Hiring a freelance content writer can save you time that you would otherwise spend coming up with content yourself. If the freelancer works to a professional standard, you should be rewarded with regularly updated, unique, error-free articles and content with which to furnish your website or blog. However, it is all too easy to hire someone via the internet and realise that they are in fact a dud. Hiring a bad, unprofessional freelancer can cost you time and money. However, there are a few hints that can keep you out of trouble.
- Hire through a reputable freelance site, such as Freelancer.com. Your chosen website should offer options that allow you to view freelancer feedback and a basic profile, as well as offering safe payment options and customer support services.
- Make a list of what you require in a freelancer, and do not settle for anything less than someone who meets all those criteria. In particular, if you are looking for article writers to write in a specific language (be it English or any other language), make sure they are fluent in that language.
- Request samples of applicants’ work, so that you can make a more thorough assessment of their capabilities and potential.
- Freelancing can be risky for employers and employees in terms of payment. Freelancers are often wary of submitting work before they have been, due to the risk of being burned by dodgy employers. Likewise, the employer risks paying up with no further response from the freelancer. Rather than go the whole enchilada and pay the entire project fee in one hit, it may be safer to offer milestone portions of the fee as parts of the project are completed.
- If you do realise that you have made a mistake and hired a freelancer who just isn’t that great, do not be afraid to fire them and find someone who can do the job at the standard you require. It saves you wasting further resources, and sends a clear message that freelancers need to be professional.
At the end of the day, you should get what you paid for – nothing less. Poor content will affect your website, and ultimately your business. As an employer, you need to be firm, and clear about your intentions.
