I create a lot of postings dedicated to business, marketing, or other elements of communications that are necessary for companies to succeed.  But today I’d like to talk a little bit about my writing process and philosophy.  Because we all want to know, if we’re paying for a service, what that person can do for us.

I have been writing for a long time now.  So long that I can’t imagine not doing it.  And each project, whether from a new client or a repeat customer, brings its own special challenge that I enjoy using my brain to solve.

Over the years I have become skilled at writing quickly and at creating solid first drafts.  This not only makes me more productive, but it makes me better able to meet the needs of my clients because I have to spend less time editing.  An added bonus is that it gives me the opportunity to tackle more challenges that interest my ever inquisitive brain.

I truly enjoy producing quality pieces for my clients.  I have a perfect track record for customer satisfaction because I take the time to edit, tweak, and otherwise rewrite my pieces.  And I’m really proud of that.  Because writing is not just an occupation for me – it’s a passion. 

Every piece I create is done with the same level of care and creativity as the one before it, and this devotion continues for every project that comes along afterwards.  This is why I write, and this is why I own my business.  To share my talent in a way that affects the community, that helps businesses grow, and that makes people smile.

Why do you do the job you do?  How do you conduct yourself within your business?  Have you thought about it today?

Need help growing your business or nonprofit organization?  Browse my website to learn about how I can help you with your particular needs.

So you have contacted a writer, gotten an estimate, and your first reaction is that you don’t understand what that money is paying for.  After all, it’s just writing right?  Well actually a lot goes on behind the scenes.  And when you hire a stellar writer who charges professional rates, you are getting a lot more than just writing for that investment.  Let’s do a comparison.

Cheap writers

Let’s start with the super cheap, below minimum wage writers.  You see them all over Craigslist and freelance sites like eLance or Guru.com, and their unbelievably low rates are very tempting.  Especially for growing organizations who don’t have a large budget. 

But what are you paying for when you hire a writer like that?  Well, you are likely getting someone who:

1. Has little or no experience.
2. Has no real understanding of the writing process.
3. Has little or no ability to write professionally or to a particular audience. 
4. Won’t conduct the research required to create solid writing.
5. Cannot produce quality documents because they can’t afford to at those rates, even if they have good skills.

Writers like this sacrifice quality and effectiveness for quantity and speed.  These subpar writers want to hook the client with a super cheap rate, deliver something quickly, collect the fee and then move on to the next prospect. 

Many of these writers, obviously, do not maintain repeat customers because of the poor writing quality they deliver.  So what you get is a writer who relies on his or her cheap rates – rather than client satisfaction – to continue to get work. 

Keep these things in mind when considering a writer of this type.  You may end up having to get the work fixed by a professional (I am often contacted for this reason), or if left untouched the work may actually decrease your revenue by tarnishing your image.  This will definitely cost your organization much more money in the end, and cause you additional headaches.

Professional writers

Now, let’s talk about a professional writer – a writer who charges real fees and who yes, will cost you a bit more up front.  But let’s look at what you get for those fees, and let’s talk about the case for going ahead and hiring a professional even if you are on a tight budget. 

When you hire a professional writer, you are getting someone who:

1. Has real writing experience and an ability to craft words into magic.
2. Takes the time to understand exactly what you need for your business, and to choose the wording carefully.
3. Fully researches the topic, industry and audience to create solid copy.
4. Goes through multiple drafts before delivering a finished product to you, because they know that most good writing requires at least 3 drafts before being polished enough to be considered final.
5. Will give you a fantastic return on investment for those professional fees.
   

Isn’t this a better option long term, when you think about how you are investing in your organization? 

Professional writers know their craft, they know what it takes to create something that meets your goals and objectives, and they take the time to produce quality because their rates ensure that they can.  They conduct themselves professionally and maintain a stable client base, because they deliver good work and provide prompt service for their customers.

Wouldn’t you rather pay $500 for something that will bring you $15,000 in revenue, than $50 for something that might only garner you $2000?  Think about what you are paying for and how you are investing your money when you hire a writer. 

And remember, you can always do a trial run with a small project if your budget is tight.  See if you like their work, if it increases your revenue, or ups your professional image.  If it does, you can move forward slowly with more projects as you get the funds. 

Need help growing your business or nonprofit organization?  Browse my website to learn about how I can help you with your particular needs.

There are thousands upon thousands of writers out there.  The rates they charge are anywhere from dirt cheap to really expensive.  How can you find a good freelance writer?  And what should you look for?

The first thing is a polished website.  If the website is not appealing, think about the skills of the person who created it.  In general a writer will have created their own website, or at least the copy within it.  Is it visually appealing?  Does it catch you and draw you in?  Is it informative and persuasive? 

If not...well, don't expect the work they do for you to be of any higher quality.  

A writer's website is their calling card, and their marketing tool.  It should be an example of their best work.  If it doesn't look impressive to you, move on.  Because your potential clients may react similarly to your materials/website if they are looking at work from that particular writer.

Another important thing to look for is breadth of knowledge.  Can this writer only write articles?  Can they only write marketing copy?  Can they only write blogs?  But why would you care, anyway, if all you want is a blog writer?

Well...a good writer can write for any medium and any audience.  Specializing in something is great, being limited to one or two areas is not.  Why? 

Because writers need to be able to get into the minds of their intended audience.  And to craft whatever type of writing is necessary in order to meet the client's objectives. 

If the writer you are considering can only write in one area, will they really be able to effectively sell YOUR particular needs?  And what if you find that your business grows, and you want to expand to other areas?  Do you really want to have to go out and find another writer all over again, because your current one cannot deliver?

A final thing to look for is professionalism and confidentiality.  Does the writer willingly give out client samples to anyone and everyone who asks for them?  Are there links to proprietary information on their website?  Or is the writer careful about maintaining disclosure agreements and guarding their clients' key business information?

You want a writer you can trust.  If they don't portray trust and professionalism in their interactions and work samples, move on to the next one.

And always remember:  you get what you pay for.  A cheap writer is like immediate gratification - the low up front cost is nice, but the long-term effects on your business end up costing you more.

Need help growing your business or nonprofit organization?  Browse my website to learn about how I can help you with your particular needs.

A lot of businesses think they can cut corners in the writing department.  They try to outsource it to a cheap provider overseas, delegate it to a current employee, or look for quick help through a freelancing site that they feel will provide the most content for the cheapest dollar amount.

But rarely in this world do good things come cheaply.  Most often, you have to work for what you get.  And the cliche "you get what you pay for" just about always rings true in this line of work.

The problem with thinking you can cut corners on the writing is that even if you have paid top dollar for a snazzy look and feel, the artwork and design can only go so far in selling your image.  Great writing and great design go hand in hand.  You can't have one without the other. 

If your potential customer is impressed by the design, but then appalled by the written content, you have instantly lost a sale and potentially any referrals that may have come afterward.  Have you made the best investment possible to grow your business?

Think carefully about why you should pay more for quality writing.  What kind of ROI do you want? 

There are plenty of aspiring writers who would be willing to do work at extremely low rates.  But think about how you want to represent your business.  The image you portray through your materials is like investing in the clothing you wear to an interview.  Are you going to show up in shorts and flip flops, or in a polished suit that really shines? 

Which option will provide a better return on investment?

Get their attention.  Make your business shine.  Hire a great writer. 

Need help growing your business or nonprofit organization?  Browse my website to learn about how I can help you with your particular needs.