectively without the obligations of formal employment.
Types of freelance writers include:
- Business
- Ghostwriter
- Instructional
- Journalist
- Technical
- Web
6 Advantages of Hiring a Freelance Writer
Full-time employees depend on their employers’ commitment and protection. But companies and individuals that hire freelance writers enjoy the benefits of a lateral business relationship without risks.
Six advantages of hiring a freelance writer are:
- Dependability – Freelance writers are motivated to deliver the content you need, on-time and within budget. They don’t have a steady paycheck and are eager to earn your work.
- Experience – John Updike said, “Old age treats freelance writers pretty gently.” Many freelance writers are retired advertising professionals, teachers, attorneys, etc. They earn money working from home without wardrobe expenses and stressful daily commutes. They have a level of communication skills and experience you can draw upon more affordably.
- Money – You invest in employee onboarding and training. A freelance writer hits the ground running and receives gross pay. The payment doesn’t involve withholdings, and this is a substantial saving for most employers.
- In-house staffers don’t always deliver the quality of work you want. They get paid anyway. Your freelance writer’s contract should include the right to reject work and refuse payment after a number of revisions.
- Quality – You get what you pay for. If you go through a content mill, you may pay less for a writer that earns bottom dollar. But what you receive may be less-than-professional copywriting. The agency gets the lion’s share of whatever you pay and for the same price, a freelance writer can deliver higher-quality work.
- The damage your company suffers when customers see grammatical or punctuation errors in your content are immeasurable. They wonder: If your content is sloppy, will your customer care be equally unprofessional? Your freelance writer can deliver well-written content that reads well and meets your audience’s reading level.
- You’re too close to your business. The things you take for granted – industry-specific words and company-specific explanations – may need to be reconsidered for reaching a general audience. A freelance writer brings a fresh, new perspective to what you do and can describe your products or services in ways your readers will understand.
- Speed – You and your employees may be juggling several tasks and managing difficult deadlines. Sometimes, it’s not that you or your team can’t write the content you need. The problem is you can’t meet the necessary turnaround time. A freelance writer prioritizes your content and can deliver work on time.
- Topic-specific expertise – Employing people with niche knowledge is expensive. If you need content written by someone with experience in one area, a freelance writer can offer the knowledge base you need.
Here’s the foremost reason for hiring a freelance writer: Your writer will have a passion for writing about what you do and who you are. Your return on investment will be business-building goodwill and measurable income generation.